Public Health (PhD)

Transforming Public Health Through Research, Leadership, and Policy

NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS

The official CEPH accreditation report and final self-study are available to the public upon request. Please request a copy of the document by sending the request to Dr. Miranda Sanford-Terry, Public Health Program Director at msterry@tnstate.edu.

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About the Program

Tennessee State University’s PhD Program in Public Health , housed in the College of Health Sciences, prepares professionals for careers in research, practice, and lifelong learning with a focus on reducing health disparities. Designed for those with an accredited MPH or a related health master’s degree, the program follows a traditional on-campus format and accommodates both full-time and part-time students, including working professionals. Emphasizing holistic public health approaches, the curriculum aligns with CEPH core competencies to enhance research skills.

Program of Study

The program requires a minimum of 72 credit hours, including a dissertation, and can be completed in four years by full-time students.

Required Courses

PUBH 7010 - Statistical Analysis I	3
PUBH 7020 - Statistical Analysis II	3
PUBH 7030 - Cultural Competency	3
PUBH 7060 - Qualitative Research	3
PUBH 7080 -Environmental Justice	3
PUBH 7100 - Advanced Epidemiological Methods	3
PUBH 7110 - Program Planning & Evaluation	3
PUBH 7120 - Management & Public Health Policy	3
PUBH 7220 - Behavioral Science, Theory, & Practice	3
PUBH 7230 - Health Disparities	3
PUBH 7900 - Quantitative Research	3
PUBH 8000 - Dissertation	12
PUBH 8240 - Health Communication & Literacy	3
PUBH 8250 - Community-Based Research	3
PUBH 8330 - Global Health Issues	3
Total Credit Hours	54 Hours

Electives

PUBH 7150 - Healthcare Economics & Finance	3
PUBH 7210 - Mixed Methods Research Design	3
PUBH 7240 - Maternal, Child, & Family Health	3
PUBH 7260 - Public Health & Intersectionality	3
PUBH 7270 - Research & Grant Writing	3
PUBH 8100 - Seminar in Critical Public Health Issues and Leadership	3
PUBH 8110 - Special Topics	3
PUBH 8230 - Public Health and Aging	3
PUBH 8280 - Disability & Mental Health	3
PUBH 8290 - Rural & Urban Health	3
PUBH 8310 - Spirituality and Health	3

PhD Admission Criteria

PhD admissions require applicants to have an MPH or a related master’s degree with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended, including TSU, along with a personal statement consisting of two parts: a Statement of Purpose and Objectives (maximum 1500 words) and a Research Statement (maximum 500 words). Additional required documents include a resume or CV, GRE scores (TSU code: 1803), and three letters of recommendation. An interview with the PhD Admissions Committee may be necessary. If admitted, proof of immunization will be required. International students must provide official transcripts and authorized school records evaluated by a foreign educational credential agency, along with English proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo, TSU code: 1803). They must also submit a current, valid passport, documentation of financial resources, a Certificate of Financial Resources, and a Certificate of Immunization. More details can be found on the program's website: TSU International Student Admissions.

Additional Information

Course Descriptions

Admission Requirements and Links

Apply to the PhD Program
(applications are accepted via the Graduate School website)

For Applicants:
Your documents can be mailed to:
Office of Graduate Studies and Research, Tennessee State University 330 Tenth Avenue North Nashville, TN 37203 and emailed to msanfor2@tnstate.edu.

Faculty Expertise: Teaching and Research Focus Areas

Faculty and Staff