PhDs in Population Health Sciences with a Biostatistics emphasis are the leaders of data-driven health care delivery. Graduates will direct research in academic, government, policy and health system settings.
Population Health Scientists with expertise in Clinical and Translational Epidemiology use advances in understanding of the molecular basis of disease to improve patient treatment and outcomes.
Population Health is at the heart of a shifting health care landscape, using rigorous methodologies and research design to strategically improve care delivery to patient populations.
PhDs in Population Health Sciences are at leading edge of a new interdisciplinary approach to health care for people worldwide.
Teryn Holeman, MD/PhD student, enjoying the beautiful Wasatch Front and hiking with her husband. Check out all that Utah has to offer besides a great education.
Amir Leuth, a PHD Student in the Clinical & Translational Epidemiology Emphasis, presenting a poster at the 2020 Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine Conference on Placental Abruption in Nulliparous Women.
Curriculum
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.
Pre-Requisites
Applicants are strongly encouraged to take one semester of graduate level epidemiology and at least two semesters of graduate level statistics before entering the Population Health Sciences PhD Programs. Applicants should also be proficient in at least one statistical package (SAS, STATA, R). It is also recommended that applicants have previous research experience.
Core Curriculum
Population Health Sciences students will take the core courses as described below.
| Course Prefix and Number | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PHS 7100 | Epidemiology Theory and Methods | 3 |
| PHS 7020 | Insights from Secondary Data | 3 |
| PHS 7030 | Applied Modern Causal Inference | 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 | |
Biostatistics Emphasis
Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Emphasis
Health Systems Research Emphasis
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.
PHS Competencies
Education Team
Maureen Murtaugh, PhD
Director of Graduate Studies
maureen.murtaugh@hsc.utah.edu
801-585-9216
Marcie Leek, MPA
Academic Program Manager
marcie.leek@hsc.utah.edu
801-587-1606
