Choosing a PhD or a DrPH: Key Differences

October 10, 2024
Students studying in a Library

At NYU GPH, both of our doctoral programs have rigorous standards in the classroom and practical applications in the field. Students of both programs are mentored by our stellar, interdisciplinary faculty, and both programs are accredited by CEPH. So which doctoral degree is right for you: PhD or DrPH? Consider some key differences:

They set you on different career paths.

Our PhD program prepares you for a career as an academic scholar at advanced levels of instruction, as a collaborative researcher, a creator of policy initiatives, or as an independent consultant to federal agencies or local health departments.

DrPH graduates ground their careers outside of academia, assuming leadership positions, implementing policy, or managing programs at local or global levels. While often involved in research, DrPHs typically focus on careers in industry, for nonprofit organizations, or in other sectors where dynamic settings require urgent, practical solutions.

As a public health professional with either a PhD or a DrPH, your career options are unlimited, and there is plenty of room for overlap. It’s not uncommon for a professor with a PhD to assume a leadership position, or for a practitioner with a DrPH to expand the boundaries of academic research. 

They have different prerequisites.

You can begin our PhD program as soon as you complete your undergraduate degree. Although an MPH is recommended, it’s not a requirement. If you do not have an MPH, however, you will still be expected to complete foundational public health courses prior to matriculating in the fall. 

In contrast, the DrPH program requires you to have a graduate-level credential (an MPH or other advanced degree in a related field). And with its focus on the practical application of skills, the program also requires three years of relevant, full-time work experience.

They have different course sequences.

Importantly, GPH’s PhD program is a fully-funded, full-time, four- or five-year commitment. Classroom skills and research results will converge in the writing of your dissertation, which makes a novel and independent contribution to public health. As a result, you gain a highly specialized area of focus.

The DrPH, on the other hand, values field experience, so working professionals can earn their degree either full-time (within four years) or part-time (within five to seven years). In lieu of a dissertation, GPH’s Advanced Applied Practice Experience will expand your portfolio with project(s) that make a meaningful contribution to an organization (a written component, more flexible in form, is also required). 

They focus on different subject areas.

PhD students choose among four concentrations at GPH – Epidemiology, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Public Health Policy & Management, and Biostatistics – while being encouraged to make important research contributions in other areas as well.

The DrPH program focuses instead on developing specialized competencies, both foundational and program-specific. They include leadership skills, implementation science strategies, developing health communication campaigns, and advancing social justice in public health, among several others. 

No matter which path you choose, GPH will equip you with the skills to make valuable contributions in public health through research, community involvement and leadership roles. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your skills and interests, and what you envision as your career path.


 

Learn about the PhD in Public Health Program

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Learn more about the DrPH in Public Health Program

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