The Doctor of Public Health degree provides a foundation of core and elective courses beyond the master’s degree that will prepare the student for leadership in public health research and/or practice. This includes a dissertation that involves independent study under a faculty mentor. The specific program at Jackson State University focuses on eliminating disparities in health and healthcare.

The DrPH Degree Program prepares students to assume leadership roles in public health, especially as research scientists, administrators, educators, or practitioners. Such roles can be expected to include, but not be limited to, positions in organizations and agencies such as universities, public health agencies, hospitals, managed care organizations, pharmaceutical companies, research firms, and other settings where public health specialists are employed.

The program will include advanced theoretical and practical studies in the specialized fields of public health as well as the preparation of a dissertation. The dissertation will establish the student as a competent researcher and scholar, capable of conducting and supervising independent research studies. Students will be trained to study public health from a multidisciplinary perspective to appreciate the disparities affecting minorities in terms of health and healthcare services.

Students will master core competencies in public health as well as specialized courses in their chosen concentration. They will develop a high level of analytical (quantitative and qualitative research) skills, complemented by an extensive breadth of relevant leadership knowledge in research grant preparation, management, study implementation and evaluation.

We offer a Doctor of Public Health degree in Behavioral Health Promotion and Education with the following curriculum:

DrPH Behavioral Health Promotion and Education Curriculum