The PhD Program in Population Health at Northeastern University integrates interdisciplinary education and experiential learning opportunities to train students to become public health researchers and leaders who understand the complex factors that affect the health and well-being of populations.
In The News
This program trains students to become public health 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.
- Close mentoring by distinguished faculty
- Focus on solution-based, innovative research
- Specialized training in critical population health topics
- Ph.D. students must complete and defend a dissertation that involves original research in population health
- Program offers a select number of graduate assistantships for doctoral students
- Students are trained to conduct research examining the social and environmental determinants of health through a cohesive, transdisciplinary program that integrates topics that include the five pillars of public health, including epidemiology, biostatistics, health program evaluation, environmental health, and social determinants of health.
- Students investigate the underlying causes of adverse health, including disease, disparities, and disability, through training in core population health disciplines.
- Students are trained to conduct highly rigorous research examining the financing, organization, and delivery of healthcare services through the use of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Where They Work
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- City of Boston
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health
What They Do
- Community and Social Services
- Business Development
- Education
- Healthcare Services
- Research
What They’re Skilled At
- Research
- Public Speaking
- Community Outreach
- Public Policy
- Nonprofit Organizations
Application Materials
- Application
- Application fee – US $100
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended (Please note all international applicants will need to provide a WES evaluation. Link to WES: https://www.wes.org/)
- Personal Statement
- Resumé
- TOEFL or IELTS for applicants who do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution and whose native language is not English