APPENDIX 2.12.a Descriptions of All Six CPH Doctoral Programs
PhD in Biostatistics
In the fall of 2014, the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics will admit its first
cohort of students seeking a PhD in Biostatistics. This new doctoral degree will meet
regional as well as national demands for biostatisticians. The primary objective of the Ph.D.
program in biostatistics is to provide students with the foundations to develop new and
innovative biostatistical methods for applications in public health and biomedicine. In
collaboration with the Department of Statistics, student completing the program are trained in
core biostatistical methods, design of experiments and public health surveys, recent
developments in biostatistical research, statistical computing, biostatistical consulting,
probability, and mathematical statistics.
Students will not be admitted to the PhD program in biostatistics unless the department is
certain that a graduate assistantship will be available during their studies at the University of
Georgia. The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics has three teaching assistantships
available to support undergraduate biostatistics computing laboratories, and grade homework
assignments in undergraduate classes, and larger introductory classes in the MPH program.
However, the largest source of support is from extramural research grants of biostatistics
faculty. These grants may either support original methodological research, or biostatistical
collaboration with researchers from the College of Public Health, and Medical Partnership, or
researchers from throughout the University of Georgia.
PhD Environmental Health Science
The PhD in environmental health science (PhD EHS) was approved late in 2012 and the
program will admit its first class in fall 2013. In spring 2012, one student enrolled in the MS
EH transferred to the PhD program. For the fall 2013, six students have been accepted and
plan to attend.
PhD Epidemiology
Also in the fall of 2012, the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics began to offer a
PhD in epidemiology. This department trains public health professionals and researchers in
the use of epidemiological principles and biostatistical methods and conducts innovative
research to address existing and emerging public health issues.
In the fall of 2014, the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics is set to accept its first
cohort of students for the PhD in biostatistics. The new doctoral degree will meet regional as
well as national demands for biostatisticians by providing students with the education
necessary for interdisciplinary and collaborative research aimed at solving the most
challenging biomedical and public health problems. In collaboration with the Department of
Statistics, the proposed curriculum will provide a solid theoretical foundation required to
develop new and innovative biostatistical methods, and experience in the application of
biostatistical methods in public health and biomedicine.
PhD Health Promotion and Behavior
The Department of Health Promotion and Behavior offers a PhD in health promotion and
behavior (PhD HPB). The primary objective of this program is to prepare researchers and
leaders in the field by fostering research and development in health promotion and behavior.
Programs of study are interdisciplinary, recognizing that the sophisticated study of health
behavior requires theories, information and expertise from many fields. The content and
methodology expertise among the department’s graduate faculty is varied, including health
communication, sexual health, substance use, youth violence and bullying, worksite wellness
and nutrition and physical activity. The close proximity of the CDC, local health
departments, the GDPH and several health-related, non-profit organizations expose students
to a wide variety of potential careers after graduation.
Since the College was established in 2003, there have been 25 PhD HPB graduates. This
figure represents a 93.3% graduation rate within seven years of enrollment (not including two
students who withdrew). Since 2010, the College has enrolled ten students in the program.
Nine students are currently active and pursuing the degree and one recently withdrew from
the program for medical reasons. As of fall 2013, a total of 51 students have enrolled in the
program.
PhD Toxicology
The Department of Environmental Health Science offers a PhD in toxicology (PhD TOX)
through the Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program. The program is a collaborative effort
among faculty in different schools and colleges, specifically the College of Public Health and
Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, and Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the
Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology. A coordinating committee from among these colleges
directs the program. A student who chooses to pursue a PhD in environmental toxicology
resides in the Environmental Health Science Department.
Doctor of Public Health
Students in the DrPH program are required to register for ten hours of dissertation research
after completing the required coursework. Once the students have completed the
coursework, they have up to six years to complete the dissertation. It is projected that these
students will graduate within three to five years of completing the degree requirements. The
DrPH admits students during the fall semester only. Though a professional degree, the
expectation of a substantive research dissertation and the faculty attention that it demands
requires the College enroll only small numbers of students each year. The close proximity of
the CDC, local health departments, the Georgia Department of Public Health and several
health-related, non-profit organizations makes this degree highly attractive to working public
health professionals. The College plans to recruit new students each year through College
information sessions, recruitment fairs and personal visits to employers of our student body.