Public Health and Health Sciences Department

Click on any of the following programs for information:

• Ph.D. in Health Sciences
• Master of Public Health
• Child & Adult Advocacy Studies Graduate Certificate

Interim Program Director - Ph.D. Health Sciences: Sabina Kupershmidt, Ph.D.
Program Director - Master of Public Health: DenYelle Baete Kenyon, Ph.D.
Program Director - Graduate Certificate: Kelly Bass, D.S.W., M.S.W., CSW-PIP, ACS

School of Health Sciences
Lee Medical Building #302
Phone: 605-658-6500
Fax: 605-677-6745
Ph.D.: phdhs@usd.edu
https://www.usd.edu/usd-online/online-programs/doctor-of-philosophy-in-health-sciences
MPH: health@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/publichealth
Certificate: caast@usd.edu

FACULTY

Professors:

Patti Berg-Poppe, PT, Ph.D., NCS, University of South Dakota.
Barbara Goodman, Ph.D., University of Minnesota.
Moses Ikiugu, Ph.D., OTR/L, Texas Woman’s University.
Joy Karges, PT, Ed.D., M.S., CLT, University of South Dakota.
Denyelle Baete Kenyon, Ph.D., University of Arizona.

Associate Professors:

Kelly Bass, D.S.W., M.S.W., University of Tennessee.
Shana Cerny, O.T.D., M.S., OTR/L, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.
Becca Jordre, PT, D.P.T., GCS, Duke University.
Wade Nilson, Ed.D., MPAS, PA-C, Bethel University.
Ranelle Nissen, Ph.D., OTR/L, Texas Woman’s University.
Soonhee Roh, Ph.D., M.S.W., LMSW, University of New York University.
Carrie Sanderson, J.D., MPA, University of South Dakota.
William Schweinle III, Ph.D., University of Texas.

Assistant Professors:

Amanda Adamson, PT, D.P.T., OCS, University of South Dakota.
Musheera AnisAbellatif, Ph.D., M.A., University of South Dakota.
Lucien Costley, Ph.D., Seton Hall University.
Mackenzie Feldhacker, O.T.D., OTR/L, Creighton University.
John Korkow, Ph.D., LAC, SAP, University of South Dakota.
Sabina Kupershmidt, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University.
Whitney Lucas Molitor, O.T.D., M.S., OTR/L, BCG, University of South Dakota.
Jessica McHugh, Ph.D., M.S., OTR/L, Texas Woman’s University.
Gerald McGraw, Ed.D., MPAS, MBA, PA, Webster University.
Allison Naber, O.T.D., OTR/L, University of South Dakota.
Diane Sevening, Ed.D., LAC, University of South Dakota.
Jewel Shepherd, Ph.D., Old Dominion University
Susan Strobel, D.N.P., University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
Hanz Tao, PT, D.P.T., CSCS, University of Colorado.
Kory Zimney, PT, D.P.T, CSMT, Des Moines University.

Instructor:

Chelsea Wesner, M.P.H., M.S.W., University of Oklahoma.

Senior Lecturer:

Susan Puumala, Ph.D., University of Minnesota

Lecturers:

Mary Merrigan, Ed.D., LPC, LAC, University of South Dakota.
Amy Nelson, O.T.D., University of South Dakota.

DEGREE

Health Sciences (Ph.D.)  
Master of Public Health  

CERTIFICATE

Child & Adult Advocacy Studies  

Ph.D. in Health Sciences Program Description:

The interprofessional Ph.D. in Health Sciences is designed to prepare practicing health care professionals to assume leadership roles in academia, research, and/or health and human services practice settings.  Designed for working professionals, features of the program include:

• Up to 36 credits from USD or 30 credits from another regionally-accredited institution may be considered for transfer from a master’s or professional doctorate, subject to approval by the advisor and Graduate Committee.
• Core curriculum comprised of four content threads: Practice, Scholarship (including dissertation), Teaching, and Leadership;
• Ability to tailor learning to meet individual career aspirations and research interests through elective coursework, projects completed within courses, and the dissertation;
• Online course delivery with limited expectations for face-to-face contact. Resident experiences include an initial orientation, a one-week Dissertation Boot Camp, and defense of the dissertation;
• With advisor approval, dissertation research can be completed off-campus in most instances.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/apply-now and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
2. Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with translation) must accompany an application. Official transcript of all academic work at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required for international students. The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
3. Completion of a Master’s or higher degree in health or human services related field from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 or better on that conferred degree, based on a 4.0 scale. Graduate programs may admit students on provisional status per University policy.
4. Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the following English-speaking countries: United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada (Excluding Quebec), Australia, and New Zealand are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) or 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), a minimum IELTS score of 6.0, or a minimum PTE score of 53 is required for graduate admission. 

Additional Program Admission Requirements:

5. Three (3) professional letters of recommendation are required.
6. Successful completion of a criminal background check upon acceptance.

Subject to faculty approval, those who do not meet all of the above criteria may be admitted on a provisional basis.

Application Deadline:

• February 15
  • Fall start

Top candidates who meet the application deadline may be selected for Phase 2, which includes a writing sample. They will receive instructions via email by mid-April. 

The selection process is competitive. A limited number of seats are available annually based on the availability of faculty to serve as dissertation mentors in the applicants’ interest area.

Master of Public Health Program Description:

The Master of Public Health program at the University of South Dakota develops public health practitioners and leaders to address public health needs of rural and underserved communities. Offered online and in partnership with South Dakota State University, the program adopts an interprofessional approach in addressing the five core areas of public health: Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Health Services Administration, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Environmental Health. The Master of Public Health degree is the most widely recognized professional credential for practice and leadership in public health.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/apply-now and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
2. Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with translation) must accompany an application. Official transcript of all academic work at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required for international students. The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
3. Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree or an equivalent degree from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree. Though no specific major is required, adequate undergraduate preparation in social, health, or biological sciences is recommended. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework. Each institution may admit students on conditional or provisional status per university policy.
4. Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the following English-speaking countries: United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada (Excluding Quebec), Australia, and New Zealand are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) or 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), a minimum IELTS score of 6.0, or a minimum PTE score of 53 is required for graduate admission. 
5. Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose or goal statement.  Statement of purpose for studying Public Health (include career plans relative to the Master of Public Health).

Additional Program Admission Requirements:

6. Two (2) letters of recommendation are required.
7. Successful completion of a criminal background check upon acceptance.

Subject to faculty approval, those who do not meet all of the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Start
  • Priority Deadline: March 1
  • Final Deadline: May 1

Child & Adult Advocacy Studies Graduate Certificate Program Description:

Students completing the Child & Adult Advocacy Studies (CAAST) graduate certificate will be better equipped to accomplish the work of related agencies (social work, criminal justice, nursing, etc.) as they advocate on behalf of victims and survivors of maltreatment. The certificate focuses on interdisciplinary, ethical, realistic and culturally sensitive content that provides professionals working with vulnerable populations a foundation for responding to maltreatment. Students will learn about the various disciplinary responses to maltreatment and will develop a multidisciplinary understanding of the most efficient responses.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/apply-now and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
2. Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with translation) must accompany an application for all students. The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
3. Baccalaureate degree must be from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.7 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. Each graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy
4. Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited American college or university are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) or 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), a minimum IELTS score of 6.0, or a minimum PTE score of 53 is required for graduate admission. Applicants from or who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from English-speaking countries are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score if their academic records after review indicate that English was the classroom language for their schoolwork.
    

Subject to faculty approval, those who do not meet all of the above criteria may be admitted on a provisional basis. 

Application Deadline:

• December 1
  • Spring start

Programs

• Child & Adult Advocacy Studies Graduate Certificate (CAAST)
• Health Sciences (Ph.D.)
• Public Health (M.P.H.)