The DrPH is an advanced, professional degree program designed for the student who has a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree or its equivalent and who intends to pursue a leadership career as a public health professional. The DrPH program is unique as it focuses on developing future leaders in public health practice, who will advance the public’s health through the integration and application of a broad range of knowledge and analytical skills in leadership, practice, policy analysis, research, program management and professional communication.

The DrPH program prepares these individuals to translate scientific knowledge into community-based programs that improve the health status of communities, identify solutions to community health problems, and provide leadership in public health policy and management within both academic and nonacademic settings, as well as in public-agency or private-sector settings that emphasize improving the health of the public. It follows that public health workers from the state and region with the requisite experience and subsequent training will be best suited and prepared for creating the administrative infrastructure necessary for promotion of a healthy public and amelioration of current public health issues in the region.

There are two key examinations associated with the DrPH program that indicate a student’s progress toward obtaining the degree. The DrPH program requires students to complete a written and oral comprehensive doctoral examinations and a dissertation defense.

The DrPH competencies guide the development of the program curriculum and learning activities for the core and required courses in the DrPH curriculum. This posted list of competencies also provides applicants, students, employers and other stakeholders information about the knowledge foundation and skills of graduates from the MEZCOPH DrPH program.