Best PhD in Public Health Degree Programs

Students need to carefully read the admissions instructions and know the specific deadlines for their school(s) of interest, as most schools have different admissions processes. In general, students will need to meet the admissions requirements of the graduate school and then also those for the specific program they are applying for. It is common for these public health doctoral degrees to require applicants to have high GRE test scores (upper percentiles) and/or a high GPA, such as a 3.5 or greater. Most of these programs also require additional application materials to allow the admissions committee to know the applicant better. For example, some doctoral programs will require multiple letters of recommendation and a personal statement that answers specific questions, such as a student's interests and how the program aligns with their career goals. It is also common for these programs to require students' transcripts and a resume or CV.

Educational and professional prerequisites for public health doctoral programs vary according to the type of program and/or the concentration. Most of these doctoral degrees, however, require applicants to hold at least a master's degree and some may require this degree to be in the health sciences or a related field. There are some DrPH degree programs that want applicants to have as much as 6 years of professional experience working in a public health or public service setting. This work experience helps to indicate that students are ready for the curriculums in these doctoral programs that are built off professional experiences and skills gained in the workplace. Some programs may also require applicants to have prior coursework in specific areas, such as public health. Certain Ph.D. programs with specific concentrations also have their own admissions requirements. For example, a Ph.D. in biostatistics requires applicants to have prior coursework in calculus and linear algebra.

Doctoral programs in public health may hold program-level accreditation from organizations such as the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). This means that CEPH, a public health-related organization, ensures that a school or program meets the set academic standards specific to the field at the doctoral level. This may be preferred by employers as it helps better prepare students for working in the field of public health. Most of these doctoral programs in public health are also offered by colleges and universities that hold regional accreditation. This means that the institution as a whole has met standards for academic quality that is often preferred by employers. Attending an accredited school also allows students to accept federal student aid and transfer their coursework more easily to another accredited school. Some regional accreditation bodies include the Higher Learning Commission and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Most doctoral programs in public health are designed to be completed in 4 to 5 years. This means about 3 years of coursework and 1 to 2 years of dissertation research and writing. However, there are some DrPH programs that may be designed to be completed in as little as 3 years, with an optional 4th year to finish the culminating research project. How quickly students can write their dissertation or complete their capstone project will often determine the time to degree completion. But other factors, such as course load and full- vs. part-time formats can also affect the timeline to graduation.

Doctoral programs in public health commonly require around 72 credits of coursework, but the curriculum for these programs varies. Typically, students are required to take some core, foundational courses, electives, and dissertation credits. Several of these degree programs, specifically those with various concentrations, have specific prerequisite courses that students should have taken during their master's degree. If students have not met these requirements, they may need to take these classes before completing their core coursework. Core coursework varies by the type of degree and if the degree is in a specific concentration. For instance, a Ph.D. in biostatistics has different core course requirements than a Ph.D. in epidemiology. However, most doctoral programs in public health do include some general courses in the field, as well as research courses that are designed to prepare students for writing their dissertation. There are also some core courses that may overlap across different concentrations, such as courses in epidemiology for public health, biostatistics, and foundations in public health. Depending on the program, students may conclude their studies with their choice of electives.

Preparing Your Public Health Dissertation

After completing their coursework, which usually takes 2 to 3 years, students in these doctoral programs are commonly required to pass their comprehensive exams in order to move on to the dissertation portion of their degree. The dissertation is a big research and writing project. Frequently it is broken down into different parts to keep students on track and not as overwhelmed. Leading up to their dissertation, coursework in statistics, research methods, research design, writing, among others, can help prepare students for developing and researching a hypothesis. Typically, students complete a prospectus, which means that they create a dissertation proposal that must be approved. The student's dissertation committee will approve the proposal and then also support the student with advice during the dissertation process. They will ensure that the student completes the work and maintains the necessary standards while doing their dissertation. Students may spend up to a year or more working on their dissertation as they find resources, collect data, analyze information, and write. Students are then required to defend their dissertation before their committee.

PhD programs in public health commonly offer a range of concentration areas for students to focus their studies on. The Ph.D. programs with concentrations usually offer a specific degree pathway for each concentration with different coursework. These concentration areas can help prepare students for specific careers within the field of public health and help them conduct research in specific areas of interest. Below are just a few examples of possible concentrations for Ph.D. in Public Health Programs.

Biostatistics

Ph.D. programs in public health with a concentration in biostatistics focus on how biostatistics can be applied in the field to analyze data. Students in this concentration study various theories and data science methods and how these apply specifically to the field of public health for research design and analysis. Depending on the school, students may be able to further focus their studies within a sub-area of biostatistics, such as statistical genetics. In general, this concentration is a good fit for students who wish to be researchers in various areas of the field. Coursework may include topics in bioinformatics methods, research design, and biostatistics.

Epidemiology

A concentration in epidemiology may be a good fit for students who have a background in epidemiology, biology, health science, or other quantitative sciences. Graduates with this versatile concentration may go on to work for the government, in research, academia, or in public health-related industries. Students who take this concentration learn advanced epidemiologic theories and methods as they study patterns of illnesses and injuries across populations in hopes of improving public health. Similar to biostatistics, this concentration focuses primarily on research and theories. Students typically work closely with a faculty member during their dissertation and other research projects to further develop their research skills.

Environmental Health Sciences

Ph.D. programs with a concentration in environmental health sciences also focus on research. But additionally, in this concentration, students will also explore how lab findings can work with community approaches to help solve a range of environmental issues that impact public health. Students in this concentration receive advanced training and can focus their studies in areas such as exposure science, environmental public health, or environmental toxicology. This concentration also discusses the impact natural disasters, chemical and non-chemical stressors have on health. Depending on the program, students may have the opportunity to further develop their skills at unique field training sites in the field, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Graduates can also work for governmental agencies, non-profits, industries, and postsecondary education.

Public health degree programs are common at the undergraduate and graduate degree levels and often allow students to explore additional areas of interest. These programs may be offered in flexible formats and students can often earn degrees in specific fields that fall under the general umbrella of public health. Each degree level in the field helps students advance their knowledge, skills and careers options within public health and ultimately prepares them to be better leaders in this field. Here, we discuss some of the degree programs available in public health at different degree levels.

Public Health Associate Degrees

Associate degree programs in public health are commonly offered as Associate of Science (AS) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. These programs are widely available online and help prepare students for continuing their education in the public health field. Some of these 2-year programs include hands-on learning experiences and may conclude with a capstone project that allow students to apply what they have learned throughout the program. Students can often pursue these degrees in a full- or part-time format to accommodate their schedule. Coursework may include topics in biology, public health education, and an introduction to public health.

Public Health Bachelor's Degrees

Bachelor's degree programs in public health are most commonly offered as Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees, but some Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees are also available. Some of these programs are offered online and may carry accreditation from organizations such as the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Other programs may align the curriculum with standards from organizations such as the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). Depending on the program, students may be required to complete a final capstone course. Other courses could include assessment in public health, epidemiology, communication in public health, and programming planning.

Public Health Master's Degrees

While there are some Master of Science (MS) degrees in public health, there are also Master of Public Health (MPH) degree programs. An MS degree is usually designed for students wishing to pursue further schooling at the doctoral level, while MPH degrees provide students with focused, specialized skills in the field thus offering good preparation for employment. Some of these programs may include internship opportunities for hands-on learning in the field. These degree programs can usually be completed in 2 to 3 years and may be offered online. Coursework at the master's level commonly includes research-based courses and also covers topics in leadership, public health policy, community health, health systems law, and more.

Public Health Graduate Certificates

Graduate certificate programs in public health are fairly common and some may be CEPH-accredited. Students may take between 16 and 18 credits of coursework and many programs are available in online formats. Courses may cover topics in quantitative methods, leadership, population health, and more. These programs can be completed in as little as 1 year and may allow students to count some credits from the program towards an MPH or other public health degree. Applicants to these certificate programs generally need at least a bachelor's degree, but some programs do not require the GRE.

There are many different public health careers available, including careers for a DrPH or Ph.D. in Public Health. Graduates may go on to pursue leadership positions within public health, such as becoming a public health administrator or public health program manager. Others may pursue jobs focused on keeping the public safe by studying or checking for different health-related factors, such as becoming a public health inspector or an epidemiologist. Other graduates may pursue careers tied to the concentration they study in school, such as becoming a biostatistician, while some work directly with the community to teach them about public health issues. There are also careers in research, education, and consulting available. Explore just a few examples of career options below.

Become a Health Education Specialist

Health education specialists have to hold at least a bachelor's degree, but certain positions require a master's or doctoral degree. These degrees can range from subject areas, such as public health education, community health education, and health promotion. Depending on the position and employer, some health education specialists may be required to earn professional certification in the field, such as the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.

Health education specialists focus on teaching people and communities how to promote wellness through positive behaviors. They need to understand the health-related needs of the population they are working with, conduct research to create educational materials, and then develop programs to help educate the public. Typically, these specialists oversee the work of other community health workers and staff. Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for health education specialists was $56,500, as of 2020.

Become a Mathematician or Statistician

Mathematicians and statisticians, including biostatisticians, can work in a wide range of industries, including public health. Most of these positions require at least a master's degree, but a doctoral degree could be a prerequisite. There are some entry-level positions that will accept those with a bachelor's degree. It is common for statisticians to complete their studies in other sub-fields such as health science or life science before moving into employment positions in the public health sector. Some of these professionals may move into managerial positions after some years of work experience.

Mathematicians and statisticians apply various mathematical models and methods to solving problems in different fields. This requires them to ask questions, develop experiments, collect data, and analyze the information. Their findings often need to be reported in easy-to-understand reports for non-technical audiences. In public health, these professionals will collect and analyze public health data to help improve a community's overall health. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for mathematicians and statisticians, as of 2020, was $93,290.

Become an Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists are usually required to have at least a master's degree, but some, especially those who conduct independent research, have a doctoral degree. Some of these professionals may have completed hands-on learning through internships to gain experience. Internships are sometimes available with organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Epidemiologists are considered public health workers and work to decrease the number of negative health outcomes in their communities. They do this by tracking disease and injuries and collecting other data through surveys and interviews. They may help policymakers decide how to address a particular health-related issue and oversee programs designed to combat these health problems. Most epidemiologists oversee teams of other staff members and may need to pursue grants and other forms of funding for their research. The median annual salary of epidemiologists was $74,560, as of 2020.

There are many different professional organizations available that are involved in the field of public health. Some of these organizations are focused on a particular area of the field, while others are more general in nature. Each group has its own focus and goals, but in general, these professional organizations aim to promote the field of public health and support professionals in the field. Professionals can gain valuable connections with other professionals in the field through these groups, as well as have access to a wide range of resources. Some professional health organizations include the:

• American Public Health Association- The APHA is a general and popular, group in public health that is involved in advocacy initiatives for the field and provides professional development opportunities and public health communities for professionals.
• Society for Public Health Education- As the name suggests, the SOPHE is concerned with equipping professionals for educating the public on various issues in public health. The group also provides professional development opportunities and access to journals and publications in the field.
• American College of Epidemiology- The ACE focuses specifically on epidemiology and offers annual meetings and committees for members.

The cost of earning a doctorate in public health depends on tuition rates and fees that a particular institution sets, as well as the cost of books, materials, food, housing, and more. When researching and comparing tuition rates between schools, students should be sure to check if schools charge different tuition rates for different programs, residency status, or other factors. For example, some programs charge different tuition rates for in-state students vs. out-of-state students. However, fees may be the same across the board for students at an institution but commonly vary between schools. Fees can include items such as student activities fees, technology fees, facilities fees, and more.

Many students pursuing their doctoral degree in public health will want to take advantage of some form of financial aid to help pay for their education. While students at this degree level are still eligible to use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), students should also explore financial aid options that are offered at their particular school. For instance, some public health doctoral programs will provide funding through assistantships, fellowships, or scholarships. Students should fill out an additional financial aid application for their school and based on this, some doctoral degrees will provide students with financial need with scholarships that cover up to 50% of tuition for a couple years of the program. Other programs may offer a range of fellowships and scholarships that vary in amount and have specific requirements that need to be met. Students can also explore scholarship opportunities outside of their institution. In the case of public health, students can find a number of awards available from public health-related organizations. For example, HOSA- Future Health Professionals provides scholarships for graduate students pursuing a degree in various health-related fields, including public health.