Dartmouth College

What you'll study

This PhD emphasises rigorous research methods and applied clinical science. Core coursework typically covers:

• Research methods: advanced quantitative methods, biostatistics, epidemiology, and causal inference for clinical research.
• Qualitative and mixed methods: design and analysis approaches for complex health services and implementation research.
• Clinical trial and study design: pragmatic trials, observational study design, measurement and outcomes assessment.
• Implementation science and translation: frameworks and strategies to move evidence into practice.
• Health professions education and simulation: curriculum design, assessment, educational research methods and simulation-based training (depending on research focus).
• Specialist electives: health policy, patient safety, quality improvement, informatics, or population health, chosen to support the dissertation topic.

Programme structure commonly includes intensive coursework and method training in the early years, supervised research rotations or practicum experiences, a qualifying/ comprehensive examination, and development and defence of an original dissertation. Students work closely with faculty mentors from Geisel School of Medicine, affiliated clinical partners and interdisciplinary centres to develop funded, publishable projects.

Entry requirements

Typical applicants have a strong academic record and relevant clinical or research experience. Usual expectations include:

• An advanced degree (master’s, MD, DO, DPT, DNP or equivalent) or substantial professional experience in a health profession.
• Demonstrated quantitative ability or prior coursework in statistics, epidemiology, or research methods; applicants without a strong quantitative background may be asked to complete preparatory coursework.
• A research statement outlining proposed areas of interest and alignment with Dartmouth faculty; a CV demonstrating research, clinical or teaching experience; and letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees.
• International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency according to Dartmouth’s requirements.

Admission is selective and based on fit with faculty mentorship capacity and research priorities rather than strict cut-offs. Some applicants enter with external funding or clinical commitments that can be accommodated as part of a tailored training plan.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a range of careers at the intersection of clinical care, research and education. Common pathways include:

• Academic faculty positions in clinical departments or health professions schools, with responsibilities for research, teaching and clinical practice.
• Health services and outcomes researcher roles in hospitals, health systems or research institutes, including leadership in quality improvement and implementation programmes.
• Research leadership positions in government, non-profit organisations or industry, contributing to policy, guideline development and programme evaluation.
• Educational leadership and scholarship roles focused on curricular development, assessment and simulation-based education.

Alumni frequently secure competitive research funding, publish in peer-reviewed journals and hold leadership roles that influence patient care delivery and professional education.

Why study at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth offers this PhD within a small, interdisciplinary environment anchored by the Geisel School of Medicine and strong partnerships with Dartmouth Health and research centres. Benefits include:

• Close mentorship from faculty with expertise across clinical research, health services, implementation science and educational scholarship.
• Access to clinical populations, health system data and operational partners through Dartmouth Health, enabling pragmatic and translational research.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration with related units—such as public health, engineering, and policy—and resources for simulation, measurement and data analysis.
• A cohort-based, research-intensive training model that emphasises grant-writing, publication and career development support.

Prospective students should review faculty interests and institutional research cores to identify strong mentorship matches and to plan a dissertation trajectory that leverages Dartmouth’s clinical and scholarly resources.