University General Course Catalog 2015-2016 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2015-2016 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Public Health, Ph.D.


I. Contact Information


School of Community Health Sciences
203 Lombardi
(775) 784-1857

Dr. Wei Yang, Graduate Program Director
(775) 682-7094
weiyang@unr.edu

II. Brief Introduction


The School of Community Health Sciences offers a doctoral program in Public Health with two specializations: 1) Epidemiology, and 2) Social and Behavioral Health. The Ph.D. is designed to prepare students for careers in which advanced analytical and conceptual capabilities are required, such as university teaching, research, consulting, policy development or other high-level positions. The Ph.D. in Public Health with a specialization in Epidemiology emphasizes the expertise necessary for an epidemiology research career. The Ph.D. in Public Health with a specialization in Social and Behavioral Health emphasized the expertise necessary for a public health research career focusing on social and behavioral determinants of health.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes


  1. Graduates will demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the major local, national, and global epidemiological, and social and behavioral health issues.
  2. Graduates will display excellence in applying the theoretical and problem solving aspects of epidemiology, and social and behavioral health.
  3. Graduates will have conducted independent research that generates new public health knowledge, and is characterized by by conceptual and methodological rigor.
  4. Graduates will be able to communicate knowledge and research findings to appropriate professional, scientific, policy and lay audiences and demonstrate skills in translating research into public health practice of health policy.
  5. Graduates will prepare to pursue a lifetime of self-directed learning and professional development.

IV. Admission Requirements


Admission Deadline: March 15th*

* Ph.D. applications are accepted once per year for fall admission.

Prospective students must meet BOTH University of Nevada, Reno and School of Community Health Sciences requirements for graduate status.

  1. Earned Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree or relevant master’s or doctoral degrees from accredited institutions.
  2. Minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale earned in a M.P.H. or equivalent masters or doctoral program of study.
  3. Competitive Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores on verbal, quantitative, and analytic measures. GRE scores will be assessed relative to other applicants in the pool. The exam must have been taken within the last five years.
  4. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s motivation, academic capability, scholarship potential, and personal goals for doctoral study.
  5. A current curriculum vitae (CV).
  6. A written statement of personal career, educational and scholarship goals including identification of research interests.
  7. An academic health-related writing sample.
  8. An in-person interview with Ph.D. faculty.
  9. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for applicants from non-English speaking nations with a minimum score of 550 for the TOEFL paper exam, 80 for the internet-based exam, or IELTS score of 6.5.

Prerequisite Coursework


Epidemiology Specialization


Students will enter the Ph.D. in Public Health with a specialization in Epidemiology after having completed a relevant Master’s degree, typically the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in epidemiology or biostatistics. Additionally, students must have documentation that they have completed the following M.P.H. courses (or their equivalent). Students missing any of the required prerequisites will need to complete the courses during their first two years.

Social and Behavioral Health Specialization


Students will enter the Ph.D. in Public Health with a specialization in Social and Behavioral Health after having completed a relevant Master’s degree, typically the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.). Additionally, students must have documentation that they have completed the following M.P.H. courses (or their equivalent). Students missing any of the required prerequisites will need to complete the courses during their first two years.

Application Process


There are two separate applications necessary for admission to the Ph.D. in Public Health program: one set of materials is to be sent directly to the Ph.D. Admissions Committee at the School of Community Health Sciences and the other directly to the Graduate School of the University of Nevada, Reno. Before applying for admission, please note the admissions requirements.

Application 1:

The following materials are required for consideration for admission to the Ph.D. in Public Health program. These materials sound be sent directly to the Ph.D. Admissions Committee at:

Ph.D. Admissions Committee
School of Community Health Sciences/MS 0274
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557

Phone: (775) 784-4041
Email: sph@unr.edu

  • Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s motivation, academic capability, scholarship potential, and personal goals for doctoral study. Letters should be sent directly to the Admissions Committee at the above address.
  • Current curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Written statement of personal career, educational, and scholarship goals including identification of research interests.
  • Academic health-related writing sample.

Application 2:

The following materials should be sent directly to the Graduate School of the University of Nevada, Reno at:

Graduate Admissions
Graduate School/MS 326
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557

Phone: (775) 784-6869
Email: gradadmissions@unr.edu

Students with degrees from US accredited institutions should submit the following:

  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
  • Official copy of GRE scores.

Students with degrees from non-US institutions should submit the following:

  • Official copy of transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
  • Official copy of GRE scores. Official copy of TOEFL/IELTS scores, if required.
  • International Student Application - https://www.unr.edu/grad/admissions

 

V. Program Requirements


A. Epidemiology Specialization


Students will complete 29 units in the Epidemiology Ph.D. core, including 8 doctoral seminar units. In addition to the core courses, students will work closely with their academic advisor to select 6 units of epidemiology electives beyond units required for the M.P.H. degree and 9 elective credits in an outside area. Students will also complete 24 dissertation credits.

B. Social and Behavioral Health Specialization


Students will complete 29 units in the Ph.D. core,including 8 doctoral seminar units. In addition to the core courses, students will work closely with their academic advisor to select 6 units of Social and Behavioral Health electives beyond units required for the M.P.H. degree and 9 elective credits in an outside area. Students will also complete 24 dissertation units.

VI. Total Units (68 units)