DrPH Online Program Overview
In a dynamic and rapidly changing world, there’s a real opportunity for passionate visionaries of all backgrounds to come together to innovate and build stronger, equity-minded communities. The Online DrPH in Leadership in Social and Behavioral Sciences provides burgeoning change-makers like you with an accessible path to gain the critical leadership skills, experiences, and connections to amplify your voice and spearhead true change in your community or organization.
Through collaboration with dedicated and experienced faculty members — and a flexible online format that meets you where you are both personally and professionally — you’ll graduate with a deep understanding of how to apply principles of Leadership in Social and Behavioral Sciences across disciplines.
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).
DrPH Online Program at a Glance
Applied Practice Experience
Students create a portfolio in a practice setting of their choosing.
Communication-focused
Students gain essential communication skills through interactive fieldwork that prepares them to be distinguished leaders and equity-minded advocates.
Globally Recognized
Students in the DrPH online program benefit from the SPHTM’s robust reputation and legacy, and experience a relevant, practice-based education they can tailor to their career.
Diverse Faculty
Experienced faculty members from diverse practice settings work closely with students to understand their goals and help them pave a road to impact.
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 Online DrPH in Leadership in Social and Behavioral Sciences is built for impassioned leaders who refuse to let the status quo remain unchallenged. The program teaches professionals of all backgrounds how to apply principles of Leadership in Social and Behavioral Sciences in their work to become agents of change.
DrPH Online Program Benefits
Accessible Excellence
The DrPH online program is an accessible way to earn a top-quality doctoral degree in a 100 percent online, flexible setting where you can customize the pace at which you complete your degree.
MPH Preferred
An MPH 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).
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.
Positive Career Outcomes
An unprecedented 99.7 percent of Tulane SPHTM graduates are working, volunteering, or continuing their education within one year of graduation.
What You Will Learn
The Online DrPH in Leadership in Social and Behavioral Sciences equips students with expertise, skills, and leadership acumen.
Curriculum
The DrPH Program is 57-credit program.
Students with a CEPH-accredited MPH will have their MPH pre-requisite courses evaluated for transfer credit. Students with an MPH from a non-CEPH accredited institution may need to complete select foundational MPH coursework dependent on the transfer- review process of their MPH transcript. Students without an MPH degree will be required to complete the full foundational MPH coursework before starting doctoral-level studies (5 courses, 15 credit hours).
DrPH Online Foundational Required Courses
- Pedagogy
- Methods of Research in Public Health
- Public Health and Social Policy
- Community Organization: Community Work for Social Justice
- Leadership Theory and Practice for Public Health Professionals
- Budget and Financial Management
DrPH Online Advanced Required Courses
- Social Determinants of Health I: Theory
- Social Determinants of Health in Public Health Practice
- Health Equity and Advocacy
- Leadership Theory and Practice for Public Health Professionals
- Advanced Program Planning and Grant Writing
Portfolio
All students will create a professional portfolio as demonstration of the APE and ILE.
Electives
Students will choose two electives to complete the degree.
Apply Your Passion To Practice
You can see how your big idea can help shape a brighter future for your community. But first, you have to get the tangible skills to put your idea into action. At Tulane, our Applied Practicum Experience (APE) requirement allows you to develop real-world competencies in a supervised practice setting of your choosing.
The APE can be completed in your local area, and you can choose to work at your current employer as long as your practicum role is different from your current job.
Advance Your Career With a DrPH Online Degree
The DrPH online program was specifically designed to welcome individuals of all backgrounds to come together to find shared solutions. Our students come from and continue on into industries such as:
- Health Care
- Engineering
- Public Policy
- Epidemiology
- Community Health
- Research
- Business or Nonprofit Work
- Education
“We provide hands-on public health practice experiences grounded in a solid understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The program will provide students with the skills to successfully advocate for communities and organizations.”
– Dr. Susan Cheng, PhD, MPH –
Associate Dean for Public Health Practice
Associate Professor Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences
| 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. |
Upcoming Webinars
Check back soon for more upcoming events.
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. Click here to review our detailed recommendations for technology.
With guidance from program faculty and staff, all students will complete a practice portfolio.
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).