PhD in Public Health

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

  • Baccalaureate Field A major in the biological, physical, or social sciences is preferred.
  • Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00.
  • Tests Required GRE General. For GRE General tests, combined verbal and quantitative scores must be at least 300.
  • Minimum English Competency Test Score
    • TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21, OR,
    • IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
    • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
  • Letters of Recommendation Three required.
  • Personal Statement Required; the statement should address the applicant’s intended research, career goals, and reason for pursuing the PhD degree in the chosen area.
  • Other Requirements: Applicants may submit their master’s thesis as evidence of their ability to plan and complete significant health-related research.

Degree Requirements

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 from the baccalaureate; 118 from the baccalaureate for the Health Policy and Administration concentration.
  • Coursework Students must complete a minimum of 9 semester hours in formal 500 series courses in major area of concentration (not necessarily in one division). Students must also complete 6 semester hours in a collateral area. Note: The 595-seminar series may not be counted towards fulfillment of this requirement. 

School of Public Health Core Requirements

Required Courses
EPID 403
Introduction to Epidemiology: Principles and Methods
BSTT 400
Biostatistics I
BSTT 401
Biostatistics II
IPHS 450
Foundations and Determinants of Public Health
Required Non-Credit Training
Human Subjects Research
Title IX Training
SPH Academic Integrity Tutorial
  • Remaining courses and their distribution depend on the student’s area of concentration. PhD students are admitted into one of the following primary concentrations: Community Health Sciences or Health Policy and Administration.
  • Dissertation Required. Students must register in IPHS 599 for at least 32 semester hours.
  • Other Requirements Students must obtain supervised experience in classroom teaching in at least one course for at least part of a semester.

Concentrations

Secondary Concentrations

Medical Scientist Training Program

The UIC School of Public Health has particularly strong programs in epidemiology, biostatistics, prevention research, community health, health systems management, occupational and environmental safety and health, and quantitative methods. Application to the PhD program is normally made at the time of application to the College of Medicine; however, applicants will also be considered during their first two years of medical training. Students must apply to the Medical Scientist Training Program and to the College of Medicine and indicate in their application that they are interested in one of the divisions of the UIC School of Public Health. Criteria for admission to the program include academic excellence, prior research experience, potential for independent and creative research, and commitment to a career in academic medicine. Students receive a stipend throughout their years of study. For more information, contact:

Jamie Chriqui, Senior Associate Dean, SPH
(312) 996- 6410
jchriqui@uic.edu

or the Medical Scientist Training Program: Larry Tobacman, MD, Director
(312) 413-1010
lst@uic.edu

or Roberta Bernstein, Coordinator
(312) 996-7473
roberta@uic.edu