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Doctor of Public Health Public Health courses

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Public Health coursework overview

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Planning for your degree

  • total quarter credits: 76
  • Quarter length: 10 weeks
  • Course length: 10 weeks
  • Break: 3 weeks between quarters
Example sequence Core Capstone

Public Health course requirements

  • Core 12 courses
  • Capstone Minimum 4 courses

Example program course sequence

This example course sequence takes course prerequisites into account, so it can be helpful as a general guide when you register for courses. In GuidedPath, the number of courses you take in a quarter and time it takes to complete your program can vary. Your academic coach can help answer any course registration questions.

Show all descriptions
NHS8002 Required Course Collaboration, Communication, and Case Analysis for Doctoral Students 4 quarter credits This course prepares students for doctoral-level coursework in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Throughout the course, students 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, and decision making. Must be taken during the student's first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. 4 quarter credits
NHS8040 Required Course 21st-Century Health Care Improvement 4 quarter credits Students 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, students 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. Students 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
DRPH8140 Required Course Educating the Public Health Workforce 6 quarter credits Students in this course apply educational best practices to promote learning in organizational and community settings. Students also assess their own strengths and weaknesses in leadership capacities 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
DRPH8210 Required Course Public Health Policy Design 6 quarter credits In this course, students integrate scientific information, legal and regulatory approaches, ethical frameworks, and varied stakeholder interests to develop policies that support system-level interventions. Students also propose interprofessional team approaches and integrate knowledge of values and practices in the design of public health policies and programs. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. 6 quarter credits
DRPH8170 Required Course Applied Methods in Epidemiology 6 quarter credits In this course, students analyze the application of epidemiological research methodologies and practices to address public health issues. Through the use of these methods as public health practitioners, students enhance their knowledge of the appropriate research designs used in epidemiology and how to integrate and evaluate public health data. Students also evaluate the effects of designed evidence-based interventions and related policy statements. 6 quarter credits
DRPH8212 Required Course Design and Implementation of Public Health Strategies 6 quarter credits Students in this course explore methods and resources for designing and implementing an effective public health strategic plan. Students 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, and responsive to the community. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. 6 quarter credits
DRPH8300 Required Course Community Health Behavior and Promotion 6 quarter credits In this course, students explore the health behavior theories and models that are used in the promotion of healthy behaviors in communities. Students evaluate policy efforts to promote healthy behaviors for all communities, advocate for the promotion of healthy behaviors in public health organizations that facilitate healthy practices, and lead communities in achieving their optimal level of health. In particular, students gain an understanding of how to engage in the proper promotion of healthy behaviors by helping all communities become better informed. 6 quarter credits
DRPH8130 Required Course Leadership and Emerging Trends in Public Health 6 quarter credits Students explore the dynamic landscape of public health leadership and acquire the knowledge and skills needed to address emerging public health challenges. Throughout the course, they examine the ways in which data is incorporated into the design of practical, evidence-based solutions. In particular, students cultivate public health leadership skills through the application of systems thinking, as well as strengthen their capacity to influence public health practice in complex and rapidly changing environments. 6 quarter credits
RSCH7864 Required Course Quantitative Design and Analysis 4 quarter credits Students gain an understanding of the logic, computation, and interpretation of statistics, with an emphasis on decision-making skills in the research process and on the application and interpretation of statistical results. Students utilize the statistical program JASP to practice running and interpreting statistical analyses. 4 quarter credits
NHS8065 Required Course Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice in Health Care 4 quarter credits In this course, students apply the steps of the evidence-based practice process to a challenge in health care. Students differentiate among qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research design, methods, and evidence, and evaluate the quality of qualitative research methods and results. Students also interpret the results and practical significance of health care data analyses and assess their strengths and weaknesses in writing as a doctoral professional. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite(s): NHS8070 or NHS7864 or RSCH7864. 4 quarter credits
NHS8051 Required Course Preparing for the Professional Doctorate in Public Health and Health Administration 4 quarter credits In this course, students 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. Students also substantiate organizational challenges that present opportunities for improvement interventions and synthesize research evidence to support feasible improvement interventions for an organization. In addition, students determine the extent to which a prospective capstone project benefits and adds value to an organization. Throughout the course, students refine their critical thinking and doctoral-level writing skills. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite(s): NHS8060 or NHS8065. 4 quarter credits
NHS8701 Doctoral Capstone Keystone: Defining the Doctoral Project 4 quarter credits In this course, students collect, integrate, and synthesize organizational and research evidence to complete a final draft of their Project Plan. Students 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. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite(s): NHS8051. 4 quarter credits
DRPH9971 Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone 4 quarter credits This course provides students with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required phases toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Students apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Students must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. 4 quarter credits
DRPH9971 Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone 4 quarter credits This course provides students with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required phases toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Students apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Students must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. 4 quarter credits
DRPH9971 Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone 4 quarter credits This course provides students with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required phases toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Students apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Students must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. 4 quarter credits
DRPH9971 Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone 4 quarter credits This course provides students with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required phases toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Students apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Students must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. 4 quarter credits

Total

At least 76 quarter credits

One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for 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 DRPH9971.

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.

Core course requirements

Complete at least 56 quarter credits in the core courses category. Choose from the courses shown below.

Show all descriptions
DRPH8170 Required Course Applied Methods in Epidemiology 6 quarter credits In this course, students analyze the application of epidemiological research methodologies and practices to address public health issues. Through the use of these methods as public health practitioners, students enhance their knowledge of the appropriate research designs used in epidemiology and how to integrate and evaluate public health data. Students also evaluate the effects of designed evidence-based interventions and related policy statements. 6 quarter credits
DRPH8212 Required Course Design and Implementation of Public Health Strategies 6 quarter credits Students in this course explore methods and resources for designing and implementing an effective public health strategic plan. Students 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, and responsive to the community. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. 6 quarter credits
DRPH8300 Required Course Community Health Behavior and Promotion 6 quarter credits In this course, students explore the health behavior theories and models that are used in the promotion of healthy behaviors in communities. Students evaluate policy efforts to promote healthy behaviors for all communities, advocate for the promotion of healthy behaviors in public health organizations that facilitate healthy practices, and lead communities in achieving their optimal level of health. In particular, students gain an understanding of how to engage in the proper promotion of healthy behaviors by helping all communities become better informed. 6 quarter credits
NHS8040 Required Course 21st-Century Health Care Improvement 4 quarter credits Students 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, students 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. Students 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
DRPH8130 Required Course Leadership and Emerging Trends in Public Health 6 quarter credits Students explore the dynamic landscape of public health leadership and acquire the knowledge and skills needed to address emerging public health challenges. Throughout the course, they examine the ways in which data is incorporated into the design of practical, evidence-based solutions. In particular, students cultivate public health leadership skills through the application of systems thinking, as well as strengthen their capacity to influence public health practice in complex and rapidly changing environments. 6 quarter credits
DRPH8140 Required Course Educating the Public Health Workforce 6 quarter credits Students in this course apply educational best practices to promote learning in organizational and community settings. Students also assess their own strengths and weaknesses in leadership capacities 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
DRPH8210 Required Course Public Health Policy Design 6 quarter credits In this course, students integrate scientific information, legal and regulatory approaches, ethical frameworks, and varied stakeholder interests to develop policies that support system-level interventions. Students also propose interprofessional team approaches and integrate knowledge of values and practices in the design of public health policies and programs. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. 6 quarter credits
NHS8065 Required Course Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice in Health Care 4 quarter credits In this course, students apply the steps of the evidence-based practice process to a challenge in health care. Students differentiate among qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research design, methods, and evidence, and evaluate the quality of qualitative research methods and results. Students also interpret the results and practical significance of health care data analyses and assess their strengths and weaknesses in writing as a doctoral professional. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite(s): NHS8070 or NHS7864 or RSCH7864. 4 quarter credits
NHS8051 Required Course Preparing for the Professional Doctorate in Public Health and Health Administration 4 quarter credits In this course, students 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. Students also substantiate organizational challenges that present opportunities for improvement interventions and synthesize research evidence to support feasible improvement interventions for an organization. In addition, students determine the extent to which a prospective capstone project benefits and adds value to an organization. Throughout the course, students refine their critical thinking and doctoral-level writing skills. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite(s): NHS8060 or NHS8065. 4 quarter credits
RSCH7864 Required Course Quantitative Design and Analysis 4 quarter credits Students gain an understanding of the logic, computation, and interpretation of statistics, with an emphasis on decision-making skills in the research process and on the application and interpretation of statistical results. Students utilize the statistical program JASP to practice running and interpreting statistical analyses. 4 quarter credits
NHS8002 Required Course Collaboration, Communication, and Case Analysis for Doctoral Students 4 quarter credits This course prepares students for doctoral-level coursework in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Throughout the course, students 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, and decision making. Must be taken during the student's first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. 4 quarter credits

Total

At least 76 quarter credits

One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for 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 DRPH9971.

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.

Capstone course requirements

Complete at least 16 quarter credits. You must enroll in the capstone course a minimum of four times. If you require more time to complete your capstone, you have the option to enroll in additional sessions.

Show all descriptions
DRPH9971 Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone 4 quarter credits This course provides students with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required phases toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Students apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Students must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. 4 quarter credits
NHS8701 Doctoral Capstone Keystone: Defining the Doctoral Project 4 quarter credits In this course, students collect, integrate, and synthesize organizational and research evidence to complete a final draft of their Project Plan. Students 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. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite(s): NHS8051. 4 quarter credits

Total

At least 76 quarter credits

One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for 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 DRPH9971.

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.

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