FAQ

• Tuition remission and paid research assistantships may be available. The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center and the Center for Rural Health and Health Disparities are both a part of Mercer University School of Medicine on the Macon Campus. These two centers may offer tuition abatement to PhD in Rural Health Sciences students. In exchange, selected students work as paid research assistants for 20 hours per week; work is done on site at one of the centers.
• The application process for these assistantships is handled by the Centers and is separate from application to the PhD RHS program. Interested applicants should check the appropriate box on their PhD RHS application to indicate that they would like to be considered for the funding opportunities. The name, address, and email of interested students will be shared with the Executive Directors of the Centers after acceptance into the PhD RHS program.
• Candidates who enroll in the program prior to April 30, 2026 will have priority in the review process for the funding opportunities. Final decisions on funding opportunities will be made by Early Summer 2026.

Yes, the PhD in Rural Health Sciences follows a cohort model, with annual cohorts beginning each fall. Students are not admitted off-cycle.

Because of the rigor and accelerated pace of the PhD program, which allows for the attainment of a PhD in four years, students must possess a master’s or terminal degree to gain entry into the program.

Yes, comprehensive examinations will occur immediately following completion of academic coursework (e.g., fall of year three) and will involve an examination of knowledge of rural culture and rural systems and research design and interpretation skills.

Student learning outcomes are assessed through course-based assignments, experiential assessments, and comprehensive examinations. Attainment of student learning outcomes is assessed through a combination of written assignments (for example, papers, grant proposals), products (for example, infographics) and examinations. Every course will have a syllabus that explains how the course evaluates student learning.

Most classes are held synchronously online in the evenings, with select courses requiring occasional in-person sessions on Saturday mornings at the Macon campus.