PhD Program Requirements

With extraordinary access to world-renowned experts and scientists, doctoral students at the Mailman School work at the cutting edge of public health science and practice. Collaborating closely with faculty mentors, students develop their capacity to create knowledge in the field and make a vital contribution to improve population health.

Both doctoral programs train candidates to create new knowledge and research and apply them to important public health issues and identify and implement potential solutions. The PhD degree is for individuals interested in creating new and innovative knowledge, with research and/or teaching as their career goal.

Graduation Requirements

The PhD degree is conferred by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, as are all PhD degrees at Columbia University. Graduates of the PhD program complete a minimum of 60 credit hours that constitute the combined requirements for the MA and PhD degree. Students entering the PhD degree program with MA degrees from other universities may receive up to 30 credits of advanced standing.

Graduates of the DrPH degree complete a minimum of 30 credit hours beyond the course work for the MPH degree or equivalent professional degree in public health.