DrPH in Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences

The requirements listed below represent the standards set by the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine for doctoral programs.

1. Prior Degree Requirements: Completion of a master's degree or 30 graduate-level credits in a field related to the doctoral area of study is preferred. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for outstanding students holding only baccalaureate degrees.
2. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for graduate coursework is preferred.
3. Official GRE scores are required for doctoral applicants. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores in the upper percentiles are preferred for the verbal and quantitative tests.
4. For applicants from non-English speaking nations, a minimum Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 89 for the internet-based test (IBT), 230 for the computer-based test (CBT) or 570 for the paper-based test (PBT) is required. Applicants may also submit scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants should have a score of 7 or above for doctoral applications.

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 degree program competencies, requirements, and model course schedules. 

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)

• BIOS 6030 Introductory Biostatistics (3)
• EPID 6030 Epidemiological Methods 1 (3)
• GCHB 6030 Social and Behavioral Aspects of Global Health (3)
• GEHS 6030 Survey of Environmental Health (3)
• GHSD 6030 Health Systems, Management and Policy (3)
• GCHB 6110 Health Promotion and Health Education Programs (3)
• GCHB 6120 Monitoring and Evaluation of Health Education and Communication Programs (3)

Advanced Doctoral Study (30 credits)

• GCHB 7250 Research Methods in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (3)
• GCHB 8120 Evaluation Theory (3)
• GCHB 8210 Advanced Monitoring and Evaluation (3) 
• GCHB 7070 Social Impact of HIV/AIDS (3) OR
  GCHB 7120 Monitoring & Evaluation of Maternal and Child Health (3) OR
  GCHB 7210 Survey Data for Family Planning & Reproductive Health (3)
• GCHB 8820 Advanced Program Planning/Grant Writing (3)
• GCHB 8800/8830 Senior Graduate Research Seminar (1)
• GCHB 7280 or 7290 Qualitative Methods (TBD by advisor/student) (2)
• SPHL 8800 Interdisciplinary Seminar (1) 
• Advanced Public Health-1 (Social Determinants/Health Communication course) (TBD by advisor/student) (3) 
• Advanced Public Health-2 (Health Policy course) (TBD by advisor/student) (3)
• Advanced Public Health-3 (Health Systems course) (TBD by advisor/student (3)

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. 

1. Achieve an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 out of a 4.0. GPAs below 3.3 cannot be rounded up.
2. Not have a grade below a B in more than 2 courses. 
3. Not receive an F in any course.

Department Chair: Richard Oberhelman, MD

Program Director: David Seal, PhD

Program Manager: Anita Jobson-Wolfe

Email: gchb@tulane.edu

Phone: (504) 988-5391