Doctor of Public Health in Global Health Leadership : IU Indianapolis Bulletin

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Degree Programs

Doctor of Public Health in Global Health Leadership

This unique and exciting doctoral program prepares you to be a knowledgeable and innovative leader capable of effectively addressing the world’s most challenging and complex public health problems.

The three-year, cohort-based distance program is designed for diverse professionals working full time in field-based settings around the world. Classes are delivered in real time via internet video. You will meet face-to-face for a few days three times per year in years one and two of the program.

Most in-person sessions take place in Indianapolis, Indiana; other times, the program meets elsewhere in the U.S. or around the world. You will complete dissertations or field-based, culminating projects in year three.

Some international scholars admitted into the DrPH program may need visas to enter the United States for the three short residential visits in years one and two. For those who require it, the Office of International Affairs assists 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.

Learning is achieved experientially, through highly interactive debates and discussions. Rich exchanges happen in real time, regardless of where in the world scholars are located. Leadership skills are cultivated in the program through diverse experiences and exposure to a wide range of perspectives.

At the Fairbanks School of Public Health program, we offer unique advantages, including:

Global curriculum. All courses are internationalized. Competencies gained are 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 experts based in other parts of the world.
Global network. The program leverages relationships with other schools and programs, with opportunities to collaborate with faculty and scholars 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 our 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 master's-level courses in epidemiology, health policy and management, biostatistics, social and behavioral sciences, 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.

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.

Take all courses for a total of 21 credits.

PBHL-A 755 Organizational Leadership Theory and Practice (3 credits)
PBHL-A 756 Leadership in Global Health Law and Ethics (3 credits)
PBHL-A 759 Leadership in Global Health Systems (3 credits)
PBHL-A 764 Global Health Diplomacy (3 credits)
PBHL-A 765 Financing Global Health (3 credits)
PBHL-A 767 Executive Communication for Global Health Leaders (3 credits)
PBHL-A 772 Systems and Design Thinking in Global Health (3 credits)

Public Health Courses

Take all courses for a total of 6 credits.

PBHL-A 760 Essentials of Practice-based Research (3 credits)
PBHL-A 768 Global Health Policy and Advocacy (3 credits)

Research Courses

Take all courses for a total of 18 credits.

PBHL-A 766 Fundamentals of Research Analysis (3 credits)
PBHL-A 777 Doctoral Project Planning and Preparation (3 credits)
PBHL-A 771 Program Evaluation for Global Health Leaders (3 credits)
PBHL-A 805 Doctoral Dissertation or Field Project (3 credits)
PBHL-A 805 Doctoral Dissertation or Field Project (3 credits)
PBHL-A 805 Doctoral Dissertation or Field Project (3 credits)

For students who started the DrPH spring 2025 or earlier

Leadership Courses

Take all seven courses for 15 credits.

PBHL-A 755 Organizational Leadership Theory and Practice (2 credits)
PBHL-A 756 Leadership in Global Health Law and Ethics (2 credits)
PBHL-A 759 Leadership in Global Health Systems (2 credits)
PBHL-A 762 The Science of Global Health Implementation (2 credits)
PBHL-A 765 Financing Global Health (3 credits)
PBHL-A 767 Executive Communication for Global Health Leaders (2 credits)
PBHL-A 770 Leadership for Global Marketing, Public Relations and Fundraising (2 credits)