Public Health (DPH)

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Program Description

The DrPH is the highest professional degree in public health. The goal of our DrPH program is to develop transformative leaders in public health practice who can collaborate with diverse partners across settings and sectors, synthesize knowledge, and generate practice-based evidence. Our program focuses on training innovative leaders who will develop, implement, and disseminate evidence-based programs and policies to address global public health issues, framed by a health equity lens. Students are trained by an interdisciplinary faculty with expertise in research and practice, and they benefit from NYU’s location in New York City and an expansive global network.

GPH uses an interdisciplinary approach in its DrPH curriculum, with training in the areas of data and analysis; leadership, management, and governance; policy and programs; and education and workforce development. The GPH program has a specialized focus on communication, collaboration, leadership, implementation science, and ethics.

A total of 42 credit hours is required for the DrPH, including 15 credits of electives.  Students are expected to complete the degree within four to seven years, depending on previous academic coursework in public health, and whether the student is registered on a full-time or part-time basis.

GPH strongly believes in the importance of faculty mentoring. Early in the first semester, each DrPH student will be assigned a faculty mentor, based on areas of common interest. The faculty mentor will help the student with selecting relevant electives and developing a plan with recommendations regarding an advanced applied practice experience, qualifying exam preparation, dissertation focus, and other academic issues. Faculty mentors will also help students network with other NYU faculty and with health professionals working in the field.

In addition to faculty mentors, the program will provide coaching to every candidate, helping students develop hands-on leadership and professional skills under the guidance of experienced public health professionals.

Admissions

We welcome applications from candidates with an MPH or other relevant graduate degree (e.g., in epidemiology, medicine, nursing, social work, or public administration).
Students entering the program with a graduate degree other than an MPH are required to complete the five pre-requisite courses in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy and management, environmental health, and social and behavioral science, before matriculating into the program. 

The GRE is not required nor considered as part of your application.

All applicants are required to submit the following:

  • SOPHAS application form, select DrPH in Global Health from the list of active NYU GPH programs
  • Official transcripts from each institution attended (or an evaluation of your credentials if you graduated from a foreign institution)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • Resume/CV
  • English language proficiency exam (TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic) results for all applicants whose native language is not English and who did not receive the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. 
    • International students requiring a visa to attend NYU must complete the IELTS exam in person at an authorized test center. If you are required to take the exam but will not need it for visa purposes you may choose to take it online or at a test center.
  • Personal interview