The doctoral program in Public Health (DrPH) offers advanced training in public health. The specific area of study (i.e., concentration) for the DrPH program is leadership and management. The DrPH program provides students with opportunities to achieve public health competencies in the full range of academic or professional roles within community practice, research, and teaching.
University Policies
Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.
Admissions Requirements
Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.
Degree Requirements
See the Addendum to this Bulletin for updates to the requirements for this program.
Coursework. The program requires 49 units, consisting of 14 courses. Students complete 35 units of core courses, 10 units of concentration coursework, and 4 units of a pedagogy/transdisciplinary course.
Tools. One research tool and one teaching tool.
- Research Tool. In lieu of a specific language requirement, demonstrated proficiency in one research tool is required. A research tool in public health must be completed with a grade of a B or better in CGH 402, Advanced Research Methods.
- Teaching Tool. A teaching tool is completed with a grade of B or better in TNDY 430, Transdisciplinary Pedagogy for Ethical Education.
Advanced Practicum. All DrPH students are required to complete an applied practice experience in public health. DrPH students have an opportunity to demonstrate attainment of competencies; synthesize, integrate and apply the skills, knowledge and training acquired through courses of study; to gain professional experience in a public health work environment; and, to work on an advanced public health practice project that is of particular interest to the sponsoring agency and the student. No waivers are granted for this requirement.
Qualifying Examination. Oral and written examinations center on didactic coursework and the dissertation proposal and are intended to assess the depth and breadth of a student’s knowledge and aptitude in approaching and solving fundamental issues in public health. Successful completion of the qualifying exam is required for advancement to candidacy.
Dissertation. Each candidate must execute an acceptable dissertation project with approval of an advisory committee. An oral examination (i.e., defense) is scheduled after submission of the dissertation.
Transfer Credit. The University’s policy on transfer credit applies. The DrPH program permits the transfer of up to 13 semester units from prior graduate work completed outside of CGU with advisor approval.
School of Community and Global Health (SCGH) Practical Experience Milestone
Students pursing a public health degree (Master of Public Health or Doctor of Public Health) must meet the Practical Experience Milestone by completing an applied practice experience through an internship or practicum within a public health agency (paid or unpaid, for credit or not for credit).
Students must have their milestone approved by the school prior to the submission of their completed Final Approval Form. This milestone is to be completed during the time to degree at CGU (7 years for doctoral students, 5 years for masters students). Students may have a maximum of 4 years of experience for the Practical Experience Milestone.
Interprofessional Education Co-curricular Requirement
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) requires DrPH students to meet the following foundational competencies related to Interprofessional Practice (IPP):
“Integrate knowledge, approaches, method, values, and potential contributions from multiple professions, sectors, and systems in addressing public health problems.”
“Propose interprofessional team approaches to improving public health.”
This co-curricular requirement is completed through an experience offered by SCGH
to provide students with an opportunity to collaborate on interprofessional teams to propose approaches to improving public health. Upon completion of the experience, students will have a milestone recorded on their transcript