Part-Time, Online DrPH Overview
The part-time, online Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Leadership in Social and Behavioral Sciences is an advanced professional degree developed to equip public health practitioners with the skills and knowledge to become effective leaders and advocates for health equity.
Designed for professionals with a relevant graduate degree (MPH, MSPH, or equivalent) and three or more years of public health experience, the program empowers learners to make a significant impact on the well-being of communities by reducing health inequities, promoting justice, advocating for effective policies and programs, and leading transformational change through applied, evidence-based work.
The program expands your understanding and skills in seven key areas:
- Leadership
- Equity
- Program design and evaluation
- Advocacy
- Community engagement and needs assessment
- Health communication
- Grant writing
Accreditation
Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine has been accredited since 1947, and all current programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Online DrPH Program Experience at a Glance
Leadership-Focused Coursework
Coursework centers around principles of leadership, advocacy, and health equity, empowering students to apply what they’ve learned towards real-world transformational change.
Practical Experience
Students develop and conduct high-level work in a public health practice setting of their choosing, allowing them to immediately apply what they
have learned in the classroom.
Integrated Learning
Students gain essential skills in strategic communication, grant writing, and designing quality, evidence-based programming.
Part-time and Online
Eight-week asynchronous courses and optional, interactive live sessions cultivate an immersive learning experience that won’t interfere with a full-time job.
Interested in studying on our campus in New Orleans? Learn more about our on-ground programs on
the Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine website.
Lead Equity-Minded Transformation
The part-time, online DrPH program follows a cohort model—students are grouped and move through the program together. This unique design allows for collaborative learning, community building, peer motivation, enhanced engagement, and networking opportunities. During your time in the program, you’ll learn to:
- Analyze the impact of historical and contemporary multi-level bias, trauma, and resilience on health inequities between marginalized groups
- Develop priority levels to address complex topics that pose the greatest public health threats by utilizing equity-focused health impact assessment tools and methodologies
- Design an advocacy strategy that promotes health equity in a specified community by identifying and mapping stakeholders, appropriate platforms, key processes, and engaged organizations
- Translate evidence-based research and practice-based findings into culturally responsive, sustainable programs and initiatives
- Propose a program or initiative that addresses an identified health equity need, and advocates and empowers individuals and communities to achieve optimal well-being
DrPH Online Program Benefits
Globally Recognized
The online DrPH is an accessible way to earn a top-quality, globally recognized doctoral degree in a 100 percent online, flexible setting.
Exceptional Faculty
Renowned faculty who are experts in their field work closely with students to uncover meaningful applications for what they’ve learned.
Powerful Network
Students in the DrPH online program cultivate meaningful relationships with their classmates, providing lasting peer-to-peer connections for post-graduation networking and collaboration.
Travel Reimbursement Assistance
The School of Public Health allocates funds to cover travel expenses to attend approved conferences across the nation.
Curriculum
The DrPH is a 48-credit program designed for early- to mid-career public health professionals with a minimum of three years of employment in public health, which may include work in related fields. To enroll in the program, students must hold a relevant graduate degree (MPH, MSPH, or equivalent) earned within the last seven to 10 years and have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0. The program curriculum covers:
DrPH Foundational Required Courses (25 credits)
SBPS 8000 – Professional Skills for Public Health Leaders (1 credit)
SBPS 8010 – DrPH Advanced Writing Seminar (0 credits)
SBPS 8150 – Introduction to Advanced Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
SBPS 8160 – Health Equity Theory and Frameworks (3 credits)
SBPS 8250 – Public Health Leadership (3 credits)
SBPS 8260 – Strategic Leadership in Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
SBPS 8300 – Finance for Public Health Leaders: Mission, Margin, and Measurable Impact (3 credits)
SBPS 8320 – Strategic Communication in Public Health Leadership (3 credits)
SBPS 8450 – Evidence-Based Program Planning for Health Equity (6 credits)
DrPH Advanced Required Courses (23 credits)
SBPS 8460 – Advanced Public Health Evaluation Methods (3 credits)
SBPS 8470 – Grant Writing for Public Health Practice (3 credits)
SBPS 8500 – Systems Collaboration and Partnerships in Practice (3 credits)
IHSD 7300 – Implementation Practice (3 credits)
SBPS 8540 – Advocacy in Action: Policy Strategies for Public Health Leaders (3 credits)
SPHL 9460 – Practice Based Portfolio: Experiential Learning (3 credits)
SPHL 9470 – Practice Based Portfolio: Culminating Experience (2 credits)
Elective Course (3 credits)
Students without a CEPH-accredited MPH degree will also be required to take 15 semester hours of foundational courses:
- Foundations in Public Health*
- Biostatistics for Public Health (or equivalent)**
- Epidemiology for Public Health (or equivalent)**
- Health Systems Policy and Management (or equivalent)**
- Design Strategies in Public Health Programs (or equivalent)**
*Students without a CEPH-accredited bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree must pass a Challenge Exam or take SPHL 6020 Foundation in Public Health.
**Some prerequisite coursework may be waived with an earned MPH or equivalent coursework with a B or higher on the transcript.
Arrive With Passion. Leave With Purpose.
You’ve seen the public health issues facing your community. With the part-time, online DrPH, you can develop meaningful, equity-driven solutions that transform populations and communities you care about — all while advancing your career in the process.
Upcoming Webinars
Check back soon for more upcoming events.
“We have amazing students who are already working professionals coming in with their interests established, and they develop them further here, working within the framework that we provide in the program to become leaders at the highest levels promoting public health.”
– Dr. Gretchen Clum
Associate Dean for Academic Programs
DrPH Program Director
| Scholarships |
| Looking for scholarship opportunities? If you complete the application by the priority deadline and meet our criteria, you could receive $20,000 or more in merit-based awards. More than half of new students receive some form of merit-based scholarship. |
Admissions Requirements
Professional Experience and Background
- A minimum of three years of employment in applied public health settings, such as government agencies, nonprofits, healthcare systems, or research institutions
Academic Qualifications
- A relevant graduate degree (MPH, MSPH, or equivalent) earned within the last seven to 10 years to ensure alignment with current public health knowledge
- Academic achievement, typically a GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in undergraduate and graduate coursework
- Non-English speakers: Must demonstrate proficiency in English (via TOEFL, IELTS, or other approved tests)
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended (degrees earned abroad require a WES, ECE, or SpanTran evaluation)
Skills and Competencies
- Strong digital literacy, proficiency with technology, and willingness to engage with our online teaching platform (Canvas, Blackboard, Zoom)
- Access to a computer running Windows or MacOS with local administrative privileges and a broadband Internet connection required
- Ability to effectively synthesize and apply evidence-based research to public health practice
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Leadership potential and a commitment to improving population health outcomes
- Cultural humility and ability to collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds
Commitment and Expectations
- Ability to dedicate approximately 12 to 21 hours per week to coursework and applied practice projects using social and behavioral approaches
Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
As stewards of the first school of public health in the United States, Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine cultivates independent thinkers, innovative leaders, fierce advocates, and accomplished scholars. From the neighborhoods of New Orleans to communities worldwide, we conduct research and collaborate with our partners to ensure that all of humanity has an equitable opportunity to be healthy and pursue optimal well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the DrPH Program can be completed 100% online. You are welcome to come on-campus, especially for Orientation and/or Graduation.
Yes. But you will be required to adhere to any and all attendance policies associated with the residential course you are choosing to take.
Yes, our online courses provide live synchronous sessions. While attendance at these sessions is not required, participation is highly encouraged. Some live sessions may have a graded component; students unable to attend can complete an alternative assignment. All synchronous sessions are recorded and made available to students.
All students are required to supply their own desktop or laptop computers throughout the program. This program requires that you have access to a computer running Windows or MacOS with local administrative privileges and a broadband Internet connection. Click here to review our detailed recommendations for technology.
An MPH degree is preferred; however, students without an MPH can apply for a limited number of admission slots. Typically 90% of the incoming class has an MPH degree. Students without an MPH degree will be required to complete the full Foundational Master of Public Health curriculum before starting doctoral-level studies (5 courses, 15 credit hours).