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.
Explore Doctor of Public Health Programs (PhD & DPH)
Pursuing higher positions in public health can be beneficial for individuals with leadership qualities. Those in public health who seek the most from their degree should consider enrolling in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health or a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program across the country.
The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) and the PhD in Public Health are advanced terminal degrees in public health, intended for experienced public health professionals who already have a Master's in Public Health (MPH) or a similar degree. Specific degree nomenclature varies based on the university and the specific public health school. Some offer DPH degrees, while other universities name the terminal degree PhD in Public Health, a Doctorate in Public Health, or a Doctoral in Public Health.
These terminal degree programs in public health can prepare learners for careers in research, education, or even management within the public health sector. Graduate-level public health specialists are in great demand across the country to assist with nationwide epidemic research and the implementation of vital government programs.
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.
PhD in Public Health vs. Doctor of Public Health
A PhD in Public Health will be focused on developing the skills needed to become an advanced researcher. Understanding research theories and methodologies is an important part of this degree. Even though a PhD in Public Health is more narrowly focused, it lends itself to careers across various health sectors, including academia, government agencies, and pharmaceutical companies.
A DrPH is an advanced graduate-level degree that focuses on the professional and practical elements of the field, rather than the academic. It is designed for public health practitioners and is geared towards practice and fieldwork. It is multidisciplinary and will cover everything from communications and marketing to advocacy and economics. It was developed to train students and practitioners for careers in public health leadership.
Both the DrPH and PhD offer career options in academia. These two degrees are suited for individuals who have earned an MPH or another graduate-level degree and have worked in their field for several years. The DrPH is ideal for the public health practitioner looking to advance their career into positions that require additional education. The PhD may suit an individual earlier in their career who is looking to embed themselves in a research career.
What are the Typical Pre-Requisites of a DrPH/PhD Degree?
Prerequisites for DrPH and PhD programs vary. Many DrPH programs require a relevant master’s degree and often expect professional public health experience, while PhD programs may require or prefer a master’s but are often more flexible depending on the applicant’s research background. For some programs, applicants without an MPH or another public health degree may need prior graduate coursework in areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, or other core public health subjects. Official transcripts are commonly required, but GRE policies now vary widely by program: some schools still require scores, some make them optional, and others no longer use them at all. Most doctoral programs also require a statement of purpose or personal statement, and many ask for letters of recommendation and a CV or résumé.
Concentration Options for a DrPH/PhD
The degree options for a DrPH or a PhD become more specialized within those concentrations. Those receiving their PhD in public health will have to pick a program in the department in which they wish to specialize and conduct research. This could be Health Policy and Administration, Health Economics, Health Systems, etc. A DrPH will also specialize by department, but will often pick from the core public health concentrations (Epidemiology, Environmental Health, etc.) along with a few additional departments (i.e., International Health and Social and Behavioral Sciences).
Online Doctor of Public Health Options
Choosing the right educational program is important to career success. Students interested in earning their degree online should research their chosen school’s accreditation status before applying. Since this program is highly research-oriented, learners are expected to engage in extensive independent learning in an online environment.
Online Doctoral programs will have the same requirements and courses as traditional degrees. Online programs allow for greater flexibility with work and family life, but also require self-discipline and accountability. Some online programs will require site visits to the campus or alternate sites for orientations, leadership development, adviser meetings, etc. Classes will be taught online either through live streams or recorded videos. Online discussion forums and group work are also key components of the online curriculum. A dissertation is still a requirement for online doctorate programs, and it may be required that it is presented in person.
Typical Curriculum & Classes
DrPH
In general, the DrPH degree curriculum will consist of core courses, research courses, and a culminating project such as a capstone course, dissertation, or thesis. The core courses, much like the MPH, will cover the main concentrations in Public Health (Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Health Policy, etc.) and will also include statistics and data management. Each of these classes are taught with a focus on Leadership and Organization. Additional classes may include:
- Advocacy
- Marketing and Public Relations
- Community and Cultural Understanding
- Ethics
These will guide the degree's focus. A Dissertation or thesis is often required at the end of each semester, year or at the end of the program.
PhD in Public Health
The PhD in Public Health is much less straightforward and will vary significantly from program to program and within degrees. A PhD in Public Health is much more research-oriented and covers topics ranging from disease and injury prevention to health informatics and communication. Many schools do not offer a PhD in Public Health per se, but in Health Policy, Bioethics, Environmental Health Sciences, Chronic Disease Epidemiology, etc. Each of these is rooted in public health, but is much more focused in its scope. Because of this, classes and the curriculum will be much more focused on research.
Different Career Opportunities
After completing a DrPH or Ph.D. in Public Health, graduates may seek out positions in government agencies, healthcare facilities, or even community organizations. Professionals at this level have the capacity to become instructors of public health at universities, researchers for public health associations, and directors of nonprofit agencies.
Having a doctoral degree in this discipline provides learners with the most advanced education available in this field. With a Ph.D. in Public Health, professionals in the field may have opportunities to work with government organizations on the planning, implementation, and training of important public health procedures. Organizations, such as the American Public Health Association, accept members who are in public health careers and who wish to share their research and policies across different platforms. Getting involved with a society like this one can help professionals share their work in educational and professional settings across the country.
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.
Explore DrPH Programs
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Test requirement | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Boston UniversityDoctor of Public Health (DrPH) | Boston, MA | 4+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Claremont Graduate UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Claremont, CA | 4+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusDoctor of Public Health | — | 3+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Colorado School of Public HealthDoctor of Public Health (DrPH) | Aurora, CO | 3+ years | No GRE required | Online |
Columbia UniversityDoctor of Public Health | New York, NY | 4+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Drexel UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Philadelphia, PA | 4+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
East Carolina UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Greenville, NC | 4+ years | GRE | In-Person |
East Tennessee State UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Johnson City, TN | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
Florida A&M UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Tallahassee, FL | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
| Washington, DC | 36 months | No GRE required | Online | |
Georgia State UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Atlanta, GA | 2+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Georgia Southern UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Statesboro, GA | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
Georgia Southern UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Statesboro, GA | 3+ years | GRE | Online |
Harvard UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Cambridge, MA | 3+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Indiana University - Purdue University at IndianapolisDoctor of Public Health | Indianapolis, IN | 3 years | No GRE required | Online |
Loma Linda UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Loma Linda, CA | 3+ years | No GRE required | Online |
Loma Linda UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Loma Linda, CA | 3+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Johns Hopkins UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Baltimore, MD | 4+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Johns Hopkins UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Baltimore, MD | 4+ years | No GRE required | Online |
Medical College of WisconsinDoctor of Public Health | Milwaukee, WI | 3 years | No GRE required | Online |
Mercer UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Macon, GA | 2 years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Morgan State UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Baltimore, MD | 3+ years | No GRE required | Online |
New York Medical CollegeDoctor of Public Health | Valhalla, NY | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
New York UniversityDoctor of Public Health | New York, NY | 4+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Pennsylvania State UniversityDoctor of Public Health | University Park, PA | 4+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Ponce Health Sciences UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Ponce, PR | 3 years | GRE | In-Person |
Rutgers UniversityDoctor of Public Health | New Brunswick, NJ | 2+ years | No GRE required | Hybrid |
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences UniversityDoctor of Public Health | Brooklyn, NY | 2+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Texas A&M UniversityDoctor of Public Health | College Station, TX | 3+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Tulane UniversityDoctor of Public Health | New Orleans, LA | 2+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
The University of Alabama at BirminghamDoctor of Public Health | — | 2+ years | GRE | In-Person |
University of ArizonaDoctor of Public Health | Tucson, AZ | 3+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesDoctor of Public Health | Little Rock, AR | 4+ years | GRE | In-Person |
University of California at BerkeleyDoctor of Public Health | Berkeley, CA | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
University of GeorgiaDoctor of Public Health | Athens, GA | 4 years | No GRE required | In-Person |
University of Illinois ChicagoDoctor of Public Health | Chicago, IL | 4+ years | No GRE required | Hybrid |
The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillExecutive Doctoral Program in Health Leadership | Chapel Hill, NC | 3 years | GRE | Hybrid |
University of PittsburghDoctor of Public Health | Pittsburgh, PA | 3+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
University of South FloridaDoctor of Public Health | Tampa, FL | 3+ years | No GRE required | Hybrid |
University of Texas Medical Branch at GalvestonMedicine and Public Health Dual Degree - MD/MPH | — | 4 years | Not applicable | In-Person |
University of UtahPopulation Health PHD | Salt Lake City, UT | 4 years | GRE | In-Person |
Explore PhD in Public Health Degree Programs
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Test requirement | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Brown UniversityDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Providence, RI | 2+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Cuny School of Public HealthDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Community Health and Health Policy | New York, NY | 2+ years | GRE | In-Person |
Emory UniversityDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences | Druid Hills, GA | 2+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
Indiana University – Purdue University IndianapolisDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Policy and Management program | Indianapolis, IN | 4 years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Indiana University at BloomingtonDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Behavior | Bloomington, IN | 4 years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Johns Hopkins UniversityDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Baltimore, MD | 4+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
Kent State UniversityDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Kent, OH | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
Louisiana State University Health Sciences CenterDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | New Orleans, LA | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
New York UniversityDoctorate of Philosophy in Public Health | New York, NY | 4+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Ohio State UniversityDoctor of Philosophy in Public Health | Columbus, OH | 3+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Oregon Health & Science University/Portland State UniversityDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Systems and Policy | Portland, OR | 3.5+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Oregon State UniversityDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Corvallis, OR | 3+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
Rutgers UniversityThe Doctoral Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health Programs | New Brunswick, NJ | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
Saint Louis UniversityDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health Studies | St. Louis, MO | 3+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
San Diego State UniversityDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biostatistics | San Diego, CA | 3+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
Temple UniversityDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Policy and Health Services Research Ph | Philadelphia, PA | 2+ years | GRE | Online |
University of Buffalo – SUNYDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | — | 3+ years | Not applicable | In-Person |
University of Alabama at BirminghamDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Behavior | Birmingham, AL | 4+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesDoctor of Public Health in Public Health | Little Rock, AR | 3+ years | Not applicable | Online |
University of California at BerkeleyDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Berkeley, CA | 2 years | GRE | In-Person |
University of California at irvineDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Irvine, CA | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
University of California Los AngelesDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Policy and Management | Los Angeles, CA | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
University of FloridaDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Gainesville, FL | 3.5+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
University of HawaiiDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Honolulu, HI | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
University of Illinois ChicagoDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Chicago, IL | 3+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
University of IowaDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Community and Behavioral Health | Iowa City, IA | 3+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
University of MarylandBehavioral and Community Health, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | College Park, MD | 3.5+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
University of Massachusetts AmherstDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Health | Amherst, MA | 3+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
University of MemphisDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Health | Memphis, TN | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
University of MiamiDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Prevention Science and Community Health | Miami, FL | 4+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
University of MichiganDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Health | Ann Arbor, MI | 3+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
University of MinnesotaDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Services Research, Policy & Administration | Minneapolis, MN | 3 years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
University of MontanaDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Columbia Falls, MT | 4+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
University of Nebraska Medical CenterDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Services and Policy Research | Omaha, NE | 3+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
University of Nevada at Las VegasDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health. | — | 3+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | Chapel Hill, NC | 3+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort WorthDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health Sciences | Fort Worth, TX | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences CenterDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Oklahoma City, OK | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
University of PittsburghDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Pittsburgh, PA | 3+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
University of South CarolinaDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Columbia, SC | 3+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
University of South FloridaDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Tampa, FL | 3+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Houston, TX | 3+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
University of Texas Medical Branch at GalvestonDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | — | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
University of UtahDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Salt Lake City, UT | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
University of WashingtonDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health Genetics | Seattle, WA | 3+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health | Milwaukee, WI | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
Washington University in St. LouisDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health Sciences | — | 3+ years | No GRE required | In-Person |
West Virginia UniversityDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health Sciences | Morgantown, WV | 3+ years | No GMAT or GRE required | In-Person |
Yale UniversityDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health Sciences | New Haven, CT | 3+ years | GRE | In-Person |
Information last updated: March 2026