Sociomedical Sciences

The comprehensive examinations are intended to assess the candidate’s proficiency in the composite disciplines of the Department of Sociomedical Sciences, as well as her or his social science, and to determine readiness to undertake work on a dissertation.

The four examinations required for the PhD are:

• The Standardized Research Methods Examination (written)
• The Health Behavior/Population Health Examination*
• The Healthcare Systems Examination*
• Examination in the student's social science concentration (written or oral, either taken together with the Health Behavior/Population Health and Healthcare Systems examinations or separately)

Students are eligible to take the Standardized Research Methods Examination upon completion of course work requirements for the PhD degree. Students may take the methodology examination during the semester in which course requirements are being completed, but all methodological requirements must be completed prior to that semester. Students may take the Methods Examination before completing language requirements in those departments which have such requirements. All course requirements, language requirements, and the Research Methods Examination must be successfully completed before the other comprehensive examinations are taken.

*The Health Behavior/Population Health and Healthcare Systems Examinations are oral exams taken together following successful completion of the Research Methods Examination.