The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Program offers a doctoral degree in epidemiology/biostatistics
and behavioral science and health education. The program emerged based on a needs
assessment that indicated a great need for advanced competencies and public health
practitioner leadership. The first cohort enrolled in January 2005. The Doctor of
Public Health is a terminal degree, the first offered in the State of Florida, and
was the fifth Doctor of Public Health Program offered in the Southeast. The program
requires a minimum of 82 total semester hours (for those without a Master of Public
Health) and a minimum of 61 total semester hours (for those with a Master of Public
Health). The program also requires the successful completion of a comprehensive examination
and specialty examination, practicum, and a dissertation defense (oral and written
dissertation). The FAMU Public Health Program is fully accredited by the national
accrediting agency – the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Public Health is the science and the art of preventing disease, prolonging life, promoting
physical health, and organizing community efforts for the sanitation of the environment,
the control of community infections, the education of the individual in principles
of personal hygiene, and the development of the social machinery which will ensure,
to every individual in the community, a standard of living adequate for the maintenance
of health.
Careers
Public Health Careers
Public Health can work in:
• Governmental Public Health (federal, state, and local).
• Academic Public Health (i.e., assistant professor, associate professor, professor)
• Postdoctoral Fellows and Grants Managers
• Private Sector (e.g., Aetna, Humana)
• State Epidemiologists and Senior Health Educators
• Consultants: (Epidemiologists, Biostatisticians, and Health Educators)
Public Health Salary
Public Health Salary Expectations
a salary range of $91,396 - $127, 668
The states with the highest employment rates for public health are:
Q:What career opportunities are available for graduates with a Doctor of Public Health
degree? A:Employment and fellowship opportunities for Doctor of Public Health graduates are
plentiful! In addition, the magnitude of the need is heightened in the wake of needed
research regarding emerging infectious diseases, chronic diseases, data analytics,
cancer prevention, maternal and child health, and public health leadership. These
opportunities are within academia, governmental public health (federal, state, and
local) as well as the private sector (e.g., pharmaceutical companies, consulting firms),
community-based organizations, and the international arena. Examples of careers include
but are not limited to, academicians (epidemiologists, biostatisticians, health educators),
disease intervention specialists, epidemiologists (practitioners), health policy analysts,
data analysts, health outcome evaluators in pharmaceutical companies, senior public
health, and health care administrators.
Q:What is the difference between the Doctor of Public Health and Doctor of Philosophy? A:The Doctor of Public Health is a professional doctoral degree primarily for public
health practitioners. It is designed to prepare students for careers in public health
leadership, practice, and research. The degree emphasizes the practical application
of public health knowledge and skills, as well as the development of research and
policy skills. The Doctor of Public Health is a terminal degree, which means that
it is the highest level of education that you can achieve in public health. The Doctor
of Philosophy is the highest academic terminal degree. The Doctor of Philosophy places
emphasis primarily on the attainment of practical skills and knowledge with an applied
research focus. This doctoral degree focuses on research skills and knowledge. The
Doctor of Public Health does not preclude one from teaching and conducting research
in an academic setting.
Q:Is the FAMU Public Health Program accredited? A:Yes, the FAMU Public Health Program is fully accredited by the national accrediting
body – the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The Program has been accredited
since 2000 and is the first accredited public health program in North Florida and
the first public health program administratively housed in a college of pharmacy.
Q:What are the requirements for the FAMU Doctor of Public Health? A:Eligibility requirements include a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last
60 hours of study on the submitted baccalaureate degree transcript, three letters
of recommendation (with three evaluation forms), a personal statement, and a GRE score.
The applicant must have either a GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of study or a minimum
GRE score of 300. GRE scores are required. The course of study is 61 semester hours
(for those with a Master of Public Health) and 82 semester hours for those without
the Master of Public Health. All applicants must have a masters’ degree in a health-related
area to be eligible for consideration for the Doctor of Public Health program. The
curriculum includes didactic course work (foundational and specialization) in one
of two areas (epidemiology/biostatistics or behavioral science and health education),
advanced course work in the specialty area, successful completion of a comprehensive
examination and specialty examination, and a practicum experience. A dissertation
defense and written dissertation are required.
Program Faculty
Name
Email
Phone
Dr. Cynthia Harris, Associate Dean/Director/Professor
