The Path to a Graduate Degree
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health offers four degree programs leading to the skills necessary for public health careers. Professional degrees can be used for practicing public health outside of higher education the Master of Public Health (MPH) and the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH). Academic degrees are primarily used for teaching and research the Master of Science in Public Health (MS) and the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health (PhD).
Students learn to conduct research on important public health concerns at the UTHealth School of Public Health while working with teams of faculty uncovering answers to urgent public health issues.
Professional Degrees
Academic Degrees
Choosing a Minor or Breadth Area
MS, DrPH and PhD students must choose a minor in a public health discipline outside of their major. The following minor requirements are listed for each public health discipline. Doctoral students are required to complete two minors or a minor and a breadth area of study. For further discussion about how your minor or breadth area can help you meet your career goals, please contact your faculty advisor.
For 2012-2014 Entering Students
2014 - 2016 ENTERING STUDENTS
BIOSTATISTICS MINOR
Course of study - required:
- At least nine (9) semester credit hours for MS, DrPH and PhD students majoring in other public health disciplines;
- Courses required for the minor:
- For MS students, minor requirements are: PH 1700 Intermediate Biostatistics and two biostatistics courses above PH1700.
- For doctoral students, minor requirements are: PH 1700 Intermediate Biostatistics (or the equivalent) and three biostatistics courses above PH1700.
PH 1820 Applied Statistical Analysis I is strongly recommended for the minor for all degree programs.
Course of study - required:
- Nine semester credit hours (9) for MS, DrPH, and PhD students majoring in other public health disciplines.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SCIENCES MINOR
Course of study - required:
The prerequisite science background for these courses is required to take the minor in EOHS.
HEALTH PROMOTION AND BEAHVIORAL SCIENCES MINOR
Course of study - required:
- Nine semester credit hours (9) for MS, DrPH and PhD students majoring in other public health disciplines.
- The requirements for a minor in behavioral sciences include three courses from the department of HP/BS. Courses should cover primary theory and methods in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences and/or program evaluation and intervention development (especially for the DrPH student).
The following courses, though not required, are offered as suggestions for the minor:
Theory Courses
- PHD 1113 Advanced Methods for Planning and Implementing Health Promotion Programs
- PHD 1122 Health Promotion Theory and Methods: A Teaching and Learning Experience for Doctoral Students
- PHD 1123 Health Promotion Theory and Methods II
- PHD 1227 Advanced and Emerging Theories in Health Promotion
Methods Courses
- PHM 1118 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
- PHD 1121 Advanced Methods in Program Evaluation
- PHD 1130 Applied Measurement Theory
- PHD 1132 Latent Variable Models and Factor Analysis
- PHD 1420 and PHD 1421 Research Design and Analysis in Behavioral Sciences I and II
- PHD 1425 Applied Multivariate Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
- PHD 1430 Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Evidence-Based Public Health
- PH 1498 Categorical Data Analysis
MANAGEMENT, POLICY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH MINOR
Course of study - required:
Specific courses can be changed to meet the individual needs of the student with the approval of the MPACH member of the student committee. If the committee does not have a MPACH member, the student is expected to seek guidance from a MPACH faculty member in their desired Minor area in choosing Minor courses as described above.
Doctoral students are required to complete two minors or a minor and a breadth area of study.
LEADERSHIP BREADTH
(DrPH students are highly recommended to select a breadth in Leadership.)
Course selections for a Leadership breadth for DrPH students (9 credits required)
Courses (Choose any of the courses listed for a total of 9 credits)
PH 5200 Foundations of Leadership (3 credits)
PH3815 Health Policy Analysis (3 credits)
PH3825 Public Health Law (3 credits)
PH 3830 Ethics and Policy (3 credits)
PHD 3946 Doctoral Seminar in Governance, Management & Leadership (3 credits)
PHD 3950 Advanced Leadership Studies in Public Health (3 credits)
PH 5210 Selected Readings in Leadership Studies (1-2 credits)
PH 5220 Women and Leadership (2 credits)
Specific courses can be changed to meet the individual needs of the student with the approval of the Leadership member of the student committee. If the committee does not have a Leadership member, the student is expected to seek guidance from the Leadership Concentration coordinators.
METHODS BREADTH
(DrPH students in Community Health Practice are recommended to select a breadth area in Leadership or Methods.)
Courses (Choose any of the courses listed for a total of 9 credits)
PH 2710 Epidemiology III (3 credits)
PHD 2711 Epidemiology IV (3 credits)
PH 3998 Demography for Public Health (3 credits)
PH 2998 Applied Epidemiology (3 credits)
PH 1820 Applied Statistical Analysis (3 credits)
PH 1119 Qualitative Analysis (3 credits)
PH 3998 Geographic Information Systems Science (3 credits)
Substitutions in either recommended breadth may be made with approval of the student’s committee.
How Will Your Work Count?
A student is classified full-time if enrolled in at least nine semester credit hours during the Fall or Spring semesters, at least six semester credit hours during a 12-week Summer session, or at least three semester credit hours during each six-week Summer session. Full-time students generally enroll in 12-16 credit hours per semester. A minimum of three credit hours must be taken in each semester a student is enrolled. Students are expected to enroll in culminating experience, thesis, or dissertation hours during the time that resources are being used in this endeavor. All courses taken by students accumulate semester credit hours, but no more than a combined total of six credit hours earned for culminating/thesis/dissertation research plus the practicum experience may be counted toward the total credit hour minimum of the degree.
What Classes Will You Take?
A course generally consists of a combination of lectures, discussion periods, directed reading, and individual study and inquiry. Courses may be taken in a classroom, online or via Interactive Television when offered. Courses are letter-graded or pass/fail. All courses satisfying the MPH core requirements are letter-graded. Elective courses may be letter-graded or pass/fail at the discretion of the instructor. Credits earned at other institutions prior to enrollment at the UTHealth School of Public Health shall not be applied to SPH transcripts or counted toward graduation requirements. Through reciprocal agreements, however, students enrolled at the UTHealth School of Public Health may take courses for credit at affiliated institutions.
Becoming a Student
Enrollment is required in the semester in which the research proposal is submitted and continuously through the semester in which all requirements for graduation are completed. Enrollment is also required in the semester in which the qualifying examination (doctoral programs) is taken and in the semester in which the student is involved in a practicum/internship (MPH and DrPH programs). Students must maintain enrollment in the School so that any absence from the program does not exceed one calendar year (three consecutive semesters) unless a formal leave of absence is obtained. General and specific requirements for degrees may be altered in successive catalogs. A student is bound by the requirements of the catalog in force at the time of his/her admission or readmission; however, a student must complete all degree requirements within seven years or be subject to the degree requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of graduation.
A student is classified “full-time” if enrolled in at least nine semester credit hours during the Fall or Spring semesters, at least six semester credit hours during a 12-week Summer session, or at least three semester credit hours during each six-week Summer session. Full-time students generally enroll in 12-16 credit hours per semester. A minimum of three credit hours must be taken in each semester a student is enrolled. Students are expected to enroll in culminating experience, thesis, or dissertation hours during the time that resources are being used in this endeavor. All courses taken by students accumulate semester credit hours, but no more than a combined total of six credit hours earned for culminating experience plus the practicum may be counted toward the total credit hour minimum of the masters degree. Nine combined dissertation and practicum hours may be counted for the doctoral degree.
The Clock is Ticking…
Students are expected to complete master’s degree programs (MPH and MS) within five years and doctoral degree programs (DrPH and PhD) within seven years. In case of extenuating circumstances, a student may request a one-year extension provided there is adequate justification. The possibility of a second year of extension exists for extraordinary circumstances. Students who do not graduate within the approved time limit must be readmitted to the school in order to complete the degree program in effect at the time of readmission.
