FAQs for the Online PhD in Public Health
Earning an online PhD in public health is a significant accomplishment that requires dedication, hard work, and determination. However, before applying to programs, it is essential to do your due diligence. It’s important to research various schools and programs to understand what they offer and to ensure that you understand the requirements and expectations fully. Being an informed student is key to being prepared, and proper preparation can contribute to a successful higher education experience. You can start by reading through popular questions and answers from aspiring public health PhD students to get a better understanding of what to expect.
How Many Years Is a 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.
What Can I Do with an Online PhD in Public Health?
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.
Should I Get a PhD in Public Health? Should I Earn It Online?
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.
- Are my professional interests definitely centered in the field of public health?
- 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.
- Am I a self-starter and self-disciplined? Both are required for success as an online student.
- Am I good at time management? Excellent time management is another crucial skill for any successful online learner.
- 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.
- 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.
Can I Earn a Public Health PhD Fully Online?
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.
What Are the Admissions Requirements?
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.
Can I Afford an Online Public Health PhD?
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:
| School Name | Degree Title | Delivery Method | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Illinois University (public) | PhD in Health Sciences | Traditional on-campus with some online coursework |
45
credit hours
| $882.18 (in-state and out-of-state) | $39,698.10 (not including additional fees, books and supplies, or room and board) |
| Rush University (private) | PhD in Health Sciences | Fully-online coursework | 54 semester hours | $897 in-state and out-of-state | $48,438 (not including additional fees, books and supplies, or room and board) |
| Texas Woman’s University (public) | PhD in Health Studies | Traditional on-campus with some online coursework | 96 credit hours * Includes credit hours required to complete masters’ degree coursework. | $276.30 (in-state); $698.30 (out-of-state) | $26,524.80 in-state; $67,036.80 out-of-state (not including additional fees, books and supplies, or room and board) *Totals include costs for credit hours needed to complete master’s degree coursework. |
| University of Florida | PhD in Biostatistics | Traditional on-campus with some online coursework | 90 credit hours (beyond the bachelor’s degree) |
| $29,060 (estimated annual cost, including tuition, fees, books and supplies, on-campus room and board, and other living expenses.) |
| University of South Dakota | PhD in Health Sciences | Online course delivery with limited in-person requirements, including dissertation defense | Minimum 75 credits (beyond the bachelor’s degree) | $486.80 (in-state and out-of-state) | $36,510 (not including additional fees, books and supplies, or room and board) |
Is an Online PhD in Public Health Accredited?
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.
