Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology

Admission into the program is once a year, in the Fall semester. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Epidemiology is for applicants interested in conducting advanced research in epidemiology or teaching epidemiology at higher institutions of learning. This is a 3-5 year program. The first two years known as residency is dedicated to completing the required coursework and practice in research, on campus. An additional 1-3 years is usually expected for completing the dissertation research.

The UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health (COPH) Ph.D. in Epidemiology aims to provide effective, high-quality training guided by a rigorous curriculum that incorporates the latest up-to-date theories, methodologies, and knowledge in the discipline of epidemiology, and to educate high-caliber graduates who will be able to compete nationally and internationally in diverse research specialties. Our program provides a strong foundation in four key areas: 1) epidemiologic theory, methodology & data analysis; 2) emphasis areas (biological methods, clinical diseases, public & community health, advanced statistical analysis); 3) scholarship skills (with scientific writing, pedagogy, seminar series courses); and 4) scientific, and public health practice research practicum. The type of epidemiologists being trained in the future must not only have traditional knowledge and skills, but must also be able to keep pace with current trends and developments in medical science, technology, and community health. These include a basic understanding and functional knowledge of rapidly evolving specialty areas, for example, molecular biology; genomics; genetics; biochemical and molecular biomarkers; bioinformatics; underlying mechanisms of disease pathogenesis; community, social structure and other social determinants of health. The Ph.D. program in Epidemiology is broad-based and rigorous in order to enable graduates to have the flexibility to participate with competency at the highest level to adapt and apply the skills and knowledge acquired to a wide variety of scientific, clinical, public health and cutting-edge cross-disciplinary/inter-disciplinary research without difficulty.

This is a full-time program, which should take 3-5 years on average to complete. The first 2-3 years, known as the residency period, is dedicated to completing required coursework on campus. An additional 1-3 years is usually expected for completing dissertation research. Additional credit hours 1) practicum (mentored research), 2) dissertation research, and 3) seminars are required for completion of the Ph.D.. See the Ph.D. in Epidemiology Program Planner.

Upon entry into the program each student will be assigned an academic advisor who is a member of the program faculty who will assist the student in scheduling a course of study that will best serve his or her professional and academic goals. Students will select a general area of research interest in which to focus their studies in conjunction with a faculty advisor. These substantive areas are defined principally by areas of expertise held by members of the program faculty, and include cancer epidemiology, cardiovascular disease epidemiology, social epidemiology, occupational disease epidemiology, clinical epidemiology, infectious disease epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, molecular epidemiology and biomarkers, and quantitative methods. This matching of interests between students and faculty begins at the time of application to the program and continues throughout the residency period. Students will gain experience in research primarily through directed experiences with department faculty, other faculty and scientists within UAMS, and external supervisors and mentors in agencies such as the Arkansas Department of Health, and the National Center for Toxicological Research.

While students are ultimately responsible for meeting the full costs of this degree program, opportunities may be available to mitigate part or all of the costs through scholarships, stipends, tuition waivers, research assistantships and other sources, depending on availability. Applicants are encouraged to inquire about the availability of these types of sources of funding when they apply to the program.

This program is supported by the  Department of Epidemiology