Requirements
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences requirements for the PhD also apply.
The joint degree program makes it possible to complete both the PhD in anthropology and an MPH in approximately six years. The typical program consists of completion of coursework in the first three years, a fourth year in dissertation field research, and dissertation writing in the final year(s). The program guarantees students funding for five years; pending satisfactory student progress and departmental resources, funding in the sixth year is common.
Admissions:
Students should apply to the Anthropology PhD program. They can then apply to the MPH upon being accepted into the Anthropology PhD program, or during their first year at Pitt. Coursework in public health taken during this first year will count towards the MPH.
Credit Requirements:
The program is structured so that the student meets the general PhD requirements for anthropology including the core courses, comprehensive exam, and language requirements, and the requirements for a concentration in medical anthropology.
Language courses do not count towards the formal credit requirement, nor do any courses below the 1000 level.
Under most circumstances, the MPH essay/thesis requirement will be met by the doctoral dissertation, so that the MPH will be awarded at the same time as the PhD. As an option, the student can choose to obtain an MPH at an earlier point by writing a separate MPH essay/thesis, and completing the MPH course requirements.
