University of Chicago
University of Chicago Public Health Programs- PhD, MPH, MS
About UChicago
The University of Chicago is an urban research university built on a foundation of rigorous inquiry and transformative education. One of the world's great intellectual destinations, the University of Chicago empowers scholars and students to ask tough questions, cross disciplinary boundaries, and challenge conventional thinking to enrich human life around the globe.
About Public Health Sciences
The Department of Public Health Sciences is the University's home to biostatistics, epidemiology, and health services research. These core fields in public health share a focus on the development and implementation of complex analytic methods to understand the determinants of health, the efficacy of experimental treatments, and the strucutre of health care at the population level. Bringing together these fields in one department underscores their commonality and enhances opportunities for interdisciplinary research. The department offers educational programs that lead to the degree of PhD, MS, or MPH.
PhD Program
The PhD program offers advanced courses of study in biostatistics, epidemiology, and health services research. The program is supported by a core methodological curriculum in population-based research on human health. Students completing the program will be prepared to design and conduct methodological and substantive research on fundamental questions about human health and biomedical science from a population perspective. They will also be prepared to collaborate with colleagues from different disciplines to carry out such research.
MPH Program
The MPH program is broad in its scope, with students developing proficiency across a number of public health disciplines, including biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy and management, social and behavioral sciences, and environmental health sciences. Additionally, all students choose to focus their studies in one of three concentrations: Epidemiology and Global Health, Health Policy, or Data Science. The program uses a competency-based curriculum, which encompasses four components: core courses, concentration courses, a practicum experience, and a capstone project.
MPH students develop practical skills for future careers as public health professionals and researchers. Upon completion of the program, students will generally be able to:
- Conduct health research that utilizes tools and techniques aimed at better udnerstanding population health.
- Lead in the public health and healthcare fields by applying relevant skills and demonstrating knowledge of healthcare administation, policy and advocacy, research, and public service.
- Serve as part of the public health workforce, improving the health and safety of communities.
MS Program
The Master of Science in Public Health Sciences for Clinical Professionals (MSCP) is designed for the professional enhancement of individuals who already have doctoral-level expertise in Medicine and related clinical disciplines The program can be completed in one year of full-time study, or it can be spread over two or more years. Most students in the program are concurrently in a clinical fellowship or training program. Students acquire skills with basic statistical methods, followed by additional training in the fundamental theory and methods of epidemiology, biostatistics, and health services research. Through choice from a broad range of elective courses, students can specialize in one of the three disciplinary areas.