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The Brown School’s PhD program in Public Health Sciences prepares students to think critically as public health scientists, succeed as independent investigators, and understand and address public health challenges for the nation and the world. It provides hands-on research experiences and mentoring from day one in the program; a curriculum that builds methodological and analytical skills, and deep knowledge of the field’s theoretical and conceptual underpinnings, philosophy and history; and professional acculturation and network building. Graduates transition to leadership roles in academia, policy research, and public health settings to make a difference locally, nationally, and globally.

The Brown School is a one-of-a-kind place to learn and grow as a doctoral student.

“The public health sciences doctoral program provides unique training and research opportunities for transdisciplinary problem-solving. Doctoral students team with faculty to address complex public health issues locally, nationally, and globally. Training offers distinct hands-on experience with innovative science that promotes health, confronts disparities, and informs policies.”

—Patrick Fowler
Director, Doctoral Program in Public Health Sciences 

Overview

PhD in Public Health Sciences

Curriculum
Faculty
Connections
Research &
Teaching Experience
Stipends &
Fellowships
Application
Information
Concentration

Doctoral students complete innovative coursework in public health foundations, statistical analysis, an array of research methodologies, and substantive offerings in their individualized areas of interest. Students also engage in mentored research and teaching experiences.

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Students develop individualized areas of study through mentored training opportunities with our highly collaborative faculty working at the intersections of artificial intelligence, child and maternal health, chronic disease prevention, community-based research, dissemination and implementation science, environmental science, epidemiology and biostatistics, global health equity, health disparities, health policy, mental health, nutrition, urban design, systems science, violence and injury prevention, etc.

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The PhD curriculum includes three units of required research and teaching practica. These practica typically occur after the first semester in our program and round out the individualized curriculum plan. Research practica provide opportunities to engage in different aspects of the research process and increase a student’s capacity for completing independent research. Teaching practica ensure students are well-trained in substantive content and pedagogy as they prepare for independent teaching at the graduate level. Additional opportunities for research development are available within specific research fellowship programs, faculty laboratories and research centers.

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View PHS Research Opportunities

We are dedicated to providing our doctoral students full-tuition scholarships, four-year stipends, and professional development accounts. Base stipends for students are five years at $35,000 in the program, and additional funding is possible through paid research, teaching fellowships, and other internal and external support sources.

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Our doctoral program provides the nation and the world with some of the profession’s best scholars, teachers and researchers, and as such, is highly competitive. We review all applications holistically, assessing an individual’s overall preparation for rigorous doctoral study.

Applicants to the PhD in Public Health Sciences must have a master’s degree in public health or related discipline. Applications are accepted through SOPHAS – the centralized application service for public health. The application deadline is December 1.

Application requirements include:

  • SOPHAS Application and Fee
  • Official Academic Transcripts
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose and Objectives
  • Writing Sample
  • English Language Proficiency

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Brown School PhD students typically develop an individualized research area through coursework and mentored training opportunities. The Dissemination and Implementation Sciences (D&I) doctoral concentration provides an opportunity for students interested in the transdisciplinary field to complete relevant coursework and mentored research.

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If you have any questions about the program, please reach out.

PhD in Public Health Sciences

MSC 1196-251-46
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis MO 63130
brown-phdphs@wustl.edu

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