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THREAD 6: DOCTORATE PROGRAMS
For those with MPH outside the US, let's discuss admission into doctorate programs
- Types of programs
- Why it is difficult
- How to be competitive
- Application process
- Which schools to apply to
- Funding
1/18
For those with MPH outside the US, let's discuss admission into doctorate programs
- Types of programs
- Why it is difficult
- How to be competitive
- Application process
- Which schools to apply to
- Funding
1/18
1. Types of programs
Doctorate degrees are divided into 2:
- DrPH (Doctor of public health)
- Ph.D (Doctor of Philosophy)
* I will refer to both together as DocPH
Both are the same degree but slightly different trainings.
2/18
Doctorate degrees are divided into 2:
- DrPH (Doctor of public health)
- Ph.D (Doctor of Philosophy)
* I will refer to both together as DocPH
Both are the same degree but slightly different trainings.
2/18
The PhD program prepares students for careers as advanced researchers and academicians.
The DrPH program prepares for leadership positions, and is more practice oriented.
Focus is on leadership, policy, program mgt, and professional communication.
3/18
The DrPH program prepares for leadership positions, and is more practice oriented.
Focus is on leadership, policy, program mgt, and professional communication.
3/18
I am in a PhD program and I can testify to that.
-Exposed to lots of research, grant writings, and teachings.
- If you are diligent, you should have at least 5 publications/abstracts at the end of the program.
- You assist in teaching of students.
4/18
-Exposed to lots of research, grant writings, and teachings.
- If you are diligent, you should have at least 5 publications/abstracts at the end of the program.
- You assist in teaching of students.
4/18
Both programs do overlap occasionally.
- DrPH can be hired instead of PhD and vice versa.
- DrPH are usually 3 years while PhD is 3 years or more
- Please know which program you are applying to.
- Schools like John Hopkins offer both separately.
5/18
- DrPH can be hired instead of PhD and vice versa.
- DrPH are usually 3 years while PhD is 3 years or more
- Please know which program you are applying to.
- Schools like John Hopkins offer both separately.
5/18
2. Why is it difficult!
- DocPH is quite competitive for those that had their MPH in the US as well.
- Programs want to admit students they can fund.
- Positions are limited, class sizes range from 4 - 10 for all concentrations
6/18
- DocPH is quite competitive for those that had their MPH in the US as well.
- Programs want to admit students they can fund.
- Positions are limited, class sizes range from 4 - 10 for all concentrations
6/18
- People applying to docPH are highly experienced.
- Two of my colleagues had worked with CDC for many years before applying for PhD.
- Programs would prefer MPH graduates from US schools, due to similar curriculum
7/18
- Two of my colleagues had worked with CDC for many years before applying for PhD.
- Programs would prefer MPH graduates from US schools, due to similar curriculum
7/18
3. How to be competitive
- Get some Publications/Abstracts
- No publications?Have you completed/worked on any public health projects?
- Presentations
- Conferences - local/international
- Lastly, get a good GRE result
8/18
- Get some Publications/Abstracts
- No publications?Have you completed/worked on any public health projects?
- Presentations
- Conferences - local/international
- Lastly, get a good GRE result
8/18
4. Application process
- Almost all DocPH programs accept application through sophas http://sophas.org
- Check out which university offers DrPH and PhD https://programfinder.aspph.org/
- Application opens in August and most closes by December 1st.
9/18
- Almost all DocPH programs accept application through sophas http://sophas.org
- Check out which university offers DrPH and PhD https://programfinder.aspph.org/
- Application opens in August and most closes by December 1st.
9/18
- No January admission for DocPh programs
- Early admission are given priority. Please apply early.
- Write a good personal statement
- No need to contact professors before submitting applications. You are not applying directly to the universities.
10/18
- Early admission are given priority. Please apply early.
- Write a good personal statement
- No need to contact professors before submitting applications. You are not applying directly to the universities.
10/18
- I never reached out to any professor but I mentioned them in my personal statement.
- You can reach out to them too, it works. You need a professor to like your application, then he/she will speak for you during decision making.
11/18
- You can reach out to them too, it works. You need a professor to like your application, then he/she will speak for you during decision making.
11/18
- Be familiar with the common research areas in the US.
- Chronic dz are the most common cause of death. So lots of funding for CVD, cancers.
- Our infectious dz are almost always due to IV drug abuse: Hep B & C, HIV.
- Opioid research is gold!
12/18
- Chronic dz are the most common cause of death. So lots of funding for CVD, cancers.
- Our infectious dz are almost always due to IV drug abuse: Hep B & C, HIV.
- Opioid research is gold!
12/18
- Other research areas- health disparities,health policies gets funded a lot.
- MALARIA research is not common, issues that affect Americans come first.
- Be wise in your application!
- COVID research will be important for the next few yrs!
13/18
- MALARIA research is not common, issues that affect Americans come first.
- Be wise in your application!
- COVID research will be important for the next few yrs!
13/18
4. Which schools to apply to?
- Please check thread 3
- Based on my research, southern schools usually have open positions and funding opportunities too - Tennessee, West Virginia, Alabama, Missouri, Texas and others
14/18
- Please check thread 3
- Based on my research, southern schools usually have open positions and funding opportunities too - Tennessee, West Virginia, Alabama, Missouri, Texas and others
14/18
- Use the sophas site to check for the schools located in these states.
- Apply to at least 3 schools
- If you have a good profile with abstracts/publications and good GRE scores, then apply to the top schools.
15/18
- Apply to at least 3 schools
- If you have a good profile with abstracts/publications and good GRE scores, then apply to the top schools.
15/18
5. Funding
- Most programs offer funding with admissions
- Check out the website of the program you are applying to. Funding information can be found on their website.
- If in doubt, email the school
- GRE is important
- Be competitive
16/18
- Most programs offer funding with admissions
- Check out the website of the program you are applying to. Funding information can be found on their website.
- If in doubt, email the school
- GRE is important
- Be competitive
16/18
6. My PhD application experience.
- MPH from US institution
- I applied to 6 PhD programs, not interested in DrPH
- 3/6 acceptance
- Only one offered funding.
17/18
- MPH from US institution
- I applied to 6 PhD programs, not interested in DrPH
- 3/6 acceptance
- Only one offered funding.
17/18
Summary
- Is it competitive- YES
- Is it possible to get admitted with funding? YES
- What do I need? Be competitive!!!
- You can do it. Do not let anyone discourage you.
I am ready to guide through the process too, if interested.......
- Is it competitive- YES
- Is it possible to get admitted with funding? YES
- What do I need? Be competitive!!!
- You can do it. Do not let anyone discourage you.
I am ready to guide through the process too, if interested.......
