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Doctoral Programs

Epidemiology.

Students in the PhD Program in Epidemiology address major health problems, including physical and mental disorders, from a research perspective. Epidemiology is the study of disease in human populations, and epidemiological studies are the foundation for prevention and control of health disorders. Students learn to:

• Measure manifestations of disease
• Measure the physical, social, and behavioral phenomena of the environment
• Design studies
• Collect, handle, and interpret large bodies of data
• Analyze statistics

As the study of epidemiology requires an understanding of human biology and pathology in social context, and of the ways of enumerating and analyzing populations, the interdisciplinary curriculum includes courses in biomedical and social science disciplines, as well as biostatistics. Students can specialize according to their background and interests, in addition to gaining general knowledge of epidemiology and public health.

The department awards a number of fellowships to recognize academic achievement and support future scholarly success. As teaching and research experience are considered an important aspect of graduate training, these fellowships include some teaching and research apprenticeship.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must have, or be in the process of completing, a master's degree in epidemiology or a related field. Individuals who have completed a doctoral degree in a program that does not confer a master's degree (e.g., MD) are also eligible.

Applicants should be committed to public health research and practice, so past research and/or other work experience in public health are encouraged.

Course work in mathematics (e.g. calculus and statistics), and a strong background in the natural and/or social sciences are strongly recommended. Oral and written communication skills, as well diversity in terms of gender, race and ethnic background, and areas of interest or expertise are highly valued.

In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit an official transcript showing courses and grades from each prior institution, a statement of academic purpose, a writing sample as described below, and three letters of evaluation from academic and/or work sources. All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS scores.

• Deadline for Fall Admission: December 1
• Deadline for Spring Admission: No spring admission
• Resume/CV: Yes
• Writing sample: Yes*
• GRE General: No
• GRE Subject: No

*For additional details about the writing sample, please log into your SOPHAS application to view the document tab, located in the program tab.

Approved Dissertation Sponsors

See list of faculty who can serve as dissertation sponsors.

Training Programs

Learn more about the doctoral training programs , which address a diverse range of health domains and epidemiological methods.

View competencies, course requirements, sample schedules, and more in our Academics section, and read our Doctoral Guidelines.

Learn more about the distinctions between our DrPH and PhD programs (PDF).

Liliane Zaretsky

School Psychology PhD

Doctor of philosophy in school psychology.

For Fall 2024 admissions, the TC School Psychology programs have retained use of the GRE scores

Faculty use the scores, along with undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, the personal statement, and other materials to perform a holistic review of each applicant. There is no minimum GRE cutoff score for either the EdM or PhD program in School Psychology.

For Fall 2024 admissions, the following faculty members will be reviewing PhD applications from external students (i.e., students not already in our EdM program): Dr. Melissa Collier-Meek [email protected] . Please indicate in your personal statement which of these faculty you are applying to work with.

The Ph.D. program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). For general information about APA accreditation or specific information about the accreditation status of our program contact:

Jacqueline Remondet Wall, Ph.D. Director, Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association  750 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20002-4242 (202) 336-5979 /  http://www.apa.org

If you have questions regarding the accreditation of the program by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) contact:

Natalie Politikos, Ph.D. National Association of School Psychologists 4340 East West Highway Suite 402 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-657-4155 / http://www.nasponline.org

Our Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 90 points. Attainment of the doctoral degree prepares students for certification as a school psychologist and licensure as a psychologist. On average, doctoral students should plan on five years of full-time attendance, including summers. This includes three years of coursework, a two-semester externship in the third year, a full-year internship during the fifth year, and a dissertation. The program can be completed in 5.2 years (enter in September of Year 1, graduate in October of Year 5 as internships end on either June 30 or August 31 and the next graduation date is early October) if students begin a program of research early in the program and complete the doctoral certification requirements (research methods examination, theoretical and empirical paper) by the 4th year of the program. Typically, most of the coursework (including practica, fieldwork, and externship) is completed by the end of the third year if the student completes only the one required externship. However, for many years, all students have completed two externships to make themselves more competitive in the APPIC match (one in a clinical setting, one in a public school), extending externship into the 4th year. Some students have chosen to do a third externship if they are specializing in intellectual disabilities/autism or child neuropsychology. The third externship increases competitiveness in the internship match and postdoctoral competition. The 4th and 5th (or 6th) years are devoted to dissertation and internship.

For more detailed information about our program, please download our Student Handbook.

Admissions Information

Displaying requirements for the Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and Fall 2024 terms.

Doctor of Philosophy

• Points/Credits: 90
• Entry Terms: Fall

Certification

View Public Disclosure Notification

• NY State Provisional: School Psychology

Application Deadlines

Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines , such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.

Application Requirements

Requirements from the tc catalog (ay 2023-2024).

Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 terms.

View Full Catalog Listing

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D., 90 points)

Our American Psychological Association (APA)- and National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)- accredited doctoral program (Ph.D.) requires a minimum of 90 points. Students may have to complete courses in addition to those included in the curriculum if their advisor deems it necessary (e.g., an extra statistics course). Attainment of the doctoral degree prepares students for certification as a school psychologist and licensure as a psychologist. On average, doctoral students should plan on five years of full-time attendance, including summers. This includes three years of coursework, a two-semester externship in the third year, a full-year internship during the fifth year, and a dissertation.

Suggested Sequence of Courses by Year and Semester

Fall (12 credits)

HBSK5320(3) Individual Psychological Testing I*

HBSK4025(3) Professional and Ethical Functions of School Psychologists

HBSK4073(3) Childhood Disorders*

HUDM4122(3) Probability and Statistical Inference (most semesters)

HBSK657_(0) Research Practicum

Spring (15 credits)

HBSK5321(3) Individual Psychological Testing II*

HBSK5378(3) Practicum in Psychoeducational Assessment of School Subject Difficulties*

HBSK5050(3) Cognitive and Behavioral Interventions for Youth

HBSK6380(3) Practicum in Psychoeducational Assessment with Culturally Diverse Students

HBSE 4015(3)  Applied Behavior Analysis I

Summer (6 credits)

HUDM5122(3) Applied Regression Analysis (most semesters)

ORL5362(3)    Group Dynamics: A Systems Perspective (most semesters)

Second Year

Fall (13 credits)

ORLJ5040(3)   Research Methods in Social Psychology

HBSK5280(4)   Fieldwork in School Psychological Services

HBSK6584(3)   Seminar: School Psychology Consultation

HBSK6382(3)   Advanced Practicum in Psychoeducational Interventions in Schools

HBSK657_(0)   Research Practicum

Spring (18 credits)

HBSK5031(3) Family as the Context for Child Development

HBSK5280(4) Fieldwork in School Psychological Services

HBSK 6362(3) Group Work with Children & Adolescents

HBSK 4030 (3)   Multicultural Issues in School Psychology

BBS 5069 (2)  Brain and behavior I

Summer (8 credits)

HUDM5059(3) Psychological Measurement

HUDM5123(3) Linear Models and Experimental Design

BBS 5069 (1)   Brain and behavior II

Fall (5 credits)

HBSK5271(2)  Supervised Externship in Psychoeducational Practice (Section 1)

HBSK657_(0)  Research Practicum

HUDK6520(3) Seminar in Lifespan Developmental Psychology (offered every other year)

HBSK4074(3)   Development of Reading Comprehension

Spring (6 credits)

HBSK5096(3)  Psychology of Memory: Cognitive and Affective Bases

HBSK5273(1)  Supervised Experience in Supervision

HBSK 6383 (3)    Neuropsychological Assessment of Children and Adults

HBSK657_(0)  Research Practicum: 

Summer (3 credits)

CCPX6020(3) History and Systems of Psychology

Fourth Year

Fall (4 credits)

ORLJ5540 (3) Pro-seminar in Social Psychology

HBSK7503(1) Dissertation Seminar**

HBSK5271(0) Supervised Externship in Psychoeducational Practice (Section 2)

Spring (0 credits)

HBSK8902(0) Dissertation Advisement

HBSK6480(0)  School Psychology Internship

PLEASE NOTE

The following courses, which are included in a fall or spring semester in the suggested sequence can be taken in the summer. However, before deciding to take any of the following in the summer, please consult with your advisor.

1. HUDM4122, Probability and Statistical Inference (most semesters)

2. HBSK4074, Development of Reading Comprehension

• View Other Degrees

Phone: (212) 678-3942

Email: schoolpsychology@tc.columbia.edu

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PhDs in Biomedical Sciences

The Coordinated Doctoral Programs in Biomedical Sciences are part of the medical school and the Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The programs are located at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center campus. PhD students have access to more than 250 training faculty when selecting their research direction, ensuring that each student receives optimal training and research experience. We also provide a supportive environment which goes beyond academics. 

Programs include:

• Biomedical Informatics
• Genetics and Development
• Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Neurobiology and Behavior
• Nutritional and Metabolic Biology
• Pathology and Molecular Medicine
• Pharmacology and Molecular Signaling
• Physiology and Cellular Biophysics

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Degree Programs

Student life.

• Job Opportunities

Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies

The Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Studies (CMBS) is an interdepartmental degree-granting program offering predoctoral training for students at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. The CMBS program presents students with a unique opportunity to obtain rigorous training in an individualized environment. The underlying rationale for this program was to provide graduate students with a thorough grounding in the basics of biochemistry, genetics, cell and molecular biology. 

The CMBS program has multiple tracks as delineated below.  These tracks are areas of specialization for research and many have specific course requirements for electives. Prospective students apply to the CMBS program, and can indicate specific tracks that they are interested in pursuing.  Applicants can apply to one of several tracks and there is flexibility to switch tracks after they join the program.

Umbrella Track

The Umbrella track gives the students a wide variety of topics for choosing elective courses and for their research.  One of the unique aspects of the CMBS program is that students can stay in the “umbrella” track throughout their graduate career, thereby also allowing them to choose their own program of courses that fit their scientific interests.    

Thesis Defense

Biochemistry, Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology 

Students in the Biochemistry, Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology track take the same core courses as the other CMBS students, except that they also take courses in Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology as their electives and pursue dissertation research in this area in labs within. 

Stem Cell Biology and Cell Biology

Stem cell biology and regenerative medicine is a rapidly developing area with applicability to multiple disciplines and diseases. Students in this track take courses in stem cell biology and related areas, and pursue dissertation research in laboratories within the Stem Cell Initiative , or Cell Biology Research Group. 

Microbiology and Immunology

The Microbiology and Immunology track offers research in microbiology including bacterial generics, physiology, virology, parasitology, and host defense including anti-pathogen immunity. Students in this track take graduate courses in Immunology, and Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology as their electives.  Research in this area is further augmented by Center for Translational Immunology  and a newly formed Initiative for Human Tissue Immunity and Disease, along with the Center for Host Defense at CUIMC.

Pathobiology and Mechanisms of Disease

The Pathobiology and Mechanisms of Disease track offers a curriculum that examines the basic science of a number of diseases in great detail. Diseases like cancer, hematopoietic or blood borne diseases, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, neuromuscular diseases, liver diseases and diabetes are major areas of research focus and covered in a one-year course called “Mechanisms in Human Disease” that is taken by students in this track.

Cancer Biology 

The Cancer Biology track covers all areas of cancer research, including cancer genetics, stem cells, tumor microenvironment, hematopoietic malignancies, tumor immunology, systems analyses, among others. This track will foster educational, scientific and social interactions with the other cancer-focused graduate students on campus, and students will benefit from the extensive and multi-disciplinary research in cancer being conducted in the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) and many departments at CUIMC.  Students in this track are required to complete one graduate-level cancer course, such as Cancer Biology.

Systems Biology

The Systems Biology track includes research areas taking mathematical and computational approaches to understand fundamental biological processes including development, gene regulation, the function of cells, organs, and tissues, and disease mechanisms. Students in this track will take elective courses in computer science, statistics, and computational biology, in addition to the CMBS core courses. Students will typically choose laboratories in the Department of Systems Biology , which includes leaders in multi-disciplinary investigations of systems biology across diseases. 

Other tracks

There are additional tracks in: Cellular & Molecular Physiology and Biophysics ,  Genetics & Development , Molecular Pharmacology & Therapeutics , and Nutritional & Metabolic Biology . 

Directors of Graduate Studies

Ronald liem, phd.

• Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology
• [email protected]

Rebecca Haeusler

• Associate Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology
• [email protected]

Associate Directors of Graduate Studies

Nicholas arpaia.

• Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
• [email protected]

Vilas Menon, PhD

• Assistant Professor of Neurological Sciences
• [email protected]

Administrative Contact

• 212-305-8393
• [email protected]

Figure Legend : (Left Panel) Representative image of lymphocytes in human tonsil acquired by imaging mass cytometry as part of a study aimed at defining the spatial localization of human natural killer cell development. NKp80 (red), CD20 (green), CD3 (purple), CD34 (orange), collagen type I (light blue), smooth muscle actin (dark blue). Image generated by Everardo Hegewisch Solloa (Mace Lab). (Middle Panel) A bispecific antibody simultaneously binds to two different epitopes on the same SARS CoV-2 spike molecule as observed by cryoEM.  One arm (red Fab) recognizes the receptor binding domain (RBD, green) and the second arm (blue Fab) recognizes the N-terminal domain (NTD, orange).  Image generated by Ryan Casner (Shapiro lab). (Right Panel) Larval Drosophila ventral nerve cord showing axons from somatosensory (green) and nociceptive (magenta) neurons. Image generated by Nova Qi (Grueber lab).

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Message From Dr. Cory Abate-Shen

Read a message from the Chair of the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Featured Lab: Concepcion Lab

The Concepcion lab studies how chromatin deregulation impacts tumor evolution with a focus on lung cancer.

Graduate Program

Learn how to apply.

Get all the details on how to apply to The Molecular Pharmacology & Therapeutics Graduate Program.

Welcome to our new Graduate Program!

Pharmacology – the study of how drugs or other agents affect cells and living organisms - is a foundational science that intersects with many disciplines in basic science and human disease. Our graduate program emulates the breadth of pharmacology by providing our students with a solid foundation and broad training in cellular and organismal mechanisms, as well as translational science.  The scientific focus of the program is to merge basic science research with emergent research in developing new avenues for therapeutic interventions. Faculty in the program can be focused on developing a basic biological understanding of mammalian organ systems, developing conceptually new avenues/technologies for therapeutics, or combining both of these approaches in an interdisciplinary manner.

Our graduate program has recently been re-vamped to create a modern, vibrant program that is well-aligned with both the historical foundations and new strategic vision of the department. To realize this vision, we have new leadership, co-directors Dr. Nikhil Sharma and Dr. Yonghao Yu, whose research is focused in areas that are vital to pharmacology.  

Our program is ideal for students who are interested in studying basic cellular mechanisms with an emphasis on their application to human disease.  The research interests of our program faculty encompass all areas of modern pharmacology, including cancer pharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, and neuropharmacology. The incorporation of novel interdisciplinary approaches (e.g., chemical biology) towards the development of therapeutic strategies is also emphasized. Our graduate program faculty draw from several basic science and clinical departments at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, as well as Columbia University, which enables seamless collaborative and interdisciplinary interactions for our students.

Although rigorous, our program is individualized to each student, allowing students to gain a strong foundation in pharmacology, while adapting the specific educational components to the specific research interests of each student. Training in the first year consists of courses aligned with the integrated program in cellular, molecular, and biomedical studies (CMBS), as well as research rotations in the laboratories of approved program faculty.  In the second year, students begin their thesis research and continue to take their remaining core courses as well as elective courses relevant to their thesis work. At the end of the second year, students take their qualifying exam, for which they prepare and defend a research proposal that is related to their intended thesis research. Subsequent years are devoted to the research, writing and defense of their PhD thesis. As they advance in their degree, students benefit from the advice of their faculty mentor, an advisory committee of expert faculty with whom they meet regularly, and our outstanding and dedicated program co-directors, Dr. Nikhil Sharma and Dr. Yonghao Yu.

Students benefit from the rewarding environment at Columbia University, which is rich in diversity and has unparalleled faculty. Students also benefit from the cultural environment of New York City, with its many museums, theaters, and historical venues.

Nikhil Sharma, PhD

• Assistant Professor of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• [email protected]

Yonghao Yu, PhD

• Professor in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• [email protected]

Participating Faculty

Graduate program requirements.

Get more information on applying or answers to questions about the Molecular Pharmacology & Therapeutics Graduate Program.

• Ph.D. Student Directory
• 1st Year Students (2024)

• Program Description
• Admissions Information
• Placement Information
• Student Life
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Program Requirements
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• List of 2nd Year Fields
• PhD Administrative Forms
• Job Market Candidates
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• 2nd Year Students (2023)
• 3rd Year Students (2022)
• 4th Year Students (2021)
• 5th Year Students (2020)
• 6th Year Students (2019)
• Bridge to the Ph.D. Program

1022 International Affairs Building (IAB)

Mail Code 3308

420 West 118th Street

New York, NY 10027