Leadership in Social and Behavioral Sciences, DrPH
The DrPH program in Leadership in Social and Behavioral Sciences, DrPH is a part-time, applied professional degree that prepares leaders in public health and other practice settings to create and manage programs and organizations. The DrPH program has a strong focus on field applications of needs assessment, coalition building, and program planning, grounded in an advanced understanding of the social determinants of health on health equity. Advanced study focuses on leadership and strategic management, systemic barriers to health equity, community advocacy, and program development and grant writing. Graduates of the program are expected to lead in the areas of health equity and advocacy to improve organizations and communities.
Program Competencies:
- Develop priority settings to address complex health topics that pose the greatest public health threats by utilizing equity focused health impact assessment tools and methodologies.
- Design an advocacy strategy that promotes health equity in a specified community by identifying and mapping stakeholders, appropriate platforms, key processes, and engaged organizations.
- Translate evidence-based research and practice-based findings into culturally responsive, sustainable public health programs and initiatives.
- Propose a program or initiative that addresses an identified health equity need and advocates and empowers individuals and communities to achieve optimal well-being.
- Construct a responsive strategic plan that identifies key strengths and challenges in an organization by performing and using a mixed methods needs assessment.
The DrPH Degree in Leadership in Social and Behavioral Sciences requires a total of 57 credits (15 credits of pre-requisites and 42 credit hours of doctoral coursework) that includes:
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Coursework - Prerequisites | ||
| SPHL 6020 | Foundations in Public Health | 3 |
| SPHL 6050 | Biostatistics for Public Health | 3 |
| SPHL 6060 | Epidemiology for Public Health | 3 |
| SPHL 6070 | Health Systems Policy and Management | 3 |
| SPHL 6080 | Design Strategies in Public Health Programs | 3 |
| Program Required Courses | ||
| SPHL 8000 | Principles of Public Health Leadership | 3 |
| SPHL 8010 | Budget and Financial Management | 3 |
| SPHL 8020 | Leadership and Strategic Management | 3 |
| SPHL 8080 | Public Health Pedagogy | 3 |
| SPHL 8100 | Health Equity and Advocacy | 3 |
| SPHL 8200 | Public Health & Social Policy | 3 |
| SBPS 8220 | Community Organizing for Social Change | 3 |
| SPHL 8250 | Study and Evaluation Methods in Public Health | 3 |
| SBPS 8750 | Social Determinants of Health I: Theory | 3 |
| SBPS 8770 | Social Determinants of Health in Public Health Practice | 3 |
| SBPS 8820 | Advanced Program Planning and Grant Writing | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| SPHL 9450 | Practice Based Portfolio: Background | 3 |
| SPHL 9460 | Practice Based Portfolio: Experiential Learning | 0 |
| SPHL 9470 | Practice Based Portfolio: Culminating Experience | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours | 57 | |
The DrPH in Leadership in Social and Behavioral Sciences is a part-time program which follows a cohort model. Students complete two 8-week courses during the Fall and Spring terms, and 0-2 courses during the Summer term.
Model Schedule*
*Based on a Fall start
For students needing to complete the foundational pre-requisite courses:
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| SPHL 6020 | Foundations in Public Health | 3 |
| SPHL 6050 | Biostatistics for Public Health | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPHL 6060 | Epidemiology for Public Health | 3 |
| SPHL 6070 | Health Systems Policy and Management | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Summer Session | ||
| SPHL 6080 | Design Strategies in Public Health Programs | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | |
After completion of the foundational pre-requisite courses students continue with the plan of study listed below.
For students that have completed the foundational pre-requisite courses prior to matriculation:
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| SPHL 8200 | Public Health & Social Policy | 3 |
| SPHL 8000 | Principles of Public Health Leadership | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPHL 8250 | Study and Evaluation Methods in Public Health | 3 |
| SBPS 8220 | Community Organizing for Social Change | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Summer Session | ||
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPHL 8010 | Budget and Financial Management | 3 |
| SPHL 8080 | Public Health Pedagogy | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| SBPS 8750 | Social Determinants of Health I: Theory | 3 |
| SBPS 8770 | Social Determinants of Health in Public Health Practice | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Summer Session | ||
| SPHL 9450 | Practice Based Portfolio: Background | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPHL 8100 | Health Equity and Advocacy | 3 |
| SPHL 8020 | Leadership and Strategic Management | 3 |
| SPHL 9460 | Practice Based Portfolio: Experiential Learning | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| SBPS 8820 | Advanced Program Planning and Grant Writing | 3 |
| SPHL 9470 | Practice Based Portfolio: Culminating Experience | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 42 | |
Program String and Field of Study: PHDPH_GR, SBSC
To learn more about the department, visit https://sph.tulane.edu/sbps/home.