Visit the Milken Institute School of Public Health website for additional information about academic programs and information about GWSPH. Graduate admissions information, including application requirements and deadlines, can be found on the GWSPH Graduate Admissions website.
The following requirements must be fulfilled: 48 credits, including 8 credits in foundational and research methods courses, 16 credits in program-specific courses, 15 credits in elective courses, and 9 credits in dissertation preparation and dissertation research. In addition, students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| Foundational and research methods courses (8 credits) | ||
| PUBH 6080 | Pathways to Public Health | |
| PUBH 8001 | Doctor of Philosophy Seminar on Cross-Cutting Concepts in Public Health | |
| PUBH 8475 | Research Ethics and Integrity in Domestic and International Research | |
| PUBH 8416 | Study Design and Evaluation Methods | |
| PUBH 8418 | Applied Statistical Analysis | |
| or PUBH 6862 | Applied Linear Regression Analysis for Public Health Research | |
| Program-specific courses | ||
| 16 credits | ||
| PUBH 8417 | Qualitative Research Methods and Analysis | |
| PUBH 8419 | Measurement in Public Health and Health Services | |
| PUBH 8525 | Advanced Topics in Social and Behavioral Sciences | |
| PUBH 8526 | Application of Structural Equation Modeling to Public Health Research | |
| PUBH 8528 | Advanced Topics in Critical Review of Social-Behavioral Theory and its Application in Public Health | |
| PUBH 8534 | Multi-Level Interventions for Health Promotion | |
| Electives | ||
| 5 credits in elective courses selected in consultation with the advisor. | ||
| Dissertation | ||
| 9 credits in the following courses: | ||
| PUBH 8435 | PhD Dissertation Proposal Development | |
| PUBH 8999 | Dissertation Research (taken for 7 credits) | |
Comprehensive examination
After completion of the course requirements, students take a comprehensive examination based on core courses. Upon successful completion of the examination, students officially enter the doctoral candidacy phase of the program.
Dissertation
Doctoral candidates prepare a written dissertation research proposal with guidance from their dissertation advisor and committee. Each doctoral candidate gives an oral presentation and defense to the committee who determines the student's readiness to commence the dissertation.
Doctoral candidates are required to conduct original research on a contemporary problem or issue. The dissertation includes at least one written manuscript and an oral presentation and defense.
Additional requirements for degree completion:
- Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) training requirement: All students must complete training regarding human subject protection regulation and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). To fulfill this requirement, students must complete the CITI course in The Protection of Human Research Subjects.
- Integrity quiz and plagiarism requirement: Students must review the George Washington University Code of Academic Integrity, take the quiz within their first semester of study, and ensure documentation is submitted to the SPH Office of Student Records.
- Professional enhancement requirement: Students must attend/participate in eight hours of epidemiology conferences. To be cleared for graduation, students must submit required documentation of applicable professional enhancement activities to the SPH Office of Student Records.
- Completion of a graduate teaching assistantship program certificate. See the GTAP website for additional information.
- Grade-point average: A minimum program grade-point average of 3.0.
- Time limit: The degree must be completed within seven years of matriculation.
Additional information regarding School of Public Health doctoral programs is available on the SPH website.