Although most applicants for the Ph.D. have backgrounds in appropriately related fields, the possession of degrees in these fields is not a prerequisite to admission.  

However, applicants with deficiencies in their academic background will be required to take specific courses as prerequisites (or co-requisites) to degree course work.

Deficiencies in academic background will be evaluated by the doctoral advisory committee and remedial course work prescribed. In general, such remedial work cannot be counted toward the credit hours required for the degree.

The following Ph.D. majors require that a prospective applicant hold both a bachelor’s and master’s degree:

• Epidemiology
• Environmental Health
• Health Behavior
• Leisure Behavior
• Nutrition

The follow Ph.D. majors require that a prospective applicant hold a bachelor’s degree:

• Biostatistics
• Human Performance