FAQ

Everything you need to know about our PhD program — offered in a blended format for working professionals.

Enrolling in a graduate program is a big step, and we understand that you’ve got lots of questions. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions that will hopefully help with your decision.

This program is designed for professionals with a strong commitment to rural health and a clear interest in rigorous research. Many of our students already work in public health, healthcare systems, government, policy or related fields and are seeking doctoral training that prepares them to conduct meaningful research while advancing their careers as leaders in rural health.

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, 2027 will have priority in the review process for the funding opportunities. Final decisions on funding opportunities will be made by Early Summer 2027.

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.

Graduates of the Rural Health Sciences PhD program are prepared for leadership and research careers in academia, government, healthcare and the nonprofit sector. Depending on their interests, graduates may pursue faculty positions at colleges and universities, research roles within academic medical centers, or positions with organizations dedicated to improving rural health.

Many graduates are also well suited for careers with public health agencies, including state and local health departments, State Offices of Rural Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and other organizations focused on rural populations and health equity. Others may work in healthcare systems, consulting firms, nonprofit organizations or the private sector as research scientists, program directors or data analysts.

Regardless of the setting, the program equips graduates to design, lead and translate research into practical solutions that improve health outcomes in rural communities.

Research opportunities are available as soon as you enter the program and extend well beyond your dissertation. Students are encouraged to connect with a faculty mentor to contribute to ongoing research projects or develop new studies based on shared interests. All independent research is conducted in collaboration with a faculty mentor to ensure methodological rigor and appropriate oversight.

Additional opportunities include:

Participating in research through the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center and the Center for Rural Health and Health Disparities.
Designing and leading a research project as part of the School of Medicine’s Summer Scholars Program, where first-year medical students collaborate on a defined study that culminates in a poster presentation at the annual Student Research Conference.