Public Health
Strengthening Public Health Practice and Governance
The Doctor of Public Health degree program (DrPH) prepares graduates to step into leadership roles where their decisions directly improve lives locally, nationally, and globally while staying grounded in evidence and real community needs.
An Advanced, Professional Degree
The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) is an advanced degree for those who want to grow their careers. The program prepares students to work at a high level in public, private, and non-profit organizations by building strong skills and knowledge in key public health and leadership domains.
Students in the DrPH program learn how to identify, study, and solve important public health issues. They also develop the skills needed to advocate for better health policies and programs that improve communities. Students gain a deep understanding of public health and related areas, along with the ability to clearly share that knowledge with both professionals and the general public.
After graduating, DrPH professionals are ready to take on leadership roles in areas like public health administration, education, and practice, working at local, national, and even global levels.
Online Concentration Options for Specialized Learning
In the DrPH program, students learn:
- Advanced research methods,
- Management of public health assets,
- Program planning and design,
- Program implementation and evaluation,
- Strategic management and resource alignment,
- Workforce development,
- Interprofessional collaboration, and
- Evidence-driven communication.
The two online DrPH concentrations feature asynchronous courses (online courses do not have specific meeting times) with no in-person requirements. The program is available in a part-time format only, where students take 1-2 courses per semester.
-
Epidemiology
Students in the Epidemiology concentration learn how to work with public health data to understand patterns, causes, and outcomes of diseases. They build skills in analyzing complex data using advanced methods, applying concepts from epidemiology and biostatistics to real-world situations.
They also gain experience conducting investigations in real-world settings, such as designing surveys, organizing interviews, collecting data, and managing fieldwork. In addition, students learn how to study health-related behaviors and understand how these behaviors affect health outcomes. Overall, the Epidemiology concentration prepares students to investigate public health issues, analyze data effectively, and apply findings to improve community health.
Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.
-
Health Management and Policy
The Health Management and Policy concentration focuses on improving the quality and safety of health care services. Students learn how to plan and manage changes within organizations, using data and national guidelines to make systems work better. This includes understanding how health policies connect to real-world operations, measuring the success of health programs, and leading efforts that improve population health at both the community and healthcare system level.
Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.
In-person concentrations are also available in Epidemiology, Health Management and Policy, and Community Health. Visit the College of Public Health website to learn more.
Course Delivery Format
Asynchronous
Field Work Requirement
Yes
Cost Per Credit Hour
Cost Overview
Total Credits
58-61
"The thing that excites us the most is helping to grow the public health leadership capacity in the small and large organizations that are committed to the hard work of improving health at the community, state, national, and global levels." - Dr. Michael Smith, Doctor of Public Health Program Coordinator
Steps to Apply
-
1. Choose Your Program
The ETSU College of Public Health offers an asynchronous online DrPH with concentrations in Epidemiology and Health Management and Policy. The application deadline for enrolling in the Fall 2026 semester is July 1, 2026.
Here are the Public Health programs you can choose from:
- DrPH - Epidemiology
- DrPH - Health Management and Policy
-
2. Review Admission Requirements
Applicants to this program are required to use the online Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) which can be accessed at www.SOPHAS.org. Please check the SOPHAS site for additional application information and deadlines
Admission to the Doctor of Public Health program is competitive and based on scholarship, letters of recommendation, and evidence of potential success, including:
- Evidence of successful completion of an M.P.H. or equivalent degree in a related field.
- Application form and accompanying fee.
- One official transcript of all previous undergraduate and graduate work (except previous coursework completed at ETSU).
- A personal essay that includes a written statement of career and educational goals, professional experience, and prospective area of interest for the dissertation.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are optional for applicants seeking admission to the DrPH.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s academic, professional, or personal achievement, competence, ethics, and potential.
-
3. Create Your SOPHAS Application
The application process to SOPHAS is quite lengthy, so we encourage you to apply early!
This page provides a checklist for what you'll need to assemble your application.
-
4. Submit Graduate Examination Results (Optional)
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
If you wish to provide Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores with your SOPHAS application, submit official scores taken within the past five years using GRE code 7333.
-
5. Submit Your SOPHAS Application
Applicants are encouraged to submit their SOPHAS applications as soon as they have entered their course work, Resume/ CV, and personal statement. Transcripts, letters of recommendation, and GRE scores (optional) should be designated for your SOPHAS application, and will be automatically attached to your application when received.
-
6. Application is Received by the College of Public Health
They will monitor your submitted application and request any additional materials necessary to complete our evaluation. They begin reviewing your application only after it becomes “Verified” by SOPHAS and includes all necessary materials. You will then receive a confirmation email indicating your application has been forwarded to the review committee. Please monitor your application status often.
-
5. Your Application is Reviewed
Your application will be thoroughly reviewed by a select group of faculty using the criteria listed above. Their decision will be communicated to you. If you are recommended, you will receive additional instructions to pursue admission to the program.
-
*Notes and Additional Information*
While the college has a priority and a final deadline, all applicants are encouraged to apply before the priority deadline.
Applications made to SOPHAS can take up to four (4) weeks to be processed and released to the college. Average SOPHAS processing time is two (2) weeks.
If recommended for admission by the Department, you will receive instructions to complete the Graduate School supplemental application. There are separate deadlines for each application. Both must be completed, including all supporting documents, by the published deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Why should I pursue this program at ETSU?
The online DrPH program at ETSU is designed for working public health professionals seeking to advance their careers. While the program was designed with public health professionals in mind, individuals who are seeking to move into the field of public health at a high level may also be well-suited for the online DrPH program. This program was developed by faculty who have decades of experience working in applied public health settings and understand the importance of a highly skilled public health workforce.
At many universities, DrPH programs are offered alongside more research focused PhD programs with courses often taught by the same faculty. In the ETSU College of Public Health the DrPH is the only doctoral program offered. That allows for the program's focus to be building in-demand professional public health skillsets. Not only does this DrPH's coursework include the ability to do high-quality research, it also includes training on how to work with communities and partners, program evaluation, organizational leadership, and using data to drive good decision-making.
-
What accreditations apply to this program?
This program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
-
Does a student's degree have to be related to this field? What are the prerequisites?
Students need to have successfully completed an MPH or equivalent degree in a related field in order to be eligible for admission to the online DrPH program.
-
Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous?
-
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there are no on-campus requirements.
-
Does this program require a dissertation, fieldwork or internship?
Yes, the online DrPH program requires an Applied Practice Experience (Internship). This requires 300 contact hours of applied work experience within a public health organization (outside what the student may do for their regular job). Students with at least four years of professional public health work experience may be eligible for a reduction to 150 required contact hours in their Applied Practice Experience.
Yes, the online DrPH program requires a dissertation.
-
When can I start?
Students wanting to pursue this program will start in the Fall term.
-
What is the time to completion?
This part-time online DrPH program is designed to be completed in five years by completing a total of 58-61 credit hours.
-
Is there a plan of study/course schedule available for review?
-
Are scholarships available?
Please visit the College of Public Health website. The department is also a Coverdell Fellowship partner.
Students are also encouraged to visit the Paying for Graduate School website for information regarding ETSU graduate scholarships and other financial resources.