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PPHL PhD Curriculum & Plans of Study

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PhD Curriculum Overview

Course TitleCredits
MPH 504: Applied Epidemiology2
MPH 506: Applied Statistics in Public Health2
MPH 540: Epidemiology and Biostatistics II3
MPH 542: Epidemiology and Biostatistics III or PPHL 612: Advanced Qualitative Research Methods3
PPHL 610: Research Methods I3
PPHL 611: Research Methods II3
PPHL 630: Determinants of Health I: Theoretical Background3
PPHL 631: Determinants of Health II: Application3
PPHL 620: Advanced Systems Analysis and Problem Solving3
PPHL 635: Health Policy Analysis3
PPHL 621: Organizational Leadership in Public Health3
PPHL 640: Evaluating Program, Policy and Organizational Performance3
PPHL 670: Scientific Writing and Proposal Development3
Cognate Courses9
PPHL 689: Doctoral Comprehensive Examination1
PPHL 689: Dissertation Proposal2
PPHL 693: Doctoral Dissertation18
Total Credit Hours67

Plans of Study

The Public and Population Health Leadership PhD program includes cohort-based course work taken early in the program, followed by individual dissertation research. Plans of Study that lay out course schedules for both full- and part-time students are shown below.

Plan of Study for Full-Time Students

Year 1 Fall

MPH 504: Applied Epidemiology (1st 7 weeks) (2 Credits)
MPH 506: Applied Statistics in Public Health (2nd 7 weeks) (2 Credits)
PPHL 610: Research Methods I (3 Credits)
PPHL 630: Determinants of Health I: Theoretical Background (3 Credits)
PPHL 620: Advanced System Analysis and Problem-Solving (3 Credits)

Year 1 Spring

MPH 540: Epidemiology and Statistics II (3 Credits)
PPHL 611: Research Methods II (3 Credits)
PPHL 631: Determinants of Health II: Application (3 Credits)
PPHL 621: Organizational Leadership in Public Health (3 Credits)

Year 2 Fall

MPH 542: Epidemiology and Statistics III or PPHL 612: Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (3 Credits)
PPHL 640: Evaluating Program, Policy and Organizational Performance (3 Credits)
Cognate Course (3 Credits)
PPHL 670: Scientific Writing and Proposal Development (3 Credits)
PPHL 691: Comprehensive Examination (1 Credit)

Year 2 Spring

PPHL 635: Health Policy Analysis (3 Credits)
Cognate Course (3 Credits)
Cognate Course  (3 Credits)
PPHL 689: Dissertation Proposal/Defense (1 Credit)

Year 3 Fall

PPHL 693: Dissertation Research (9 Credits)

Year 3 Spring

PPHL 693: Dissertation Research (9 Credits)

Total Credit Hours: 67

Plan of Study for Part-Time Students

Year 1 Fall

MPH 504: Applied Epidemiology (1st 7 weeks) (2 Credits)
MPH 506: Applied Statistics in Public Health (2nd 7 weeks) (2 Credits)
PPHL 630: Determinants of Health I: Theoretical Background (3 Credits)

Year 1 Spring

MPH 540: Epidemiology and Statistics II (3 Credits)
PPHL 631: Determinants of Health II: Application (3 Credits)

Year 2 Fall

PPHL 610: Research Methods I (3 Credits)
PPHL 620: Advanced System Analysis and Problem-Solving (3 Credits)

Year 2 Spring

PPHL 611: Research Methods II (3 Credits)
PPHL 621: Organizational Leadership in Public Health (3 Credits)

Year 3 Fall

PPHL 640: Evaluating Program, Policy and Organizational Performance (3 Credits)
MPH 542: Epidemiology and Statistics III or PPHL 612: Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (3 Credits)

Year 3 Spring

PPHL 635: Health Policy Analysis (3 Credits)
Cognate Course (3 Credits)
PPHL 691: Comprehensive Examination (1 Credit)

Year 4 Fall

PPHL 670: Scientific Writing and Proposal Development (3 Credits)
Cognate Course (3 Credits)

Year 4 Spring

PPHL 689: Dissertation Proposal/Defense (1st 7 Weeks) (2 Credits)
PPHL 693: Dissertation Research (2nd 7 weeks) (2 Credits)
Cognate Course (3 Credits)

Year 5 Fall

PPHL 693: Dissertation Research (8 Credits)

Year 5 Spring

PPHL 693: Dissertation Research (8 Credits)

Total Credit Hours: 67

Duration of Graduate Study

For full-time students, most students will complete the degree in three years and for part-time students, most will complete it in five years.

Per Boise State University Policy, all requirements for a PhD degree (including transfer courses) must be started and completed within a period of no more than ten (10) years. This period includes summers and any semesters in which the doctoral student is not enrolled. It must encompass all courses and requirements applied to the degree, including transfer courses.