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PhD in Public Health Sciences in Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences
Admission Process
Admissions to the Ph.D. in Public Health Sciences program are made annually for the fall semester only. The formal application, including the application, fee, and all required materials must be submitted to the University of Louisville Graduate School. Please note that materials sent directly to School of Public Health and Information Sciences faculty or staff are not considered official and may result in delays to admission.
Admission Deadlines
The following deadlines are for fall enrollment. Applications received on or after April 1 will be held for the following year’s application cycle (e.g., applications received in April 2024 would be considered for admission for Fall 2025).
| Dec. 31 | Applications, including all required documents and fees, received by Dec. 31 will receive first consideration for admission and funding for the following academic year. Applications received after Dec. 31 will be considered based on availability of space in the program. |
| March 1 | International student applications, including all documents and fees, are due by March 1. |
| March 31 | Domestic student applications, including all documents and fees, are due by March 31. |
Admission Requirements
| -- Formal application and acceptance to the University of Louisville Graduate School. | |
| -- A master’s degree in public health or a related field | |
| -- GPA of 3.0 or more on a 4.0 scale | |
| -- Curriculum Vitae/Resume | |
| -- Personal Statement | |
| -- Official transcripts of all college level work | |
| -- Three academic or professional letters of recommendation | |
| -- A scientific writing sample | |
| -- Payment of all applicable application fees | |
| -- Students who graduated from a foreign institution must submit a foreign credential evaluation of their transcripts before the application can be evaluated | |
| -- International students who do not reside in a country with English as a primary language or who have not graduated from an institution where English is the primary mode of instruction are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores. The minimum scores are TOEFL 79 internet, IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo 105. |
Requirement Details
Curriculum Vitae/Resume: A CV/resume should reflect academic history, work, and relevant experience, as well as any publications. Prior work experience relevant to the health promotion discipline is desired but not required; however, relevant work and research experience are considered as factors in acceptance into the program.
Personal Statement: The personal statement should be a one- to two-page essay addressing the following:
| (1) Discuss your academic and personal background. Explain what attracts you to the field of public health and health promotion. | |
| (2) Describe your experiences with research, including your role in conducting research and designing research products (i.e., papers, presentations, reports, etc.). | |
| (3) Discuss your research interests and explain the role health equity and social justice play in framing your research. Describe the type of research you would like to pursue if admitted into the program. Describe any other personal or professional experiences you believe are relevant. | |
| (4) Explain your long-term career goals and how a PhD in public health sciences will help you reach these goals. |
Letters of Recommendation: Submission of three professional or academic letters of recommendation is required. The online form may be used, or a formal letter of recommendation is acceptable. All references must be submitted to the Graduate School Admissions Office.
Transcripts: Official transcripts of all college work are required and should be sent directly to the Graduate School Admissions Office. Unofficial transcripts will not fulfill the admission requirement.
Standardized Testing: Standardized test scores, including the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), are optional.
Application Fees: Application fees are required by the Graduate School. All fees must be paid and required documents submitted before an applicant can be considered for admission. The Graduate School may waive the application fees if the student is a McNair Scholar, receiving food stamps, or is a disabled veteran. Contact the graduate admission office at gradadm@louisville.edu or 502-852-6495 or 800-334-8635 with any fee waiver questions.
Provisional Admission
- Applicants who have a master’s degree in a discipline other than public health may be admitted provisionally with the stipulation that they complete foundational course work (i.e., leveling courses) in public health. The leveling courses include the four MPH core courses (12 credit hours) and must be completed prior to beginning courses in the student’s PhD degree plan.
- Students who have an MPH from an unaccredited school will be required to take PHPH 523: Public Health in the United States. This coursework is in addition to the outlined curriculum and does not count towards credit hours for the doctoral program.
Additional Questions? If you have questions about the PhD in Public Health Sciences program in the Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences Specialization, contact Dr. Ryan Combs, HPBS PhD Program Committee Chair, by emailing ryan.combs@louisville.edu.
