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 an MPH 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.
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 equity, empowering students to apply what they’ve learned towards real-world transformational change.
Practical Experience
Students complete an Applied Practice Experience (APE) in a public health setting of their choosing, including their current organization.
Integrated Learning
Students engage in an Integrated Learning Experience (ILE) that advances skills in 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 part-time, online DrPH in Leadership in Social and Behavioral Sciences equips students with the expertise, skills, and leadership acumen to drive transformational change in the communities they care about most.
The DrPH is a 57-credit program. However, students with a CEPH-accredited MPH will receive 15 hours of transfer credit, reducing the degree to 42 credit hours.
DrPH Program Required Courses (18 semester hours)
SBPS 8080 Public Health Pedagogy (3)
SPHL 7020 Leadership Theory and Practice (3)
SPHL 8200 Public Health & Social Policy (3)
SBPS 8220 Community Organizing for Social Change (3)
SPHL 8250 Study and Evaluation Methods in Public Health (3)
SPHL 8010 Budget and Financial Management (3)
DrPH Advanced Required Courses (18 semester hours)
SPHL 8100 Health Equity and Advocacy (3)
SPHL 8020 Leadership and Strategic Management (3)
SBPS 8750 Social Determinants of Health I: Theories (3)
SBPS 8770 Social Determinants of Health in Public Health Practice (3)
SBPS 8220 Advance Program Planning and Grant Writing (3)
SPHL 9450 Practice Based Portfolio: Background (3)
SPHL 9460 Practice Based Portfolio: Experiential Learning (0)
SPHL 9470 Practice Based Portfolio: Culminating Experience (0)
Electives (6 semester hours)
Elective hours may be chosen from any 6000-level course and up across SPHL or in other schools with pre-approval from the program director.
Students without a CEPH-accredited MPH degree will also be required to take the following foundational courses:
Foundational Prerequisite Coursework* (15 semester hours)
SPHL 6020 Foundations in Public Health* (3)
SPHL 6050 Biostatistics for Public Health (or equivalent)** (3)
SPHL 6060 Epidemiology for Public Health (or equivalent)** (3)
SPHL 6070 Health Systems Policy and Management (or equivalent)** (3)
SPHL 6080 Design Strategies in Public Health Programs (or equivalent)** (3)
*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 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. 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
- A Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from a CEPH-accredited institution of higher learning
- Applicants with an MPH degree that is not from a CEPH-accredited school or program will be considered but may be required to complete some or all of the prerequisite coursework and will be required to pass a challenge exam for SPHL 6020 — Foundations in Public Health.
- A few outstanding applicants without an MPH degree will be considered but will need to successfully complete the Public Health Certificate — the 5 courses shown as Prerequisite Coursework in the curriculum section above. Applicants admitted through this pathway will automatically matriculate into the online DrPH program if they successfully complete the Public Health Certificate with a grade of B or better in all 5 courses.
- Academic achievement, typically a GPA above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate and graduate coursework
- At least three years of work experience in public healthÂ
- Non-English speakers: Demonstration of proficiency in English to be able to study and communicate in English (TOEFL, IELTS, or other recognized tests may be used)
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended (degrees earned abroad require a WES, ECE, or SpanTran evaluation)
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. 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).