Public Health, Ph.D.

Prerequisite Coursework

Application Process

There are two separate applications necessary for admission to the Ph.D. program: one application and set of materials is to be filled out and submitted directly to SOPHAS and the other application is to be filled out and submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Nevada, Reno. Applicants will not be reviewed for admission until both applications are submitted. Before applying for admission, please note the admission requirements.

Application 1:
The following materials are required for consideration for admission to the Ph.D. program. These materials should be submitted directly to SOPHAS at:

http://sophas.org/

1. One official copy of transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
2. GRE scores on verbal, quantitative and analytic measures. The exam must have been taken within the last five (5) years. Submit official GRE scores by using the University of Nevada, Reno SOPHAS code 7828.
3. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s motivation, academic capability, scholarship potential, and personal goals for doctoral study.
4. A written statement of personal career, educational and scholarship goals including identification of research interests and name(s) of faculty with whom you want to work.
5. A current curriculum vitae (CV).
6. An academic health-related writing sample. (for example, a first-author publication or a class paper)
7. For applicants from non-English speaking nations, one official copy of TOEFL or IELTS scores. TOEFL scores can be submitted using the University of Nevada, Reno SOPHAS code 7828.

Application 2:
The following materials should be submitted directly to the Graduate School of the University of Nevada, Reno at:
https://unr.force.com

1. Completed Graduate School online application.

A. Epidemiology Specialization

Specialization Competencies:

• Construct and evaluate models for causal inference and demonstrate their practical application to epidemiologic data.
• Demonstrate theoretical knowledge of systematic error through the use and application of directed acyclic graphs.
• Develop and apply statistical methods appropriate for time-to-event data.
• Judge and design statistical models to investigate mediation, confounding, interaction, and effect modification in the context of epidemiologic research.
• Critique individual published epidemiologic research studies.

Students will complete 35 units in the Epidemiology Ph.D. core that include a minimum of 8 doctoral seminar units. In addition to the core courses, students will work closely with their academic advisor to select 9 units of Epidemiology electives (may be prescribed).  Students will also take the comprehensive exam (1 unit) and will complete, on average, 24 dissertation units. The remaining 3 units can be approved graduate transfer units.  

B. Social and Behavioral Health Specialization

Specialization Competencies:

• Justify appropriate qualitative research methodology.
• Formulate the history, principles, goals or methods in community engaged research.
• Demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach by integrating an outside academic area into scholarly work.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles for designing and implementing mixed methods studies.
• Examine and evaluate theoretical knowledge about the influence of diversity and social determinants on health.

Students will complete 47 units in the Ph.D. core that include 8 doctoral seminar units (minimum). Students will also take the comprehensive exam (1 unit) and, after advancing to candidacy, will complete 24 dissertation units (on average).