PUBLIC HEALTH

FAQs

What is the DPH Degree?

The Doctor of Public Health degree is offered by Schools of Public Health and public health programs to prepare researchers, managers, public health leaders and university faculty. It is a research degree for people who already have a Masters in Public Health or in a related field.

How does the DPH degree differ from a PhD in Public Health?

Both are degrees that prepare public health researchers and both require substantial independent research and a dissertation In general, the DPH is focused more on practice-based research while the PhD puts more emphasis on theory and creation of new knowledge. While public health leaders have debated the relative purposes of the DPH and PhD for years, in practice both degrees prepare people for a variety of leadership positions in public health.

Does CUNY offer only the DPH?

At the present time, CUNY offers only the DPH.

What are job opportunities for DPH graduates?

Graduates will find employment in public health agencies, voluntary health organizations, medical centers, research institutes, community organizations, advocacy groups, private companies and universities as researchers, senior managers, and faculty members. As the aging public health workforce retires, it is expected there will be strong demand for senior public health personnel with strong research and organizational skills.

How is the CUNY DPH different from other such degree programs?

The CUNY doctoral program in public health has several themes that define its unique contribution. First, we emphasize interdisciplinary education in which graduates are prepared to work in public health, drawing on knowledge from multiple disciplines (e.g., public health and social, natural or behavioral sciences). Second, we focus on multilevel research and intervention – i.e., addressing public health issues at the individual, interpersonal, community and policy levels. Third, we emphasize urban communities within metropolitan regions as key sites for influencing patterns of health and disease; and finally, we pay special attention to the linkages among research, practice and policy

What tracks are available in the DPH program?

The DPH program has four tracks. The Community, Health and Society track (with an optional concentration in Public Health Nutrition) will first admit students in Fall 2007. The Epidemiology track will admit its first class in September 2008. The Environmental and Occupational Health track will admit its first class in September 2009 and the Health Policy and Management track will accept its first class in September 2010.

What are the goals of the Community, Health and Society track?

This track prepares researchers and public health practitioners who can advance scientific understanding of the social determinants of health, health behavior, the delivery of health services and health policy and lead, plan, manage, and evaluate community health interventions in urban settings. The track draws on the methods and theories from multiple disciplines to prepare students to design and implement research studies on health and urban populations. The nutrition concentration prepares students with a prior background in nutrition to conduct research and develop and evaluate interventions on the contribution of food and diet to population health.

What are the goals of the Epidemiology track?

The Epidemiology track prepares graduates to work as senior epidemiologists in research, teaching and public health leadership positions. Graduates of the EPI track of the DPH will serve as epidemiologists in academia, industry, research institutes, and domestic and international government agencies (e.g., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Its goals are to produce graduates who can advance the scientific understanding of the social, behavioral and biomedical determinants of health and disease with a focus on the health of urban populations; design, implement, and analyze research aimed at understanding the determinants of health of urban populations; and apply, adapt and develop epidemiologic perspectives to the interpretation of ongoing research.

What are the goals of the Occupational and Environmental Health track?

This track prepares graduates who can advance the scientific understanding of the impact of occupational and environmental conditions on health and disease; plan, lead and manage studies to monitor and evaluate the effect of occupational and environmental health hazards in the urban environment; plan, direct, manage and evaluate occupational and environmental health programs; and teach students and professionals about the impact of occupational and environmental hazards on the health of urban populations and about strategies for controlling such exposures.

What are the goals of the Health Policy and Management track?

This track prepare researchers, teachers and public health practitioners who can contribute to new knowledge about the mechanisms that influence the delivery and funding of health services and public health programs and the development of health policy in urban settings; develop and manage initiatives to strengthen the functioning of health systems, health care organizations and public health agencies and programs; develop, advocate for and implement health care and public health policies; and teach students and professionals about the social determinants of health, health interventions, health policy, health management and health disparities in urban settings.

What are the admissions criteria for the CUNY DPH?

How long does it take someone to complete the DPH degree?

Since some students work full-time and others attend school full-time, the length of time needed to complete the degree will vary. The program coursework, dissertation seminar and dissertation are designed to be completed in a minimum of three to four years.

How many credits is the DPH program?

The degree requires a total of 60 credits post-masters' degree - 36 credits of course work, 12 credits of a leadership development project, and 12 credits for dissertation research.

Can I attend part time?

Yes. The DPH program is designed for both part-time and full-time students. Students are admitted to the program for the Fall semester of the academic year.

Where and when are the DPH classes held?

In its first years, classes will be held at The Graduate Center of CUNY at 34^th Street and Fifth Avenue. Required public health courses will be offered in the late afternoon and evening while some elective courses will be offered during the day time.

How can I find out more about the program?

If you still have questions about the program please e-mail Professor Nicholas Freudenberg at nfreuden@hunter.cuny.edu with questions.