Doctor of Public Health, DrPH

 

The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Program offers a doctoral degree in epidemiology/biostatistics and behavioral science and health education. The program emerged based on a needs assessment that indicated a great need for advanced competencies and public health practitioner leadership. The first cohort enrolled in January 2005. The Doctor of Public Health is a terminal degree, the first offered in the State of Florida, and was the fifth Doctor of Public Health Program offered in the Southeast.

Two public health professionals in office
Doctor of Public Health, DrPH
The program requires a minimum of 82 total semester hours (for those without a Master of Public Health) and a minimum of 61 total semester hours (for those with a Master of Public Health). The program also requires the successful completion of a comprehensive examination and specialty examination, practicum, and a dissertation defense (oral and written dissertation). The FAMU Public Health Program is fully accredited by the national accrediting agency – the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Academic Course Curriculum

Build healthier communities with a career in public health.
Build healthier communities with a career in public health.

What is Public Health?

Public Health is the science and the art of preventing disease, prolonging life, promoting physical health, and organizing community efforts for the sanitation of the environment, the control of community infections, the education of the individual in principles of personal hygiene, and the development of the social machinery which will ensure, to every individual in the community, a standard of living adequate for the maintenance of health.

 


 

Public health careers: protecting communities, shaping futures.
Public health careers: protecting communities, shaping futures.

Public Health Careers

Public Health can work in: 

  • Governmental Public Health (federal, state, and local).
  • Academic Public Health (i.e., assistant professor, associate professor, professor)
  • Postdoctoral Fellows and Grants Managers
  • Private Sector (e.g., Aetna, Humana)
  • State Epidemiologists and Senior Health Educators
  • Consultants: (Epidemiologists, Biostatisticians, and Health Educators)

High-impact careers in public health—growth, purpose, and pay.
High-impact careers in public health—growth, purpose, and pay.

Public Health Salary Expectations

  • A salary range of $91,396 - $127,668.

The states with the highest employment rates for public health are:

  1. Georgia
  2. New Jersey
  3. Connecticut
  4. Maryland

Make an impact—explore careers in public health.
Make an impact—explore careers in public health.

Physical Therapy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Q: What career opportunities are available for graduates with a Doctor of Public Health degree?
A: Employment and fellowship opportunities for Doctor of Public Health graduates are plentiful! In addition, the magnitude of the need is heightened in the wake of needed research regarding emerging infectious diseases, chronic diseases, data analytics, cancer prevention, maternal and child health, and public health leadership. These opportunities are within academia, governmental public health (federal, state, and local) as well as the private sector (e.g., pharmaceutical companies, consulting firms), community-based organizations, and the international arena. Examples of careers include but are not limited to, academicians (epidemiologists, biostatisticians, health educators), disease intervention specialists, epidemiologists (practitioners), health policy analysts, data analysts, health outcome evaluators in pharmaceutical companies, senior public health, and health care administrators.

Q: What is the difference between the Doctor of Public Health and Doctor of Philosophy?
A: The Doctor of Public Health is a professional doctoral degree primarily for public health practitioners. It is designed to prepare students for careers in public health leadership, practice, and research. The degree emphasizes the practical application of public health knowledge and skills, as well as the development of research and policy skills. The Doctor of Public Health is a terminal degree, which means that it is the highest level of education that you can achieve in public health. The Doctor of Philosophy is the highest academic terminal degree. The Doctor of Philosophy places emphasis primarily on the attainment of practical skills and knowledge with an applied research focus. This doctoral degree focuses on research skills and knowledge. The Doctor of Public Health does not preclude one from teaching and conducting research in an academic setting.

Q: Is the FAMU Public Health Program accredited?
A: Yes, the FAMU Public Health Program is fully accredited by the national accrediting body – the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The Program has been accredited since 2000 and is the first accredited public health program in North Florida and the first public health program administratively housed in a college of pharmacy.

Q: What are the requirements for the FAMU Doctor of Public Health?
A: Eligibility requirements include a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of study on the submitted baccalaureate degree transcript, three letters of recommendation (with three evaluation forms), a personal statement, and a GRE score. The applicant must have either a GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of study or a minimum GRE score of 300. GRE scores are required. The course of study is 61 semester hours (for those with a Master of Public Health) and 82 semester hours for those without the Master of Public Health. All applicants must have a masters’ degree in a health-related area to be eligible for consideration for the Doctor of Public Health program. The curriculum includes didactic course work (foundational and specialization) in one of two areas (epidemiology/biostatistics or behavioral science and health education), advanced course work in the specialty area, successful completion of a comprehensive examination and specialty examination, and a practicum experience. A dissertation defense and written dissertation are required.