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What Can You Do With a Doctor of Public Health Degree?

Explore careers you can pursue with a Doctor of Public Health degree.

When you earn your Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), you position yourself for a variety of career opportunities in the field. That’s because a high-quality DrPH 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. And, with employment in healthcare occupations projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034, companies of all shapes and sizes are looking to hire qualified public health professionals to lead agencies, institutions, and community organizations.1

Below, we outline three public health roles you can pursue when you earn your DrPH degree.

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Public Health Director

In this role, you will assume a leadership position in health promotion and disease prevention in a community health setting. Serve as a director of a health department, nongovernmental organization, or other community health organization. Public health directors work in a variety of areas—including public health advocacy, communication, critical analysis, and leadership.

Health Officer

This is a public-facing role at a public institution such as a hospital, university, municipal department, or government agency. During a health crisis, health officers are responsible for sharing information with the public and/or the media, which can include organizing and holding press conferences as well as developing guidelines to be followed. Throughout the year, they are also in charge of designing and implementing educational programs and campaigns to disperse essential health-related information.

Public Health Consultant

A public health consultant works to advance the overall health of a population. Consultants often work alongside businesses, communities, government agencies, and healthcare facilities to provide guidance on the challenges and issues facing the public health sector. This is done by conducting research and using the data to positively impact the policies and procedures that are in place. Though responsibilities will vary depending upon the setting, a public health consultant is at the heart of improving public health outcomes.

Advance Your Public Health Career Skills With a DrPH From Walden

In Walden’s Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program, you will focus on the practical application of public health principles and integrate research methods in community-based settings in order to improve the health of those you serve. The program offers two tracks, depending on your prior education. Students who have already earned a master’s degree in public health can forgo foundational public health courses and complete the program in a shorter amount of time. 

As a Walden student, you will learn from respected scholars and practitioners in the field as you enhance your leadership and critical-thinking expertise. To help ensure your doctoral journey is a success, the DrPH program offers a guided capstone experience and Walden’s award-winning Doctoral Degree Coach®. You’ll graduate with a capstone project that demonstrates your ability to address a pressing problem in your field.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering a suite of public health degree programs online, including a CEPH-accredited Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.

1Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm

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

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.

Walden University’s Doctor of Public Health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. 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]). For any questions about Walden’s accreditation, please visit our accreditation page.
 

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