Getting a DrPH?

[quitejaded]

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Hi everyone!

Ok keeping this short:
- I am a Master's degree student studying Nutrition
- I plan to open health clinics in West Africa in the future
- I also want to get a doctorate degree. Nutrition doctorate degrees are 100% academia/research based. Unlike my Master's degree which requires human interaction and management. So I don't want a PhD in nutrition. Public Health is my 2nd choice "field".

QUESTIONS
Are there any DrPH programs that take "related" Master's degrees? What does a school mean "a MPH or its equivalent"?
What if I work as a public health consultant using my Nutrition degree (yes, some people do that)?
Most programs require 3 years working in the field. I've been "in the field" for my whole life? What experience counts the most? As an undergraduate, I was assistant administrator for a home health company. As a dietitian, I will be working hospitals and doing consulting. Will these experiences be "worthy"?
Are there online DrPH programs?

 

[codym]

I'm currently in the process of looking at DrPH/PhD programs myself.

First, I think your masters program is fine. Harvard is set to launch their DrPH program next year and they make a point to say that a public health degree is not required. In your circumstance, you could really relate nutrition to public health.

As far as the required experience, I think it all comes down to how well you can connect that experience to public health. For instance, I have around three years of GIS experience. While that is not directly a Public Health Service, I feel that it's a valuable skill that could really aid me and my future employer.

As far as I know (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong), there are not any fully online programs. While some coursework may be online, you may still have to show up in person to a few classes. Again, this is according to programs that I have researched.

Good luck with your application process!

Cody

 

[pttrac]

The DrPH program at UIC is fully accredited by CEPH and is online. I applied this year and was put on the waitlist. If I don't get in, I'll try again in the future. I believe that I was not accepted due to my lack of experience (less than 5 years). The program is still in it's infancy, but it looks promising.

 

[codym]

Pttrac, thanks for correcting me! That's great news!