CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
The curriculum of this four-year program is designed to be interdisciplinary including core courses completed by all students, regardless of their chosen emphasis. Students apply directly into one of three emphases: Biostatistics, Clinical and Translational Epidemiology, or Health Systems Research.
CREDITS
Students who hold a relevant master’s degree take a minimum of 62 credits to earn a PhD in Population Health Sciences. Students who do not have a previous master’s degree take a minimum of 80 credits to earn a PhD in Population Health Sciences.
PREREQUISITES
Prerequisites will vary based on program emphasis and an applicant's educational background.
Before entering the Population Health Sciences PhD program, all applicants are required to have a graduate-level biostatistics course. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to take one semester of graduate-level epidemiology. In addition, applicants should be proficient in R statistical computing. It is also recommended that applicants have previous research experience.
CORE CURRICULUM
Population Health Sciences students will take the required core courses as described below.
Catalogue Number | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
PHS 7020 |
Insights from Secondary Data |
3 |
PHS 7030 |
Applied Modern Causal Inference |
3 |
PHS 7100 |
Epidemiology Theory & Methods |
3 |
PHS 7310 |
Comparative Health Systems Seminar I |
2 |
PHS 7370 |
Social Determinants & Health Inequities |
3 |
MDCRC 6450 |
Grant Writing |
3 |
PHS 7970 |
Dissertation (minimum) |
14 |
Total Number of Credits |
31 |
EMPHASES CURRICULUM
BIOSTATISTICS
YEAR 0 CURRICULUM - required for students without Masters Degree
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
HEALTH SYSTEMS RESEARCH
QUALIFYING EXAM
After completing their coursework (generally by the conclusion of the spring semester of their second year), students will take a qualifying examination to assess their knowledge within their specific discipline and of the tools of research required in PHS.
PHD COMPETENCIES
A LIST OF COMPETENCIES students are expected to gain from our PhD Program.
Contact Us
Questions? Contact us by phone or email:
Phone: 801-587-1606
Email: phsphd@hsc.utah.edu
Williams Building, Room 1N490
295 Chipeta Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Education Team

Marcie Leek, MPA
801-587-1606

Maureen Murtaugh, PhD
801-585-9216