Coursework

While all students plan a course of study in consultation with their faculty advisor that is unique to their background and their scholarly interests, students are encouraged to review the following guidelines on course requirements.

The Rackham Graduate School, which administers all Ph.D. programs at the University of Michigan, requires a minimum of 18 credit hours of graded work to be completed prior to candidacy as part of the degree requirement. Only courses taken while registered as a Rackham student, and while in residence on the Ann Arbor campus, will count towards this course requirement. Courses elected as “audit” do not meet this requirement, nor do any courses taken after candidacy (i.e. those designated as 990, etc.)

HBHE doctoral students enter the program after completing a relevant master’s degree, such as a Master of Art (M.A.), Master of Nursing (M.S.N.), or Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree. Therefore, course requirements will usually entail one and one‐half to two and one‐half years of full‐time coursework and study, depending on the student's background, desired electives, and success on the preliminary examination. Individual research and dissertation work rounds out the requirements. Including courses required by the department and the Rackham Graduate School’s requirement, students typically complete approximately 68 credit hours overall for the doctoral program (including registration for dissertation work). These hours may be reduced up to a maximum of 18 credit hours through course exemptions for a balance of approximately 50 required credit hours based on the recommendations of the Doctoral Curriculum Committee.