The PhD in Health Studies allows students to take a critical, interdisciplinary, and social science perspective in the study of health, illness, and health care. Students completing the PhD in Health Studies will have theoretical and methodological expertise in integrating knowledge and critical approaches to research from a broad range of disciplines in the social sciences.

Students will be required to complete coursework in Social Science Perspectives on Health and Aging, Quantitative Research Methods in Studies of Health and Aging, Qualitative and Historical Methods in Studies of Health and Aging, Critical Perspectives in Health Studies, as well as elective courses. Participation in a non-credit research and professional development seminar is also required. Students will take a comprehensive exam in their area of concentration in Health Studies. PhD students will also present a thesis which shows competence in original research and will be required to defend it during a final oral examination.

Graduates of the PhD in Health Studies will be equipped to pursue careers not only in academia but also the public, private, and non-profit/voluntary sectors, in a variety of opportunities for researchers, program strategists, knowledge brokers, and policy analysts.