Available Fall 2027
Empower Communities for Increased Health with Advanced Knowledge in Public Health Practice
Do you want to cultivate your passion and expertise in public health practice? Liberty University’s Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Public Health Practice is designed to help equip you with the skills and knowledge to lead in a variety of public health settings. Whether you’re looking to tackle health challenges in your local community or make an impact on a global scale, this degree can help give you the practical training you need. From managing health programs to shaping public health policies, you can prepare to step into potential public health leadership roles where you can make an impact.
In this residential DrPH program, you won’t just learn about public health in the classroom – you’ll have the chance to experience it. With hands-on projects, real-world case studies, and opportunities to engage directly with health organizations, you’ll have the chance to see how the theories you study can play out in practice. Your doctoral studies will cover a wide range of topics, from epidemiology and biostatistics to community health and health equity. This well-rounded approach can help prepare you to address complex issues in healthcare delivery and policy with expertise. Plus, with a focus on applied practice, you can have the potential to bring about meaningful change in the lives of the people you serve.
If you’re passionate about making communities healthier and stronger, and you want to hone your knowledge and skills in the public health field, Liberty’s DrPH program could be an effective path for you. You’ll work alongside experienced faculty and fellow students who share your drive to create healthier futures, all while having opportunities to develop the leadership skills necessary to drive meaningful public health initiatives. Whether you want to lead a nonprofit, influence policy, or manage large-scale health programs, Liberty’s DrPH in Public Health Practice could be an ideal next step in pursuing your goals.
Award-Winning Campus
At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education that equips students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence helped us rank as the #4 Best College Campus in America by Niche.com. Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Why Choose Liberty’s Doctorate Degree in Public Health – Public Health Practice?
Liberty University’s Doctor of Public Health program with a focus in public health practice offers a well-rounded academic experience with top-tier resources. As a residential student, you’ll have access to the Jerry Falwell Library, where librarians are available to assist you in navigating databases and completing research. The Writing Center provides personalized help to strengthen your academic writing for everything from research papers to your dissertation. These resources, combined with Liberty’s supportive academic community, can help build a strong foundation for your studies.
By offering a faith-integrated curriculum, Liberty encourages you to approach public health from a Christian worldview, helping you address health challenges while considering ethical and spiritual dimensions. You’ll also have opportunities to showcase your research through events like Liberty’s Research Week and the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition, providing platforms to present your work, network, and participate in the academic community.
In addition to academic excellence, our residential public health doctorate in public health practice gives you the advantage of studying on Liberty’s beautiful Central Virginia campus. You can create meaningful relationships with experienced faculty and peers and take advantage of on-campus resources that foster leadership and collaborative public health practice. Whether through classroom discussions, research presentations, partnerships with public health organizations, or hands-on projects, Liberty prioritizes academic rigor, an applied research approach, stimulating academic relationships, and faith-based values in education. Apply today and join a community that can help inspire you toward igniting your fullest potential!
What Will You Learn in Our DrPH Program in Public Health Practice?
In Liberty’s DrPH degree with a health practice focus, you can explore essential skills needed to engage in practical aspects of the public health field. These areas include financial management, planning, program evaluation, health advocacy through media, and leadership and communication.
Courses in our Doctor of Public Health – Public Health Practice residential program will introduce you to the foundations of resource management, financial management theory, and the complexities of third-party reimbursement. You will also study the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of public health programs. In this part of your studies, you can learn about needs assessments, behavioral and educational assessments, and the process of writing objectives that guide successful programs.
Leadership and communication play a vital role in public health practice. Through your coursework, you can explore how to engage with diverse stakeholders, lead teams, and design strategic plans that promote collaboration. You’ll have the chance to study how health communication strategies, like social marketing and media advocacy, can drive meaningful changes in public health. Additionally, through research training and mentorship with our program’s experienced faculty, you will have the opportunity to sharpen your qualitative data collection and analysis skills.
View the Degree Completion Plan (coming soon) and check out our featured courses below for more information!
Featured Courses
PCHR 820 – Finances in Public Health Practice
PCHR 822 – Monitoring and Evaluation in Public Health Practice
PCHR 824 – Advanced Communication in Public Health Practice
PCHR 826 – Leadership and Management in Public Health
Highlights of Our Public Health Practice DrPH Degree Program
- Explore over 20 teaching and research laboratories.
- Immerse yourself in engaging research projects. Our students have collaborated with faculty to test the impact of BMI on heart rate, implement Biosand water filters in Rwanda, collect data on stress and burnout in the health field, and more!
- Access Liberty’s state-of-the-art Jerry Falwell Library, with over 3 million electronic and physical resources as well as journals, periodicals, and specialized databases.
- Benefit from Liberty’s vast network of partnerships with healthcare organizations, government agencies, and nonprofit sectors, enhancing your professional growth.
- Engage with faculty who are experienced practitioners in academia, industry, and government, bringing real-world expertise and mentorship to your academic experience.
- Explore opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across Liberty’s health science programs, preparing you to work effectively in diverse, team-based environments.
- Participate in professional development resources, including Liberty’s career services, alumni network, and public health-specific student organizations.
DrPh – Public Health Practice Degree Information
- Residential
- 56-58 total credit hours
- Transfer in up to 50% of your total degree
- This program falls under the School of Health Sciences
- View the Degree Completion Plan (coming soon)
- Check out the course catalog
Potential Career Opportunities for Doctor of Public Health – Public Health Practice Graduates
- Chief public health officer
- Community health program manager
- Epidemiologist
- Global health consultant
- Health policy advisor
- Nonprofit executive director
- Public health consultant
- Public health director
Admission Requirements for Our Doctorate in Public Health – Public Health Practice Program
Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:
- Admission application
- Official college transcripts showing a Master of Public Health or a Master of Science in Public Health from a CEPH-accredited program
- Those with a non-CEPH accredited MPH, MSPH, or health-related master’s degree can be considered but may be required to take PCHR 700 (Introduction to the Foundations of Public Health) and any of the following missing prerequisite courses:
- Biostatistics
- Principles of Environmental Health
- Principles of Epidemiology
- Public Health Administration
- Research Methods in Public Health
- Social and Behavioral Theory App. in Public Health
- Those with a non-CEPH accredited MPH, MSPH, or health-related master’s degree can be considered but may be required to take PCHR 700 (Introduction to the Foundations of Public Health) and any of the following missing prerequisite courses:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- 2 faculty/professional recommendation letters submitted via email to admissionsdocs@liberty.edu (must include physical signature of recommender). One must be from current or former faculty. One must be from current or former work supervisor or related
- Public Health Essay (see our Statement of Purpose page for details)
- Department approval required
