Core Courses

All students pursuing a master's, doctor of public health, or doctor of science degree must complete the core courses. Doctoral students will be required to complete these courses unless they have documented prior to admission that they have taken equivalent courses or have relevant professional experience to replace the credit. Students pursuing the doctor of philosophy degree must take the core courses in biostatistics and epidemiology (or have the equivalent in their background).

School Core Course Requirements

Candidates for the MPH, MHA, MSPH, and MPH&TM degrees must complete the following core courses:

• BIOS 6030 Introductory Biostatistics (3)
• GEHS 6030 Survey of Environmental Health (3)
• EPID 6030 Epidemiologic Methods (3)
• GHSD 6030 Principles of Health Systems Admin & Mgmt (3)
• GCHB 6030 Social and Behavioral Aspects of Global Health (3)
• TRMD 6010 Biological Basis of Disease (3)

Master's Degree Requirements

A master's degree candidate must successfully complete the school core requirements in addition to the specific program requirements either on a full-time or part-time basis. All students must complete a minimum of 42 credits.

In addition, all students are required to complete a practicum and culminating experience which will allow for the integration of knowledge and skills acquired through course work and the application of principles in practice settings. These vary with specialty degree. Seventy-five percent of the total degree requirements must be completed at Tulane University.

Doctoral Programs

The school offers three doctoral programs:

• The DrPH (doctor of public health) program provides in-depth study of theory and application of public health principles. Offered in Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Epidemiology, Global Health Systems and Development, and Tropical Medicine.
• The ScD (doctor of science) program is designed to provide in-depth study of a technical area relating to public health. Offered in Global Health Systems and Development.
• The PhD (doctor of philosophy) graduate is expected to have an in-depth knowledge of theory and methods and is usually interested in a research or teaching career. Offered in Biostatistics, Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Global Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Global Health Systems and Development, and Tropical Medicine.

Doctoral Program Requirements

Doctoral candidates are required to take a minimum of 60 credits in public health related subjects beyond the baccalaureate degree. In addition to the core courses and program requirements stated for the respective master's degree program, advanced level courses which demonstrate in-depth study in a selected area must be completed. No more than 12 credits of special studies may be applied toward the doctoral degree requirements. A minimum of 30 credits must be completed at Tulane. A written report of work completed in special studies must be on file in the department for review by the student's doctoral committee, No more than 15 credits earned as an advanced graduate special student may be applied toward the doctoral degree.