The Ph.D. program at Georgia State University educates the next generation of public health leaders capable of conducting independent research in academia, governmental public health, health care organizations, and the private sector.
Ph.D. Virtual Open House
November 3, 2022
How to Apply
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) applicants must complete an application through SOPHAS and a GSU/CAS Liaison application.
During the application process, you will receive emails from our Office of Academic Assistance (OAA) containing follow-up questions or confirming receipt of your application. It is important for you to regularly check your email inbox and respond to emails from our OAA staff.
Applications for the Fall 2023 Ph.D. program are now open
The deadline to apply is December 1, 2022
Applicants to the Ph.D. program must provide documentation of successful completion of a Masters in Public Health or equivalent degree from a regionally accredited institution. Admission preference will be given to students who have already acquired a Master in Public Health (MPH) or equivalent degree. All other students will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants must complete TWO applications:
- Complete and submit a SOPHAS application: https://sophas.org/
- Complete and submit a Georgia State University supplemental application (GSU/CAS Liaison) and $50 fee: https://gradapply.gsu.edu/apply/
Note: Both applications and all supporting documents must be in by the deadline. All applications must be SOPHAS “verified” and Georgia State “complete-ready for review.”
Application Steps
- Step 1: Choose a program (PhD)
- Step 2: Choose an area of concentration
- Step 3: Complete and submit a SOPHAS application – https://sophas.org
- Step 4: Complete and submit the required online Georgia State University Graduate School Supplemental Application –https://gradapply.gsu.edu/apply/ (Select application type: GSU/CAS-Liaison Programs, then select college: School of Public Health)
- Step 5: Send GRE, GMAT or MCAT scores directly to Georgia State University (school code 5251)
- Step 6: Send all application materials (except test scores) directly to SOPHAS
During the application process, you will receive emails from our Office of Academic Assistance (OAA) containing follow-up questions or confirming receipt of your application. It is important for you to regularly check your email inbox and respond to emails from our OAA staff.
SOPHAS application instructions and FAQs:
https://portal.sophas.org/sophasHelpPages/frequently-asked-questions/index.html
Complete list of instructions for the Georgia State University application materials:
http://publichealth.gsu.edu/academic/apply/admissions-requirements/
GRE or GMAT Scores
- GRE/GMAT scores are no longer a requirement for admission to the MPH, DrPH, Ph.D., Graduate Certificate of Public Health or Maternal and Child Health Graduate Certificate programs.
The following documents must be submitted directly to SOPHAS (not Georgia State University):
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Upload and attach to SOPHAS application.
Transcripts
- Send directly to SOPHAS.
- One official transcript from each college and/or university previously attended (including Georgia State University). Transcripts are required regardless of length of stay or if the grades are listed on another institution’s transcript.
- Admission preference will be given to students who have already acquired a master’s in public health (MPH) or equivalent degree. You must possess at least a master’s-level graduate degree to be admitted into the DrPH program. Students who hold a master’s degree in a discipline other than public health will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Those applicants accepted without an MPH will be required to take prerequisite MPH core curriculum courses.
Statement of Purpose and Objectives
- Limit statements to one single-spaced page, or two double-spaced pages. Include discussion regarding:
- Your previous academic and professional experiences as well as work in the area of public health or health care;
- Your career and personal goals and how you believe the degree you are seeking will help you achieve these goals;
- Your specific interest in the Georgia State University DrPH program.
Three Reference Letters
- When completing the online application in SOPHAS, you will submit the names and email addresses for three individuals knowledgeable about your academic and/or professional abilities. Your recommenders will be sent instructions via e-mail on how to submit their recommendations through the secured application server.
- It is strongly recommended that at least one reference letter is an academic reference, especially if your graduate school graduation has occurred in the last three years. Three professional references are acceptable if you are unable to obtain an academic reference.
For International Applicants
Official TOEFL or IELTS Scores
- For applicants whose native language is not English, include a copy of your TOEFL/IELTS scores (if available) in your application packet.
- Note for IELTS scores: e-mail “test report form number” to sphadmissions@gsu.edu
International Credential Evaluation
- Any applicant who has completed all or part of their education outside the United States is required to have foreign credentials evaluated by World Education Services (WES).
- Study abroad credit is exempt from evaluation.
- WES is the only evaluation service accepted by SOPHAS. Please view SOPHAS instructions and FAQ’s.
Foreign Student Financial Statement
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Curriculum
The objective of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Public Health in the School of Public Health is to educate the next generation of public health leaders capable of conducting independent research in academia, governmental public health, health care organizations and the private sector. A graduate of our Ph.D. program will contribute new public health knowledge and develop interventions to promote health, reduce health disparities and ameliorate critical health problems at the population, societal and global level.
For students admitted to the PhD program who have not completed a CEPH-accredited bachelor’s degree in public health or MPH degree, the following course will be required as prerequisite to the PhD program:
- PHPH 7010 Foundations of Public Health
Two additional courses may be required upon review of the student’s completed graduate coursework by the PhD Director and Faculty Advisor.
- PHPH 7011 Epidemiology for Public Health or PHPH 7711 Epidemiologic Methods I
- PHPH 7017– Fundamentals of Biostatistics I
Based upon the PhD program concentration area declared by the incoming student, the following courses will be required:
- For students declaring Health Promotion and Behavior as a concentration: PHPB 7140 Health Promotion Planning, Administration, and Evaluation
- For students declaring Environmental Health as a concentration: PHPH 7150 Environmental Health
- For students declaring Health Services and Policy Research as a concentration: PHPB 7160 Fundamentals of Health Systems, Leadership, and Policy
Doctoral students may waive these MPH Core Courses if they:
- Enter the Ph.D. program with a MPH degree that included “B” grades or better in their MPH courses related to the five knowledge areas basic to public health (biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, social and behavioral sciences or dimensions of public health, and health services administration or introduction to the health care system), and/or have successfully completed a comparable course(s) with a grade of “B” or better, as documented by an official university transcript. Syllabi for courses may also be requested. Or,
- Completed employment or other training(s) that enable them to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired in the MPH core courses listed above. Note: PHPH 7010 Foundations of Public Health cannot be waived by employment or other training(s). PHPH 7010 Foundations of Public Health is only waived after the School verifies a students’ previous completion of a CEPH-accredited bachelor’s degree in public health or MPH degree.
Summary of Ph.D. Degree Requirements
The Ph.D. degree requires completion of a minimum of sixty-two (62) credit hours of coursework and a declared concentration in a public health core area. Students are also required to complete a dissertation.
Required Ph.D. Core Courses
- PHPH 8721: Epidemiologic Methods II (3)
- PHPB 9120: Theory and Practice in Health and Prevention (3)
- PHPB 9140: Advanced Research Methods (3)
- PHPB 9150: Public Health Ethics (3)
- PHPH 9810: Biostatistical Methods I (3)
- PHPH 9820: Biostatistical Methods II (3)
Public Health Concentrations
Twenty seven (27) hours of required coursework and electives have been established to ensure that students achieve proficiency in the competencies and skills related to each Ph.D. program of study: Epidemiology (EPID), Health Promotion and Behavior (HPMP), Health Services and Policy Research (HSRP) or Environmental Health. Each student selects a program concentration upon application to the Ph.D. degree. To meet the individualized, in-depth training needs of doctoral students, many concentration research methods and/or elective areas have multiple course options that doctoral students may choose from to satisfy their unique learning needs and future career paths. All choices should be made in consultation with the student’s Faculty Advisor, and Faculty Advisor agreement with the course choices is implied on the Faculty Advisor and Doctoral Advisory Committee approved Doctoral Program of Study form. Students are encouraged to seek Faculty Advisor consultation well before concentration research methods and/or elective course registration.
- Epidemiology Concentration (Ph.D.)
- Health Services & Policy Research (Ph.D.)
- Health Promotion & Behavior (Ph.D.)
- Environmental Health Concentration (Ph.D.)
Required Ph.D. Professional Seminar Courses
- PHPB 9180 or PHPH 9180: Doctoral Research Seminar I (3)
- PHPB 9181 or PHPH 9181: Doctoral Research Seminar II (2)
Required Ph.D. Teaching Practice Experience and Culminating Experience
- PHPB 9960 or PHPH 9960: Public Health Doctoral Practice Experience (3)
- PHPB 9990 or PHPH 9990: Dissertation (9)
Required Comprehensive Ph.D. Examination
Students will be expected to pass a doctoral comprehensive exam where they student demonstrates mastery of the doctoral program body of knowledge and proficiency in the program competencies.
Students will have two opportunities to pass this exam, which is graded Pass/Fail by two faculty in the School of Public Health.
Ph.D. Dissertation Requirement
The dissertation will provide the student with an educational experience that enables the student to make a significant contribution to the field of public health and to apply the doctoral program knowledge and skills that allow him or her to contribute to the theoretical, conceptual, empirical, or practice base in the field of public health. Enrollment for dissertation credit is permitted only after successful completion of the comprehensive examination. Students must register for a minimum of nine (9) credit hours of PHPB/PHPH 9990.
Admissions
How do I apply for the Ph.D. in Public Health program?
Will you accept applicants in the Spring?
No. Applicants will only be admitted in the Fall. The application and credentials deadline is December 1.
What are the application requirements?
The following list is a summary of application requirements. All documents should be submitted through SOPHAS.
- One copy of an official transcript from all colleges and/or universities attended.
- Three references from individuals knowledgeable of the applicant’s academic, professional and intellectual abilities. One of the letters must be an academic reference.
- A Statement of Interest and Professional Intent.
- Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Applicants with an earned doctorate (including an M.D. or J.D.) from an accredited institution in the U.S. do not need to take either examination.
- Additional requirements for international students are found HERE.
Are GRE/GMAT scores waived?
GRE/GMAT scores are no longer a requirement for admission to the Ph.D program.
What is the minimum required GPA (undergraduate & graduate) to enter the Ph.D. program?
While no minimum GPAs are required, applicants with a cumulative undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.2, respectively, are considered more competitive. The Admissions Committee will also take into account the rigor of the academic program and degree.
Are there different admissions requirements for citizens of countries other than the U.S.?
For international applicants from countries/education programs in which English is not the official language, scores from the TOEFL exam are required. Click here for requirements for international applicants. For information on Georgia State University’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), click HERE.
I am an international student and have a Master's degree from a U.S. school. Do I need to take the TOEFL exam?
The TOEFL is not required of international applicants who have received a degree from an accredited U.S. institution.
Can I be admitted to the Ph.D. program without a MPH degree?
Admission preference will be given to students who have already acquired a Masters in Public Health (MPH) or equivalent degree. You must possess at least a Masters-level graduate degree to be admitted into the Ph.D. program. Students who hold a master’s degree in a discipline other than public health will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
How competitive is the admissions process?
Acceptance to the Ph.D. program is highly competitive. On average, 8-10 new students are accepted each year.
Is there an interview process?
Yes. Once a pool of competitive applicants is selected and notified, individual in-person or phone interviews will be scheduled. Final selection decisions will be made subsequent to the completion of all interviews.
Who can I contact in the School of Public Health for further information?
Please e-mail your questions to publichealthadvising@gsu.edu.
If I am not recommended for admission or wish to withdraw my application, may I have my materials back?
Once your application and materials have arrived in our office, they become the property of Georgia State University. For this reason no materials will be returned or released to an applicant or to any other party, such as another school or external agencies, for example. Moreover, your application fee is nonrefundable and will not be returned if your application is withdrawn or denied.
Selection Committee
What criteria do you consider in the admission process?
The admissions committee will holistically consider a variety of criteria in the selection of doctoral students, including academic performance in previous degree programs, academic and professional background and experiences, recommendation letters and the applicant’s personal statement. Competitive applicants will interview with SPH faculty to further determine research interests and academic potential.
What is the typical background of a successful applicant?
Although the selection of applicants is based on a variety of criteria, a successful Ph.D. applicant will exhibit a solid academic and professional background, with evidence of meaningful experience in public health or a closely related field. This experience should be reflected in a personal statement that demonstrates a significant motivation for conducting and sharing public health research. Letters of recommendation should provide evidence of the applicant’s potential as an independent researcher.
Academics
What can I do to prepare for the Ph.D. program?
Although not required, a Masters in Public Health (MPH) or an equivalent degree is highly recommended for students pursuing a Ph.D. in public health. Not only does an MPH provide students with a solid foundation of public health competencies, many MPH students are able to gain research experience through research assistantships or other work opportunities. These experiences offer students the opportunity to determine a preferred focus for their Ph.D. studies. For those prospective students without a MPH degree, previous research experience in rigorous academic or professional opportunities in the public health field is highly recommended.
Is the Ph.D. program right for me?
A Ph.D. in public health prepares students with specific interests for a career in research or academia. Depending on the interest area, graduates of the Ph.D. program often teach in universities, lead research laboratories, or direct research projects at the federal, state, or local level. The Ph.D. program requires a substantial time commitment and a significant interest in advancing one’s skills as a researcher in a particular field.
Do I need a research background to be successful in the Ph.D. program?
A research background is not required for success in the program, but some experience in research is recommended. Potential applicants without a research background should be able to demonstrate a capacity to perform independent research through evidence of previous academic success, strong recommendation letters, and satisfactory GRE/GMAT scores.
What are the areas of study?
Ph.D. students will choose one of four concentrations: Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Health Promotion and Behavior, or Health Services and Policy Research. The specialized coursework will depend on the individual student’s research interests and will be determined by the student, his/her Major Professor, and his/her Doctoral Advisory Committee.
How is the program structured?
Visit the program page for the Doctor of Philosophy and click on “Core Curriculum” for more information.
Is the program a full-time program?
In order to fulfill the significant commitment required of doctoral students, it is highly recommended that students maintain full-time student status for the duration of the Ph.D. program. Part-time will be considered for admission, especially for those working in a public health setting.
Can I study part-time?
At this time, applicants who can commit to full-time study will receive preference in the selection process. However, part-time applicants with especially strong academic or professional backgrounds may be considered.
How long does it take to complete the Ph.D. degree program?
The amount of time required to complete the Ph.D. program will largely depend upon the number of courses a student is able to take each semester and the amount of time he/she needs to complete and defend a dissertation. On average, however, a full-time student who enters the program with all the necessary prerequisite courses can complete the required coursework in 2 years and complete and defend a dissertation in an additional 12-18 months. It is reasonable to expect to take 3-5 years to complete the Ph.D. program. The Institute requires that students complete all degree requirements within 9 years of the student’s semester of matriculation.
When do I enroll in Dissertation Research?
Prior to enrolling in Dissertation Research, a student must be accepted into candidacy.
The following is a complete list of requirements for admission to candidacy:
- All prerequisites set as a condition to admission to the Ph.D. program have been satisfactorily completed.
- The residence requirement (30 hours of consecutive coursework) has been met.
- A GPA of 3.2 (B) has been maintained for all graduate courses taken and for all completed courses in the program of study.
- The Doctoral Advisory Committee, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Institute have approved the final program of study.
- Written and oral comprehensive examinations have been passed and reported to the Graduate School.
- The Doctoral Advisory Committee is confirmed and all members have been notified of their appointment.
Funding
What are the tuition and fees?
Information about graduate tuition and fees can be found HERE.
Am I eligible for financial aid?
To determine eligibility for financial aid, please visit the University’s Financial Aid Office website at http://www.gsu.edu/financialaid/.
Do you offer financial support?
All admitted, doctoral students who plan to study full-time will be considered for Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs) and/or Teaching Assistantships (TAs). Assistantships cover the cost of tuition and provide a monthly stipend. Students are still responsible for university student fees. The School of Public Health cannot guarantee this funding for all students.
Am I eligible for other types of financial aid such as student loans?
To determine eligibility for financial aid, please visit the University’s Financial Aid Office website HERE.
Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)
What is a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA)?
GRAs provide full-time students with an opportunity to work with a faculty member on research projects, gaining valuable experience in their chosen field.
What are the requirements to qualify for an assistantship, if selected?
The following criteria must be met and maintained for a student to be a GRA or GTA.
- Students must have and maintain a 3.2 or higher cumulative grade point average.
- Students must be enrolled in the minimum hours deemed a full-time load (nine semester hours during the regular academic year and six semester hours in the summer).
- Concurrent with the assistantship appointment, doctoral students should not be engaged in other significant outside employment. Students in this situation should request approval for hire through the head of the academic unit and director of the doctoral program.
What are my chances of receiving an assistantship?
Assistantships are awarded competitively based on the applicant pool and their qualifications. A variety of factors are considered when evaluating an applicant’s qualifications: research or professional experience, academic record, and the correlation between the applicant’s specific experience and the particular assistantship positions that are available. Once selected, students normally retain the award through the duration of their degree, subject to performance. A select number of students will be nominated for University Doctoral Fellowships. Final selection of these appointments will be made by the Office of the Provost and the Office of Research and Economic Development, respectively.
Fellowships
Disability
Faculty at the Mark Chaffin Center for Health Development (MCCHD) within the School of Public Health are seeking one to two Ph.D. students for the Second Century Initiative (2CI) University Doctoral Fellowship. Appropriate applicants are Ph.D. students interested in research focused on the intersection of public health and child maltreatment, maternal child health, and/or the impact of disability throughout the lifespan. Students would have the opportunity to work with a variety of prestigious faculty at MCCHD, including Drs. Daniel Crimmins, Kathleen Baggett, Daniel Whitaker, or Shannon Self-Brown, based on the fit of the students research interests with faculty grants and lines of research.
Stipend: This award includes $22,000 annually or $1,833 monthly.
Renewable award: Your award may be renewed for up to a total of four years
Tuition Waiver: In addition to your stipend, you will receive a full tuition waiver. Thus, Georgia State University will cover approximately $14,000 (in state) or $45,000 (out of state) in annual tuition costs for you. You will be responsible for paying only $37.50 each semester toward your tuition.
Minimum Credit Hours: The School of Public Health requires that students receiving tuition waivers sign up for a minimum number of credit hours.
Health Justice
Drs. Laura Salazar and Katherine Masyn with the School of Public Health are seeking one to two Ph.D. students for the Second Century Initiative (2CI) University Doctoral Fellowship in Health Justice. Appropriate applicants are Ph.D. students interested in research focused on understanding and ameliorating significant health disparities experienced by racial, sexual and gender minority populations. A strong interest in developing skills in advanced quantitative methods applied to health disparities research is not required but is encouraged. Depending on the student’s chosen concentration, students would have the opportunity to work with either Dr. Salazar in Health Promotion and Behavior or Dr. Masyn in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
Stipend: This award includes $22,000 annually or $1,833 monthly.
Renewable award: Your award may be renewed for up to a total of four years
Tuition Waiver: In addition to your stipend, you will receive a full tuition waiver. Thus, Georgia State University will cover approximately $14,000 (in state) or $45,000 (out of state) in annual tuition costs for you. You will be responsible for paying only $37.50 each semester toward your tuition.
Minimum Credit Hours: The School of Public Health requires that students receiving tuition waivers sign up for a minimum number of credit hours.
Infectious Disease Dynamics & Big Data
Second Century Initiative (2CI) University Doctoral Fellowships focused at the interface of infectious disease dynamics and Big Data are available in the lab of Professor Gerardo Chowell in the School of Public Health at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. Students selected as University Fellows receive the following:
Stipend: This award is made in the amount of $22,000 annually or $1,833 monthly.
Renewable award: Your award may be renewed for up to a total of four years
Tuition Waiver: In addition to your stipend, you will receive a full tuition waiver. Thus, Georgia State University will cover approximately $14,000 (in state) or $45,000 (out of state) in annual tuition costs for you. You will be responsible for paying only $37.50 each semester toward your tuition.
Minimum Credit Hours: The School of Public Health requires that students receiving tuition waivers sign up for a minimum number of credit hours.