Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

Curriculum

Doctorate of Public Health (DrPH) Program

The DrPH program is built around a set of foundational competencies that all students entering the program will be expected to achieve. These competencies focus in particular on leadership, analytical skills and communication, and also cover policy, management, ethics, program design and evaluation. The DrPH Program is CEPH accredited.

Many of these foundational competencies are taught through an integrated sequence of problem-solving seminars that address pressing public health challenges and provide students with opportunities to apply skills in a close to real life setting.

In addition to these foundational competencies, students will address additional competencies that relate either to a specific concentration or track within the program, or a customized program of study discussed and agreed upon between the student and the advisor.

The program requires successful completion of a minimum of 57 term credits of course work, plus a minimum of 7 term credits for the proposal and dissertation, for a minimum total of 64 term credits to graduate.

Students will take a comprehensive written examination at the conclusion of their required course work, complete a practicum, take preliminary oral examinations before they conduct their dissertation work, and a take a final oral examination. Students may complete the degree over a minimum of 4 years up to a maximum of 9 years.

Foundational Program Competencies

By the end of the program, DrPH students should have achieved the foundational competencies listed below. The DrPH Program is CEPH accredited.

1. Identify, synthesize and apply evidence based public health research and theory from a broad range of disciplines and health related data sources for problem solving and to advance programs, policies, and systems promoting population health.
2. Identify and analyze ethical issues including balancing the claims of personal liberty with the responsibility to protect and improve the health of the population; and act on the ethical concepts of social justice and human rights in public health research and practice.
3. Influence decision making regarding policies and practices that advance public health using scientific knowledge, analysis, communication and consensus building.
4. Assess and use communication strategies across diverse audiences to inform and influence individual, organization, community and policy actions in order to promote the health of the public.
5. Enable organizations and communities to create, communicate and apply shared visions, missions and values; inspire trust and motivate others; build capacity; improve performance, enhance the quality of the working environment; and use evidence-based strategies to enhance public health.
6. Design and evaluate system-level and programmatic initiatives in multidisciplinary teams so as promote public health outcomes and health equity.

DrPH Course Requirements

Required Courses, Non-credit
  1. Introduction to Online Learning (required of all students prior to taking online courses)
  2. Academic and Research Ethics
  3. Opioid Epidemic Awareness and Education Program
  4. Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training
  5. History of Baltimore Module
  6. Indigenous Peoples Module
  7. DrPH First-year Monthly Seminar
Required Courses, Foundational Course Requirements
Course Credits
312.700 Leading Organizations OR 221.636 High Performing Organizations in LMIC OR 221.607 Essential Skills for Women's Leadership in Global Health  (summer institute) 3
308.615.81 The Opioid Crisis: Problem Solving Seminar OR 224.630.81 The Obesity Crisis Problem Solving Seminar: The Native American Experience OR 180.641.81 Climate Change and Public Health Problem Solving Seminar: Global Challenges and Solutions for Mitigation, Adaptation, and Sustainability (online, 1st Term) 3
180.621.81 Protecting the Environment & Safeguarding Worker Health: A Problem-Based Approach OR 380.633.81 Promoting Equity for Adolescents and Young Adults: Problem Solving Seminar OR 221.690.81 Strengthening Primary Health Care Across the World: Problem Solving Seminar (online, 2nd Term) 3
221.630.81 Tackling the Intersectoral Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance: Problem Solving Seminar OR 330.675.81 Suicide Prevention: Problem Solving Seminar OR 330.607.81 Prevention of Mental Disorders: Public Health Interventions (online, 3rd Term) 3
300.750.81 Teaching, Learning & Leading: In the Classroom, in the Workplace and in the Community (online, 2nd, 3rd & Summer Term) 3
223.630.81 The Practice of Public Health Through Vaccine Studies: Problem Solving Seminars OR 301.650.81 Crafting Effective Solutions to Gun Violence: Problem Solving Seminar OR 340.610.81 The One Health Approach to Epidemiology & Global Public Health: Problem Solving Seminar (online, 4th Term) 3
308.701 Media Interviews and Applied Public Health Communications OR 308.604 Effective Writing for Public Health Change (institutes) 3
TBD Designing a Strategic Plan 1
Proposal Planning Seminar (online, offered twice per year) 1
Proposal and dissertation work min. 7

 

Required Courses, Data Analysis Track Options

Students may choose one of three track options :

A. Quantitative Track* (minimum 6 credits) Credits

OPTION 1 (pre-reqs 140.611-612 Statistical Reasoning I-II, 6 cr total)

140.613 Data Analysis Workshop I (summer and winter institute)

140.614 Data Analysis Workshop II (summer and winter institute)

140.620 Advanced Data Analysis Workshop (summer institute)

OPTION 2 (pre-req 140.621 Statistical Methods in Public Health I, 4 cr)

140.622 Statistical Methods in Public Health II (online, term 2)

140.623 Statistical Methods in Public Health III (online, term 3)

 

2

2

2

 

4

4
B. Qualitative Track* (minimum 6 credits)  

224.690 Qualitative Research Theory and Methods (online, 1st term)

224.691 Qualitative Data Analysis (online, 2nd term)

3

3
C. Mixed Methods Track* (min. 6 credits up to 11 credits)  

330.621 Mixed Methods for Research in Public Health (summer institute)

140.613 Data Analysis Workshop I (summer and winter institute)

140.614 Data Analysis Workshop II  (summer and winter institute)

410.671 Introduction Qualitative Research Methods (summer institute)

410.673 Introduction to Qualitative Data Analysis (summer institute)

2

2

2

3

2

*All students are required to complete a min. of 6 credits of data analysis. For students who have completed course work equivalent to the above, other advanced course options are available with program permission.

  

 

Required Courses, Concentration

A minimum of 28 term credits are required for each concentration/track or customized area of study - see the program listing for each concentration to determine course requirements.

 

Concentrations and Tracks

The DrPH offers the following concentrations and tracks:

Applicants must select ONE concentration (and track where relevant) when applying and may not switch concentrations/tracks after matriculating.

The Custom Track allows students the flexibility to tailor their program to their academic and professional goals. Students in the Custom Track may choose to specialize in a public health field such as mental health, surveillance, nutrition, or another applied area not reflected in the listed concentrations/tracks. Applicants who wish to pursue the Custom Track need to state this in their applications to the program and also indicate a possible course of study. Upon admission, they will need to work with their advisers to articulate the competencies which they are pursuing.


Current students can view the Schoolwide DrPH Program Handbook.

The Bloomberg School continues to support students already accepted into the legacy DrPH Programs.