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Doctor of Public Health Public Health courses
Public Health coursework overview
Coursework tailored to your learning preferences
- Capella sets the deadlines
- Weekly online interactions
- Learn on your time
- Online
Planning for your degree
- total quarter credits: 76
- Quarter length: 10 weeks
- Course length: 10 weeks
- Break: 3 weeks between quarters
Public Health course requirements
- Core 12 courses
- Capstone Minimum 4 courses
Example program course sequence
This example course sequence takes course prerequisites into account, so it can be helpful as a general guide when you register for courses. In GuidedPath, the number of courses you take in a quarter and time it takes to complete your program can vary. Your academic coach can help answer any course registration questions.
Show all descriptions
NHS8002
Required Course Collaboration, Communication, and Case Analysis for Doctoral Learners
4 quarter credits
This course prepares learners for doctoral-level coursework in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Throughout the course, learners analyze and evaluate how the scholar-practitioner model provides guidance for developing competencies in effective and ethical health care leadership, including professional and interprofessional collaboration, communication, and decision making. Must be taken during the learner's first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
NHS8040
Required Course 21st-Century Health Care Improvement
4 quarter credits
Learners in this course build foundational knowledge and skills needed to shape the future of health care. Through the lens of a 21st-century health care leader, learners use critical thinking, analysis, and creative insights to examine a problem, gap, or opportunity for improvement within a health care or public health delivery system. Learners also complete a culminating project charter to further develop a coherent quality improvement plan for 21st-century health care. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
DRPH8140
Required Course Educating the Public Health Workforce
6 quarter credits
Learners in this course apply educational best practices to promote learning in organizational and community settings. Learners also assess their own strengths and weaknesses in leadership capacities with the goal of mentoring and coaching public health employees to become more effective public health practitioners and educators. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
6 quarter credits
DRPH8210
Required Course Public Health Policy Design
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners integrate scientific information, legal and regulatory approaches, ethical frameworks, and varied stakeholder interests to develop policies that support system-level interventions. Learners also propose interprofessional team approaches and integrate knowledge of values and practices in the design of public health policies and programs. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
6 quarter credits
DRPH8170
Required Course Applied Methods in Epidemiology
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners analyze the application of epidemiological research methodologies and practices to address public health issues. Through the use of these methods as public health practitioners, learners enhance their knowledge of the appropriate research designs used in epidemiology and how to integrate and evaluate public health data. Learners also evaluate the effects of designed evidence-based interventions and related policy statements.
6 quarter credits
DRPH8212
Required Course Design and Implementation of Public Health Strategies
6 quarter credits
Learners in this course explore methods and resources for designing and implementing an effective public health strategic plan. Learners formulate and evaluate short- and long-term solutions to public health problems and epidemiological issues using systems thinking and research methodologies that are collaborative, ethical, and responsive to the community. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
6 quarter credits
DRPH8300
Required Course Community Health Behavior and Promotion
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners explore the health behavior theories and models that are used in the promotion of healthy behaviors in communities. Learners evaluate policy efforts to promote healthy behaviors for all communities, advocate for the promotion of healthy behaviors in public health organizations that facilitate healthy practices, and lead communities in achieving their optimal level of health. In particular, learners gain an understanding of how to engage in the proper promotion of healthy behaviors by helping all communities become better informed.
6 quarter credits
DRPH8130
Required Course Leadership and Emerging Trends in Public Health
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners use the 10 Essential Public Health Services as well as leadership concepts and practices to explore emerging trends in public health. Throughout the course, learners examine the ways in which evidence-based data and research are incorporated into public health policy development. In particular, learners cultivate public health policy leadership skills and practices through the application of critical and asymmetrical thinking to generate new awareness about an emerging public health issue and make the case that the issue should be recognized and acted upon as a major public health concern.
6 quarter credits
RSCH7864
Required Course Quantitative Design and Analysis
4 quarter credits
Learners gain an understanding of the logic, computation, and interpretation of statistics, with an emphasis on decision-making skills in the research process and on the application and interpretation of statistical results. Learners utilize the statistical program JASP to practice running and interpreting statistical analyses.
4 quarter credits
NHS8065
Required Course Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice in Health Care
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners apply the steps of the evidence-based practice process to a challenge in health care. Learners differentiate among qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research design, methods, and evidence, and evaluate the quality of qualitative research methods and results. Learners also interpret the results and practical significance of health care data analyses and assess their strengths and weaknesses in writing as a doctoral professional. Prerequisite(s): NHS8070 or NHS7864 or RSCH7864. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
NHS8051
Required Course Preparing for the Professional Doctorate in Public Health and Health Administration
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners identify and secure a preceptor and project site for their practicum and complete the research ethics and compliance training required for their doctoral capstone project. Learners also substantiate organizational challenges that present opportunities for improvement interventions and synthesize research evidence to support feasible improvement interventions for an organization. In addition, learners determine the extent to which a prospective capstone project benefits and adds value to an organization. Throughout the course, learners refine their critical thinking and doctoral-level writing skills. Prerequisite(s): NHS8060 or NHS8065. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
NHS8701
Doctoral Capstone Keystone: Defining the Doctoral Project
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners collect, integrate, and synthesize organizational and research evidence to complete a final draft of their Project Plan. Learners also collaborate with leaders at an organization within a health care or public health setting to secure the site and preceptor for their project as well as identify a health care or public health challenge as an opportunity for evidence-based change and improvement. Grading for this course is S/NS. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: NHS8051.
4 quarter credits
DRPH9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required phases toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Department consent is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
DRPH9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required phases toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Department consent is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
DRPH9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required phases toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Department consent is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
DRPH9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required phases toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Department consent is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
Total
At least 76 quarter credits
One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
† Learners are responsible for the cost of their travel, accommodations, food, and other expenses associated with DRPH9971.
Practicum
Learners enrolled in the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree program must complete 100 supervised hours of hands-on practicum at an approved site as a requirement of their program. In the DrPH practicum, learners apply the skills developed throughout the course of the program in a public health setting where the practicum is completed. The practicum provides learners with the opportunity to participate in advanced practice with guidance from a preceptor and mentor and engage in in-depth work within a practice environment that is the focus of their capstone paper. Learners use the practicum experience to help them achieve their program outcomes, competencies, and learning objectives. Practicum hours are considered complete once all program required practicum hours have been successfully achieved. Partial completion of practicum hours requirements cannot be verified for licensure or transfer of credits.
Core course requirements
Complete at least 56 quarter credits in the core courses category. Choose from the courses shown below.
Show all descriptions
DRPH8170
Required Course Applied Methods in Epidemiology
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners analyze the application of epidemiological research methodologies and practices to address public health issues. Through the use of these methods as public health practitioners, learners enhance their knowledge of the appropriate research designs used in epidemiology and how to integrate and evaluate public health data. Learners also evaluate the effects of designed evidence-based interventions and related policy statements.
6 quarter credits
DRPH8212
Required Course Design and Implementation of Public Health Strategies
6 quarter credits
Learners in this course explore methods and resources for designing and implementing an effective public health strategic plan. Learners formulate and evaluate short- and long-term solutions to public health problems and epidemiological issues using systems thinking and research methodologies that are collaborative, ethical, and responsive to the community. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
6 quarter credits
DRPH8300
Required Course Community Health Behavior and Promotion
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners explore the health behavior theories and models that are used in the promotion of healthy behaviors in communities. Learners evaluate policy efforts to promote healthy behaviors for all communities, advocate for the promotion of healthy behaviors in public health organizations that facilitate healthy practices, and lead communities in achieving their optimal level of health. In particular, learners gain an understanding of how to engage in the proper promotion of healthy behaviors by helping all communities become better informed.
6 quarter credits
NHS8040
Required Course 21st-Century Health Care Improvement
4 quarter credits
Learners in this course build foundational knowledge and skills needed to shape the future of health care. Through the lens of a 21st-century health care leader, learners use critical thinking, analysis, and creative insights to examine a problem, gap, or opportunity for improvement within a health care or public health delivery system. Learners also complete a culminating project charter to further develop a coherent quality improvement plan for 21st-century health care. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
DRPH8130
Required Course Leadership and Emerging Trends in Public Health
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners use the 10 Essential Public Health Services as well as leadership concepts and practices to explore emerging trends in public health. Throughout the course, learners examine the ways in which evidence-based data and research are incorporated into public health policy development. In particular, learners cultivate public health policy leadership skills and practices through the application of critical and asymmetrical thinking to generate new awareness about an emerging public health issue and make the case that the issue should be recognized and acted upon as a major public health concern.
6 quarter credits
DRPH8140
Required Course Educating the Public Health Workforce
6 quarter credits
Learners in this course apply educational best practices to promote learning in organizational and community settings. Learners also assess their own strengths and weaknesses in leadership capacities with the goal of mentoring and coaching public health employees to become more effective public health practitioners and educators. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
6 quarter credits
DRPH8210
Required Course Public Health Policy Design
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners integrate scientific information, legal and regulatory approaches, ethical frameworks, and varied stakeholder interests to develop policies that support system-level interventions. Learners also propose interprofessional team approaches and integrate knowledge of values and practices in the design of public health policies and programs. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
6 quarter credits
NHS8065
Required Course Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice in Health Care
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners apply the steps of the evidence-based practice process to a challenge in health care. Learners differentiate among qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research design, methods, and evidence, and evaluate the quality of qualitative research methods and results. Learners also interpret the results and practical significance of health care data analyses and assess their strengths and weaknesses in writing as a doctoral professional. Prerequisite(s): NHS8070 or NHS7864 or RSCH7864. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
NHS8051
Required Course Preparing for the Professional Doctorate in Public Health and Health Administration
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners identify and secure a preceptor and project site for their practicum and complete the research ethics and compliance training required for their doctoral capstone project. Learners also substantiate organizational challenges that present opportunities for improvement interventions and synthesize research evidence to support feasible improvement interventions for an organization. In addition, learners determine the extent to which a prospective capstone project benefits and adds value to an organization. Throughout the course, learners refine their critical thinking and doctoral-level writing skills. Prerequisite(s): NHS8060 or NHS8065. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
RSCH7864
Required Course Quantitative Design and Analysis
4 quarter credits
Learners gain an understanding of the logic, computation, and interpretation of statistics, with an emphasis on decision-making skills in the research process and on the application and interpretation of statistical results. Learners utilize the statistical program JASP to practice running and interpreting statistical analyses.
4 quarter credits
NHS8002
Required Course Collaboration, Communication, and Case Analysis for Doctoral Learners
4 quarter credits
This course prepares learners for doctoral-level coursework in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Throughout the course, learners analyze and evaluate how the scholar-practitioner model provides guidance for developing competencies in effective and ethical health care leadership, including professional and interprofessional collaboration, communication, and decision making. Must be taken during the learner's first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
Total
At least 76 quarter credits
One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
† Learners are responsible for the cost of their travel, accommodations, food, and other expenses associated with DRPH9971.
Practicum
Learners enrolled in the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree program must complete 100 supervised hours of hands-on practicum at an approved site as a requirement of their program. In the DrPH practicum, learners apply the skills developed throughout the course of the program in a public health setting where the practicum is completed. The practicum provides learners with the opportunity to participate in advanced practice with guidance from a preceptor and mentor and engage in in-depth work within a practice environment that is the focus of their capstone paper. Learners use the practicum experience to help them achieve their program outcomes, competencies, and learning objectives. Practicum hours are considered complete once all program required practicum hours have been successfully achieved. Partial completion of practicum hours requirements cannot be verified for licensure or transfer of credits.
Capstone course requirements
Complete at least 16 quarter credits. You must enroll in the capstone course a minimum of four times. If you require more time to complete your capstone, you have the option to enroll in additional sessions.
Show all descriptions
DRPH9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required phases toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Department consent is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
DRPH9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required phases toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Department consent is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
DRPH9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required phases toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Department consent is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
DRPH9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required phases toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Department consent is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
NHS8701
Doctoral Capstone Keystone: Defining the Doctoral Project
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners collect, integrate, and synthesize organizational and research evidence to complete a final draft of their Project Plan. Learners also collaborate with leaders at an organization within a health care or public health setting to secure the site and preceptor for their project as well as identify a health care or public health challenge as an opportunity for evidence-based change and improvement. Grading for this course is S/NS. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: NHS8051.
4 quarter credits
Total
At least 76 quarter credits
One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
† Learners are responsible for the cost of their travel, accommodations, food, and other expenses associated with DRPH9971.
Practicum
Learners enrolled in the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree program must complete 100 supervised hours of hands-on practicum at an approved site as a requirement of their program. In the DrPH practicum, learners apply the skills developed throughout the course of the program in a public health setting where the practicum is completed. The practicum provides learners with the opportunity to participate in advanced practice with guidance from a preceptor and mentor and engage in in-depth work within a practice environment that is the focus of their capstone paper. Learners use the practicum experience to help them achieve their program outcomes, competencies, and learning objectives. Practicum hours are considered complete once all program required practicum hours have been successfully achieved. Partial completion of practicum hours requirements cannot be verified for licensure or transfer of credits.
What can I expect in the courseroom?
Each unit consists of readings, discussions and other activities you will be expected to complete throughout the week. Most deadlines for coursework occur on Thursdays and/or Sundays but may vary by program and course. In each course, you will receive a detailed scoring guide that describes expectations for every graded assignment.
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How will I be graded?
Grades are based on your participation in weekly reading discussions and completion of assignments, based on criteria outlined in the rubric. You will also be assessed on your ability to demonstrate an understanding of expected outcomes for your program or specialization. These outcomes are based on the needs and performance standards of your field or discipline.