PublicHealthDegrees.org is owned by 2U, LLC, parent company of edX. Our goal is to help learners make confident, informed decisions about their education and career. Some programs shown here are offered by universities that partner with 2U, for which 2U provides marketing and operational support and receives compensation. Other programs shown may be paid advertisements from third parties. Both types of programs are identified with the word AD or Advertisement. We aim to keep information current and accurate. Learn more about edX and our partners.
100% Online Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Programs
When you’re a lifelong learner, there’s no end to your thirst for knowledge. Achieving the highest possible degree within the public health sector can provide an unmatched sense of satisfaction—beyond what can be gained through undergraduate and master’s programs. In the public health field, Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) programs prepare individuals to advance their knowledge and earn a DrPH.
If you’re considering a DrPH degree program and require a flexible schedule, you’ll be pleased to know that there are many reputable Doctor of Public Health online programs available. With the managerial and leadership skill sets earned through an online DrPH degree program, you can help public health agencies across the country improve the health and wellness of individuals, families, and communities.
Doctor of Public Health
Earn your DrPH online from the George Washington University. Our CEPH-accredited program combines interactive, online classes and an on-campus immersion to prepare you to become a thought leader. You will graduate poised to shape public health policy, programs, and initiatives in the U.S. and worldwide. No GRE required.
- Complete the online DrPH program in as few as 36 months.
- The online DrPH program is CEPH accredited.
- No GRE required.
What Is an Online Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Degree?
An online DrPH degree offers the flexibility many students need to continue working or attending to family obligations while earning credits. Although classes are delivered online, the admissions and curriculum are similar to those of in-person programs, and many programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Without CEPH accreditation, a degree program may not meet certain standards of excellence. This page provides a list of accredited online DrPH programs to help you pursue your Doctor of Public Health online with confidence—and gain the education necessary to be an effective leader within the field.
Reasons to Consider an Online Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Degree
Doctor of Public Health online degree programs offer a virtual alternative to learning in-depth information about the application of public health policy and management in the field. With more format options and no required in-person meetings, an online DrPH program offers significant freedom and flexibility, which are essential to students juggling family obligations or full-time jobs alongside their education.
In undergraduate and online masters in public health, courses help broaden students’ understanding of the field from a professional point of view. Depending on your specialty, you may gain a more focused perspective on a particular concentration. At the DrPH level, your impact stretches even further. Students are given the opportunity to learn more about leading teams of public health professionals in ways that promote validity and positive change for society’s overall health. Online DrPH students are called upon to dedicate their time and energy to investigating—and improving—the principles and policies of public health agencies.
Demonstrating that you have the dedication and knowledge of a doctoral-level learner can be more fulfilling than you’ve ever imagined. Your decision to advance to an online DrPH program opens doors to higher-tier positions within government agencies and local government, as well as the health care and business realms. If you have the desire to pursue a Doctor of Public Health online, you may consider enrolling in a CEPH-accredited, 100 percent online DrPH program today.
Concentrations Available for Online DrPH Programs
When pursuing a Doctor of Public Health online, you may come across concentration options. A concentration offers the opportunity to gain more specialized focus in the field—complementing the core curriculum and empowering you to delve deeper into the public health topics that interest you most. Below are a handful of the most common online DrPH concentrations.
- Public Health Practice: Public Health Practice fosters advanced expertise and leadership with community health assessments, improvements and planning, and evaluations. Designed for individuals striving to become leaders and innovators, this concentration prepares you with the skills you need to protect and promote the overall health of various populations.
- Health Leadership: The Health Leadership specialization prepares advanced practice professionals for leadership roles within the health care field. Curriculum concepts may include health informatics and health policy, both of which are relevant to hospitals and health care centers that provide patient care regularly. Through this concentration, you learn to organize and manage large groups of employees to maximize effectiveness in the health care field.
- Health Education: Educating the public is a key component of public health, making Health Education a popular concentration for DrPH students. Many graduates who pursue this specialization use their expertise to teach other aspiring health professionals. This type of degree program is an excellent choice for professionals who want to work for colleges or universities that offer public health education.
- Health Equity and Social Justice: Disadvantaged and marginalized populations across income levels are the focus of a DrPH concentration in Health Equity and Social Justice. As an advocate for the most vulnerable individuals and communities, you’ll leave this program with the epidemiological, social and behavioral tools needed to evaluate and improve programs and outcomes in underserved communities.
- Environmental Health: The Environmental Health concentration provides the leadership and management skills needed to develop policy and regulatory frameworks around multidisciplinary environmental issues. Graduates with this specialization are able to analyze, assess and resolve complex environmental risks and problems at the regional, national and international levels.
- Implementation Science: Implementation Science takes a deep dive into the formulation, execution and scaling of new health policies and programs. If you’re seeking a career as a physician manager, health program manager or policy advisor, this concentration will help you learn how to integrate diverse perspectives into sound intervention designs and implementation strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions on Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Online Programs
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about online DrPH programs, including what sets them apart and what you can do with your degree.
The DrPH degree is focused on the professional and practical elements of the field, while the PhD is heavily steeped in academia. If you’re eager to implement policies and programs, DrPH programs equip you with the leadership skills to do so. On the other hand, a PhD degree prepares you to make important contributions to research and our understanding of issues affecting public health. While you can pursue a DrPH online, there are currently no CEPH-accredited online PhD programs in public health.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill • Chapel Hill, NC
Executive Doctoral Program in Health Leadership
Enrollment Type
Full-Time
Length of Program
3 years
Credits
45+
Admission Requirements
- Masters or doctoral degree (not necessarily in public health)
- 3.0 GPA
- Official transcripts
- Resume/CV
- Essay
- Three letters of recommendation
- 5+ years of experience in the health field, with significant management or leadership responsibilities
Information last updated: March 2026