Public Health Practice, DrPH
Doctor of Public Health Degree in Public Health Practice
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Overview
Admissions and Requirements
Courses You’ll Take
Tuition & Fees
Program Overview
The online Doctor of Public Health Program (DrPH) in Public Health Practice prepares students to work as leaders or administrators in a variety of practice-based settings within the public, private or academic sectors.
Students in the DrPH program gain:
- Competence in the areas of data analysis; leadership, management and governance; policy and programs; and education and workforce development.
- Advanced-level practice experiences working with leaders in public health practice.
- Skills to achieve important, broad-reaching, public health objectives in their communities.
In addition, students choose a concentration:
- Epidemiology
- Emergency Preparedness (application not currently open. Please click "request info" for more information on both concentrations.
The DrPH in Public Health Practice degree prepares students to work as a leader or administrator in a variety of practice-based settings within the public, private or academic sectors. DrPH graduates advance programs, policies, and systems to improve population health in the United States and globally.
Career Outlook:
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow at a rate of 14%, much faster than the average for all occupations. This projected growth is mainly due to an aging population, leading to greater demand for healthcare services.
Career options may include:
- Health department director
- Health policy advisor
- Public health program director
- Community health manager
Admissions and Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
A Master's degree
MPH or MSPH from a CEPH accredited institution. Additional foundational coursework will be required for individuals who do not meet this requirement.
3 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
Previous work experience
A minimum of 3 years of relevant public health practice.
Taken the TOEFL or IELTS
(Only required if English is not your native language)
A written personal statement
1500 word personal statement.
3 letters of recommendation
3 letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your academic, practice and/or research capabilities.
Official transcripts from all previous schools
Resume/CV
To apply to this program:
- Complete the online application.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee.
Courses You’ll Take
Course Information
Students must choose a concentration in Epidemiology or Emergency Preparedness which will include additional courses.
Core Courses
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CPH 628 | Epidemiologic Methods | 3 |
This course is a comprehensive course in the concepts, principles and methods of population-based epidemiologic research. The course, which expands on topics covered in EPI 821/CPH 621(Advanced Research and Methods), is both theoretical and quantitative, with emphasis on study design, quantitative measures, statistical analysis, data quality, sources of bias and casual inference. Prerequisite: EPI 821/CPH 621 and BIOS 806/CPH 506. An introductory course to SAS programming is recommended. | ||
| PA 8530 | Strategic Planning and Management | 3 |
PA 8530 is designed to have the student understand the relationship between public policy, agency strategy, agency operation and the delivery of public services to citizens. It will provide the student an opportunity to devise a model strategy for a public agency or jurisdiction, introduce a variety of systems for managing particular tasks within the public sector and give the student the opportunity to construct operating procedures for a specific public program or subprogram. Prereq: PA 8010, PA 8050, PA 8090, and PA 8120 and completion of at least 24 hours in the MPA program. Not open to non-degree students. | ||
| CPH 500 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
This is an introductory survey course, which will ensure that all public health students, within their first full year of study, are exposed to the fundamental concepts and theories that provide the basis for the body of knowledge in the field of public health. This course will prepare students to work in public health with a sound theoretical, conceptual, and historical basis for their work. | ||
| CPH 545 | Health Equity and Leadership | 3 |
The course provides a critical understanding of health disparities in the U.S. and examines the underlying social, cultural, biological, behavioral, economic, and political factors that contribute to such disparities in society. | ||
| HPRO 916 | Implementation Science Models and Methods | 3 |
This course will provide doctoral students an opportunity to engage in a team-based learning environment and collaboratively apply epistemological and methodological advances in implementation science to facilitate, and speed, the translation of evidence into sustained public health practice. | ||
| CPH 718 | Leadership Theory and Practice | 3 |
The course includes the study of leadership as well as the application of leadership theories, concepts, and skills. The course will explore leadership from the individual level, team level, and the organizational level. Students in this course will examine historical and contemporary leadership theories. Additionally, students will reflect on their leadership experiences through the lens of the introduced theories. | ||
| CPH 705 | Public Health Teaching and Training | 3 |
This course is designed to develop graduate students teaching skills and strategies necessary to meet the professional demands of conducting public health teaching and training. Major topics to be covered are adult learning theory, instructional design, conducting a needs analysis, training program evaluation, as well as creating teaching modules for the in-person, synchronous, and asynchronous environments. | ||
| CPH 798 | DrPH Practicum | 6 |
The purpose of this course is to provide an advanced applied practice experience, allowing opportunities for students to develop leadership competencies and contribute to a public health setting. Students work with senior public health practitioners and leaders to address a need identified by the host organization that directly relates to the student's academic goals and professional interests. Students are responsible for completing a work project that is meaningful to the organization and advances public health practice. The work product may be a single project or a set of related projects that demonstrate a depth of competence. Relevant organizations may include governmental, non-governmental, non-profit, industrial and for-profit settings. The practicum should take place within an organization external to the college. The applied practice experience may be completed within a student's own work setting. | ||
| CPH 799 | DrPH Integrative Learning Experience | 6 |
The integrative learning experience is a practice-based dissertation that generates field-based products consistent with advanced public health practice designed to influence programs, policies or systems addressing public health. | ||
| CPH 563 | Strategic Planning and Management in Public Health Administration | 3 |
This course examines the theory and practice of strategic planning and management in public health, health services, and voluntary health and welfare organizations. Application of specific principles, concepts, and techniques of strategic planning and management for these organizations will be addressed. The roles and responsibilities of public health and health services administrators in developing, implementing, monitoring and revising strategy will also be examined. | ||
Tuition & Fees
Nebraska Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $597.00
- Fees
- $35.00
- Total
- $632.00
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $1791.00
- Fees
- $105.00
- Total
- $1896.00
Out of State Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $597.00
- Fees
- $35.00
- Total
- $632.00
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $1791.00
- Fees
- $105.00
- Total
- $1896.00
About Faculty
University of Nebraska online courses are taught by expert faculty who embody the qualities resulting from research experience and professional/field experience. Students learn from faculty with a variety of backgrounds, many of whom are published researchers in their fields. NU faculty who teach online do so in a way that optimizes learning within the online modality and because technology enables students to access education they may otherwise may not be able to pursue.
Application Deadlines
- Fall SemesterApr 01
