Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Field of Study: Anthropology
Anthropology (PhD) Program Information

Degree: Master of Public Health (MPH)
Public Health (MPH) Program Information

Program Overview

The Department of Anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Master of Public Health Program at CWRU School of Medicine have combined resources to better meet the growing demand among students for joint training. The course of study leads to an MA/MPH or PhD/MPH, preparing students for both professional and academic careers in anthropology and public health. The joint program also provides opportunities for interaction and collaboration between the two programs to create a unique and stimulating intellectual environment for the study of health and society. The Department of Anthropology, with its focus on medical anthropology and global health, is uniquely situated to train dual-degree students for careers that integrate anthropology and public health. A combined public health/anthropology degree is especially valuable to students interested in working in global or international health, or in health policy programs.

Program Requirements

Students take courses in both the Anthropology Department and the MPH program, following a plan of study prepared in consultation with the advisers in each program. 9 credit hours (the equivalent of one full-time semester) are shared between the departments to reduce the time to achieve the joint degrees.

Requirements for the MA/MPH, including the capstone experience, MPH practicum, and the Anthropology MA qualifying examination, can be completed in 3 years. Students continuing for a PhD in Anthropology must complete an additional 18 credit hours of courses and complete the PhD candidacy process prior to conducting their dissertation research.  Students work with their dissertation adviser in the Department of Anthropology to develop and plan for completion of their dissertation.