This PhD program in Community and Population Health Science is designed with considerable flexibility, recognizing that students come to the population health field with diverse backgrounds. This allows students, with their Advisory Committee, to create individualized programs that take into consideration their particular research interests and the areas in which they need additional development.

Through coursework and seminars, students will gain a more sophisticated understanding of community/population health theory and the research-policy-practice context. Designing and carrying out an independent research project provides an opportunity to further develop knowledge and skills around a specific problem.  PhD factsheet

PhD Program Objectives

The objectives of the PhD program build on those of the MSc, with doctoral students focusing on the same general types of skills and knowledge as Master’s students, but at a higher level of complexity and sophistication. In particular, doctoral students will, by the completion of the program:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive and sophisticated understanding of the scholarship and research within the field of community and population health. Specifically, students will understand theoretical approaches underlying research, historical development of the field, and the current advances and topics of discourse within the field.

• Demonstrate a high level of competency in a chosen research methodology, including the mastery of specific skills and techniques required for independent research and scholarly work, as well as conducting collaborative research across disciplines and settings and applying the results of research to policy and practice.
• Be able to communicate information effectively to varied audiences and design and facilitate learning experiences in their particular field of expertise.