PhD in Epidemiology

The doctoral program in epidemiology provides advanced training to individuals already holding a graduate degree in public health or a related health science. To receive the PhD degree, students must complete and defend a doctoral dissertation based on original research and specific to a selected topic in epidemiology. Graduates of this program will be prepared to assume prominent positions in research, teaching, or health administration and are trained to address some of the most urgent public health issues facing us today.

Students complete at least 32 credits (eight courses) beyond the master’s degree and must earn a B in all core courses for their program. It is expected that most of these courses be from the epidemiology and biostatistics course offerings at the School of Public Health. Students may also choose from other courses offered at the School and pertinent graduate courses at Boston University, such as those offered by the mathematics and computer science departments and the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences. The intent of the coursework is to provide a firm foundation in epidemiologic principles and methods, biostatistical methods, and general public health and medical knowledge.

Upon completion of coursework, students must pass a comprehensive written examination to evaluate their readiness to begin dissertation research and are required to develop a written dissertation proposal outlining the nature of the research. The proposal must be approved by each student’s advisor and dissertation committee; the dissertation is prepared and written under the direction of the candidate’s principal advisor. The research usually involves collecting, processing, and analyzing original data. When the dissertation is complete, the candidate defends his or her work before the dissertation committee and other faculty. Students must adhere to dissertation submission deadlines and requirements.

The post-bachelor’s program must be completed within 10 years of the first registration for doctoral study. The post-master’s program must be completed within eight years of the first registration for the doctoral program.

Minimum residency requirements are the equivalent of two consecutive regular semesters of full-time graduate study at Boston University. Students who have completed their course requirements must register for EP 980 each subsequent fall and spring semester as continuing students and pay the continuing student fee and student health insurance until they have completed all requirements for the degree. Authorized leaves of absence, approved by the Epidemiology Doctoral Committee, are the only means of waiving the residency and registration requirements.

All PhD students must adhere to the following calendar in preparing and submitting the dissertation in 2011–2012.

PhD Graduation Calendar

Degree awarded	Sept. 25, 2011	Jan. 25, 2012	May 15, 2012
Graduation application	At least 30 days before the final oral exam	At least 30 days before the final oral exam	At least 30 days before the final oral exam
Last day for final oral exam	Aug. 19, 2011	Nov. 22, 2011	Apr. 13, 2012
Approved and signed dissertation (2 copies to Mugar Library)	Sept. 9, 2011	Dec. 16, 2011	Apr. 30, 2012

Students with questions regarding the doctoral program should contact Program Director Sherri Stuver.