Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Epidemiology and Biostatistics with concentration in Epidemiology
About the Program
With its emphases on translational research and emerging public health issues, the PhD program in Epidemiology and Biostatistics offers a cutting-edge, advanced training to prepare individuals for academic and research careers. The program has two concentrations, Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Each concentration degree is designed to be completed in three to four years for students with a master's degree in Epidemiology (for Epidemiology concentration), Biostatistics (for Biostatistics concentration) or a related field. For each concentration, requirements include the equivalent of two years of full-time coursework, written and oral comprehensive examinations, and the completion an oral defense of an independent, original dissertation in the concentration area. There are several competitive graduate assistantships available with full tuition waiver and about $18,000 annual stipend.
PhD degree can be earned in-person either full-time or part-time.
What will you learn?
In addition to gaining in-depth epidemiological methods and advanced biostatistical approaches, students in this concentration have plenty opportunities to work closely with faculty mentors on epidemiology studies in areas including cardiovascular disease risk factors, environmental health and health disparities, allergic diseases and underlying genetic/epigenetic mechanisms, sickle cell disease, smoking, cancer, and childhood obesity.
Graduates of the program are prepared to conduct innovative, interdisciplinary, and translational epidemiology and environmental health research in community and scientific settings using advanced biostatistical methods to strengthen epidemiology and environmental health studies.
Where to after graduation?
The concentration is designed to prepare students to teach and conduct innovative and high impact epidemiology and environmental health research in areas such as disease risk factors, health disparities and environmental influences on population’s health utilizing advanced biostatistical methods with deep understanding of cultural nuances and ethnic diversity. Graduates from this concentration have job placement in academic units, government, and research institutes.
Is this degree right for you?
The PhD degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics is the highest academic degree for individuals planning to pursue scholarly careers under the discipline of epidemiology and biostatistics.
Connect with our Admissions Team
Briana McNeil, MEd
Coordinator, Recruitment and Admissions
sphadmissions@memphis.edu
(901) 678-3740
Shirl Sharpe, MS
Academic Services Coordinator II
ssharpe@memphis.edu
(901) 678-1710
Meredith Ray, PhD, MPH
EBE Program Coordinator (Biostatistics)
maray@memphis.edu
Xinhua Yu, PhD, MD
EBE Program Coordinator (Epidemiology)
xyu2@memphis.edu
Admission Information
Requirements:
- A Master’s degree of related fields is required for admission with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose (750-1,000 words)
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- International students:
- Transcripts from degrees obtained outside of the United States must be evaluated by WES or by any members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services
- Applicants whose native language is not English will be required to submit acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL IBT) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
- For the most updated requirements on transcripts and language, please refer to the Graduate School at the University of Memphis.
- GRE is recommended but not required.
A research-based master’s degree in epidemiology (for Epidemiology concentration), biostatistics (for Biostatistics concentration), or related fields is required for admission. Applicants who possess professional master’s degrees (e.g., MPH) with appropriate research experience will be considered.
Letters of recommendation from three individuals (at least two letters from former or current professors or instructors but fewer may be acceptable in extenuating circumstances) familiar with the applicant’s academic background or experience in public health related issues, specifying in detail the applicant’s capabilities for graduate study and for future performance as a public health scholar, are required.
Applicants must also submit a personal statement of purpose of approximately 750 to 1,000 words indicating his/her present interests and career goals, including how the PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics will prepare the candidates to achieve these goals.
Materials submitted will be reviewed by the faculty admission committee. Admission decisions are made based on the overall quality of the applicant’s scholarship and academic ability (GPAs, GRE scores, undergraduate and graduate coursework completed, research conducted, relevant work experience, and recommendations) as well as the applicant’s “fit” for the program in terms of academic background, research interests, and career goals. Some applicants may be invited for a face-to-face or virtual interview with representatives of the Admissions Committee.
Program pre-requisites:
- PUBH 8150 - Biostatistical Methods I
- PUBH 8170 - Epidemiology in PUBH I
Deadlines
- Fall Semester - July 15*
- Spring Semester - December 15*
*International applicants should plan to have their applications in by May 15 for Fall Semester and October 15 for Spring Semester to ensure sufficient time to receive your Form I-20 and visa.
Curriculum
The Epidemiology and Biostatistics doctoral program is a 54-semester hour degree program. The Epidemiology concentration includes 48 hours of graduate coursework beyond the master’s degree, and 6 hours of PUBH 9000 for dissertation. In particular, students are required to take 9 credit hours of Epidemiology research methods core courses, 15 credit hours of biostatistics core courses, 9 credit hours of doctoral seminar core, 15 credit hours of elective courses, and 6 credit hours of dissertation.
Epidemiology Research Methods Core
• PUBH 8141 Epidemiologic Survey Methods
• PUBH 8172 Epidemiology in Public Health II
• PUBH 8174 Epidemiology in Public Health III
Biostatistics Core
• PUBH 8152 Biostatistical Methods II
• PUBH 8310 Mixed Model Regression Analysis
• PUBH 8311 Applied Categorical Data Analysis
• PUBH 8208 Applied Survival Analysis
• PUBH 7302 SAS in Public Health
Doctoral Seminar Core
• PUBH 8201 Doctoral Seminar: Professional Development
• PUBH 8192 Intro to Human Disease
• PUBH 8720 Grant Writing in Health Sciences
Other Requirements
• 15 hours of electives
• PUBH 9000 Dissertation (6 credits)
Competencies
- Analyze and critically apply professional and ethical standards of public health.
- Critically evaluate epidemiologic study designs, appreciating the potential roles of bias, confounding, and random error.
- Design a valid epidemiologic study that addresses an important public health problem.
- Conduct data analysis using statistical methods appropriate for study design.
- Develop expertise in an area of independent research and complete a rigorous dissertation.