University General Course Catalog 2025-2026 (DRAFT)
Ph.D. in Epidemiology
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 Return to: Programs in the School of Public Health
The PhD in Epidemiology is a STEM-designated program designed to prepare students for careers in which advanced analytical skills are required in academia, government, industry, and research institutions. Students apply epidemiologic methods to understand complex public health problems. The program trains students to become independent investigators through two years of required coursework in epidemiology and biostatistics methods followed by two years (or more) of research. Students must pass a written qualifying exam and complete and defend a research dissertation.
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Contact Information
Keying Wen, Administrative Assistant
Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health Department
School of Public Health
(775) 682-6738
kwen@unr.edu Dr. Kristen Clements-Nolle, Graduate Director of Epidemiology
School of Public Health
(775) 682-7097
clements@unr.edu Program Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to: - Evaluate models for causal inference in epidemiologic research
- Demonstrate theoretical knowledge of systematic error using directed acyclic graphs
- Develop statistical models appropriate for time-to-event data
- Assess statistical models to investigate mediation, confounding, interaction, and effect modification in the context of epidemiologic research
- Evaluate published epidemiologic studies
Admission Requirements
- Master of Public Health (MPH) degree or relevant master’s or doctoral degrees from accredited institutions, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale preferred. Occasionally, students can be admitted with a health-related Bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 that is confirmed before beginning classes.
- Duolingo, TOEFL, or IELTS Test Scores (required if education history is from a non-English Speaking Country).
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate your motivation, academic capability, scholarship potential, and personal goals for doctoral study.
- A written statement of personal career, educational and scholarship goals including identification of research interests.
- A current curriculum vitae (CV).
- An academic health-related writing sample (for example, a first-author publication or class paper).
- An interview with the admissions committee (if invited).
- OPTIONAL: Graduate record exam (GRE) scores may be submitted if they will strengthen the application. The exam must have been taken within the last five (5) years.
The final application deadline is June 1st. However, to receive full consideration for graduate scholarship funding, applicants are encouraged to submit their application by February 1st. PhD applications are accepted once per year for fall admission. Only full-time students (e.g., 9-10 credits per semester) will be accepted. Details on application components and processes can be found on the PhD in Epidemiology admissions process webpage. Prerequisite Coursework
Prerequisite Coursework Students will typically enter the PhD in Epidemiology after having completed a relevant Master’s degree, such as the Master of Public Health (MPH) or Master of Science (MS) in Epidemiology or Biostatistics. All students must have documentation that they have completed the following MPH courses (or their equivalent). Students missing any of the required prerequisites may be admitted, contingent on successful completion of specified courses within a period of time (typically the first year). - CHS 712 : Epidemiology in Public Health
- CHS 780 : Biostatistics in Public Health
- Students who do not have an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited public health program must take the Basics of Public Health course (offered online by the School of Public Health, 0 credits).
Application Process
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/ - One official copy of transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s motivation, academic capability, scholarship potential, and personal goals for doctoral study.
- 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.
- A current curriculum vitae (CV).
- An academic health-related writing sample. (for example, a first-author publication or a class paper)
- For applicants from non-English speaking nations, one official copy of Duolingo, TOEFL, or IELTS scores. TOEFL scores can be submitted using the University of Nevada, Reno SOPHAS code 7828.
- OPTIONAL: GRE scores on verbal, quantitative and analytic measures may be submitted if they strengthen the application. 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.
I. Program Requirements
All Ph.D. in Epidemiology students must complete a minimum of 63 graduate-level units to graduate. The Ph.D. in Epidemiology program requires passing a written qualifying exam after the first year of coursework is completed, a written and oral dissertation prospectus, and a written and oral dissertation defense. A. PhD in Epidemiology
Students will complete 32 units in the Epidemiology PhD core. 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, 21 dissertation units. Epidemiology Electives (9 units)
Courses used here must be pre-approved by an advisor.* Comprehensive Exam and Dissertation (22 units)
II. Total Units (63 units)
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Return to: Programs in the School of Public Health
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