PUBLIC HEALTH

Academic Requirements

The DPH degree is a 60 credit post-master's program. Degree requirements include:

Urban health theory and methods core (9 credits)
Specialization core (9-15 credits)
Interdisciplinary requirement (3 credits minimum)
Additional research methods (6-9 credits)
Public health leadership development project (up to 12 credits)
Research seminars (6 credits)
Dissertation research (12 credits)

The program is designed so that students who are working full-time can attend school part-time. Part-time students are expected to complete the degree in five years. Full-time students may complete the degree in three and a half years.

Applicants without a prior MPH degree will need to take additional public health courses prior to admission. Note that all references to PH courses in the curriculum refer to doctoral PH courses.

After successful completion of a minimum of 18 post-masters credits with a GPA of 3.0 or better, all students will be required to take a First Examination. The first exam, a take home written assignment, will assess students' mastery of core urban public health and required track-specific curricula. Students who successfully complete the First Examination will be eligible to continue taking coursework. After successfully completing an additional 18 - 24 credits of coursework with at least a 3.0 GPA they will be eligible to take the Second Examination. The Second Examination will assess students' mastery of the research methods and specialty area(s) that are relevant to students' dissertation research.

Research Seminars

Students will be required to complete two research seminars. As part of the first research seminar, students will develop and present a prospectus for their dissertation research. This will include an extensive literature review and a detailed description of proposed methods, including the proposed research design and proposed methods of data collection and analysis. As part of the second research seminar, students will delve into topics pertaining to implementation and data analysis for their dissertation project

Leadership Development Project

Students will also be required to complete up to 12 credits of public health leadership development coursework, designed to develop their public health leadership competencies. The sequence includes a seminar in leadership development, a six credit field project in which a student works to bring about organizational change in a practice or research setting and an elective course to develop leadership skills. Students having significant (at least five years) prior leadership experience in public health or a related field may apply for a waiver from the field-based component of this requirement. To be eligible for a waiver, students must submit a portfolio providing documentation of their experience and leadership competencies (e.g., through programs developed and evaluated, papers published, formal leadership positions and other relevant accomplishments).

Dissertation Research

Finally, after successfully completing the second examination and an approved dissertation prospectus, students may begin their dissertation research. During this time, students must enroll in dissertation research each semester, while working under the direction of a DPH doctoral faculty member. Original research, leading to a written dissertation and an oral defense, is required.

Dissertation research projects are designed by students with the guidance of their academic advisers. Prior to beginning dissertation research, students must consult with their academic advisers regarding requirements concerning the protection of human subjects. To further assist students in the dissertation process, all must attend the required two-semester research seminar. Students are encouraged to enroll in 12 credits of dissertation supervision (e.g. three credits per semester for four semesters) until completion of the dissertation.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for the Health Sciences Doctoral Programs
Doctor of Public Health (DPH)

A DPH student is deemed not to be making satisfactory progress if she or he:

1. Has completed 36 credits and not passed the First Examination

2. Has a grade point average below 3.00

3. Has not completed Second Exam within 48 credits of matriculating

4. Has not completed the degree in six years

5. Has accumulated more than two open grades (“INC,” “INP,” “NGR,” “ABS,” and “ABP”).