The PhD in Public Health Online

To complete an online PhD in Public Health degree program, students should be prepared to invest at least four years beyond their bachelor’s degree or two to three years beyond their master’s degree. However, some programs allow significantly more time for completion, with a maximum of up to eight years in some cases. Most online programs consist of two years of coursework followed by a dissertation process that can last between two and six years. The total degree completion time can be affected by several factors, including the specific school, area of specialization, choice of full-time or part-time study, and the student’s starting point (either with a previously-earned bachelor’s or master’s degree). Those attending part-time should plan on a total of five to six years to complete their degrees realistically.

A PhD in Public Health prepares degree holders for professional careers in advanced research and academia. Common employers include:

• Colleges and universities (in both teaching and research positions)
• Research facilities (both public and private)
• Governmental agencies (federal, state, local)
• Public policy organizations (primarily non-profit)

Specific careers and job titles vary depending primarily on the degree holder’s chosen area of specialization or concentration — for example, earning an online PhD in Epidemiology would most likely lead to positions in epidemiological research or teaching. Most academic (teaching) positions carry the job title of professor. Non-academic job title examples include:

• Behavioral scientist
• Biostatistician
• Epidemiologist
• Director of Clinical Trials

Those interested in advanced public health careers in administrative or practice-setting positions will want to pursue the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree. For more information on career options for PhD in Public Health degree holders, check out our What Can You Do with a Public Health Degree? page.

A PhD in public health can be a great choice for just about any research-minded public health student or professional. And programs that include online coursework may be the best way to earn it. But online learning may not be for everyone. Here are 6 important questions that every potential student should answer before pursuing an online PhD in public health.

1. Are my professional interests definitely centered in the field of public health?
2. Am I interested in a career in either advanced scientific research or post-secondary academics? If not, a public health bachelor’s or master’s degree may be sufficient to reach your professional goals.
3. Am I a self-starter and self-disciplined? Both are required for success as an online student.
4. Am I good at time management? Excellent time management is another crucial skill for any successful online learner.
5. Am I computer/internet proficient? You don’t need to be a computer scientist to be a good online learner, but a solid proficiency and comfort level with word-processing software, web browsers, and online media platforms is necessary.
6. Am I comfortable interacting with professors and peers almost entirely online (including submitting papers, chatting, and receiving feedback)? If you’re someone who needs face-to-face interaction to learn, then an online degree program is probably not for you.

Regrettably, there are few fully online PhD programs in public health. However, many PhD programs in public health have didactic coursework that can be completed fully or partially online. The dissertation process for many programs often necessitates some in-person contact between the candidate and their professors or advisors, as well as meetings with program cohorts. Students may also be required to defend their completed dissertations in-person. It is highly recommended that individuals understand all on-campus and in-person requirements of any degree program they are considering before enrolling.

As you might expect, admissions requirements for any public health-related PhD program will depend on the particular degree sought. Therefore, it’s important to review the specific requirements for each program you’re considering. You can expect, however, that most programs will include requirements identical or similar to these:

• Previously-earned degree. Master’s degree (although some programs require only a bachelor’s degree) typically a in public health or closely-related field, and awarded by a properly-accredited college or university. Degree must be earned with a stated minimum GPA.
• Competitive GRE scores. Minimum score requirements vary by program.
• Written personal statement or statement of purpose.
• Letters of recommendation.
• Resume or CV.
• TOEFL scores. For students whose native language is not English. Minimum score requirements vary by program.

The cost of any degree program consists of two fundamental elements: time and money. Pursuing a PhD in public health requires a significant investment of both resources. Therefore, it is essential that prospective students carefully consider the total costs involved, such as tuition, fees, books and supplies, room and board, against the potential benefits, such as professional advancement and increased income, of earning their degree. Making an informed decision about pursuing a PhD in public health should involve a thorough examination of the program’s total costs and expected outcomes.

Degree costs vary widely from program to program depending on a number of important factors, including specific degree and specialization sought, type of school (public or private), in-state or out-of-state residence of the student, total length of program, and transferable credits allowed. Below are a few examples of public health-related PhD programs and their corresponding costs:

The simple answer is yes. But it’s crucial that anyone considering any PhD in public health confirms that the program is fully accredited by the Council for Education in Public Health (CEPH), and that the college or university offering the degree is accredited by 1 of the 6 Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) regional accrediting organizations. Both program and institutional accreditation is essential because proper accreditation assures that the degree program has gone through a rigorous process of self-evaluation and meets or exceeds minimum standards of quality. Further, schools must be properly accredited for its students to be eligible for federal student aid.