Doctor of Public Health             

Thank you for your interest in the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree offered by the School of Public Health at UIC. The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) is the advanced professional degree offered by the School of Public Health. Matriculation into the degree program is through the School of Public Health with the participation of the school’s four academic divisions.

The need for leaders in public health has never been greater. Limited numbers of practitioners in public health have doctoral-level degrees, and programs for the development of leadership skills at the doctoral level are rare. In response to this need, the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health has designed a new program tailored to meet the goals of mid-career public health professionals who want to expand their knowledge and practice of public health and attain the leadership ability that will enable them to advance the field.

The UIC School of Public Health is committed to educating and training its students to become effective leaders and responsible members of the public health community at the local, national, and international levels. This commitment is realized in an urban environment that offers students broad scope for involvement in the diverse communities and neighborhoods that are one of Chicago’s foremost features.

The intellectual environment of the doctoral degree program at the School of Public Health, paired with the vitality of Chicago, provides an outstanding educational setting for the preparation of future public health leaders.

Qualifications for Admission

To qualify for the DrPH program, the following are required:

1. A master’s degree from an accredited school of public health or public health training program.
2. Three or more years of full-time, paid, professional experience in public health in a leadership position, or in mid- to senior-level management positions that demonstrate progressive responsibility and evidence of leadership potential.

Applicants meeting the experience requirements but with a master’s or higher degree outside the field of public health will be considered but will be required to make up deficiencies in content equivalent to the MPH core courses.

Five broad criteria are applied in the application review process:

1. Management experience of increasing responsibility with either a demonstration of leadership or the strong potential for leadership.
2. A broad understanding of public health gained through acquiring the MPH degree (or equivalent) and exposure to public health practice and issues through continuing education, professional experience, or volunteer work.
3. Ability to successfully perform academic work at a doctoral level as indicated by grades earned in graduate level courses, level of course difficulty (e.g. analysis and methods courses), and test scores for applicants who are returning to school after a long hiatus or whose prior academic records do not accurately reflect their current abilities.
4. Communication skills, especially writing as demonstrated by a clear, focused and well organized personal statement, along with TOEFL scores for applicants whose first language is not English.
5. Motivation to complete the program in a timely manner and continue on to professional work as a public health leader as demonstrated by an academic and personal development history that demonstrates commitment to public health, persistence, and initiative. 

All students who are degree candidates in the School of Public Health are eligible to apply for financial aid.  Most DrPH students work full time, and fund their education themselves or through an arrangement with their employers.

DrPH Program Requirements (CLICK HERE TO VIEW 2010 CURRICULUM)

Students admitted into the DrPH program will develop a program of study with the assistance of a faculty advisor that totals a minimum of 96 semester hours (SH). Please note that students with a master’s degree in public health or related area may receive up to 32 SH of credit towards the 96 SH total.

The DrPH program consists of four components (Minimum of 96 SH):

1. Core Program Requirements – (19 SH)
2. Electives – (17 SH); A minimum of 17 SH to include 9 SH of courses at the 500 level in an area of emphasis and at least one analysis/methods course relevant to area of emphasis.
3. Culminating Experience – (minimum 28 SH)
• DrPH Thesis Project - The thesis can take a variety of forms, including:
• Research project
• Program evaluation
• Policy Analysis
4. Required Non-Credit Training
• HIPAA Research 101
• Investigator Training 101

An individualized course of study, designed to address each student’s background, interests, and future goals, will result in a performance portfolio which is developed in stages as the student progresses through the doctoral program. The portfolio documents each graduate’s experience, growth, and demonstrated abilities.

NOTE: Students entering without the requisite work experience must complete a field practicum experience of 5 semester hours (IPHS 661 Field Practicum Experience (5 SH).

Please visit the DrPH Student Handbook in the Student Handbook for more detailed information on curriculum.

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