Home / Departments / Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences / Programs / DrPH in Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences
The Fall 2021 incoming class of Doctor of Public Health students will be the last class in the program’s current format. The program will be revamped and reintroduced for program entry in Fall 2022, details to be announced.
The DrPH program in Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences (GCHB) is an applied professional degree that prepares leaders in applied public health program development, evaluation, and program-relevant research in promoting community health in a global context. The GCHB DrPH program has strong focus on field applications of program planning and monitoring and evaluation, and emphasizes advanced study in social determinants of health, health systems, health policy, grant writing, qualitative methods and research methods. A focus on health disparities and cultural competence are common themes throughout the coursework. Graduates are expected to have responsibilities that would include program leadership, evaluation, applied research, and teaching.
The requirements listed below represent the standards set by the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine for doctoral programs.
Applicants must meet the school’s admission requirements, submit the application through SOPHAS and include in their application three letters of reference from individuals who are familiar with their academic and/or professional performance.
Practical experience in public health is highly preferred.
Complete applications must be received by the priority deadline of December 1 to be considered for fellowships and other student funding. To be considered for admission to GCHB doctoral programs without funding, the completed application must be received by January 15.
A complete application includes all required documentation --career statements, letters of recommendation and verified transcripts and GRE scores. We recommend applications and required documentation be submitted in sufficient time for SOPHAS to receive and verify transcripts and GRE scores to meet the respective deadlines.
For further details regarding admissions requirements to the school, see the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine “Policies and Procedures for Doctoral Programs” guide.
Please visit the university course catalog for:
The DrPH degree in Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences requires a total of 72 credits post-baccalaureate degree with 30 credits of doctoral study at Tulane SPHTM. Up to 42 credits may be applied from the MPH or equivalent, however, these credits will be reviewed and those that do not fulfill the DrPH competencies may not be accepted. If a MPH requirement has not been fulfilled, the student must take the core or prerequisite course in addition to the 30 credits of advanced doctoral study.
Prerequisite Coursework (from prior master's degree)
Advanced Doctoral Study (30 credits)
Elective Credits 5 credits at the 7000 and 8000 course level - TBD by the advisor/student
Research Ethics
Doctoral students are required to take online research ethics study via CITI or another equivalent training program in research ethics. This certification must remain current throughout the duration of the student’s academic program.
Practicum
The practicum requirement is a 300 hour advanced field experience where students demonstrate competencies in advanced practice skills under the direction of a qualified preceptor in the practice setting. The advisor works with each student to develop measurable learning objectives prior to the practicum experience. This practicum should focus on developing advanced leadership skills in public health disciplines, including the skill of reflective practice and assessment of self, teams, peers, and supervisors.
Comprehensive Exam
On completion of the coursework listed above, students will be required to pass a comprehensive examination to demonstrate doctoral program competencies as well as knowledge related to their content area of expertise.
Dissertation
DrPH students must complete a dissertation focused on public health that advances the field of knowledge, practice, or policy. Dissertations may include demonstration projects with a strong monitoring and evaluation component, in-depth policy analyses, detailed programmatic proposals, implementation of routine or standardized instruments, secondary analyses, and other applied emphases, consistent with the purpose of the DrPH program.
Academic Standards
Students in the DrPH program are required to maintain standards of performance required by the School.
Department Interim Chair: David Hotchkiss, PhD
Admissions Committee Co-Chairs: Alessandra Bazzano, PhD and Mai Do, MD, DrPH (for inquires about application and admissions)
Program Director: David Seal, PhD (for inquires about the program's structure and content)
Program Manager: Anita Jobson-Wolfe
Email: gchb@tulane.edu
Phone: (504) 988-5391
You can learn more in a webcast.