The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree program is for students who wish to prepare for leadership roles in the professional practice of public health in governmental, private, or voluntary agencies. It is oriented toward applied research in the organization, direction, and evaluation of public health programs rather than toward academic research and teaching (the province of the PhD program described later).

The goal of the DrPH program is to provide a broad knowledge of public health combined with specific knowledge in the student's area of interest. The structured program emphasizes course work and mastery of knowledge and skills. In addition to course work and independent study under faculty guidance, students devote one year to a major investigation or independent research resulting in a dissertation. DrPH candidates with less than one year of mid- to upper-level public health experience must also complete an internship of 6-10 semester hours.

The DrPH degree is offered in Community Health Sciences, Health Policy and Administration, and Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences.

DrPH Admission Requirements

Ordinarily, applicants have either an MPH degree or other master's degree in an area relevant to public health, in addition to a baccalaureate or professional degree. Promising applicants without a master's degree may be recommended for admission to the MPH or MS programs of the School of Public Health. The time required to earn the DrPH is not necessarily lengthened. However, successful completion of the master's degree does not guarantee admission to the DrPH program.

Minimum admission standards are a combined undergraduate and postgraduate grade point average of 4.00 (A = 5.00) and a combined Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 1,000 (verbal plus quantitative). These standards may be relaxed in unusual circumstances when excellence of previous professional achievement can be demonstrated. However, the admissions process is highly competitive; admitted students usually have qualifications in excess of these minimum standards.

The applicant's potential for making a contribution to the advancement of public health practice is also considered. Prior experience is assessed for leadership, concern for public welfare, and research potential.

Full-time applicants are given preference over part-time students for admission to the DrPH program. Two years beyond the MPH or three years for students without a public health degree are normally required for completion of the DrPH degree.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted by the deadline of February 1 for admission to the School of Public Health for the following fall semester. (See the SPH online calendar for information which may have been updated.) Applicants with international credentials are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by January 1 for fullest possible consideration.

SPH application forms must be used. Applicants must follow all instructions and submit academic transcripts and GRE scores. Also required are: (1) a letter stating career objectives and the desired academic division(s), (2) three letters of recommendation, and (3) a résumé. An interview with faculty from the chosen academic division(s) may also be required. Research interests and financial support will be discussed during the interview.

International applicants must present evidence of English competency. Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08540, must be sent to UIC. The test must have been taken within the last two years. Minimum scores required: paper-based TOEFL = 550, computer-based TOEFL = 213. The USMLE and ECFMG will not be considered in lieu of the TOEFL or as evidence of English competency. For more complete information about the TOEFL requirements, please refer to the School of Public Health online MPH/DrPH Application information.

Program of Study

Upon admission, the student and his or her advisor develop an integrated program of study that ideally incorporates significant elements of two or more academic divisions. The program of study must identify a major area of emphasis.

The program should total at least 96 semester hours (including up to 32 hours from a previous public health-related master's degree) and consists of four to five components.

1. Required courses that provide the student with advanced information in the tools and scope of public health. It is assumed that all DrPH students will have satisfied the basic course requirements of the MPH degree or their equivalent.

2. Special-emphasis courses that provide the student with in-depth knowledge and skills in the area of concentration.

3. Elective courses that broaden the student's knowledge of other SPH areas.

4. The research requirement (see below) that culminates in the dissertation thesis.

5. An internship requirement for candidates with less than one year of mid- to upper-level public health experience.

Minimum Semester-Hour Requirements

*At least 9 semester hours must be at the 500 level.

Required courses constitute an advanced level overview of the tools and scope of public health. These include one course in each of the program areas as follows:

The Research Thesis

All DrPH students are required to complete a research thesis. The student is required to demonstrate competence in conducting original research and in evaluating the investigations of others. The topic should be in an applied area, directed to problem solving in a specific public health activity or interdisciplinary program.

The Internship

Where required, the student is assigned 6-10 semester hours of structured, supervised activity to provide in-depth, mid- to upper-level public health experience. The internship (which should be relevant to the student's career plans) is selected jointly by the student and his or her Faculty Committee, which also supervises the intern. A salary may be accepted. The internship will provide the student with advanced information in the tools and scope of public health. The experience may or may not relate to the student's dissertation.

Examinations

The student must pass a preliminary examination after completing all required courses and a minimum of 32 semester hours.

The Doctoral Committee administers and evaluates a dissertation proposal examination to review the proposed independent research thesis.

A final oral examination consisting of a public presentation or report and a final examination on the student's research findings is administered by the student's Doctoral Committee.