DrPH Frequently Asked Questions

The structure of DrPH degrees can vary, but all must include at least 36 semester-credits of post-master’s coursework. Below are some examples of DrPH degree requirements:

Example 1
Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
Core coursework22
Concentration coursework12
Electives9
Applied practice experience6
Integrative learning experience9

Example 2
Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
Research and teaching coursework17
Program planning and evaluation coursework17
Management coursework12
Electives6
Field experience3
Dissertation project6

Example 3
Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
Leadership course3
Management course3
Proposal writing course3
Selectives9
Focus area coursework12
Minor/Electives6
Doctoral seminar4
Directed reading2
Practicum4
Dissertation9

To validate competencies, reviewers must be able to see clear didactic preparation of the competency as well as detailed information about the assessment opportunity. Click here for some examples related to DrPH foundational competencies.

No. Schools and programs must ensure that all MPH and DrPH students are grounded in foundational public health knowledge by the time of graduation. This validation may include methods such as the following:

  • verification of students’ previous completion of a CEPH-accredited bachelor’s degree in public health or MPH degree
  • implementation of a test or other assessment tools that address the learning objectives, or higher-level versions of the same objectives
  • offering an online or in-person course, for credit or not-for-credit, that incorporates the learning objectives, or higher-level versions of the same objectives
  • including the learning objectives, or higher-level versions of the same objectives, in courses required of all MPH or DrPH students

No, you should not map the MPH foundational competencies to the DrPH degree. Criterion D2 applies to the MPH degree only. You should map the following to your DrPH degree:

  • D1 (MPH & DrPH Foundational Knowledge)
  • D3 (DrPH Foundational Competencies)
  • D4 (DrPH Concentration Competencies)

It depends. We have shifted our focus from inputs (e.g., number of credit/contact hours) to outcomes (e.g., project that is meaningful for an organization and to advanced public health practice). Criterion D6 can be satisfied in a number of ways, and the Council expects to see an approach tailored to the program’s context and the student’s needs. In this case, the experience for a student without a public health background would likely look different from the experience structured for a DrPH student who is also a practicing public health professional.