Become an independent researcher who develops evidence-based solutions to improve the health of communities locally, nationally and globally.
This interdisciplinary doctoral program combines epidemiology and health policy & management to prepare graduates for careers in research, academia, government, healthcare, nonprofit organizations and industry.
Communities today face increasingly complex health challenges, from chronic disease and health gaps to healthcare system transformation and emerging public health threats.
Answering these challenges requires researchers who can combine advanced analytics, epidemiology, health policy, implementation science and interdisciplinary collaboration.
If you're driven to generate knowledge that improves health outcomes, not just understand them, a PhD in Population Health Sciences provides the preparation to lead that work.
Study across epidemiology and health policy & management while working with faculty throughout both departments.
Develop as an independent researcher through individualized mentoring, collaborative research and dissertation guidance.
Conduct research addressing real-world health problems affecting communities, healthcare systems and public policy.
Competitive funding opportunities, research assistantships, graduate assistantships and a collaborative doctoral community help students focus on research and professional growth.
| Degree | PhD in Population Health Sciences |
| Credits | 90 |
| Length | 5 years (full-time) |
| Concentrations | Epidemiology • Health Policy & Management |
| Research | Original Dissertation |
| Mentorship | Faculty Advisor |
| Format | Residential |
Study disease patterns, risk factors and interventions while developing advanced epidemiologic research methods.
Topics might include:
Study healthcare systems, policy implementation, leadership and organizational effectiveness.
Topics might include:
Research isn't something you wait until your dissertation to begin. From your first year, you'll work alongside faculty mentors designing studies, analyzing data, publishing research, and presenting findings that contribute to improving population health.
Develop research questions, design rigorous studies, and select appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods.
Use advanced statistical, epidemiologic, and population health analytic techniques to answer complex research questions.
Collaborate with faculty on peer-reviewed publications while building your own scholarly portfolio.
Share research at national and international conferences while developing scientific communication skills.
Complete original research that advances knowledge and prepares you for independent research careers.
Faculty conduct funded research across epidemiology, health policy, health services research, healthcare systems, chronic disease prevention, health equity, implementation science, and population health analytics. Students have opportunities to collaborate with faculty across both departments from the beginning of the program.
With individualized mentorship and hands-on research opportunities, you'll develop the skills, experience and scholarly record needed to pursue a successful career as an independent researcher and leader in population health.
What could your doctoral experience look like?
Build your research foundation
Develop your expertise
Advance your independent research
Complete your doctoral training
Graduates pursue careers in:
The Ph.D. in Population Health Sciences requires 90 credit hours, including 69 credits of didactic coursework and 21 credits of directed research. The program is designed to be completed in four years of full-time study.
Students complete an interdisciplinary core curriculum focused on public and population health foundations, research methods, data management, biostatistics, informatics, population health analytics, qualitative methods and research design. You then select a concentration in either epidemiology or health policy and management to develop deeper expertise in your chosen area.
The curriculum is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in research methods while allowing flexibility to tailor your training through concentration coursework, a doctoral minor, and dissertation research.
Public and Population Health Foundations Core (12 credits)
Take all four courses.
Public and Population Health Methods Core (27 credits)
Take all nine courses.
Epidemiology Concentration Electives (18 credits)
Choose six courses for a total of 18 credits.
Health Policy and Management Concentration Electives (18 credits)
Choose six courses for a total of 18 credits.
Minor Area (12 credits)
Students must complete a PhD minor. The minor must contain at least four graduate courses (12 credit hours) and comply with the requirements of the minor department/unit. Students wishing to complete a minor outside of the following should consult with the program director for guidance.
Directed Research (21 credits)
Required Core Courses (27 credits)
Take all nine courses for a total of 27 credits.
Methods Courses* (15 credits)
Choose five courses for a total of 15 credits.
*Students may take methods and substantive electives offered by other IU Indianapolis departments with advisor approval.
Elective Courses* (12 credits)
Choose four courses for a total of 12 credits.
*Students may take methods and substantive electives offered by other IU Indianapolis departments with advisor approval.
Minor Area (12 credits)
Students must complete a PhD minor in an area related to a health and life science. The minor in most cases is comprised of four graduate-level courses (12 credit hours) in the chosen area and must comply with the minor requirements of the respective department/unit.
Doctoral Research Seminars (3 credits)
Students will enroll in three doctoral research seminars. Each seminar is one credit, for a total of three credits. (PBHL-E 775)
Dissertation (21 credits)
For students who started the PhD in Epidemiology prior to Fall 2023
Core courses
Take all 10 courses for a total of 30 credits.
Methods
Choose three courses for a total of 9 credits.
*Students may take methods and substantive electives offered by other IU Indianapolis departments with advisor approval.
Electives
Choose five courses for a total of 15 credits.
Seminar
Complete 3 credits.
Minor
Complete 12 credits.
Dissertation
Complete 21 credits.
Public Health Foundations (9 credits)
Take all three courses.
Health Policy and Management Foundations (12 credits)
Take all four courses.
PhD Seminars (13 credits)
Methods and Skills Courses (24 credits)
Required courses (15 credits)
Take all five courses.
and
Elective courses (9 credits)
Choose three courses.
Minor Area (12 credits)
Students must complete a PhD minor. The minor must contain at least four graduate courses (12 credit hours) and comply with the requirements of the minor department/unit. Students wishing to complete a minor outside of the following should consult with the program director for guidance: epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioral sciences, health informatics, sociology, policy analysis.
Dissertation (20 credits)
For students who started the PhD in Health Policy and Management prior to Fall 2023
Public health foundations (9 credits)
Take all three courses.
Health Policy and Management foundations (12 credits)
Take both of the following courses.
and
One of the following courses.
and
One of the following courses.
PhD Seminars (13 credits)
Methods and skills courses (24 credits)
Required courses (15 credits)
Choose five courses.
and
Electives (9 credits)
Take all three courses.
Minor area (12 credits)
Dissertation research (20 credits)
You may be a strong candidate if you:
At the Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health, you'll join a community of scholars committed to generating evidence that improves health outcomes, informs policy, and creates lasting impact.
Learn what you must complete in order to be admitted to this degree program.
View the admissions criteriaOur associate director of graduate affairs, Shawne Mathis, is available to meet with you virtually or in-person.
Contact ShawneOur frequently asked questions (FAQ) makes it easy for you to find answers to your most pressing inquiries into the PhD in Population Health Sciences program. If you can't find your answer here, please feel free to contact associate director of graduate affairs, Shawne Mathis, or use the site search to find the information you need.
Population health is the study of the factors that influence the health of populations and communities. It examines how biological, environmental, behavioral, social, economic, and policy factors interact to shape health outcomes.
Population health scientists use research and data-driven approaches to identify health gaps, improve health systems, prevent disease, and develop evidence-based solutions that improve the health and well-being of communities locally, nationally, and globally.
The PhD in Population Health Sciences prepares independent researchers to advance research, improve health, and change lives by addressing today's most pressing public health challenges through innovative, interdisciplinary research.
Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in academia, government agencies, healthcare systems, research institutes, nonprofit organizations, and industry.
Career opportunities include conducting independent research, leading multidisciplinary research teams, informing public policy, improving healthcare delivery, designing and evaluating public health interventions, and training the next generation of public health professionals.
The PhD in Population Health Sciences is a 90-credit doctoral program. Full-time students typically complete the degree in approximately four years, while part-time students generally complete the program in five to six years, depending on their course load, research progress, and dissertation timeline.
Yes. Qualified full-time PhD students are automatically considered for available funding opportunities, which may include fellowships, research assistantships (RAs), graduate assistantships (GAs), and traineeships. Funding is competitive and is based on available resources.
Yes. While students select a concentration and work closely with a primary faculty mentor, the program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration. Students have opportunities to engage with faculty across both concentration areas and collaborate with researchers throughout the IU Indianapolis academic health sciences campus.
Contacting faculty before applying is not required, but prospective students are encouraged to review faculty research interests to identify potential mentors whose expertise aligns with their research goals. Applicants may reach out to faculty to learn more about their research, but admission decisions are made through the program's holistic review process.
Absolutely. The PhD in Population Health Sciences is intentionally designed as an interdisciplinary program that integrates epidemiology, health policy, implementation science, biostatistics, public health informatics, health services research, and other population health disciplines.
Students collaborate across departments, schools, healthcare systems, and community organizations to address complex public health challenges.
Students have opportunities to participate in research spanning a wide range of public health topics, including:
Students work alongside nationally recognized faculty mentors and collaborate with research partners across IU Indianapolis and affiliated healthcare and community organizations.
The Fairbanks School of Public Health offers a collaborative, research-intensive doctoral experience that combines individualized faculty mentorship with interdisciplinary training. Students benefit from:
Applicants should have a strong academic background, demonstrate research potential, and submit a complete application that includes transcripts, a statement of purpose, a résumé or curriculum vitae (CV), and three letters of recommendation. Qualified applicants are invited to interview with faculty as part of the holistic admissions process.
The PhD in Population Health Sciences admits students once per year for fall enrollment. Applications are submitted through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS), which opens in mid-August each year for the following fall admission cycle. The application deadline is December 15.
Selected applicants are invited to interview with faculty, and admission decisions are typically communicated approximately two weeks after interviews have concluded.
Yes. After admission, students may request to transfer eligible graduate-level coursework completed at another institution or degree program. In accordance with Indiana University Graduate School policy, a maximum of 30 graduate credit hours may be transferred toward the PhD.
Transfer requests are reviewed on an individual basis and require submission of a transfer request form, course syllabus, and supporting materials. To be considered, courses must have been completed with a grade of B or higher, and the course content and learning objectives must be comparable to the corresponding PhD course requirements.
No. GRE scores are not required for admission to the PhD in Population Health Sciences. The admissions committee conducts a holistic review of each application, considering academic preparation, research experience, scholarly potential, leadership, and alignment between the applicant's research interests and faculty expertise.
We seek applicants with strong academic preparation, research potential, intellectual curiosity, leadership qualities, and a commitment to improving population health. Successful applicants demonstrate the ability to engage in rigorous doctoral study and have research interests that align with the expertise of our faculty.
