Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology

The dynamic and quantitatively oriented doctoral program in Epidemiology provides advanced training in epidemiological and biologic methods. The program develops strong academic researchers in the field of Epidemiology, with a clear understanding of the patterns, causes, and effects of diseases in the population, who are well-prepared to design, implement, analyze, and interpret research studies investigating key epidemiological questions with the ultimate goal of improving overall population health. Working closely with faculty in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, students gain expertise in collecting data, designing instruments and research protocols, directing and conducting sophisticated and multilevel statistical analyses, interpreting data, and communicating research findings to both lay and professional audiences. All students in the Epidemiology Ph.D. program complete common core public health course requirements, which include foundational courses in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, grantsmanship, and research design. Beyond these core courses, students master specialized courses in advanced epidemiological and biostatistical methods and engage in research and scholarly productivity with faculty members in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and throughout the College.

In addition to in-depth, didactic training in epidemiological and quantitative concepts and methods, the Ph.D. in Epidemiology program aims to foster in students the development of a public health professional identity and values. Professional development exercises are infused in didactic courses and available in other program-sponsored activities (e.g., conference attendance, departmental colloquia and brown-bag presentations, journal clubs, and professional development workshops). Doctoral trainees in Epidemiology are encouraged to take advantage of these professional development opportunities offered at various public health centers and laboratories throughout the College of Public Health and Temple University. As the next generation of academic researchers, Ph.D. in Epidemiology students work closely with faculty mentors throughout the program and particularly during the dissertation phase on formalizing grant-writing skills, teaching in higher education, and writing papers for publications.

Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A master's degree is required. Although a master's degree specifically in epidemiology is not required, preference is given to applicants who have a background in epidemiology, statistics, and the health sciences, including behavioral medicine, environmental health, medicine, or a public health discipline.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree is required, although it need not be in public health. Preference is given to applicants who have a background in epidemiology, statistics, and the health sciences, including behavioral medicine, environmental health, medicine, or a public health discipline.

A WES evaluation is required for applicants who completed their bachelor's degree outside of the United States. This can be requested at https://www.wes.org/ and submitted through SOPHAS.

Statement of Goals: In no more than 750 words

Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master's degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

TOEFL iBT: 79 (send officially to SOPHAS using the SOPHAS-specific TOEFL code 5688)

IELTS Academic: 6.5
550 on the paper-based (PBT)

The minimum admissions standard for all graduate students is ordinarily an undergraduate grade point average of B or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or the functional equivalent for students who have attended universities outside of the United States.
Resume: Current resume required.

Writing Sample: Scholarly articles, technical reports, or academic professional papers of which the applicant is the first author are preferred. Unless it is a published work, the writing sample should be no more than 10 pages.