Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree program is designed to
prepare public health professionals to positively impact health across
diverse communities through leadership, service, research, and
practice. Learners evaluate theories, research, and ethical parameters
guiding public health practice; analyze various factors that impact
population-based health disparities; and assess the efficacy of
national and global public health programs and practices. Building on
this knowledge, learners apply scholarly research within a particular
professional context to advance their knowledge as public health
practitioners; developing and leading collaborative, evidencebased
public health solutions that mitigate health disparities and meet the
needs of diverse populations; and implementing sustainable public
health policies and programs that promote individual and population
health and quality health care access. Upon successful completion of
this degree program, graduates are prepared to lead culturally
competent, evidence-based professional practices to improve the
outcomes of both diverse populations and public health
organizations.
Practicum Requirement(s):
Minimum of 100 supervised practicum hours. See the Practicum
section, below, for more information.
NHS8002 |
Collaboration, Communication, and Case Analysis for Doctoral Learners
This course prepares learners for doctoral-level coursework in the
School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Throughout the course, learners
analyze and evaluate how the scholar-practitioner model provides
guidance for developing competencies in effective and ethical health
care leadership, including professional and interprofessional
collaboration, communication, inclusion, and decision making.
Must be taken during the learner’s first quarter. Cannot be
fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
---|---|---|
DRPH8130 |
Leadership and Emerging Trends in Public Health
In this course, learners use the 10 Essential Public Health Services
as well as leadership concepts and practices to explore emerging
trends in public health. Throughout the course, learners examine the
ways in which evidence-based data and research are incorporated into
public health policy development. In particular, learners cultivate
public health policy leadership skills and practices through the
application of critical and asymmetrical thinking to generate new
awareness about an emerging public health issue and make the case that
the issue should be recognized and acted upon as a major public health
concern. | 6 quarter credits |
DRPH8140 |
Educating the Public Health Workforce
Learners in this course apply educational best practices to promote
learning in organizational and community settings. Learners also
assess their own strengths and weaknesses in leadership capacities,
including cultural proficiency, with the goal of mentoring and
coaching public health employees to become more effective public
health practitioners and educators.
Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 6 quarter credits |
DRPH8170 |
Applied Methods in Epidemiology
In this course, learners analyze the application of epidemiological
research methodologies and practices to address public health issues
in diverse populations. Through the use of these methods as public
health practitioners, learners enhance their knowledge of the
appropriate research designs used in epidemiology and how to integrate
and evaluate public health data. Learners also evaluate the effects of
designed evidence-based interventions and related policy
statements. | 6 quarter credits |
DRPH8210 |
Public Health Policy Design
In this course, learners integrate scientific information, legal and
regulatory approaches, ethical frameworks, and varied stakeholder
interests to develop policies that support system-level interventions.
Learners also propose interprofessional team approaches and integrate
knowledge of cultural values and practices in the design of public
health policies and programs.
Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 6 quarter credits |
DRPH8212 |
Design and Implementation of Public Health Strategies
Learners in this course explore methods and resources for designing
and implementing an effective public health strategic plan. Learners
formulate and evaluate short and long-term solutions to public health
problems and epidemiological issues using systems thinking and
research methodologies that are collaborative, ethical, fiscally, and
culturally responsive.
Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 6 quarter credits |
DRPH8300 |
Community Health Behavior and Promotion
In this course, learners explore the health behavior theories and
models that are used in the promotion of healthy behaviors in diverse
communities. Learners evaluate policy efforts to promote healthy
behaviors for disadvantaged communities, advocate for the promotion of
healthy behaviors in diverse public health organizations that
facilitate healthy practices, and lead communities in achieving their
optimal level of health. In particular, learners gain an understanding
of how to engage in the proper promotion of healthy behaviors by
helping disadvantaged communities become better informed. | 6 quarter credits |
NHS8040 |
21st-Century Health Care Improvement
Learners in this course build foundational knowledge and skills needed to shape the future of health care. Through the lens of a 21st-century health care leader, learners use critical thinking, analysis, and creative insights to examine a problem, gap, or opportunity for improvement within a health care or public health delivery system. Learners also complete a culminating project charter to further develop a coherent quality improvement plan for 21st-century health care. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. | 4 quarter credits |
NHS8051 * |
Preparing for the Professional Doctorate in Public Health and Health Administration
In this course, learners identify and secure a preceptor and project site for their practicum and complete the research ethics and compliance training required for their doctoral capstone project. Learners also substantiate organizational challenges that present opportunities for improvement interventions and synthesize research evidence to support feasible improvement interventions for an organization. In addition, learners determine the extent to which a prospective capstone project benefits and adds value to an organization. Throughout the course, learners refine their critical thinking and doctoral-level writing skills. Prerequisite(s): NHS8065. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. | 4 quarter credits |
NHS8065 * |
Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice in Health Care
In this course, learners apply the steps of the evidence-based practice process to a challenge in health care. Learners differentiate among qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research design, methods, and evidence, and evaluate the quality of qualitative research methods and results. Learners also interpret the results and practical significance of health care data analyses and assess their strengths and weaknesses in writing as a doctoral professional. Prerequisite(s): RSCH7864. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. | 4 quarter credits |
NHS8701 * |
Keystone: Defining the Doctoral Project
In this course, learners collect, integrate, and synthesize organizational and research evidence to complete a final draft of the Doctoral Project Prospectus Part 1 (DPP Part 1). Learners also collaborate with leaders at an organization within a health care or public health setting to secure the site and preceptor for their project as well as identify a health care or public health challenge as an opportunity for evidence-based change and improvement. Grading for this course is S/NS. Prerequisite(s): NHS8051. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. | 4 quarter credits |
RSCH7864 |
Quantitative Design and Analysis
In this course, learners investigate the fundamental concepts needed to conduct quantitative research. Learners examine and apply quantitative research techniques; appropriate applications of quantitative research; research design, measurement, and analysis, and their associated interdependencies; variable types and levels of measurement; sampling; descriptive and inferential statistics; and hypothesis testing. Learners define the strengths and limitations of descriptive statistics, analyze the quantitative scales of measurement, review the logic of probability and null hypothesis testing, and leverage technology when applicable. Learners also determine the steps necessary to ensure human subjects protection, and consider methodological adaptations when conducting research with vulnerable and diverse populations. Learners may only earn credit for PSY7864 or RSCH7864. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. | 4 quarter credits |
Learners must register for DRPH9971 a minimum of four times to
fulfill their program requirements.
DRPH9971 |
Doctoral Capstone †
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support
as they fulfill the required milestones toward completion of a
doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a
particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the
science and practice of the profession and solve
organization, institutional, or community concerns.
Department consent is required for registration. Grading for
this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a
minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements.
Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits each |
---|
Total
At least 76 quarter credits
* Denotes courses that have prerequisite(s). Refer to the descriptions for further details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
† Learners are responsible for the cost of their travel, accommodations, food, and other expenses associated with this course.
Practicum
Learners enrolled in the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree
program must complete 100 supervised hours of hands-on practicum at an
approved site as a requirement of their program. In the DrPH
practicum, learners apply the skills developed throughout the course
of the program in a public health setting where the practicum is
completed. The practicum provides learners with the opportunity to
participate in advanced practice with guidance from a preceptor and
mentor and engage in in-depth work within a practice environment that
is the focus of their capstone paper. Learners use the practicum
experience to help them achieve their program outcomes, competencies,
and learning objectives. Practicum hours are considered complete once
all program required practicum hours have been successfully achieved.
Partial completion of practicum hours requirements cannot be verified
for licensure or transfer of credits.