Population Health Sciences PhD

Program Code: G-PHS-PHD
Degree Designation: Doctor of Philosophy
Department: Population Health Sciences
Website: populationhealth.duke.edu/education/phd-population-health-sciences

Program Summary

The Department of Population Health Sciences develops critically-thinking, creative, and collaborative research scientists that are passionate about improving healthcare for all. The doctoral program equips students with the knowledge and tools they will need to research and work alongside health systems, government agencies, non-profits, industry, and others pursuing improved health of populations.

The Duke Population Health Sciences PhD program prepares researchers to formulate important research questions, design studies to answer them, organize resources to carry out relevant studies, and analyze the results to contribute scientific and policy insights. Our coursework, experimental learning, and professional development help prepare PhD students to be leaders in the population health field.

Academic Requirements

• Year 1

  • Fall: 10 credits (14 with RCR training)

    • POPHS 901: Population Health Science Theories (3 credits)

    • POPHS 905: Population Health Research Design and Systematic Literature Reviews (3 credits)

    • POPHS 907: Population Health Sciences Professional Development (1 credit)

    • POPHS 920: Analytic Methods I: Study Design, Data, and Descriptive Analysis (3 credits)

    • BIOTRAIN 750: Introduction to RCR Concepts (1-day event during orientation prior to classes) (4 RCR credits)

  • Spring: 10 credits (14 with RCR training)

    • POPHS 923: Principles of Health Measurement (3 credits)

    • POPHS 908: Population Health Sciences Professional Development II (1 credit)

    • POPHS 921: Analytic Methods II: Causal Inference (3 credits)

    • POPHS 910: Fundamentals of Qualitative Measurement (3 credits)

    • BIOTRAIN 751: The Responsible Scientist I (4 RCR credits)

• Year 2

  • Fall: 9 credits (11 if RCR training is taken this semester)

    • POPHS 903: Analytic Methods for Population Health Sciences III: Advanced Regression Methods (3 credits)

    • 2 electives (6 credits)

    • BIOTRAIN 753: Data Management and Quality for Biomedical PhD Students (self-paced, online) (2 RCR credits) (can be completed during either year 2 or year 3)

  • Spring: 9 credits (11 if RCR training is taken this semester)

    • POPHS 904: Analytic Methods IV: Advanced Regression Methods II (3 credits)

    • 2 electives (6 credits)

  • May: Comprehensive Exam

• Year 3

  • Fall: 3 credits

    • Dissertation (3 credits)

  • Spring: 3 credits (7 if RCR training is taken this semester)

    • Dissertation (3 credits)

    • BIOTRAIN 754: The Responsible Scientist II (4 RCR credits)(can be completed during either year 3 or year 4)

• Year 4

  • Fall: 3 credits

    • Dissertation (3 credits)

  • Spring: 3 credits (7 if RCR training is taken this semester)

    • Dissertation (3 credits)

    • BIOTRAIN 754: The Responsible Scientist II (4 RCR credits)(can be completed during either year 3 or year 4)

• Year 5 (if applicable)                  

  • Fall: 3 credits

    • Dissertation (3 credits)

    • 2 RCR elective forums (2 RCR credit hours each)

  • Spring: 3 credits

    • Dissertation (3 credits)