Doctor in Public Health in Public Health Practice

Department of Public Health Education
Christine A. Moranetz, PhD, FAWHP, Chair 
moranetz@unthsc.edu
817-735-5074
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Admission Requirements
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Doctor in Public Health (Dr.PH.) in Public Health Practice
See Curriculum: 2012-2013

The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree in Public Health Practice is an indication of distinguished scholarly accomplishment in the professional field.  The goal of the DrPH program is to provide advanced training in public health leadership for individuals who will serve in a variety of roles within government, private and not-for-profit organizations.  The DrPH program requires a minimum of 60 semester credit hours (SCH) and is offered on a full time or part-time basis.

The DrPH curriculum will serve to integrate the five core areas of public health, emphasizing work experience relevant to this advanced degree and addressing learning methods in the context of public health practice.  To develop leadership skills, students will interact and collaborate with senior public health practitioners through a variety of courses and the residency.  Program content and learning experiences will address the public health competencies identified by the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH). Overall, upon completion of the DrPH program, the graduate will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Advocacy - Use scientific knowledge and ethical consideration to create and sustain active support for a cause or position with the intent of influencing decision-making regarding policies, practices and beliefs that advance public health at local, tribal, state, national, and international levels.
2. Communication - Study and use communication strategies to inform and influence individual and community decisions that enhance health.
3. Community/ Cultural Orientation - Interact and communicate effectively with people of different cultures. This includes having:
   • An awareness of one's own cultural worldview;
   • Mature attitudes toward cultural differences;
   • Knowledge of different cultural practices and worldviews; and
   • Possession of cross-cultural skills.
4. Critical Analysis - Develop, synthesize, interpret, and apply evidence-based research and theory from a broad range of disciplines and health-related data sources to facilitate studies, interventions and policies for promoting population health.
5. Leadership - Inspire trust and motivate individuals and teams to use evidence based strategies to envision and communicate a positive future that enhances essential public health services for all populations.
6. Management - Provide fiscally responsible strategic and operational guidance for a variety of health -related organizations, both public and private, for the purpose of achieving individual and community health wellness.
7. Professionalism and Ethics - Identify ethical issues, balance the claims of personal liberty against concerns about population health, consider the full spectrum of the determinants of health, identify the range of options for interventions, demonstrate the values and professional practices which form the basis of public health practice; understand and act upon the ethical concepts of social justice, virtue, and human rights; model accountability; and formulate and commit to personal and institutional development plans.