10 Best Online Doctorate in Public Health Programs [DrPH & PhD Guide]

Explore online doctorate in public health programs for 2024. Compare DrPH and PhD in Public Health Programs to see which one is right for you.

In online doctorate public health programs, you can prepare to tackle some of the toughest problems in community health.

The expertise you gain through doctoral studies can help you make lasting contributions to the wellbeing of people around the world.

Online Doctorate in Public Health Programs

Select the program that most interests you to jump to that section of the guide:

• Public Health
• Health and Human Services

Although there may be some crossover between public health and health and human services careers, there are some important distinctions to consider.

Doctor of Public Health

A doctoral degree in public health can help you become a respected leader who influences health practices and policies. When you hold this advanced degree, others may look to you for guidance about disease prevention, health education, or epidemiology research.

The courses that you take may address the organizational structure of public health agencies. You may also study evidence-based practices, wellness education, behavior modification, healthcare research, and financial management.

You may be able to pursue a concentration in laboratory science, global health, epidemiology, health law, or another subset of this field.

This online public health degree can qualify you for leadership positions in public health agencies at the local, state, or national levels. You could also work as a public health consultant or lobby for policies that benefit community health.

If you perform research or work as a college faculty member, you may influence public health practices for years to come.

PhD in Health and Human Services

The field of health and human services is dedicated to helping people through situations involving hardship or crisis. As a health and human services professional, you might oversee programs and policies to encourage healthy choices and community wellness.

This degree program typically covers administration topics like finance, leadership, and employee relations. These skills can be useful in employment settings like public health departments, nursing homes, and nonprofit organizations.

Other courses may address cultural sensitivity, healthcare ethics, quality management, and health informatics.

With this doctorate, you could head up educational programs or wellness initiatives in community agencies or public health departments. You might also be involved in setting the direction for public health policies at the state or national level.

Your work may focus on improving health for a particular demographic, such as adolescents, senior citizens, or people with mental health disorders.

Doctor of Public Health Careers & Salaries

With a Doctor of Public Health degree, you may hold a leadership role in an agency that delivers health services to individuals or communities.

This may include places like public health departments, nonprofit community organizations, or human services agencies. It can also include outpatient or residential facilities like nursing homes or drug rehabilitation centers.

In these organizations, you could be the executive director, the community health manager, or the program coordinator. You might supervise a team of employees who use evidence-based practices to deliver information, education, and support to medical practitioners and community members.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some careers in the Public Health field include:

Your personal doctorate in public health salary may be higher or lower than the averages listed above. Often, people with the most professional experience have the highest earning potential.

Jobs may be available in county or state agencies, or you might work for a national health organization.

You could also be an analyst who evaluates health and safety measures. This might involve providing oversight and making recommendations to improve workplace or environmental wellness.

Public policy is often shaped by health experts. You might spend your career advocating for laws that increase medical access for underserved communities, protect health and safety, or fund research initiatives.

You might be a researcher who administers surveys or conducts trials to help practitioners learn more about fostering health and wellness. As an epidemiologist, you might study disease trends and patterns. You might also be the director of a lab facility.

A PhD in Public Health online degree can also qualify you to work as a faculty member in a college’s school of public health. By teaching classes to undergraduates or grad students, you might leave a lasting legacy in this field. Some professors conduct research in addition to teaching.

Choosing a Doctoral Program in Public Health

It’s important to select the right school of public health so you receive a doctoral education that meets your needs and contributes to your professional goals. There are many good schools out there, but not all of them will be the best choice for you personally. By considering which characteristics are most important to you, you can start to narrow down your search.

For an online PhD in public health, it’s worthwhile to look into the school’s philosophy on online education. You may want to ask questions like:

• Will I ever need to come to campus?
• Do I need to log in at certain times?
• Will I move through classes with a group, or can I advance at my own pace?
• Are courses offered year-round or on a two-semester schedule?
• What technology do I need?

You may also want to see what internship requirements there are. Some schools may have set locations for their internships, but others may let you look for opportunities with a local organization.

Doctoral programs often include a good deal of liberty to study topics of particular interest to you. To get the most out of your program, you may want to enroll at a school with faculty whose own research aligns with your area of interest. Read faculty bios and survey the curriculum to see whether a school’s offerings will contribute to your professional goals.

The final project is another characteristic to consider. Some schools require dissertations, and others encourage doctoral research projects. You’ll have to decide for yourself which approach you’d prefer.

Finally, don’t forget to think about practical considerations like accreditation and cost. If you’re like most students, you want a degree that’s reputable, but you’d rather not break the bank to earn it.

Doctorate in Public Health Curriculum & Courses

For a Doctor of Public Health or a PhD in Public Health online, you’ll take some classes focused on public health issues and others that address research methods. Here are some common courses that are taken for this degree:

• Assessing Population Health – Before you can develop the best programs for your community, you’ll need to conduct assessments to learn about the most pressing healthcare needs.
• Biostatistics – This class is designed to teach how to use statistics to design public health experiments and analyze findings.
• Dissertation Preparation – Under the supervision of your program’s faculty, you can begin to develop an idea and a research approach for your dissertation or doctoral project.
• Finance and Budgeting – This course can help prepare you to manage the financial affairs of government and nonprofit agencies.
• Health Equality – This class discusses the disparity of healthcare access among various socioeconomic groups.
• Health Marketing – By studying communication techniques and behavioral science, you can learn how to put out health messages that catch people’s attention.
• Informatics – This course is designed to provide in-depth information on the collection and management of healthcare data
• International Health – As you study global health, you can discuss ways to apply public health concepts in various cultural contexts.
• Modern Healthcare in America – You and your classmates may debate the strengths and weaknesses of systems used for healthcare delivery and reimbursement in the U.S.
• Research Foundations – This course can help you become a better researcher who designs informative, ethical studies and knows how to interpret the results.

A PhD program is likely to have a greater emphasis on research, and a DrPH program will probably spend more time on practical knowledge for the workforce. Either program may require a dissertation or a major research project. However, more and more doctoral programs do not require the PhD dissertation, but instead, allow you to complete a final project.

Admissions Requirements

You’ll have a better chance of getting into your program of choice if you submit a stand-out application. Your admissions packet may need to include the following components.

• Resume – Some programs require work experience, which you can demonstrate by providing a thorough resume.
• Statement of goals – Admissions committees want to get to know you, and they also want to understand whether your interests align with the faculty members’ research areas.
• Test scores – It’s not uncommon for schools to request GPA scores, which they may use to determine your suitability for a doctoral-level program. You may be able to request a waiver.
• Transcripts – All doctoral programs require bachelor’s degrees, and most require master’s degrees as well. Your transcripts show not only the programs you’ve completed but also the grades you’ve earned.

Schools may also ask for letters of reference, proof of English fluency, an online or in-person interview, and an application fee.

Employment Outlook for a Public Health Doctorate Graduate

Public health is an in-demand specialty. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that for the next 10 years, there will be 13% more positions for health educators and community health workers than there were this year.

Jobs in the field of life, physical and social sciences are growing at a rate of about 5%. That sector includes public health roles like epidemiology, medical research, and environmental science.

Accreditation

When looking for a public health school, it’s a good idea to confirm whether a college has regional accreditation. Schools with accreditation have proven their ability to give students a good education.

The U.S. has approved seven agencies that can give out regional accreditation. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) maintains the list of these organizations. They include the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Accreditation is important for

• Being considered by hiring committees
• Qualifying for government financial aid
• Transferring credits to another school

Attending a regionally accredited school can give you confidence about the quality of your education. Employers appreciate accreditation, so completing your studies at a regionally accredited school may lead to a higher doctorate in public health salary after graduation.

CEPH Accredited Online DrPH Programs

Programmatic accreditation lets you know that a program excels at educating students in a certain field. The accreditor holds the school accountable for meeting standards of academic excellence and workforce preparation.

In the field of public health, programmatic accreditation is granted by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Selecting a school that is approved by this organization means that you can count on receiving a thorough, top-of-the-line doctoral education.

Pursuing CEPH accreditation is optional for schools of public health. It’s possible that you could have a satisfactory experience at a non-accredited school, but accreditation provides assurance that the program you’ve chosen is among the best. Attending an approved university may increase the respect that employers and educational institutions hold for your degree.

Public Health Professional Organizations

Professional associations are useful sources of information on the latest developments in public health. Connecting with these groups may give you access to conferences, articles, books, classes, and online forums. These resources can help you develop as a leader in public health.

• American Public Health Association – APHA provides knowledge, support, and representation for more than 25,000 public health professionals in the U.S. and around the world.
• Council on Education for Public Health – On a mission to promote educational excellence, CEPH grants programmatic accreditation to schools of public health.
• National Environmental Health Association – Through certification programs, continuing education, publications, and networking opportunities, NEHA serves professionals who work in the field of environmental health.
• United States Public Health Service – Known as the Commissioned Core, this federal team of health professionals, including doctors, nurses, and scientists, provides medical services for at-risk populations throughout the U.S.
• World Health Organization – This international organization is committed to improving lives by creating safe environments, reducing the spread of infectious diseases, and encouraging healthy behavior.

Some of these organizations offer membership opportunities, which may grant you access to exclusive resources and discounts. These vary among groups but may include career tools, industry news, and opportunities to associate with like-minded professionals.

DrPH vs. PhD in Public Health

You can receive a terminal degree in public health by getting either a PhD in this field or a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH). Both focus on public health leadership, but they approach it in different ways.

Either degree option is a reputable way to garner respect in the field of public health, increase your influence, and further your career. Your professional goals should be the main factor that you consider when deciding which type of degree to earn.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

University programs can be expensive, but financial aid from state and federal government programs may help you afford your degree.

Financial aid determinations are made based on the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Filling out this form is an important step in figuring out your school budget.

Many students qualify for government loans. With a government loan, you borrow money for tuition while you’re working on your doctorate and pay it back after graduation. Interest is charged, but the rates are kept low.

If you face significant financial need, you may also receive grants from the government. These free financial gifts don’t need to be repaid after graduation.

Sometimes, grants come with certain stipulations, such as needing to work in an underserved population for a period of time after completing your degree.

You can also look for financial assistance from non-government sources. Scholarships and fellowships can provide beneficial funding. These monetary gifts can help cover your tuition, your research, or other aspects of your education.

Some universities issue funding packages to doctoral students. This money may cover at least part of your tuition costs and provide a stipend on which you can live. In exchange, you may need to work as a research or teaching assistant.

Your employer may contribute to your expenses as well. If getting more education will improve your job performance, consider asking the human resources department if funding is available.

Can You Get a Doctorate in Public Health?

Yes, just like there are bachelor degrees in public health and online master’s in public health programs no GRE, there are also doctoral degrees in public health that can equip you with expert-level knowledge in community health and disease prevention. With this expertise, you may lead health-focused organizations or conduct research that contributes to the wellbeing of communities around the world.

You can even get your degree online. There are two different types of degrees available – an online PhD in public health or a Doctor of Public Health professional doctorate.

Is a PhD in Public Health Worth It?

Yes, a PhD in Public Health is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 5% job growth in life, physical, and social science occupations over the next 10 years. Common careers in this field include social and community service manager, environmental scientist and specialist, public health professor, and natural sciences manager.

More than that, though, public health can be a rewarding career. The work that you do can help people live long, healthy lives.

Your contributions to research, health education, public policy, and infection control may make a lasting difference for entire communities, making public health a good major for many students.

How Many Years Is a PhD in Public Health?

Your PhD program will probably take you at least four years. In most cases, students need more time than that — often five to seven years. The majority of that time may be spent working on your dissertation.

DrPH programs are usually shorter. You may be able to complete the coursework in 18 to 24 months, and then you’ll work on your final project after that. Some students wrap everything up in less than four years.

What is the Difference Between DrPH and PhD in Public Health?

A DrPH is a professional degree. Getting your DrPH online can help prepare you to take leadership roles in public health practice. If you want to run health departments or be a consultant, this might the academic path for you.

A PhD is a research degree. If you want to be a research scientist or a college professor, this academic track can help prepare you to conduct original research that shapes the field of public health.

Are There Any Online DrPH Programs No GRE Required?

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) has been used for many years to determine candidates’ suitability for master’s and doctoral programs.

Today, though, some schools are moving away from this requirement. As a result, you may be able to get into a DrPH online program without ever submitting a standardized test score.

Even at schools that do consider GRE results, waivers are sometimes available. Professional experience or a high GPA may qualify you for a waiver.

Are There Any Prerequisites for a DrPH Program?

You may need to have worked in this field for several years before you can enroll in a Doctor of Public Health program.

Also, you’ll probably need to hold a master’s degree. Some schools stipulate that your graduate studies must have been in public health.

PhD programs often have different requirements. You may not need professional experience, and a bachelor’s degree may be the only educational prerequisite.

Is it Possible to Work While Getting My Doctorate in Public Health?

Online DrPH studies are often designed with working professionals in mind. The courses may be presented in a flexible format that allows you to access your course materials whenever it works for your schedule.

If you need additional flexibility, you may want to consider public health schools that allow for part-time enrollment, self-paced courses, or several years to complete the dissertation.

Universities Offering Public Health Doctorate Degree Programs Online

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.