Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Program

The following academic requirements apply to students matriculating in the academic year 2011–2012.

• Completion of required core DrPH program courses
• Completion of department-required credits, approved research methods elective credits, and department-approved general elective credits
• Completion of public health leadership practicum
• Comprehensive examination
• Dissertation topic approval
• Dissertation proposal approval
• Oral defense of public health practice dissertation

DrPH Program Requirements

The 40-credit DrPH program offers concentrations in international health, U.S.-focused maternal and child health, and social and behavioral sciences. Full-time students must complete the program within five years; part-time students must complete the program within seven years. Incoming students who do not hold a Master of Public Health are required to complete prerequisite coursework in biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, and health policy and management. All DrPH students must complete the following core courses in addition to the 0-credit practicum, and the Public Health Leadership Seminar. DrPH students must receive at least a 3.0 (B) grade in each of these classes.

DrPH Program Core Courses

• PH 851 Needs Assessment
• PH 853 Health Program Development and Management
• PH 854 Program and Policy Evaluation
• PH 856 Law and Ethics for Public Health Leaders
• PH 857 Health Economics and Financial Management for Public Health
• PH 858 Cases in Public Health Management
• PH 866 Public Health Leadership Seminar
• PH 986 Public Health Practicum

Departmental Requirements

Students must complete concentration, research methods, and general elective elective courses offered within the School of Public Health.

Departmental Course(s)

The credits completed in the student’s concentration focus on skills and knowledge particular to the student’s chosen concentration.

Research Methods Elective

Students should consult with their advisor to help them choose the methods elective course that will be most applicable to their program. Students may select from a list of preapproved research methods courses. (Please see the DrPH Program Student Guidebook for the complete list of preapproved courses.) In certain cases students may petition for other courses to fulfill this requirement and, with written approval from their advisor and the assistant dean for doctoral education, may designate a different elective course.

General Electives

Students will be able to choose from a list of elective courses that have been approved by each home department. Students may petition to take a course that is not on the elective list by making a request to the DrPH representative in their respective departments. It is expected, although not required, that students will take these credits within their home department.

Additional Degree Requirements

• DrPH Public Health Leadership Practicum
• Comprehensive Exams
• Public Health Practice Dissertation