College of Public Health

UNTHSC doctoral program prepares graduates for public health leadership

November 17, 2009 • Uncategorized

This fall, the University of North Texas Health Science Center’s (UNTHSC) College of Public Health launched an enhanced Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree in Public Health Practice, to offer advanced training in public health leadership and policy for individuals serving or planning a career in government, private or not-for-profit organizations.

This new, school wide program, offered on a full- or part-time basis, is designed to prepare students for public health practice in senior leadership roles.

“We are changing in response to the evolving needs of public health across the state and the nation and to support students’ expanded career opportunities,” said Dr. Christine A. Moranetz, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Chair for the Department of Public Health Education. “A student could apply the DrPH degree competencies to any organization or level of community leadership. The goal is to help prepare senior public health leaders of the future who may be working in a variety of roles.”

The new DrPH integrates the five core areas of public health, emphasizes work experience and engages students in courses and residencies with senior public health practitioners recognized for their achievements in the field.

For those seeking an academic doctoral degree in the public health sciences, the school is currently developing a new PhD program with concentrations in epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health disparities and health services and policy, that is anticipated to begin in fall 2010.