This program seeks to train students to become public health researchers and leaders through simultaneous examination of multiple determinations of health, including social, environmental, nutritional, and behavioral risk factors. Our students investigate the underlying causes of adverse health, including disease, disparities, and disability, through training in core population health disciplines—biostatistics, epidemiology, and health services—together with individual-specific and specialized training in topics related to student research. Importantly, our students are mentored by Northeastern’s distinguished faculty, who individually and together conduct innovative, solution-focused research in critical population health topics.
Our population health doctoral students have an opportunity to learn to conduct research that addresses five key health determinants:
1. Social and community contexts
2. Environment and neighborhoods
3. Health and healthcare delivery
4. Education
5. Economic stability
Our diverse faculty has expertise in numerous population health disciplines, including health services research, health disparities, environmental and social epidemiology, biostatistics, exercise science, medical sociology, public policy, personal health technologies, and mental health. Students have the opportunity to work side by side with faculty in conducting cutting-edge, transdisciplinary research in these fields.
Course Requirements
All population health PhD candidates must earn at least 33 semester hours by completing core research courses, selecting a concentration and taking courses for that concentration, and taking additional electives and directed study courses as needed and in consultation with their faculty advisors. They must complete a dissertation in order to earn their degree. Eight core courses (22–23 semester hours) must be taken by all students, in addition to a mandatory, non-credit-bearing seminar speaker series. All students must fulfill the requirements of their specific population health option: social and environmental determinants of health or health services and policy. There may be some flexibility in course selection based on a student’s relevant experience and dissertation topic. Students must consult with their advisor before selecting elective courses (9–10 semester hours). Electives should be used to either help the student develop skills needed for research or to help the student develop new research ideas.
Advanced Entry
This program is strictly for students who already have a master’s degree in public health or a closely related area and have full-time employment at a company or agency who has entered into an agreement with Northeastern to be the student’s sponsor. Completion of the PhD program requires 21–23 semester hours, including a yearlong research methods seminar and other advanced research courses. All students must fulfill the course requirements of their specific population health option: social and environmental determinants of health (9 semester hours) or health services and policy (7 semester hours). There may be some flexibility in course selection based on a student’s relevant experience and dissertation topic. Students must consult with their advisor before selecting elective courses. Electives can be used to either help the student develop skills needed for research or to help the student develop new research ideas but are not required.
Please visit Bouvé College Learning Outcomes for the specific student learning outcomes for this program.
Students who do not qualify for the doctoral degree, but who have completed required coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or better, may be eligible to receive a terminal MS Population Health degree. Note that no students will be admitted directly into the Population Health program to pursue a master’s degree.
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Milestones
Qualifying examination
Annual review
Dissertation committee
Dissertation proposal
Oral defense of dissertation proposal
Candidacy status
Dissertation defense
Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Health Services | ||
| PHTH 5232 | Evaluating Healthcare Quality | 3 |
| or PHTH 5234 | Economic Perspectives on Health Policy | |
| Population Health | ||
| PHTH 6400 | Principles of Population Health 1 | 3 |
| PHTH 6410 | Principles of Population Health 2 | 3 |
| Epidemiology | ||
| PHTH 5202 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| PHTH 6202 | Intermediate Epidemiology | 3 |
| Research Ethics | ||
| BIOL 6381 | Ethics in Biological Research | 2 |
| or PHSC 5212 | Research Skills and Ethics | |
| Research and Analysis | ||
| PHTH 5210 | Biostatistics in Public Health | 3 |
| PHTH 6210 | Applied Regression Analysis | 3 |
Options
Complete one of the following options:
Social and Environmental Determinants of Health Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHTH 6224 | Social Epidemiology | 3 |
| PHTH 6440 | Advanced Methods in Biostatistics | 3 |
| PHTH 6800 | Causal Inference in Public Health Research | 3 |
| Electives | 2-4 | |
Health Services and Policy Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 5110 | Microeconomic Theory | 4 |
| PHTH 5234 | Economic Perspectives on Health Policy | 3 |
| Electives | 3-4 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Data Mining Techniques | ||
| Special Topics in Database Management | ||
| Microeconomic Theory | ||
| Applied Econometrics | ||
| Topics in Applied Economics | ||
| Cardiopulmonary Physiology | ||
| Advanced Exercise Physiology | ||
| Physical Activity and Exercise: Effects on Musculoskeletal Health and Disease | ||
| Theoretical Foundations in Personal Health Informatics | ||
| Health Organization Management | ||
| Human Physiology and Pathophysiology | ||
| Public Health Administration and Policy | ||
| Environmental Health | ||
| Strategic Management and Leadership in Healthcare | ||
| Global Health | ||
| Health Education and Program Planning | ||
| Principles and History of Urban Health | ||
| Society, Behavior, and Health | ||
| Urban Community Health Assessment | ||
| Qualitative Methods in Health and Illness | ||
| Social Movements in Health | ||
| Strategic Management for Healthcare Organizations |
Dissertation
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation Term 1 | ||
| Dissertation Term 2 |
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
33 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Milestones
Qualifying examination
Annual review
Dissertation committee
Dissertation proposal
Oral defense of dissertation proposal
Candidacy Status
Dissertation defense
Core Requirements
A grade of B or higher is required in all coursework. Students must complete all core requirements unless otherwise indicated:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Population Health | ||
| PHTH 6400 | Principles of Population Health 1 | 3 |
| PHTH 6410 | Principles of Population Health 2 | 3 |
| Epidemiology | ||
| PHTH 6202 | Intermediate Epidemiology | 3 |
| Research Ethics | ||
| BIOL 6381 | Ethics in Biological Research | 2 |
| or PHSC 5212 | Research Skills and Ethics | |
| Research and Analysis | ||
| PHTH 6210 | Applied Regression Analysis | 3 |
Options
Complete one of the following options:
- Social and Environmental Determinants of Health Option
- Health Services and Policy Option
Social and Environmental Determinants of Health Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHTH 6224 | Social Epidemiology | 3 |
| PHTH 6440 | Advanced Methods in Biostatistics | 3 |
| PHTH 6800 | Causal Inference in Public Health Research | 3 |
Health Services and Policy Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 5110 | Microeconomic Theory | 4 |
| PHTH 5234 | Economic Perspectives on Health Policy | 3 |
Electives
Students may elect to take additional course credits to support their dissertation work.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Data Mining Techniques | ||
| Special Topics in Database Management | ||
| Applied Econometrics | ||
| Cardiopulmonary Physiology | ||
| Advanced Exercise Physiology | ||
| Physical Activity and Exercise: Effects on Musculoskeletal Health and Disease | ||
| Theoretical Foundations in Personal Health Informatics | ||
| Health Organization Management | ||
| Human Physiology and Pathophysiology | ||
| Public Health Administration and Policy | ||
| Environmental Health | ||
| Strategic Management and Leadership in Healthcare | ||
| Global Health | ||
| Health Education and Program Planning | ||
| Principles and History of Urban Health | ||
| Society, Behavior, and Health | ||
| Urban Community Health Assessment | ||
| Qualitative Methods in Health and Illness | ||
| Social Movements in Health | ||
| Strategic Management for Healthcare Organizations |
Dissertation
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation Term 1 | ||
| Dissertation Term 2 |
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
Minimum 21 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required