Texas A&M Health School of Public Health

About the Program

The PhD in Public Health Sciences offers a strong foundation encompassing public health considerations, research methodologies, and analysis of health and social policies. Designed to meet the demands of a dynamic health services delivery environment, the program presents opportunities for specialized expertise within areas including Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics with electives in Health Behavior and Health Policy and Management. Electives will provide a broader doctoral experience for students. The program is a general public health sciences degree in which students can work with faculty throughout the School of Public Health, regardless of the department within which a faculty member resides.

Admissions Requirements

Most applicants have completed a master’s degree, but students may be admitted with a bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s degree applicants must have an exemplary record of achievement at the undergraduate level and significant preparation in public health.

Dates and Deadlines

Stay on track with the timeline for applying, orientations, and the start of classes. The PhD in Public Health Sciences admits during the Fall terms only.
Entering Semester Application Open Date Application Deadline Mandatory Orientation* First Class Day
Fall 2027 Sept. 1, 2026 Jan. 20, 2027 TBD TBD
*All new graduate students must attend mandatory SPH orientation sessions. More information will be shared via email.
^Dates will be determined upon release of the official 2027-2028 TAMU academic calendar.

Estimate Your Cost of Attendance

The total program cost is approximately $25,357.80. *Please note the posted costs for this graduate program reflect mandatory tuition and fees only, based on Texas-resident rates. Students must follow the recommended course sequence to complete the program as intended. Pricing is subject to change by University policies and may vary in future academic years. For the most current tuition and fees information, please consult the official Texas A&M Tuition and Fee Calculator online.

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Application Requirements

PhD applicants must submit all of the required documents by the posted deadline to be reviewed for admission.

Start Sophas application View Sophas FAQs
International Applicants Review the international applicant information for additional requirements.
Review additional requirements by visiting the international application information page.
SOPHAS Application and Fee Submit your application at SOPHAS.org
• All applicants must submit an official SOPHAS application through sophas.org
• Visit the SOPHAS FAQs for instructions and for helpful tips.
Three Letters of Recommendation At least one academic and one professional preferred.
• The School of Public Health prefers at least one academic reference from a higher education institution and one professional reference. The remaining letter may be either academic or professional.
• Preferably, the academic reference should come from one of the applicant’s course instructors who can attest to the applicant’s capability to pursue graduate studies.
• Recommendation letters from family members and friends are not appropriate.
• Letters must be electronically submitted directly to SOPHAS.
Statement of Purpose Outline your goals, field challenges, and what drives your passion.
Review the instructions section in your SOPHAS application for more details. In addition to describing why you want to pursue the chosen degree plan/concentration with the School of Public Health, SOPHAS recommends the following topics:
• Plans you have to use your education and training
• The needs and/or challenges you perceive as important in your field of study.
• Any personal qualities, characteristics, and skills you believe will enable you to be successful in your chosen field of study.
Curriculum Vitae or Resume Provide a current CV highlighting your academic and professional background.
A current CV or resume should be uploaded directly to SOPHAS.
Writing Sample Submit a scholarly sample where you are the primary author.
Doctoral applicants must submit a writing sample that demonstrates their analytical and writing skills. Preference is given to samples in which the applicant is the sole and/or primary author.
• Examples include journal articles, research papers, thesis/dissertation, and/or capstone projects.
Official Transcripts U.S. and Canadian institutions submit directly to SOPHAS. WES required for others.
• Official transcripts from each U.S. and English-speaking Canadian college-level institution attended must be submitted directly to SOPHAS.
• Applicants with coursework from institutions outside of the U.S. and English-speaking Canada must submit a World Education Services (WES) ICAP Course-by-Course evaluation of academic records (if applicable).
Official Test Scores GRE scores are waived — no submission required.
Standardize test scores (GRE) are waived for all applicants.
Interview Some applicants may be invited to participate in an interview.
In addition to the requirements listed above, the applicant may be asked to participate in an interview.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can students take classes either full-time or part-time?
Yes. Students may take classes either full-time or part-time while working full time, if necessary.
I still have further questions—who can I contact? Contact us at sph-gradinfo@tamu.edu or (979) 436-9356

SPH - Graduate Student Services
Phone: (979) 436-9356
sph-gradinfo@tamu.edu 

Contact Samantha Eaton  (for assistance with completing applications) sreaton@tamu.edu
Contact Dr. ?? (for questions related to funding, curriculum, and program fit) ??email??

What are the faculty’s research areas? Explore research areas in Environmental and Occupational Health or Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

The PhD in Public Health Sciences program is led by experienced faculty with diverse, impactful research portfolios. Before applying, prospective students are encouraged to explore faculty areas of expertise and identify a potential advisor whose research aligns with their interests.

Below are current faculty members and their primary research areas:

Benden, Mark
Department Head, EOH / Director of the Center for Worker Health / Professor		 Worker sedentary behavior and obesity, AI and digital human workers, the built environment, classroom ergonomics and childhood obesity, medical device development and testing, machine learning for health and furniture design
Brinkmeyer-Langford, Candice
Associate Professor		 Gene × environment interactions in neurological diseases, genetic diversity, environmental exposures contributing to diseases of the central nervous system, viral-induced neurological conditions, neurodegenerative diseases
Carrillo, Genny
Professor		 Vaping and water insecurity
Douphrate, David
Associate Professor		 Occupational ergonomics, occupational safety, agricultural health, safety leadership and management
Gibbs, Shawn
Dean		 Disrupting the transmission of highly infectious diseases (e.g., Ebola Virus Disease and COVID-19), aeromedical evacuation and isolation, worker training programs in infectious diseases and disaster preparedness, industrial hygiene and exposure assessment, personal protective equipment, healthcare-associated infections, agricultural-associated transmission of infectious diseases, global public health education
Johnson, Natalie
Associate Professor		 Maternal and child health, air pollution, environmental justice, inhalation and respiratory toxicology, asthma
Kim, Jeong Ho (Jay)
Associate Professor		 Occupational ergonomics, biomechanics, musculoskeletal disorders, non-invasive assessment tool development, human vibration
Lee, Jungjoo (Jay)
Assistant Professor		 Digital health & data science, sleep quality management, innovation in aging, applied behavioral health research, preventive health services
Maddock, Jay
Regents Professor		 Human behavior and psychological interactions with the natural and built environment; health & nature
McDonald, Thomas
Regents Professor		 Environmental chemistry, petroleum geochemistry, general organic chemistry
Ory, Marcia
Regents & Distinguished Professor		 Aging and public health, Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, doctor–older patient interactions, COVID-19 impacts, evidence-based prevention research, health equity, health technology and patient empowerment, injury prevention and control, opioid use disorder prevention and recovery, translational and sustainability research, women's health and aging
Rodriguez, Anabel
Assistant Professor		 Agricultural working populations, immigrant workers and health, migrant populations, occupational safety and health, program evaluation, infectious and emerging diseases, vaccine access and equity, hesitancy and barriers, health disparities, access barriers in rural regions
Sansom, Garett
Assistant Professor		 Health and sustainability, community health assessment, environmental justice, urban planning, environmental contaminants, community resilience
Sansom, Lindsay
Research Assistant Professor		 Socio-ecological systems, health and nature, community cohesion and resilience, water security, transboundary cooperation
Allgood, Kristi L.
Assistant Professor		 Structural and vicarious racism, health disparities and health equity, health care quality, patient navigation, testing and linkage to care, police misconduct, social determinants of health, legal epidemiology
Chen, Yiqing
Assistant Professor		 Stochastic modeling, Bayesian inference, mediation analysis, clinical trial endpoint projection, computational algorithm development, genetic data analyses
Clendenin, Angela
Instructional Assistant Professor		 Risk communication, decision analysis, emergency management and communications, cultural and social influences on communication and decision making, communications measurement and assessment
Dixon, Benika
Assistant Professor		 Environmental health, environmental and climate justice, disaster epidemiology, community engagement
Erickson, Timothy
Assistant Professor		 Infectious diseases, neuroinvasive and neuroinflammatory conditions, rickettsial and parasitic diseases, global health, zoonotic diseases
Fischer, Rebecca
Assistant Professor		 Zoonotic, vector-borne, parasitic, and other tropical diseases; epidemiology of infectious diseases; field epidemiology and rapid response; outbreak epidemiology; global health
Gorman, Dennis
Professor		 Research integrity and transparency, journalology, alcohol and drug prevention, systems research
Han, Daikwon
Associate Professor		 Spatial epidemiology, GIS and spatial analysis methods, environmental exposure science, environmental justice and health disparities, healthcare access, spatial demography
Han, Gang
Associate Professor		 Clinical trials, personalized cancer therapy, survival analysis, Bayesian methods, computer experiments
Howell, Kristen
Assistant Professor		 Health care transition in sickle cell disease, cancer survivorship, mobile health technology
Kalbasi, Shaida
Instructional Associate Professor		 Health disparities, women's health, quality of care for immigrants and racial minorities, effects of discrimination and race relations on health outcomes
Roh, Taehyun
Assistant Professor		 Environmental epidemiology, environmental justice, water quality, cancer epidemiology, health disparities, toxicology
Shaltout, Mahmoud
Instructional Associate Professor		 Health inequalities, socio-environmental determinants of health, obesity, health awareness, minority and urban health issues
Taylor, Loni
Assistant Professor		 Epidemiology of emerging and zoonotic infectious diseases, molecular epidemiology, global health, translational animal models in public health
Xu, Xiaohui
Associate Professor		 Air pollution, epidemiological studies, climate change and human health, hydraulic fracking, environmental exposures and chronic diseases, community-engaged approaches to environmental health research
What’s the curriculum for the doctoral program in public health sciences? Coursework includes a customizable plan of study, research methods, teaching internship, and dissertation.

The PhD in Public Health Sciences at Texas A&M University offers a strong foundation encompassing public health considerations, research methodologies, and analysis of health and social policies. Designed to meet the demands of a dynamic health services delivery environment, the program presents opportunities for specialized expertise within areas including Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics. The curriculum will include 60 hours for students that already have a master’s degree and 90 hours for post-baccalaureate students. The 60 hours include 15 hours of core (required) courses while the 90 hours includes 45 required hours. Both options include 21 hours of prescribed electives, 21 hours of dissertation or research work, and 3 hours of an internship, practicum or teaching experience. For both pathways, students are required to take doctoral seminars, a teaching seminar, and a course in grant writing or funding requests. Many PhD students are not prepared for teaching in the collegiate setting, so students are required to gain this experience through the 3-hour practicum. Students without graduate coursework will not be prepared for the statistical and methods skills demanded in a PhD program; therefore, post-baccalaureate students will be required to take courses in statistics, particularly biostatistics, and research methodology. As doctoral work often requires significant writing, students will be required to take a writing course as well as an ethics course, both of which are essential when conducting research. For the prescribed electives, students will be encouraged to take electives that are geared toward their interests and will be able to choose areas of content emphasis such as environmental health or epidemiology and biostatistics.

Estimated time to completion is 4 years for post-baccalaureate students and 3 years for those who already have a master’s degree (including all coursework plus research and dissertation work).

Recommended Course Sequence for Full-Time Students

 

Fall

SCH

Spring

SCH

Summer

SCH

Statistics 1

OR

PHEB 602: Biostatistics I

3

Statistics 1

OR

PHEB 603: Biostatistics II

3

PHEB 612: Data Management / Computing

3

Methods 2

3

Methods 2

3

 

 

PHPM 601: Foundations of Population & Public Health

3

HLTH 642: Health Education Ethics

3

 

 

Semester hours:

9

Semester hours:

9

Semester hours:

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall

SCH

Spring

SCH

Summer 

SCH

PHEO 674: Environmental & Occupational Health Research Methods

OR

HPCH 605: Applied Research Methods

OR

PHEB 613: Field Epidemiology Methods

 3

PHEO 600: Principles of Environmental and Occupational Health

OR

HPCH 603: Social & Behavioral Determinants of Health

OR
PHEB 611:  Epidemiologic Methods II

3

Elective 3

 3

HLTH 659: Writing for Health Educators

OR

VIBS 655: Preparing Scientific Papers & Presentations

3

Elective 3

3

 

HLTH 642: Health Education Ethics

OR

PHEB 617: Research Integrity, Transparency, and Reproducibility

3

Elective 3

3

 

 

Semester hours:

9

Semester hours:

9

Semester hours:

 3

 

Fall

SCH

Spring

SCH

Summer 

SCH

SOPH 676: Professional Development Seminar in Public Health Teaching

3

SOPH 697 Doctoral Seminar I

3

HPCH 672: Seminar in Public Health Interventions

3

HPCH 665: Proposal Writing & Grants Management

OR

ALEC 624: Developing Funded Research Projects

3

Elective 3

3

 

 

Elective 3

 

Elective 3

 

 

 

Semester hours:

9

Semester hours:

9

Semester hours:

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall

SCH

Spring

SCH

Summer 

SCH

SOPH 698: Doctoral Seminar II

3

HPCH/PHEO/PHEB 684: Practicum

3

Elective 3

3

HPCH/PHEO/PHEB 691: Research

6

 

 

HPCH/PHEO/PHEB 691: Research

3

 

 

 

 

Semester hours:

9

Semester hours:

9

Semester hours:

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall

SCH

 

 

 

 

HPCH/PHEO/PHEB 691: Research

6

 

 

 

 

Semester hours:

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL HOIURS = 90

 

 

  1. Any STAT 600-699 
  2. Choose from: PHEO 674; PHEB 605; PHEB 610; EPSY 624; EHRD 655; SOCI 624; HLTH 652; HLTH 688.
  3. Choose from: PHEO 605; PHEO 610; PHEO 611; PHEO 612; PHEO 613; PHEO 614/SCSC 614; PHEO 615; PHEO 617; PHEO 618; PHEO 621; PHEO 625; PHEO 630; PHOE 639; PHEO 640; PHOE 645; PHEO 650; PHEO 655; PHEO 671; PHEO 674; PHEO 675; PHEO 676; PHEO 678; PHEO 679; PHEO 681; PHEO 682; PHOE 683; any PHEB 600-699; HLTH 606; HLTH 635; HLTH 652; HLTH 688; EPSY 643; EPSY 652; EPSY 653

 

** Elective Options: Courses from EPI or other SPH departments may be taken. For courses outside SPH, please get approval from your departmental coordinator. 

Why should I obtain a PhD in Public Health Sciences? A nationally-ranked university with expert faculty, diverse research, and strong career outcomes.

Earning your PhD in Public Health Sciences at Texas A&M University means joining one of the nation’s most respected institutions with a global reputation for academic excellence and student support.

  • Texas A&M has the 6th largest student body in the nation and is ranked among the top public universities.
  • Located in Bryan-College Station, Texas, the university offers a low cost of living, safe and welcoming environment, and is regularly ranked among the best places to live in the U.S.
  • Our faculty bring global expertise, mentorship experience, and research strengths across fields such as:
    • Worker health, AI and digital human workers, occupational ergonomics
    • Agricultural health and safety, inhalation and respiratory toxicology, water quality
    • Health and nature, innovation in healthy aging, Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders
    • Infectious diseases, environmental epidemiology, community resilience, disaster epidemiology
    • PhD graduates are highly competitive in the job market in securing faculty roles or positions in corporations, government, or research institutions both in the U.S. and abroad.

Texas A&M empowers you to become a confident, impactful scholar who will shape the future of public health.

I live out of state. Do you accept out-of-state applicants? Yes, applicants from across the U.S. are welcome to apply.
Absolutely. The PhD in Public Health Sciences program welcomes applicants from both in-state and out-of-state locations. Our student body represents a wide range of geographic, professional, and academic backgrounds.

Out-of-state students benefit from the same high-quality faculty mentorship, research opportunities, and student support services as Texas residents. We encourage you to apply and bring your unique experiences to our collaborative academic community.
Is there any opportunity for financial assistance? Yes, funding options are available through Texas A&M’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
Yes. Texas A&M provides financial assistance through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to support doctoral students in advancing their research, teaching, and professional goals.
Funding opportunities may include:
• Graduate assistantships in research or teaching, often aligned with faculty-led projects in health disparities, mental health, or global health
• Competitive fellowships and scholarships offered by the School of Public Health and university-wide graduate programs
• Federal aid options including grants, work-study, and low-interest loans
• Travel or research funding to support dissertation work or conference presentations
Students are encouraged to apply early and speak with program staff about funding options that align with their focus area or advisor’s research.
Is the GRE required? No, GRE scores are not required for admission.
No, the PhD in Public Health Sciences program at Texas A&M University does not require the GRE. We’ve waived this standardized test requirement to reduce barriers and create a more accessible, inclusive admissions process.

Applicants are reviewed holistically, with emphasis placed on academic background, research interests, letters of recommendation, and writing ability.
How long does it take to complete the program?

Estimated time to completion is four years for post-baccalaureate students and three years for those who already have a master’s degree (including all coursework plus research and dissertation work).

Contact

For questions related to the admissions process or application:

Contact Samantha Eaton sreaton@tamu.edu

For questions related to funding, curriculum and program fit:

Contact Dr. ??

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