Degree Programs
Doctor of Public Health in Global Health Leadership
This exciting doctoral degree will prepare students to be knowledgeable and innovative leaders capable of effectively addressing the challenging and complex public health issues facing the world today. Based in the school’s department of global health, the degree is a three-year, cohort-based distance program offered online.
Classes are delivered in real time via internet video. Students meet face-to-face three times each year in year one and year two. Most in-person sessions take place in Indianapolis, Indiana, although some may take place elsewhere in the U.S. or around the world. Students will complete their doctoral projects in year three.
Some international students admitted into the DrPH program may need visas to enter the United States for the three short residential visits in program years one and two. For those who require it, the IU Indianapolis Office of International Affairs will assist with issuance of a form I-20 required for an F-1 visa.
The target audience is mid- to senior-level professionals who are working full time in organizations in which they have the ability to influence the health of populations anywhere in the world. We seek students from a wide range of backgrounds, including nonprofit and for-profit health care settings, NGOs, nonprofit organizations, pharma, government agencies, ministries of health, and foundations, as well as non-traditional settings.
A hallmark of the program is the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and home bases of our students. We admit cohorts of 12 to 15 students who are as different from each other as possible, since diverse cohorts of learners inspire each other to think creatively.
Successful applicants will have strong academic records, at least a master’s degree (not necessarily in public health), and a minimum of several years of experience in a wide range of healthcare settings in roles with substantial management responsibility. We seek individuals who aspire to practice-oriented careers and leadership roles in organizations in which they can have maximum influence on the public’s health.
Leadership skills are cultivated through diverse experiences and exposure to a wide range of perspectives. Learning is achieved experientially, through highly interactive debates and discussions. Small class sizes and live internet video allow for rich exchanges in real time, regardless of where in the world students are located.
The Fairbanks School of Public Health offers unique advantages, including:
- Global curriculum. All courses are internationalized. Competencies gained will be applicable whether individuals live and work in Indiana, the U.S., or anywhere in the world.
- Global faculty. In addition to U.S.-based faculty, program faculty include international practitioners and academics teaching from around the world.
- Global network. The program leverages relationships with other schools and programs, including opportunities to collaborate with faculty and students based around the world.
The Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and the Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation (APHEA).
Admissions
Scholars start the program in the fall. For detailed admissions criteria and instructions for applying to the doctoral program in global health leadership (DrPH), visit the admissions page.
Before applying, please note that successful applicants will meet the following criteria:
- Prior master's or doctoral level degree (does not have to be in public health)
- Strong record in prior academic work (3.0 grade point average in graduate work)
- Working full-time in an organization associated with the public's health
- Mid- to senior-level leadership role with substantial management responsibility
- At least five years substantial management experience post master's degree for advanced cohort; at least three years for emerging leaders cohort
- Practice-oriented career goals
- Passion to improve the health of the public
- Ambition for top jobs for maximum influence
- Demonstrated leadership qualities
Admission criteria
Application, admission, and degree-granting requirements and regulations shall be applied equitably to all individuals, applicants, and scholars regardless of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin.
All applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation and a personal statement. The letters of recommendation must come from individuals who can speak to applicants’ leadership abilities. Personal statements must include detailed responses to a list of questions provided in the application instructions.
A degree in public health is not required to be admitted. However, individuals must have a master’s degree or earned doctorate to be eligible for the program.
Individuals without a master’s degree in public health from an accredited school of public health will also need to complete core masters-level courses in epidemiology, health policy and management, biostatistics, social and behavioral science, and environmental health science or document their equivalencies before a DrPH degree can be conferred. We strongly recommend completion of these courses prior to beginning the DrPH program, though it is also feasible to complete the MPH core courses concurrently with the doctoral coursework.
Application deadlines
- U.S. applicants: March 1
- International applicants: February 1
Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, personal statement, and résumé or CV. The TOEFL is also required if the applicant’s native language is not English and none of the applicant’s previous degrees is awarded by a U.S. accredited institution or other institution where English is the official language.
DrPH Global Health Leadership applications and supplemental materials must be submitted to the IU Graduate CAS application system (select IU Indianapolis campus).
DrPH curriculum and competencies
All DrPH candidates must satisfactorily complete a 45-credit, online curriculum. The doctoral program in global health leadership (DrPH) competencies are aligned with the CEPH foundational competencies. Program graduates are expected to apply a global perspective to their mastery of all program competencies.
DrPH competencies
The doctoral program in global health leadership is designed to meet the foundational competencies outlined by CEPH for DrPH programs. In addition, program graduates are expected to apply a global perspective to their mastery of all program competencies.
DrPH foundational competencies
Data & Analysis
- Explain qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods and policy analysis research and evaluation methods to address health issues at multiple (individual, group, organization, community, and population) levels
- Design a qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, policy analysis or evaluation project to address a public health issue
- Explain the use and limitations of surveillance systems and national surveys in assessing, monitoring, and evaluating policies and programs and to address a population’s health
Leadership, Management & Governance
- Propose strategies for health improvement and elimination of health inequities by organizing stakeholders, including researchers, practitioners, community leaders and other partners
- Communicate public health science to diverse stakeholders, including individuals at all levels of health literacy, for purposes of influencing behavior and policies
- Integrate knowledge, approaches, methods, values and potential contributions from multiple professions and systems in addressing public health problems
- Create a strategic plan
- Facilitate shared decision making through negotiation and consensus-building methods
- Create organizational change strategies
- Propose strategies to promote inclusion and equity within public health programs, policies and systems
- Assess one’s own strengths and weaknesses in leadership capacities, including cultural proficiency
- Propose human, fiscal and other resources to achieve a strategic goal
- Cultivate new resources and revenue streams to achieve a strategic goal
Policy & Programs
- Design a system-level intervention to address a public health issue
- Integrate knowledge of cultural values and practices in the design of public health policies and programs
- Integrate scientific information, legal and regulatory approaches, ethical frameworks and varied stakeholder interests in policy development and analysis
- Propose interprofessional team approaches to improving public health
Education & Workforce Development
- Assess an audience’s knowledge and learning needs
- Deliver training or educational experiences that promote learning in academic, organizational or community settings
- Use best practice modalities in pedagogical practices
Global Health Leadership competencies
In addition to the CEPH Foundational Competencies, students also master the five additional global health leadership competencies listed below.
- Analyze the roles and relationships of international organizations and other entities influencing global health.
- Critique the impact of global policies on health equity and social justice across a range of cultural, economic and health contexts.
- Apply an understanding of global economic, political, and social conditions on population health worldwide.
- Apply diplomacy and conflict resolution strategies with global partners.
- Exhibit communication skills that demonstrate respect for other perspectives and cultures.
DrPH in Global Health Leadership curriculum
To complete this degree, you will take a combination of leadership courses, public health courses, and research courses that together total 45 credits.
DrPH Leadership courses
Take all seven courses for 15 credits
- A755 Organizational Leadership Theory and Practice (2 credits)
- A756 Leadership in Global Health Law and Ethics (2 credits)
- A759 Leadership in Global Health Systems (2 credits)
- A762 The Science of Global Health Implementation (2 credits)
- A765 Financing Global Health (3 credits)
- A767 Executive Communication for Global Health Leaders (2 credits)
- A770 Leadership for Global Marketing, Public Relations and Fundraising (2 credits)
DrPH Public Health courses
Take all four courses for 7 credits
- A757 A Population Perspective for Global Health (1 credit)
- A760 Essentials of Practice-based Research (2 credits)
- A763 Leadership Challenges in Global Health Informatics (2 credits)
- A768 Global Health Policy Analysis and Advocacy (2 credits)
DrPH Research courses
Take all 11 courses for 23 credits
- A758 Initiating the Research Process (1 credit)
- A761 Literature Review & Appraisal (2 credits)
- A777 Dissertation Preparation and Planning (2 credits)
- A766 Fundamentals of Research Analysis (3 credits)
- A769 Strategic Theory and Practice in Global Health Leadership (2 credits)
- A777 Dissertation Preparation and Planning (1 credit)
- A771 Program Evaluation for Global Health Leaders (2 credits)
- A778 Dissertation Preparation and Planning II (1 credit)
- A805 Doctoral Dissertation (3 credits)
- A805 Doctoral Dissertation (3 credits)
- A805 Doctoral Dissertation (3 credits)
Updated: April 2024
