DrPH Online Program Overview
The part-time, online Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Leadership, Advocacy, and Equity 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.
The part-time, online Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Leadership, Advocacy, and Equity 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. Â
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
The 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
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 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
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, Advocacy, and Equity 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
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).