The curriculum is designed to develop advanced leadership skills and evidence-based policy decisions. The program totals 42 credit hours. It will require 26 credit hours of required core coursework, 4 credit hours of applied courses, which include the Integrated Learning Experience (ILE) (3 credits) and the Applied Practice Experience (APEX) (1 credit). The remaining 12 credit hours include a required 3 credit hour concentration course and 9 credit hours of free elective courses. Each student will work with their mentor or academic advisor to select 9 credits of professional elective courses.
The Applied Practice Experience (APEX) will be a set of projects that is meaningful to an organization to advance public health practice. This experience will include a portfolio of projects and must include a reflection of the student’s expression of personal and/or professional reactions to the experience. The experience can be in the student’s own work setting.
The Integrated Learning Experience (ILE) will occur near the end of the program. The student will generate a field-based high-quality written product designed to influence programs, policies or systems addressing public health. Each student will demonstrate synthesis of five foundational and/or concentration specific competencies chosen by the student.
The program is focused on working professionals and is designed to be completed in three years as a part-time student and will be fully online with three on-site visits per cohort.
The University of Kentucky Doctor of Public Health will have one concentration: Public Health Leadership. Students must complete one course in their concentration area.
The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) area of concentration in public health leadership aims to provide a broad foundation in public health leadership and practice across various settings and domains. This concentration will prepare DrPH graduates for leadership roles in a variety of public health settings, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to address emerging public health challenges, drive innovation, and advocate for policies and practices that improve population health and well-being.
Develop strategies to identify and counter PH Misinformation
Utilize advanced decision-making theory to guide public health organizations or programs.
Evaluate leadership practices for navigating organizational and societal challenges.
Justify approaches to ethical dilemmas in PH Practice, Research, or Policy
Enhance advocacy efforts through coalition building, partnership development, or community engagement.
