Doctor of Philosophy in the Field of Health Data Science, Bioinformatics Concentration

Program Director: Keith Crandall

The doctor of philosophy in health data science develops data science leaders for applications in public health and medicine. The program advances the field by:

• Providing rigorous training in the fundamentals of health and biomedical data science.
• Fostering innovative thinking for the design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of public health research studies.
• Providing practical training through real-world research opportunities at research centers and institutes directed by departmental faculty.

Students choose one of two concentrations: biostatistics or bioinformatics.

The program offers a unique blend of the two disciplines, which helps practitioners become successful collaborators in interdisciplinary research. Each concentration focuses on the foundations of the respective discipline to acquire fundamental knowledge and experience in the subject area while gaining core knowledge in the foundations of the other concentration. 

Visit the program website for additional information.

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: 72 credits, including 11 credits in core courses, 18 credits in required concentration courses, at least 18 credits in elective courses, 1 credit in research leadership, and 12 to 24 credits in dissertation research.

SPH PhD Graduation Requirements

For program-specific information about graduation requirements, students should refer to their program guide and the PhD Handbook Supplement available from SPH.

1. Credits: Successful completion of at least 48 credits (at least 72 credits for PhD in health data science students).
2. Curriculum: Successful completion of required courses.
3. Comprehensive Examination: Students take a comprehensive examination based on core courses. Upon successful completion of coursework and the examination, students officially enter the doctoral candidacy phase of the program.
4. Proposal Defense: 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.
5. 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. 
6. Grade-point average: A minimum program grade-point average of B (3.0).
7. Time limit: The degree must be completed within seven years.
8. 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.
9. Integrity quiz and plagiarism requirement: All students are required to review the George Washington University Code of Academic Integrity and take the SPH Academic Integrity Quiz within their first semester of study.
10. Professional enhancement requirement: Students must participate in eight hours of public health-related lectures, seminars, and symposia, related to their field of study.

Additional information regarding School of Public Health doctoral programs is available on the SPH website.