Ph.D. in Epidemiology

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Epidemiology is an intensive research-training program for students with prior training in Epidemiology or related disciplines. The program provides advanced education and training for students seeking a professional career in medical and health-related research, as well as for physicians and other persons who have attained professional degrees and are seeking to integrate epidemiological research and methods into their ongoing careers. 

As a research-focused degree, students are given the skills necessary to approach health problems to generate consequential research questions and use the most appropriate epidemiological methods to address them.  The methodologically rigorous training comprises both formal classroom education and guided research with faculty mentors.  The PhD curriculum includes advanced coursework in epidemiological theory, analytical and statistical methods, study design and data interpretation, ethics in research and research experience.  In addition to the core courses, students have the opportunity to complete elective coursework in epidemiology and other disciplines relevant to their selected area of emphasis.  To advance to candidacy, students are required to pass a comprehensive examination at the conclusion of their second year of study (in epidemiology and biostatistics).  The curriculum culminates in the development and completion of a dissertation generating new knowledge in the field of epidemiology based on independent research. 

Admission Requirements

·       Application – Applicants must submit their application online through SOPHAS, the centralized application service of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). All application materials, including transcripts, test scores, statement of purpose/personal statement, resume/CV, and letters of recommendations, must be submitted directly through SOPHAS. Applicants to the MD/PhD program must apply through AMCAS. 

·       Transcripts – Applicants must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. All foreign transcripts must be official and submitted in the original language. If the original language is not English, an official translation must be submitted along with the transcript. All non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES) using ICAP course-by-course evaluation service.

·       Standardized Test Scores – Applicants are required to submit a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) taken within the last five years.

·       English Proficiency Exam – International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). If English is not a student’s native language, the TOEFL/IELTS requirement may be waived if the applicant holds an undergraduate or graduate degree from an academic institution within the United States or from select English-speaking countries.

·       Resume/Curriculum Vitae – Applicants must include a detailed resume including employment, public health experiences, community service, research, and academic or professional honors. Prior public health experience is not required in order to be considered for admission.

·       Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement – Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose that details their academic interest in the program. The statement should discuss any experiences in public health including field experience, research, training, education or other related qualifications. Applicants should discuss how earning the degree will contribute to their future professional and career goals, as well as to the future of public health. Applicants should also address any academic deficiencies, if applicable.

·       Letters of Recommendation – Applicants must provide three letters of recommendation from individuals who are best able to assess their ability to be successful in a graduate degree program. Ideally, recommenders are recent professors, researchers or employers in a related field. Letters should be signed and on letterhead. Applicants will be asked to include the contact information of their recommenders on the SOPHAS application and recommenders will be sent an online form to complete via email.

For more information about our application process, please click here. To obtain detailed curricula on all our program offerings, please visit our website.

For further information, please contact:

Ginelle Solis, EdD, MPA
Director of Admissions and Recruitment
Department of Public Health Sciences
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
1120 N.W. 14 Street, Room 905 (R-669)
Miami, Florida 33136
Tel: 305-243-7246
Email: publichealthadmissions@miami.edu

Curriculum Requirements

¹ Students complete the Professional Development/Research Seminar multiple semesters (each Spring semester), minimum of three times; program director permission required for exception to minimum requirement.

Plan of Study

Pre-requisites:  The program is primarily designed for persons who have completed an MPH degree, as well as for physicians and others who have a master or doctoral degree in a related discipline.  At a minimum, students should have successfully completed a graduate-level, foundation of epidemiology course as well as two graduate-level biostatistics courses.  

All PhD in Epidemiology students are required to complete 64 credit hours. These include core courses in epidemiology and biostatistics, elective coursework and the dissertation.  Students complete the structured coursework (core and elective courses) during their first two years of study and sit for comprehensive examinations during their second summer semester in the program.  After successful completion of the comprehensive examinations, students advance to candidacy for the degree and complete their dissertation research.

Mission

The mission of the Graduate Programs in Public Health is to develop leaders who can generate and translate knowledge into policy and practice to promote health and prevent disease in human populations.

The PhD program in Epidemiology is an intensive research-training program for students with prior training in epidemiology or related disciplines. All PhD students in our program have extensive contact with faculty members, in part because the program is explicitly designed to be small and interactive. The program takes advantage of South Florida's unique opportunities for epidemiologic research, including our ever-changing mix of race, ethnicity, and cultures. In fact, many of our research programs could not be conducted elsewhere. Furthermore, because the program is located within the Miller School of Medicine, interactions with basic scientists and clinicians provide opportunities for epidemiologists to develop translational and interdisciplinary research.

Goals

Upon completion of the Doctorate in Epidemiology (PhD) degree, all graduates will be able to:

• Design epidemiologic studies applying sound methodology and assess the validity of results;
• Develop data collection/management methods and tools needed for performing epidemiology investigations;
• Apply quantitative and reasoning skills, as well as content-area knowledge to analyze data from epidemiological studies;
• Utilize the application of statistical methods that are critical to epidemiologic inquiry; manage and manipulate data sets in statistical analysis software packages including SAS and R;
• Identify major chronic and infectious diseases, their general pathophysiology, descriptive epidemiology and risk factors;
• Critically evaluate scientific literature and synthesize the outcomes across studies, balancing limitations and contributions of each study;
• Articulate research questions that advance scientific knowledge and develop a proposal for extramural research funding;
• Effectively communicate (written and oral) epidemiological concepts to students and peers;
• Conduct an advanced original research project and demonstrate mastery of the topic area;
• Read, plan, develop and present epidemiologic data outside their area of mastery;
• Conduct epidemiological research and be prepared to work collaboratively with scientists and practitioners in other fields;
• Convey epidemiology concepts to new learners of epidemiology;
• Recognize and identify the ethical issues relating to epidemiological studies used in public health practice and/or research

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will develop effective written and oral communication skills in the presentation of public health information.
• Students will develop and demonstrate the ability to make scholarly contributions to the field.
• Students will demonstrate mastery of research competencies.