Academic Programs Catalog

The Ph.D. degree program is designed for students who plan to become independent researchers in epidemiology. Emphasis is on the development and mastery of epidemiologic ad biostatistical skills required for the highest levels of scholarship investigation, and leadership in public health work. Students design and complete their own investigator-initiated research projects are prepared to compete for research grant awards supported by the National Institutes of Health and other agencies that fund epidemiology research. Learning experiences are pursued through course work and readings, apprenticeships with supervising faculty, participation on a research team, and completion of the dissertation research project.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the program:

1. an applicant must have earned a bachelor's or master of science or a master of public health in epidemiology degree with at least 40 credits.
2. applicants who earned their master of science or master of public health in epidemiology at an institution other than Michigan State University will be evaluated individually by the department to determine if any additional collateral course work will be required. Credits earned in collateral courses will not count toward the Ph.D. in Epidemiology.
3. submit GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores, or MCAT scores.
4. present evidence of competency in English (TOEFL or MELAB scores) with their application if their native language is not English.
5. submit three letters of recommendation.
6. submit a statement of purpose.
7. submit official transcripts.

Applicants with strong academic records who are in the process of completing a master of science or a master of public health in epidemiology may be admitted on a provisional basis. The first 40 credits applied towards the completion of a master of science or a master of public health in epidemiology may not be counted toward the Ph.D. in Epidemiology.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and the College of Human Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Epidemiology

Students must complete 51 credits for the degree with no more than 6 credits at the 400-level. 

1.	All of the following courses (7 credits):
	EPI	805	Readings in the Historical Roots of Epidemiological Thought						3
	EPI	828	Seminar in Responsible Conduct of Research						1
	EPI	910	Themes in Contemporary Epidemiology						3
2.	Two of the following courses (6 credits):
	EPI	855	Biostatistical Modeling in Genomic Data Analysis						3
	EPI	920	Advanced Methods in Epidemiology and Applied Statistics						3
	EPI	950	Advanced Biostatistical Methods in Epidemiology						3
	EPI	952	Duration and Severity Analysis						3
	EPI	953	Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies						3
3.	Complete a minimum of 15 credits of elective course work from the following list of approved courses. Additional courses may be chosen with advisor approval.
	EPI	815	Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease						3
	EPI	816	Perinatal Epidemiology						3
	EPI	823	Cancer Epidemiology						3
	EPI	835	Neuroepidemiology						3
	EPI	890	Independent Study in Epidemiology and Biostatistics						1 to 3
	EPI	910	Themes in Contemporary Epidemiology						3
	EPI	920	Advanced Methods in Epidemiology and Applied Statistics						3
	EPI	950	Advanced Biostatistical Methods in Epidemiology						3
	EPI	952	Duration and Severity Analysis						3
	EPI	953	Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies						3
	EPI	977	Social Epidemiology						3
	EPI	979	Advanced Topics of Infectious Disease Epidemiology						3
	STT	847	Analysis of Survival Data						3
4.	Attend all MSU Graduate School Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Workshops.
5.	Attendance at 80% of all presentations in the departmental epidemiology seminar series during the period of course work.
6.	Attendance at 80% of Ph.D. Journal Club meetings.
7.	Present at one Ph.D. Journal Club meeting.
8.	Pass a Qualifying Examination at the end of the first year of study.
9.	Pass a Comprehensive Examination.
10.	Successfully complete 24 credits of Epidemiology 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
11.	Successfully defend the oral defense of the doctoral dissertation.

Academic Standards

A student who fails the Qualifying Examination may repeat it only once. A Remediation Examination will be given in late summer immediately following the failed examination. A student who fails the Comprehensive Examination may repeat in only once. A retake examination will be given at the beginning of the subsequent semester.