Doctoral Programs
DrPH
Doctor of Public Health
Overview
The Doctor of Public Health in Community Health Practice offers training for individuals who wish to practice at an advanced level in public health. Students are trained to engage in community-driven, grassroots, and inter-sectoral applied research with a focus on addressing social inequity and systems-level change through the adoption of a transdisciplinary framework.
See the Fall 2024 to Summer 2025 DrPH Community Health Practice Degree Planner.
All doctoral students have access to expertise, faculty, and research across all locations.
Department Overview
This degree program is managed by the Department of Management, Policy and Community Health (MPACH).
The department chair is Dr. Aanand Naik, and the academic and admissions advisor is Leticia Valles.
For more information about the Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, visit their web page.
Admission Requirements
Community Health Practice DrPH candidates must meet the UTHealth School of Public Health’s general admission requirements.
- Recommended cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 scale
- Demonstrated competence in math, science, and written communication
- Master’s degree in Public Health or higher, or pending completion of a Master’s degree in Public Health prior to enrolling at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health; A master's degree or equivalent in a related area may be accepted, but leveling courses in public health may be required.
- Recommended prior healthcare and/or public health education, practice, or experience
Program Requirements
The DrPH program requires students to complete 54 credit hours* as detailed in the Community Health Practice DrPH degree planner. Most full-time students complete the DrPH program in three to five years. All students are eligible to elect to complete one or more graduate certificates in addition to required coursework.
For more information about academic requirements at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, reference the academic catalog.
*For students who do not hold a graduate degree in public health, additional coursework and time to bring you up to competence may be required.