PhD in Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences

The requirements listed below represent the standards set by the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine for doctoral programs.

1. Prior Degree Requirements: Completion of a master's degree or 30 graduate-level credits in a field related to the doctoral area of study is preferred. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis for outstanding students holding only baccalaureate degrees.
2. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for graduate coursework is preferred.
3. Official GRE scores are required for doctoral applicants. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores in the upper percentiles are preferred for the verbal and quantitative tests.
4. For applicants from non-English speaking nations, a minimum Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 89 for the internet-based test (IBT), 230 for the computer-based test (CBT), or 570 for the paper-based test (PBT) is required. Applicants may also submit scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants must have a score of 7 or above for doctoral study.

Applicants must meet the school's admission requirements, submit the application through SOPHAS and include in their application three (3) letters of reference from individuals who are familiar with their academic and/or professional performance.

Practical experience in public health is highly preferred.

Complete applications must be received by the priority deadline of December 1 to be considered for fellowships and other student funding. To be considered for admission to GCHB doctoral programs without funding, the completed application must be received by January 15.

A complete application includes all required documentation --career statements, letters of recommendation and verified transcripts and GRE scores. We recommend applications and required documentation be submitted in sufficient time for SOPHAS to receive and verify transcripts and GRE scores to meet the respective deadlines.

For further details regarding admissions requirements to the school, see the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine "Policies and Procedures for Doctoral Programs Guide."

Please visit the university course catalog for degree program competencies and requirements. 

The PhD program requires a minimum of 72 post-baccalaureate degree credits with at least 30 credits of doctoral study at Tulane SPHTM. Up to 42 credits may be applied from the MPH or equivalent master’s degree.  These credits will be reviewed and those that do not fulfill the PhD competencies may not be accepted. If a prerequisite course or equivalent has not been fulfilled, the student must take the course in addition to the 30 credits of advanced doctoral study, but may count toward the total 72 credits. 
 
The advisor works with the students in identifying the course of study in the doctoral program. If the doctoral student does not have a prior public health degree, they must obtain a grounding in public health. See Doctoral Student Handbook.

Prerequisite Coursework: (from prior master’s degree )

• BIOS 6030 Introductory Biostatistics or equivalent
• EPID 6040 Epidemiological Methods 1 or equivalent
• GCHB 6030 Social and Behavioral Aspects of Global Health or equivalent
• GCHB 6020 Planning of Health Education or equivalent
• GCHB 6120 Monitoring and Evaluation or equivalent
• Statistical Software Course or Skills

Advanced Doctoral Study (at least 30 credits)

• GCHB 7250 Research Methods in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (3)
• GCHB 8750 Social Determinants of Health I  (3)
• GCHB 8760 Social Determinants of Health II  (3)
• GCHB 8820 Advanced Program Planning/Grant Writing (3)
• GCHB 8250 Advanced Research Methods in Global Health (3)
• GCHB 8800/8830 Senior Graduate Research Seminar (1)
• GCHB 7000/8000 Qualitative Methods (2)
• SPHL 8500 Interdisciplinary Seminar (1)

Elective Courses (11 credits)

Selected from courses offered within the department, school, or university in consultation with an academic advisor. Additional credits may be needed to obtain a total of 72 credits.

Research Ethics

Students are required to take online research ethics training via CITI or another equivalent training program in research ethics. This certification must remain current throughout the program duration.

Comprehensive Exam 

On completion of the coursework listed above, students will be required to pass a comprehensive examination to demonstrate PhD program competencies, as well as knowledge related to their specific content area of expertise.

Dissertation

PhD students must complete a social behavioral science or community health dissertation based on original research that advances the field of knowledge, practice, or policy. Dissertations may have a strong applied focus and must demonstrate independent thinking with the potential to make unique and original contribution to the scientific literature.

Department Chair: Richard Oberhelman, MD

Program Director: David Seal, PhD

Program Manager: Anita Jobson-Wolfe

Email: gchb@tulane.edu

Phone: (504) 988-5391