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Doctor of Public Health
Public Health
Lead effectively, help others, and make a difference with an online Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree from Capella University. Learn to apply research to design public health programs, devise solutions to address immediate and long-term public health issues, recognize emerging trends, employ social responsibility, and lead with integrity. If you’re a public health professional who wants to manage at a high level and influence positive change, this program can help position you for success.
Classes start May 10
Use the code SPRING to waive the $50 application fee
At a Glance
- Online
- 12 Core courses
- 2 Capstone courses
- 18 Max transfer credits
- 60 Coursework credits
Reduce your tuition by $20,000
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $20K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your doctoral degree.
Applicants must provide the following information for admission to Capella programs and specializations:
- On admission to the program, a background check is required before enrolling in courses.
- A master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
On admission to the program, a background check is required before enrolling in courses.
International Student Requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
GuidedPath
A more structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–2 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$755 per credit, 60 coursework credits, 18 max transfer credits
Tuition breakdown
Program Phases
Coursework
$755 Per quarter credit
60 coursework credits; capstone is additional
Coursework
What is coursework?$755
Capstone
$3,020 Per quarter (includes 100 practicum hours)
Most students spend one third to one half of their program working on their capstone; others may take longer
Capstone
What is capstone?$3,020
Per quarter (includes 100 practicum hours)
Most students spend one third to one half of their program working on their capstone; others may take longer
Fees
Resource kit fee
$175 Per quarter
Includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, and other instructional materials
Resource kit fee
$175
Per quarter
Includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, and other instructional materials
Application fee
$50 One-time fee
Application fee
$50
One-time fee
Background check
$32.00 One-time fee
Background check
$32.00
One-time fee
Tuition and program length are unique to you
Your total tuition and program length depend on a variety of factors:
- The program specialization you choose
- Scholarships and finances
- Prior coursework
- Transfer credits
- Employer and/or military benefits
- Amount of time spent working on practicum
- Number of quarters spent working on capstone
- Complexity of your capstone
- Academic performance
- School/work/life balance
- Unexpected life events
About cost scenarios
The cost scenarios below are examples based on general program pricing and 2020–21 Capella tuition rates, and assume the average number of transfer credits a student brings into the program. Pacing information is current as of January 1, 2020. These rates are the same nationwide and may change depending on factors affecting program length and price.
To discuss whether the specialization you’re interested in has additional factors that may affect program cost and length, contact a Capella enrollment counselor.
Cost scenarios
Completes capstone in 5 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the fastest 25% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $755/credit 12 quarters |
$45,300.00 |
| Capstone: $3,020/quarter 5 quarters |
$15,100.00 |
| Sub-total
|
$60,400.00 |
| Est. Scholarship Savings*
|
$-20,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings*
|
$40,400.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 12 quarters |
$2,100.00 |
| Application fee: $50 one-time fee |
$50.00 |
| Background check fee: one-time fee |
$32.00 |
|
Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings* 17 quarters |
$42,582.00 |
Completes capstone in 6 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the fastest 50% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $755/credit 12 quarters |
$45,300.00 |
| Capstone: $3,020/quarter 6 quarters |
$18,120.00 |
| Sub-total
|
$63,420.00 |
| Est. Total with Scholarship*
|
$-20,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings*
|
$43,420.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 14 quarters |
$2,100.00 |
| Application fee one-time fee |
$50.00 |
| Background check fee: one-time fee |
$32.00 |
|
Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings* 18 quarters |
$45,602.00 |
Completes capstone in 7 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the fastest 75% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $755/credit 12 quarters |
$45,300.00 |
| Capstone: $3,020/quarter 7 quarters |
$21,140.00 |
| Sub-total
|
$66,440.00 |
| Est. Scholarship Savings*
|
$-20,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings*
|
$46,440.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 12 quarters |
$2,100.00 |
| Application fee one-time fee |
$50.00 |
| Background check fee: one-time fee |
$32.00 |
|
Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings* 19 quarters |
$48,622.00 |
*Eligibility rules apply. Connect with us for details.
Get the details
Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Your education is an investment in your future that’s within your reach. There are more ways to save than you might think.
A combination of coursework, doctoral capstone, and practicum, the DrPH program blends theory with hands-on experience to give you professional know-how and credibility to expand your career options.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Learning outcomes
This program is designed to prepare public health professionals to improve health across diverse communities through leadership, service, research, and practice. Students evaluate theories, research, and ethical parameters guiding public health practice; analyze factors that affect population-based health disparities; and assess the efficacy of national and global public health programs and practices.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Integrate social and behavioral theories and concepts into research and practice in public health and health services to promote and sustain healthy environment and lives for individuals and populations
- Communicate and interact with people across life spans diverse groups and cultures to empower communities and enhance public health
- Ensure the foundations of public health are applied in the delivery of services and activities
- Strategize methods to impact the social, behavioral, governmental, and environmental determinants of global health
- Analyze and interpret scientific and research concepts, methods, and tools of data collection, to develop evidence-and practice-based strategies in public health
- Solve public health problems using biostatistical methods and concepts and epidemiological approaches
- Inform, influence, and organize stakeholders using communication strategies
- Positively impact the determinants of community health by critically analyzing evidence and theory from a broad range of disciplines and sources
- Assess and analyze environmental agents that impact population health in order to protect the health of communities
- Influence and implement the ethical concepts of social justice and human rights in public health
- Use science and scientific concepts to influence public health
- Apply management concepts to resolve operational, fiscal, and human resource dilemmas within public and private health organizations
- Evaluate program plans and apply team building, negotiation, and conflict management to influence and motivate others to solve public health problems
- Advocate for policies and practices that advance public health at the local, regional, national, and international levels
- Utilize systems thinking concepts to achieve public health goals at the local, regional, national, and international levels
- Collaborate across the health professions to optimize health outcomes, including emergency preparedness
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to consider with a Doctor of Public Health degree.
Related job titles to explore*
- Data analyst
- Health director
- Epidemiologist (non-clinical)
- Health policy analyst
- Research analyst
- Adjunct or part-time public health faculty
- Full-time public health faculty
- Health manager
Employment settings to explore
- Government—local, state, federal
- Department of health (local or state)
- Nonprofit organization
- Land-based or online college or university
- Health care organization (e.g. hospital or clinic)
- Public health agency
- National health advocacy institute
- Community health agency
- Social welfare organization
- Research organization
- National institutes of health
- Health insurance company
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
Support to reach the finish line
We designed our programs to meet the unique needs of doctoral students. Our programs help you reach your goals, with support from faculty, staff, and online resources along the way.
How to Use Social Determinants to Improve Health Care Outcomes
Welcome to the world of the social determinants of health. Social determinants refer to any aspect of a patient’s life that can impact the care received and their likelihood to benefit from that care.
Leadership in Public Health: Preparing for Emerging Issues
Learn about developing public health issues and leadership characteristics required to address them.
What’s It Like to Be a Doctoral Student?
What does it take to earn a doctoral degree? Learn more about the experience and explore each step of the journey.