Public Health Sciences, PhD

PhD Admission Requirements

• Hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution.
• Completion of a MA, MS, MPH or a related master’s degree(s) is preferred.
• Submit an application to the SPH via SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service) at www.sophas.org,
• Submit complete, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended,
• Submit official scores from one of the following graduate admissions examinations: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) - use institutional code: 6565, Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT), Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) or Pharmacy School Admissions Test (PCAT). The examination requirement is waived for applicants possessing a professional doctoral degree with a license to practice in the United States,
• Three (3) letters of recommendation from professionals who are familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or professional work,
• Current resume or curriculum vita,
• Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages) addressing the applicant’s research interest and how the PhD will assist career aspirations,
• Applicants with foreign transcripts must also include an official WES or ECE transcript evaluation report listing course-by-course U.S. grade point equivalencies,
• International applicants must demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in oral and written English before being granted admission. Minimum TOEFL exam requirements: written = 550; computer-based = 213; internet-based = 79. The TOEFL is waived if the applicant has earned a high school diploma or a bachelor or master degree from an accredited institution within the United States or Canada,
• A minimum graduate GPA of 3.2. Although a minimum GPA has been established, admission to the program is highly competitive,
• Applicants will be reviewed for best fit with concentrations and faculty mentors,
• Prior to final decisions for admission, selected applicants will be expected to participate in either an on-campus interview or a technology-assisted interview. Interviews at the student’s request are always welcomed.

Once an offer of admission has been extended to an applicant, official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended must be re-submitted directly to the SPH Office of Admissions SCC-120, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107-2699.

Once an offer of admission has been extended to an international applicant, the Health Science Center will not issue immigration papers for student visas until the following documents have been received and approved by the Health Science Center:

• Proof of financial resources
• Official transcripts from each college or university attended should be re-submitted both in English and the student’s native language.

Admission Decisions and Deferments for PhD Students

Applicants will be furnished written notification regarding their admission status by the SPH Office of Admissions. Statements by other Health Science Center personnel concerning the applicant’s admissibility are not valid until confirmed in writing by the Office of Admissions.

Applicants who are admitted to a degree program and plan to enroll are required to submit an Admissions Decision Form along with a non-refundable $200 assurance fee that will be used toward tuition upon arrival. Applicants admitted to a degree program that do not intend to enroll in the semester for which they applied must contact the Office of Admissions to request a deferment. Deferments must be made in writing and cannot exceed one year from the original acceptance date. There is a non-refundable deferment fee of $300; the deferment fee is due at the time the request is made.

Information submitted in the application materials must be complete and correct. Prospective and current students must notify the proper institution officials regarding any changes in the information provided on their application. Falsification or omission of any information on the application documents will void a student’s admission, cancel their enrollment, and/or result in appropriate disciplinary action.

All materials submitted during the application process become the property of the Health Science Center and cannot be returned.

Financial Assistance

The SPH Dean offers a limited number of competitive scholarships & graduate assistantships positions to new incoming students each fall semester. To be considered applicants must have completed and submitted their admission application through SOPHAS by the January 15th application deadline. Please note that all application materials must be received by the application service well enough in advance for the service to complete the coursework verification process to meet the January 15th deadline. Other financial assistance may be available through the Office of Financial Aid.

PhD Competencies and Learning Objectives

To develop research skills, students interact and collaborate with researchers through a variety of courses and research experiences. Six overarching competencies are addressed throughout the educational experiences within the PhD degree program: Upon completion of the PhD program, the graduate will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Research Theories - Synthesize historical, contemporary, and emerging theories and paradigms of significance to public health. 
• Critical Analysis - Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing research evidence and identify significant gaps in knowledge. 
• Research Methodology - Comprehend, design and apply relevant and advanced research methods based on rigorous standards of evidence. 
• Scientific Communications - Develop professional skills in scientific and grant writing, oral communication, and teaching.
• Ethics - Uphold the highest ethical standards in all professional endeavors, including the design and implementation of research and the participation of human subjects. 
• Discovery & Translational Research - Conduct investigative research, including areas that facilitate the translation and application of discovery to practice. 

PhD Curriculum