Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, MPH/PhD, Anthropology

Return to: Graduate School of Public Health

Students in the BCHS MPH program can pursue two graduate degrees simultaneously, through Pitt Public Health’s partnerships with other professional schools at the University of Pittsburgh. Joint programs typically reduce the number of credits needed for each degree, allowing students to earn a master’s degree and a PhD in about five years.

To participate in a joint degree program, students apply separately to both schools, and must meet all of the usual admissions requirements (including entrance exams like the GRE). If admitted to both schools, students must designate Pitt Public Health as their primary program of study for at least one semester.

Although it is possible to apply to both schools at the same time, currently enrolled students may still apply for a joint degree as long as they have not yet completed one year of full-time study.

This joint degree program with the Department Anthropology in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences prepares anthropologists for research, teaching, and program planning/evaluation for specialization in the cultural, social, and behavioral aspects of health and health care in either a domestic or international setting.

Competencies

Graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate ability to apply principles of community-based participatory research and practice to community health assessment
• Develop quantitative and qualitative skills that can be applied to program planning and evaluation
• Communicate in writing information to the public, stakeholders and policymakers
• Apply theory to program planning and evaluation

All graduates also achieve the core and cross-cutting competencies for Pitt Public Health MPH students.

The MPH/PhD joint degree requirements are listed below.  Students should refer to the Department of Anthropology  for the most current program checklist.

• 87 credits, including coursework, research and fieldwork
• Foundational public health courses
• Courses in health communication, program planning, methods, community development and behavioral theories
• Advanced courses in anthropology
• Advanced dissertation research that includes at least one year of fieldwork in an area of specialization

MPH students enrolled in the MPH/PhD program in anthropology fulfill the course work requirements for both BCHS and anthropology and earn both degrees for a total of 87 credits. The MPH essay/thesis requirement is met by the PhD dissertation. The practicum requirement is met through fieldwork.