The aim of the doctoral studies at the School of Health Sciences is to provide training that prepares doctoral students to successfully work as an academic researcher or teacher as well as in other expert positions in the society and in the field of health.
A doctoral student must acquire in depth knowledge in his/her own field, but also develop a broader view of health sciences in general. Doctoral students should adopt scientific thinking models and good scientific conduct as well as gain versatile research skills.
The fields of study available at the School of Health Sciences are biostatistics, epidemiology, gerontology, nursing science, public health, social psychiatry, social and health policy, health economics and occupational health. A doctoral degree can be awarded in all the disciplines. Most PhD students do their dissertation work in one of our research groups. The field of study is determined by the supervisor’s discipline. The employment prospects for graduates in the field of health sciences or medicine have been good.
In the International Doctoral Programme in Epidemiology (IPPE), which is taught in English, the students will graduate with the degree of Doctor of Health Sciences, Doctor of Medical Science, or Doctor of Philosophy in the disciplines of the School. The prerequisite for the International Doctoral Programme in Epidemiology is a Master’s Degree or equivalent.
Most students graduating from the IPPE programme gain the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. For the degree of Doctor of Medical Science eligible are only applicants who hold the Finnish degree of Licentiate in Medicine or a corresponding degree from a higher education institution abroad. The degree Doctor of Health Sciences requires a previous educational background on Master’s level in the field of health sciences.
In the IPPE programme the doctoral studies are offered as an intensive one-year coursework period. A specific application period for this programme is arranged biannually.
