Doctor of Public Health

Summary

The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) is a first-of-its-kind, multidisciplinary degree that provides advanced education in public health along with mastery of skills in leadership, management, communication, and innovative thinking. The program is designed for experienced professionals with a master’s degree and at least six years of full-time public health or public service experience in a relevant discipline. The DrPH prepares professionals for high-impact leadership roles in public health and health care through advanced training in foundational concepts, theories, and methods of public health; application of social and managerial sciences; and development of leadership and management skills.  

The program blends traditional academic training with experiential learning and competency development to enable systematic change. Through the completion of their capstone project, also known as the Doctoral Project, degree candidates practice and develop personal leadership skills while engaging in a project that contributes to the advancement of public health or healthcare. 

Details

  • Abbreviation: DrPH 
  • Degree format: On campus 
  • Time commitment: Full-time 
  • Average program length: 3 years full-time
  • Timeline: 
    • The first 2 years are completed full-time on campus 
    • The third year focuses on the Doctoral Project 
  • Estimated cohort size: 10 students per year 
  • Start term: Summer 

Admission information

Eligibility requirements

The Doctor of Public Health program is for talented professionals who aim to apply their experience to advance public health or health care. 

 Eligible DrPH applicants should have at a minimum: 

  • A master’s or doctoral degree in the health sciences or in another related field or non-US equivalent.
  • At least six years of full-time public health and/or public service experience in a relevant discipline. Advanced degrees will not be considered in lieu of work experience as coursework will build directly on professional skills and experiences. 
  • Prior coursework in public health-related methods and in specific technical areas of public health is also beneficial. 

Candidate applications should display a history of energy, creativity, and passion for public health as well as an appetite and vision to effect change. The DrPH Admissions Committee seeks to admit students with interest and experience across a broad cross-section of public and private areas of public health and health care locally, nationally, and internationally. 

Application requirements

All applications must be submitted through SOPHAS – the centralized application for schools and programs of public health. In addition to the application, applicants must submit:

  • Statement of purpose and objectives
  • Official test scores (optional)
  • Three letters of reference
  • Resumé/curriculum vitae
  • Post-secondary transcripts or mark sheets (World Education Services credential evaluation for applicants with degrees from outside of the United States.)
  • English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS), if applicable

Learn more about the application process.

Application deadline