The School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine offers doctoral pathways for students seeking both research and practice-based careers.
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is offered in seven different public health disciplines and is well-suited to students whose career aspirations include research and academic teaching. The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Leadership, Advocacy, and Equity and provides early- to mid-career students with the skills and training to lead a wide variety of organizations.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health is an academic research degree that prepares students for research roles in a variety of public health settings. The PhD provides an understanding of theory and mechanisms of a topic area, research methods for conducting original research, and problem-solving approaches in public health settings. Students obtain in-depth knowledge of a public health field plus skills in research applications and methods. Graduates are prepared for careers in academic research, research institutes, and agencies.
All PhD programs require a minimum of 48-49 credits (depending on the concentration) beyond the bachelor's degree, independent research, and a dissertation.
Students enter the PhD programs with a prior master’s degree. Credits earned in a master’s degree that directly relate to the program of study may be applied toward the doctoral degree. The credits that may apply are determined by the department. At least 30 credits of advanced coursework must be taken at SPHTM.
The PhD is offered with concentrations in:
- PhD in Biostatistics
- PhD in Epidemiology
- PhD in Environmental Health Sciences
- PhD in Health Policy and Management
- PhD in International Health and Sustainable Development
- PhD in Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences
- PhD in Tropical Medicine
The requirements below must be fulfilled by all candidates for PhD degree at SPHTM. Departments may have additional requirements beyond those listed.
- Completion of a minimum of 48-49 credits (depending on the concentration) beyond the baccalaureate degree
- Up to 18 credits from a master's degree may be applied if directly applicable to the doctoral study and approved by the department
- At least 30 credits in advanced coursework beyond the master's degree completed while enrolled at Tulane SPHTM.
- No more than 12 credits of independent studies/research may be applied toward the doctoral degree
- Successful completion of the comprehensive exam
- Submission of a written prospectus on proposed research
- Doctoral research resulting in successful defense of a dissertation
The DrPH is intended for early to mid-level career professionals to prepare them for positions of leadership in any practice setting. Spanning the range of disciplines in the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, the program is interdisciplinary in nature, providing an incubator for creative, innovative collaborations across varied backgrounds, experiences, and practice settings of students, faculty, staff, and external preceptors. The program is delivered entirely online, making it ideal for working professionals to complete alongside their existing jobs. Real world challenges, data, and opportunities will be integrated throughout the program, leading to a greater network for alumni and highly competitive graduates in positions of leadership. The DrPH is offered in the area of:
A master's degree is not required for admission to the DrPH program, but students without an MPH degree will be required to complete the Foundational Master of Public Health curriculum (5 courses, 15 credit hours).
DrPH students must complete the following:
- A total of 42 credit hours consisting of:
- DrPH foundational required courses (18 credits)
- Advanced required courses (15 credits)
- Applied Practice Experience and Integrative Learning Experience, which will provide DrPH students with a working portfolio (3 credits)
- Electives (6 credits)