Doctor and nurses speaking to each other.

Online DrPH Program


Become a public health leader and expand your influence in the field. Shape transformative, positive change in the communities where you serve.
Become a public health leader and expand your influence in the field. Shape transformative, positive change in the communities where you serve.

Ready to Get Started?

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current 01 Step 1: About You
  • 02 Step 2: Contact Information
Doctor and nurses speaking to each other.

Online DrPH Program

Ready to Get Started?

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current 01 Step 1: About You
  • 02 Step 2: Contact Information

Why Complete Your DrPH Program Online With Walden?

RESPECTED SCHOLARS AND PRACTITIONERS

Learn from respected scholars and practitioners in the public health field.

SOUGHT-AFTER COMPETENCIES

The DrPH curriculum provides critical insight into 21st-century public health challenges. You’ll also build sought-after competencies in communication, marketing, public policy and advocacy, and economics.

CAPSTONE PROJECT

In your final capstone project, you’ll build hands-on experience by using your enhanced knowledge to address a pressing problem in your field.

SAVING TIME AND MONEY

Walden offers two DrPH entry paths to meet you where you are in your education. If you have a Master of Public Health degree, you are eligible for a program track with fewer required credits and less coursework to position you to reach your goals sooner.

Program Details

Learning Tracks

We have a path to success for every level in your Public Health career.

Choose this track if you have a Master of Public Health (MPH). It allows the student to forgo foundational public health courses and complete the program in a shorter amount of time.

Curriculum

Minimum Degree Requirements

  • 82 quarter credits

    • Foundation course (5 cr.)

    • Core courses (55 cr.)

    • Research courses (5 cr.)

    • Applied Practice Experience (2 cr.)

    • Capstone courses (minimum 15 cr.)

  • Two residencies to equal a minimum of 8 days

View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.

Walden students have up to eight years to complete their doctoral program unless they petition for an extension.

In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation/doctoral study course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation/doctoral study course shell.

This sequence represents the minimum time to completion. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-821-3140.

Choose this track if you have a master’s degree in a discipline other than public health.

Curriculum

Minimum Degree Requirements

  • 103 quarter credits

    • Foundation course (5 cr.)

    • Core courses (76 cr.)

    • Research courses (5 cr.)

    • Applied Practice Experience (2 cr.)

    • Capstone courses (minimum 15 cr.)

  • Two residencies to equal a minimum of 8 days

View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.

Walden students have up to eight years to complete their doctoral program unless they petition for an extension.

In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation/doctoral study course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation/doctoral study course shell.

This sequence represents the minimum time to completion. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-821-3140.

Your Doctoral Journey

At Walden, we’ll guide you every step of the way with a comprehensive suite of support resources designed to help you confidently pursue the finish line, including our Doctoral Degree CoachTM. Are you ready to reach a higher level in your field?

A smiling woman wearing a graduation gown.

 

A Personalized Guide to Completing Your Doctorate

Earning your Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) requires commitment, perseverance, and hard work. You can do it, and Walden is here to help—with our Doctoral Degree Coach™.

  • Map and Track Milestones: Break your research down into manageable, sequential steps. See where you are, what’s ahead, and what you’ve already accomplished—all in one place.

  • Meet Weekly Targets: No more guesswork. Set prompts based on your to-do list and receive reminders and updates directly to your inbox.

  • Connect With Faculty: Stay on the same page and keep your progress on track. With shared access to your dashboard, your chair can easily guide you through your checklists, goals, and timelines.

  • Access Helpful Resources: Quickly find support from the right person at the right time. Our comprehensive resource guide points you in the right direction—no more frustrating searches.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for this doctoral program, you must have a master’s degree from an accredited college or university and meet the general admission requirements. All applicants must submit a completed online application and transcripts. Depending on program specialization, additional requirements may apply. More information for international applicants.

Tuition and Fees

CurriculumRequirementsCostTotal *
Tuition-Coursework67 quarter credits $620 per quarter hour for coursework credits$41,540^
Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project 15–130 quarter credits$620 per quarter hour for doctoral study/project credits$9,300–$80,600*
Program Fee $175 per quarter$1,750–$5,600*
Residency FeeTwo Residencies$1,420 each (virtual)
$1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional)
$2,840–$3,040
Estimated Range:  2.5-Year8-Year
   $55,430$130,780*+
   (assuming completion in a 2.5-year timeframe)(assuming completion in an 8-year timeframe)

These are ranges of what a student can expect in terms of time and tuition cost to complete a degree. It does not include other fees, nor is it adjusted for tuition increases over time. Walden faculty has concluded that generally students who do not complete their program in eight years are unlikely to complete and only allow students to exceed that time frame when a student petitions for an extension and provides good reason for the delay and assurances that obstacles to completion can be overcome. Time is calculated using the time allowed for each semester or unit that the student completes. Students are encouraged to work continuously during the program so as not to extend the time needed to complete the degree as work can become stale and students lose focus. Students who earn two grades of “Unsatisfactory,” who repeatedly drop a course before a semester or unit has been completed, or are unable to complete in the eight year time frame, should expect that they may be dismissed from the program. Walden believes that it is in the best interest of a student who is unable to complete the degree in the stated ranges to strongly consider withdrawal or obtaining a lesser degree.

Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic such as tuition and fee increases and/or the student’s transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; writing, research and editing skills; use of external data for their doctoral study/dissertation; and/or individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations; care giving responsibilities or health issues; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; leaves of absence; and/or other personal circumstances.

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included. Students may incur additional costs for remedial writing assistance, if necessary.

^This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt.

Based on a 2.5-year minimum completion requirement and an 8-year maximum timeframe as outlined in Walden academic policy.

*Tuition and fees will be higher if students petition to extend the 8-year maximum timeframe or choose to take more expensive elective courses.

+Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition discounts. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-642-0198.

CurriculumRequirementsCostTotal *
Tuition-Coursework88 quarter credits $620 per quarter hour for coursework credits$54,560^
Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project 15–115 quarter credits$620 per quarter hour for doctoral study/project credits$9,300–$71,300*
Program Fee $175 per quarter$2,275–$5,600*
Residency FeeTwo Residencies$1,420 each (virtual)
$1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional)
$2,840–$3,040
Estimated Range:  3.25-Year8-Year
   $68,975$134,500*+

These are ranges of what a student can expect in terms of time and tuition cost to complete a degree. It does not include other fees, nor is it adjusted for tuition increases over time. Walden faculty has concluded that generally students who do not complete their program in eight years are unlikely to complete and only allow students to exceed that time frame when a student petitions for an extension and provides good reason for the delay and assurances that obstacles to completion can be overcome. Time is calculated using the time allowed for each semester or unit that the student completes. Students are encouraged to work continuously during the program so as not to extend the time needed to complete the degree as work can become stale and students lose focus. Students who earn two grades of “Unsatisfactory,” who repeatedly drop a course before a semester or unit has been completed, or are unable to complete in the eight year time frame, should expect that they may be dismissed from the program. Walden believes that it is in the best interest of a student who is unable to complete the degree in the stated ranges to strongly consider withdrawal or obtaining a lesser degree.

Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic such as tuition and fee increases and/or the student’s transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; writing, research and editing skills; use of external data for their doctoral study/dissertation; and/or individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations; care giving responsibilities or health issues; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; leaves of absence; and/or other personal circumstances.

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included. Students may incur additional costs for remedial writing assistance, if necessary.

^This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt.

Based on a 3.25-year minimum completion requirement and an 8-year maximum timeframe as outlined in Walden academic policy.

*Tuition and fees will be higher if students petition to extend the 8-year maximum timeframe or choose to take more expensive elective courses.

+Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition discounts. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-642-0198.

Paying for Your Education

Our Enrollment Specialists can help you outline a plan and find resources for funding your education.

PROGRAM SAVINGS

Looking to reach your potential with a doctoral degree? We want to support you by making your goals more achievable. Receive up to a $5,000 grant when you start this program on May 27, 2024. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.

Program Outcomes

Gain the Confidence to Lead

Designed for public health practitioners, Walden's online DrPH program prepares you to advance into executive-level roles. You’ll enhance your leadership and critical thinking expertise while exploring 21st-century public health problems from both a domestic and global perspective. Apply current public health knowledge to create effective programs and policies that have a positive, measurable impact on entire populations.

What’s the Career Impact of Earning a Doctor of Public Health? 

The nation is shifting its healthcare focus from sick care to wellness, prevention, and chronic disease management. As a result, there is a growing need for qualified public health leaders to manage complex agencies, institutions, and community organizations.

Whether you’re seeking a promotion at your current organization or looking for new opportunities, earning a doctorate can open doors you never imagined. Go further in your career and attain a new level of credibility, respect, and influence with Walden’s online DrPH program.

What Can I Do With a DrPH?

A Doctor of Public Health program can help prepare you to work as a leader or administrator in a variety of practice-based settings within the public, private, or academic sector. Career options include:

  • Health department director

  • Public health information officer

  • Health policy advisor

  • Public health consultant

  • Health officer

  • Public health program director

  • Community health manager/director

  • Public health professor

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

 

Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of Walden’s online Doctor of Public Health program, you will be prepared to:

  • Critically evaluate the interdisciplinary role of stakeholders in the application and evaluation of population-based public health strategies.

  • Evaluate approaches to inform and influence public health interventions and strategies.

  • Apply research methods in the investigation of public health problems.

  • Critically evaluate evidence-based research, theories, and models used in public health.

  • Apply systems-thinking skills and strategies for the promotion of public health policy and advocacy.

  • Apply evidence-based research and practices to promote positive social change.

  • Examine the application of economic theories in relation to public health systems across diverse community settings.

  • Apply community health assessment techniques to identify, prioritize, and formulate solutions to community public health problems.

  • Apply ethical principles in public health practice.

Resources

How do you choose the best DrPH program?

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree-seekers have many options when it comes to choosing the program that is right for them. However, a few key factors should always be considered before deciding, including flexibility, diversity, and support. First, flexible scheduling can be key for working professionals, which is why online degree programs are such a popular choice. It’s also important to be able to connect with other professionals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, which can greatly enhance your DrPH experience. Lastly, be sure you choose a university with a strong support team that is invested in helping you succeed as you work toward earning your doctorate.

What are the different DrPH track options generally offered?

Tracks can differ by university, but Walden’s Doctor of Public Health program offers two tracks.

  • Track I is for students who have earned their Master of Public Health (MPH). It allows the student to forgo foundational public health courses and complete the program in a shorter amount of time.
  • Track II is for students who have earned their master’s degree in a discipline unrelated to public health. It includes key foundational public health courses students must complete to move through the program.

Both tracks include two residencies and a capstone project that must be completed in order to graduate from the DrPH program.

What is a DrPH degree?

The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree is a top credential for practitioners and administrators within the public health arena. Specifically, it’s a degree for professionals interested in advancing their careers and positively influencing public health issues within a community, regardless of its size. Candidates for this online public health degree typically have professional experience in addition to having already earned their master’s degree.

What can you do with a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)?

From leadership positions to consulting and advising, a Doctor of Public Health degree can open a wide range of professional opportunities in a variety of settings. DrPH program graduates may be employed in roles such as:*

  • Health department directors
  • Public health information officers
  • Health policy advisors
  • Public health consultants
  • Health officers
  • Public health program directors
  • Community health managers/directors
  • Faculty members or lecturers

*Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

What is the difference between a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) and a PhD in Public Health?

In the simplest terms, a DrPH is designed for public health professionals while a PhD in Public Health is designed for researchers. If you want to work in the field, enacting programs and policies, the DrPH can help you acquire the top-level knowledge you’ll need to be an effective leader. If you want to conduct research related to issues affecting public health, the PhD in Public Health can help you focus on a research specialty, kick-start your research career, and put you on the path to making important contributions to our understanding of public health problems and solutions.

Placeholder for the "Live Chat" block

Have a Question?

Chat with a Doctor of Public Health Enrollment Specialist.

Chat Now

1Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) IPEDS database. Based on the most recent year of completions survey data available, using CIP code family 51.2201 “Public Health, General” for Doctor’s degree – Research/Scholarship. Available at https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/use-the-data. (Retrieved January 2021; may consist of or include provisional release data.)

Note on Accreditation:The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) Board of Councilors acted at its September 6, 2019 meeting to accredit the Master of Public Health (MPH) Program at Walden University for a five-year term, based on an application for accreditation submitted on February 3, 2018. On June 5, 2020, the CEPH Board of Councilors accredited the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at Walden University, after reviewing an accreditation application submitted on April 21, 2020. CEPH is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and programs of public health. CEPH accreditation provides assurance that the program has been evaluated and met accepted public health profession standards in practice, research, and service. For a copy of the final self-study document and/or final accreditation report, please contact the dean of the College of Health Sciences and Public Policy ([email protected]).

Note on Certification: The National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) offers the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential as a voluntary core credential for public health professionals. As the eligibility criteria may change periodically, students should visit https://www.nbphe.org/eligibility for more information about certification in public health. It is the individual’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national certification. Walden makes no representations or guarantees that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain national certification or practice as a public health professional in the state where they intend to practice.

Note: Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic, such as tuition and fee increases; transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; writing, research, and editing skills; use of external data for the doctoral study/dissertation; and individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations, caregiving responsibilities, or health issues; leaves of absence; or other personal circumstances.