Ph.D. in Public Health

Published on November 16, 2021Updated on November 16, 2021

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Ph.D. in Public Health

Vision

Inspired by the vision of Al-Quds University, our aspiration is to become a regional center of excellence for knowledge production, learning, research and innovations.

Mission

Our Doctorate of Philosophy Program in Public Health, essentially exists to graduate highly competent, multi-disciplinary policy makers, intellectuals, academics, and researchers who are capable of promoting the health status/wellbeing and practices through offering a state-of-the-art education program, facilitating reflective and creative action/experiential learning.

Aim

The aim is to graduate highly qualified practitioners, researchers, academics and leaders who are able to contribute to improving the health situation and producing knowledge in the areas of public health.

The objectives of Ph.D. in Public Health are:

To graduate scholars who will generate new knowledge and innovative applications through research in Public Health.
To empower intellectuals who will disseminate knowledge through education and publications.
To equip intellectuals who will be leaders in the health fields and who contribute to shaping health policies.
To qualify scholars who will uphold the highest ethical standards, scientific integrity and interpersonal collegiality.

Integrate knowledge from the public health sciences and the student’s professional discipline.
Conduct original research and scholarly work that contributes to the generation of new knowledge and innovation in healthcare.
Provide leadership in education, research, health care policy and practice.
Contribute to academic and professional education in public health sciences.
Apply essential concepts of public health discipline to address social inequity and diverse global health needs.
Explore evidence-based strategies, policies, and programmatic interventions that affect health and wellbeing of population.
Apply key principles and methods in epidemiology, applied biostatistics, research and evaluate studies in public health literature

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The Ph.D. Public Health consists of 48 credit hours

Core courses: 18 credit hours (Table 1)
Elective courses: 12 credit hours for Public Health (Table 2).
Dissertation (Table 3): 18 credit hours

Core courses: 18 credit hours (Table 3):

Table 1. List of Core Courses

No.	Course title	Course Number	C.H.
1	Quantitative Research in Health	8806901	3
2	Qualitative Research in Health	8806902	3
3	Advanced Biostatistics	8806903	3
4	Health Policy and Leadership	8806904	3
5	Research Proposal Writing	8806905	3
3	Global Health	8806918	3

Elective Courses: 12 credit hours.

Table 2. List of Elective Courses for Public Health

No.	Course title	Course Number	Credit hours
1	Social Determinants of Health	8806916	3
2	Advanced Biostatistics and Data Analysis	8806917	3
3	Systematic Review	8806941	3
4	Mixed Method Research	8806942	3
5	Meta-Analysis	8806943	3
6	Advanced Epidemiology	8806950	3
7	Advanced Health Economics	8806951	3
8	Organizational Development	8806952	3
9	Managing Health Care in Complex Systems	8806953	3
10	Clinical Epidemiology	8806954	3
11	Causal Inference in Epidemiology	8806955	3
12	Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases	8806956	3
13	Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases	8806940	3
14	Teaching Practicum in Public Health Sciences	8806948	3
15	Doctoral Seminar in Special Health Topics	8806949	3

Table 3: Dissertation (18 hours) and Comprehensive Exam (0 credit hours)

No.	Title	Course No.	Credit hours
1	Comprehensive Exam	8806900	0
2	Dissertation 1	8806999	3
3	Dissertation 2	8806999	15

Course Description	Course Objectives
Quantitative Research in Health8806901
Focus on advanced concepts and skills necessary to plan, conduct, evaluate, and analyze quantitative research from an interdisciplinary perspective within health and human sciences. Practical experience in formulating original research questions and conducting a comprehensive literature review are included. Also, the course requires development of a formal research proposal with an appropriate quantitative methods research design and a detailed plan for data collection and analysis.	Describe and identify the aspects of protection of human rights and ethics considerations in conducting health research. Identify research methods through a critical review and critique of published research and/or research proposals Identify the strategies and components used for health research (sampling, measurement, analysis) Describe the differences between research design and research methods; identify the various research designs and how they are used Identify differences between secondary and primary data Review and critique published research and/or research proposals.
Qualitative Research in Health8806902
This course is intended to introduce doctoral students to the field of qualitative research and prepare them in the skills, techniques, and knowledge necessary to undertake independent research using this methodology. This course focuses on the historical and philosophical foundations of qualitative research methodology and introduces research strategies in qualitative research and principles for research design in qualitative research.	Know the differences between qualitative research methodologies and quantitative research. Know the differences and the relationship between research questions, methodologies and paradigms. Apply the appropriate qualitative research techniques including interviews, observations, and focus groups. Analyze and interpret findings from qualitative research. Enhance students’ commitments, and professional ethics while conducting research studies Increase the students’ critical thinking skills. This can be attained through considering multiple viewpoints and perspectives in class discussions, assignments and group work Help students to apply course material through conducting their own research. Demonstrate this through participation in in-class discussions and activities, and in applying course concepts to class assignments. Discussing the challenges in writing, analyzing and publishing qualitative research.
Advanced Biostatistics8806903
This course focuses on the statistical description of data and statistical measures. The course aims to introduce enrolled students to different statistical tests. The primary objective of the course is to provide students with skills necessary to carry out statistical analysis using advance techniques, including regression analysis. Generally, students will learn and apply inferential statistics techniques implementing statistical packages such as SPSS software. The course applies an in-depth information and knowledge base to interpret the data and analyze the results. The course is expected to help students conduct statistical operations for their thesis and to understand and critique findings in published research studies	Describe basic concepts of normal distributions and probability sampling Assess data sources, data collection tools, and data quality for the purpose of selecting appropriate data for specific research questions Distinguish among the different measurement scales and the implications for selection of statistical methods to be used based on these distinctions Apply common statistical methods for inference Conduct correct data analysis techniques of different research designs, including cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies. Identify descriptive and inferential methodologies according to the type of study design for answering a particular research question. Interpret results of statistical analyses found in public health studies Use SPSS and/or Stata to carry out the data analysis
Health Policy and Leadership8806904
The course introduces students to the importance of national policy leadership in the health system. An overview of key political frameworks and theories related to policy development and offers practical perspectives on their application to health policy are provided. In addition, introduces participants to the policy development process, politics of policymaking and contextual factors that influences policy development and implementation. Conceptual and procedural tools for analysis of health policy, emphasizing role of analysis during various phases of lifecycle of public policy are also discussed. The course also includes writing policy communication and health policy briefs. In addition, modern leadership and governance approaches supportive to policy development and analysis will also in-depth discussed	Demonstrate broad understanding of the need for governance and leadership role in health care systems. Evaluate health policy development process, including problem identification, policy formulation, and implementation. Apply conceptual and procedural tools for analysis of health policy. Formulate, advocate and communicate health policy statement. Appraise values of justice, equity and ethics in formulating strategies for health policy.
Research Proposal Writing8806905
Students are introduced to conceptualizing and writing fundable research proposals in different health related areas. Focus is given on how to identify topic and formulate objectives, research process, develop project structure, plans, procedures, timetables, outcomes and project reporting activities. Application of grant writing principles and skills to develop research proposals following certain guideline	Demonstrate knowledge of key elements of a good research proposal. Ability to identify funding possibilities and familiarize with funding agencies rules and guidelines. Ability to write a sound research proposal and complete grant applications. Ability to prepare project technical and financial reports.
Systematic Review8806941
This course is designed to equip students with the basic reviewing skills. Students will be able to find, summarize and synthesize all available evidence in a specific area of interest to students. This course will provide a detailed description of the types of systematic review and their purposes, systematic review process, and will discuss the strengths and limitations of the method. It will enable students to perform systematic review process using the advanced skills in analyzing the studies and how to search electronic database, and on how to appraise the risk of biases. Furthermore, systematic review course will provide students with understanding of how it can be used in healthcare decision making. Finally, the students will be able to learn how to report a systematic review. Students can be equipped with the necessary skills to conduct their own systematic review	Understand the underlying principles of systematic review Recognize the types of the systematic reviews Identify the key components of assessing the quality of systematic review Attain basic systematic review reviewing skills including formulating questions, searching and screening the literature, data extraction and evaluating the quality of studies. Analyze the outcomes of the studies. Interpret the evidence & presenting the results. Conduct and report their own systematic review Assess the quality of systematic reviews done by others
Social Determinants of Health8806916
This course explores key psycho-social determinants of health including socioeconomic status, demographic characteristics, social relationships, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, stress and the broader social context. It also introduces participants to disparities in health status and their underlying causes and to the strategies to address the social determinants of health and reduce health disparities. The role of psychology in determining health behavior will also be discussed. In addition, factors which mediate the relationship between psychosocial and health will be studied by using behavioral theories. Analysis of health data from an equity perspective and using data in advocacy and policy development will also be covered.	Analyze social determinants of health and how social factors influence health and shape health inequalities in populations. Discuss the social determinants of health in the Palestinian society and how to confront them. Identify strategies for addressing the social determinants of health and reducing health disparities. Analyze health data from an equity perspective.
Mixed Method Research8806942
This course will introduce students to the theory and application of research design and methods with integration of a mixed methods approach. The various conceptualizations of mixed methods design and analysis, and challenges of mixed methods practice will be discussed. The course will emphasis on the accounting for and reducing sources of error, designing appropriate sampling strategies, assessing the reliability and validity of self-constructed questionnaires and interview protocols, administering surveys through various means and analyzing and reporting results of research.	Have an overview of the historical and contextual understanding of the roots of the contemporary interest in mixing methods. Understand of the various conceptual or theoretical frameworks for mixing methods, and the key differences among them. Understand the purpose, framework, and designs of mixed methods. Introduced to the mixed methods errors sources Identify mixed studies sampling strategies, reliability and validity of self-constructed questionnaires and interview protocols Introduced major mixed methods analytic procedures Develop skills and competencies in major mixed methods analytic procedures, data extraction, analysis and results writing
Meta Analysis8806943
This course will provide students with qualitative and quantitative skills to conduct meta-analysis. The course covers the formulation of study hypothesis, literature search, evaluation of study quality, statistical methods for meta-analysis, and the potential problems and biases in meta-analysis. In addition, statistical issues such as selection of statistical models for meta-analysis, practical examples of fixed, and random effects models will be used. Statistical software will be used to perform meta-analysis during the computer lab.	Explain the benefits and drawbacks of meta-analysis. Explain the most common statistical methods for conducting a meta-analysis Discuss the choice of models for meta-analysis. Discuss primary research that applies, develops, or critiques meta-analysis. Critique applications of meta-analysis, Conduct original (small size) meta-analyses in areas of interest to students
Advanced Biostatistics and Data Analysis8806917
The course is an elective course for students in need for further knowledge in advanced bio statistical techniques. It Builds on the previous Advance Statistics I coursework to further develop student’s skills in using multivariate statistical techniques, particularly for time-series and longitudinal data as well as non-parametric tests. This course aims to help students recognize situations where OLS and logistic regressions models and traditional parametric tests may not apply, thus learn alternative approaches.	Identify and test assumptions for statistical tests Translate research objectives into clear, testable statistical hypotheses Select, conduct and interpret appropriate statistics to test hypotheses Evaluate the appropriateness of statistical analyses, results, and inferences Interpret reported statistical findings Determine whether the study had sufficient power Use SPSS and/or Stata to carry out advance data analysis To introduce advance statistical analysis such as poison regression and survival analysis and its application in health studies. Demonstrating effective written and oral skills for communicating with different audiences in the context of professional public health activities.
Doctoral Seminar in Special Health Topics8806949
Students will investigate, critically review and analysis of special topics related to health policy and health care systems such as economics of pharmaceutical industry, health regulations, human rights in health, needs of vulnerable groups, health disparities, quality of care, accreditation systems, and various contemporary health policies. Special attention will be placed on using research to develop evidence-based practice, policies and suggesting interventional strategies for complex problems.	Demonstrate knowledge in methods of investigation and analysis of public health roblems, health policy and health services management issues and challenges. Be able to critically review and analyze health policies and reforms. Ability to utilize research findings to develop evidence-based policies, programs and interventions
Teaching Practicum in Public Health 8806948
This course provides hands-on experience with developing competency-based curricula for health science education programs. Program development, needs assessment, goals, course construction and sequencing, course descriptions, objectives, outlines, syllabi, content and outcomes assessment and evaluation for specific learning audiences will be described. Special attention is placed on the constructs of distance learning including the philosophical base and theories of distance learning, examination of external standards for quality distance learning coursework, and the various course design schemes related to distance learning.	Identify adult learning theories and approaches. Develop competency-based program in own discipline including needs assessment, goals, intended learning outcomes, framework, courses outline and teaching assessment methods. Integrate contemporary methods and approaches in learning (technology, simulation, experiential learning… etc.
Managing Health Care in Complex Systems8806953
The focus of this course is on how to analyze and manage the complexity of the healthcare system structure and processes. Moreover, the tools used for exploring complexity will be explored such as network analysis, agent-based modeling, scenario modeling, and causal loop diagrams. The course also tackles the governance of health system in complexity.	To build broad understanding of a range of management and leadership issues in health care including strategic planning, change management and conflict resolution with emphasis on complex emergencies. Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics that make health care organizations complex systems. Ability to perform in-depth analysis of health services systems functions and performance using relevant theories, concepts and the system thinking approach
Advanced Health Economics8806951
This course focuses on contemporary issues relating to the economics of health and health care. Topics may include economic evaluation and health technology assessment, health care financing, universal health coverage, evaluation of health-care related interventions, and advances in the empirical analysis of income and health inequalities.	Demonstrate deep understanding of the relationship between health and socio-economic development. Ability to analyze healthcare financing methods and reforms towards universal coverage. Be able to conduct economic evaluations and analysis to support decision making in health care. Ability to communicate research finding and economic analysis of health care programs.
Organizational Development8806952
This course emphasizes the integration of theoretical and experiential knowledge and the development of intervention skills as ways of understanding and responding to change in organizations. Addressing and implementation of various behavioral science principles and practices in the form of interventions towards the goals of effecting organization improvement is stressed on.	Critically review approaches to organizational analysis and diagnosis. Comprehend Organization Development theories and concepts and be able to apply the theories and concepts to their own experiences, observations and future involvement in change processes. Analyze ways of intervening in organizations to facilitate change and development. Demonstrate capability to see organizational issues from a number of perspectives with many possible resolutions.
Advanced Epidemiology8806950
This course covers the theory and application of key principles and methods of epidemiologic research in-depth. Topics include statistical modeling, confounding, randomization, association and interaction, statistical analysis and inference. Alternative approaches are identified for selecting and interpreting measures of disease frequency and measures of effect. Guidance is offered for determining objectives and strategies in study design and analysis, especially for case-control research. Methods are presented for the assessment and control of confounding and sources of bias. Strengths and weaknesses of standardization, pooling, modeling and exposure-response analysis are reviewed.	Recognize the concept of causal inference in epidemiology using the different approaches Identify a meaningful research questions for causal inference. Identify approaches in interpretation of measures of disease frequency and measures of effect. Recognize the main types of bias, confounding, selection bias, measurement error and the appropriate approaches for control them Identify the concepts of effect modification and mediation Apply methods for modification and mediation analysis and control approaches Apply classic epidemiologic study designs (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional) and their variants. Apply modeling and exposure-response analysis
Clinical Epidemiology8806954
This course introduces students to the principles of evidence-based practice. Study designing, conducting and analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials, quasi-experimental trials will be discussed. It includes topics related to the development of clinical practice guidelines; adverse effects of therapy; ethical issues in clinical research; validity and reliability and performance of diagnostic tests. In addition, issues related to the utility of non-experimental study designs in evaluating clinical outcomes will be discussed.	describe the discipline of clinical epidemiology and evidence-based practice; develop information searching skills relevant to evidence-based practice; evaluate the design, strengths and weaknesses of randomized controlled trials (RCT), systematic reviews and non-experimental clinical research study designs; understand statistical issues in the design and analysis of RCTs; Appraise evidence-based clinical research literature; evaluate the ethical issues associated with clinical research; Critically review clinical practice guidelines; and discuss the barriers and enablers when attempting to implement changes to clinical practice.
Causal Inference in Epidemiology8806955
This course introduces students to the approach of causation in epidemiology and describes methods to make causal inferences in epidemiology, and demonstrate the practical application of these methods. The potential outcomes framework, causal diagrams, standardization, propensity scores, inverse probability weighting, instrumental variables, marginal structural models, causal mediation analysis and examples of sensitivity analysis will be discussed.	Recognize the causal model and diagrams in epidemiology Identify methods of dealing with the bias introduced by measured and unmeasured confounders Introduced to the application of the standard regression methods, propensity score-based and instrumental variable methods Introduced to the application of the marginal structural models for dealing with time-dependent confounding in longitudinal studies Apply the causal mediation analysis in epidemiological studies Apply the sensitivity analysis in epidemiological studies Practical experience of the above methods using statistical software.
Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases8806956
This course introduces students of the epidemiology of selected chronic diseases/health conditions and their risk factors. The trends and patterns in the burden of non-communicable disease, both globally and locally will be explained with special emphasis on the major chronic diseases’ epidemiology, cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes, cerebrovascular diseases epidemiology, in addition spectrum of disorders such as autism, asthma, injuries, violence and others.			Acquire knowledge relating to the descriptive, analytical and applied epidemiology of chronic, non-communicable diseases; Recognize the risk factors for chronic diseases; Critically review and evaluate the scientific studies in chronic disease epidemiology; Identify data sources of burden of chronic disease and their risk factors in populations; Identify research gaps in chronic disease epidemiology and identify potential research projects Critically assess the importance of the social, political and economic environment in shaping policy and other responses to major non-communicable disease whilst examining the actions necessary to control key non-communicable diseases.
Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases 8806940
This course covers the principles and the practice of communicable disease epidemiology, including how communicable diseases and their control affects public health locally and globally. This course also covers the interaction between an infectious agent, host, and environment, modes and dynamics of transmission, the role of immunity incommunicable disease epidemiology, and disease elimination strategies, focusing on issues affecting local and international society.			Understand principles of communicable disease epidemiology, including principles of infectious diseases; outbreak investigation; disease surveillance; principles of screening and screening tests; Understand major communicable diseases and modes of transmission, including food-borne illness; zoonotic diseases; tuberculosis; influenza; vector-borne diseases; malaria; other parasitic diseases; STDs; viral hepatitis; antibiotic-resistant bacteria; Critical Reading of Literature related to studies in communicable disease epidemiology; Evaluate and interpret communicable disease epidemiology information (effect measures, study designs, etc…); Understand different control and evaluation strategies for communicable diseases, including: Vaccination; Nosocomial Infections; Behavior Change and STDs; Blood Safety.
GlobalHealth8806918
This course introduces students to essential concepts from public health disciplines that are the foundations of global health practice. Students will then apply these concepts to current global health challenges through course activities, assignments, and readings. Students will explore evidence-based strategies, policies, and programmatic interventions to affect disease outcomes. Throughout the course, students will gain critical and creative-thinking experience in applying tools and frameworks towards addressing diverse global health needs.		Identify major global health threats and critically appraise public health strategies and interventions. Describe the roles of diverse members of the global health community such as key bilateral/multilateral institutions, political bodies, NGOs that contribute to health promotion and policies Identify the effects of globalization and urbanization on population health, and trans-disciplinary global health response Apply knowledge of global health governance and decision making at different levels to global health-oriented policy, research, and action.
Comprehensive Qualifying Exam 8806900
The student should pass a zero credit hours exam in which students should pass a comprehensive qualifying exam. The student must finish at least 24 credit hours core and specialty courses before registering to the exam. Students should pass the exam to register for the dissertation.		This comprehensive examination provides assurance that all PhD candidates have acquired sufficient knowledge/background in their major field of study
Dissertation I 8806999
The student should write his dissertation proposal and protocol and add his plan for the dissertation period. The dissertation proposal is critiqued for strengths and weaknesses by the dissertation committee so that the learner may develop a defensible proposal worthy of dissertation research. All ethical approvals should be obtained at this stage too.		To assure that the student has experience in a broad range of skills needed for conducting a research in his field: therefore, the student should Formulate research hypothesis and specific aims Development of the research design and methods Plan for the conduction of the dissertation project Obtain human subjects’ approval Present the plan for collection of data methods and analysis Add the tentative time plan for his dissertation.
Dissertation II 8806999
Research in the student’s area of interest conducted under faculty supervision, resulting in the presentation of a doctoral dissertation.		Successfully defend dissertation (including publication of findings in an open-access, peer-reviewed journal) Functions in a leadership role in the academic and professional health science setting. Demonstrate competency in the health science coursework. Critically review, appraise, and synthesize the health sciences literature into an applied health science report. Demonstrate competency in oral, written, and electronic modes of communication, using both scholarly and technical formats. Work collaboratively with others. Demonstrate competency in applied public health or applied nursing leadership