Online Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

Is This Program for Me?

Today's public health challenges demand visionary leaders. Samford's online Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program equips experienced professionals with the leadership, strategic thinking and evidence-based decision-making skills to improve population health, shape policy and drive meaningful change. With flexible online coursework, personalized plans of study and one-on-one faculty support, you'll be prepared to lead at the highest level.

What Will I Learn?

DrPH candidates will develop the knowledge and skills to lead organizations, improve population health and address today's complex public health challenges.

You Will Learn

Lead with confidence by developing expertise in leadership, strategic management and organizational decision-making.
Apply evidence-based public health practices to evaluate programs, inform policy and improve health outcomes.
Analyze and interpret data using biostatistics and research methods to support public health decision-making.
Advance health equity by developing strategies that address the needs of diverse populations and communities.
Strengthen health systems through financial management, planning and program evaluation.
Translate knowledge into practice through a 120-hour applied practice experience and an integrative capstone that addresses real-world public health challenges.

Concentrations

Students personalize their doctoral experience through one of two concentrations designed to align with their professional goals.

Health Management and Policy

The Health Management and Policy concentration empowers graduates with the knowledge and confidence to:

Integrate strategic, financial, human resource and program management principles to develop health programs, policies, organizations and systems that address health priorities and goals.
Assess health problems using legal and ethical frameworks.
Integrate economic principles and organizational theories to improve the clinical and financial performance of health organizations and systems
Apply statistical methods to economic data to inform policy and practice decision-making.
Evaluate health policies to determine their impact on population health outcomes and resources.
Develop advocacy strategies to promote policy change.

Population Health Analytics and Decision Making

By completing the Population Health Analytics and Decision Making concentration, graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to:

Select and utilize appropriate data analytics tools and statistical packages in support of public health decision making.
Identify, manage and analyze data to address important questions in public health and biomedical sciences.
Select indicators and design data systems for the monitoring and evaluation of program planning.
Apply best practices of evidence based-decision making to public health programs and policies.
Create and use effective data visualizations to communicate findings to diverse audiences.
Employ techniques for data quality assurance and improvement.

Full-Time Plan of Study Part-Time Plan of Study

What Makes Us Different?

Flexible Format

100% Online for working professionals

Personalized Pathway

Complete your degree in 2–5 years with a personalized plan of study

Real-World Experience

Complete a 120-hour applied practice experience with an approved employer or organization

Applied Scholarship

Complete a faculty-guided integrative capstone project

Plus

Choose from two concentration options
Benefit from an interdisciplinary curriculum
Learn alongside professionals from diverse public health and healthcare backgrounds

Interprofessional Approach

Public health is a naturally interprofessional field, and our Doctor of Public Health utilizes the strengths of the multiple disciplines within the School of Public Health to provide diversity of discussion, faculty expertise and resources.

The School of Public Health is one of four schools in Samford’s College of Health Sciences, which brings together all of the health-related disciplines offered by the university. The college’s interprofessional education framework utilizes the four competency domains of interprofessional education while incorporating one’s faith and calling and elements of quality of safety—with patients, clients, families and populations at the center of it all.

Application Timeline

Application Opens: September 1, 2026
Early Action Deadline: Nov. 1, 2026 (decisions by Dec. 15)
Applications submitted by the Early Action Deadline will receive priority consideration when scholarships are awarded.
Regular Decision Deadline 1: Feb. 1, 2027 (decisions by March 15)
Regular Decision Deadline 2: May 1, 2027 (decisions by June 15)
Application Closes: June 1, 2027
Applications submitted after the Regular Decision Deadline 2 will be reviewed on a rolling basis if space is available in the program. Please contact the School of Public Health recruiter at publichealth@samford.edu if this applies to you.
Entry Month: August 2027

Admission Requirements

Possess a master's degree from a college or university with institutional accreditation
Applicants must have a Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH), Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Master of Science in Nutrition (MS) or other relevant master's degree
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Applicants wishing to pursue the Population Health Analytics and Decision-Making concentration should have completed a statistics class with a grade of C or higher from a college or university that holds institutional accreditation

Test Scores

Submit a GRE score taken within five years preceding the application.
The GRE requirement can be waived if the student has a minimum of five years of public health experience.
Results from the GMAT, MCAT, DAT or PCAT are also accepted.
A link to the GRE Waiver Form is located on the Admission Requirements page of the application. To be considered for a GRE waiver, submit your resume and a paragraph on how your work experience relates to public health.

Application Materials

Complete all sections of the application
Submit three letters of reference through the application system. The three required references should be from:
- Current or previous professor
- Work supervisor
- Professional colleague.
Letters of recommendation must be on letterhead, signed by the letter writer, and include contact information (i.e., phone number and email address).
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
Submit a personal statement (maximum two pages, single-spaced). Applicants should demonstrate a clear understanding of public health, describe relevant experiences and interests, and address career goals.
Applicants may be required to participate in a virtual interview with the Admissions Committee.

International Applicants

International applicants or American citizens who learned English as a second language must submit one of the following:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Score: t 550 (paper), 213 (computer) or 80 (internet)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Score: 6.5
International applicants may be required to submit a WES/ECE transcript evaluation. The School of Public Health Admission Office will contact you at the time of application review if this is necessary.
We cannot issue an I-20 for this program at this time.

Enrollment Requirements

Upon acceptance, a nonrefundable $500 fee is required to secure admission into the program. This fee is applied to the first semester's tuition.
Enrolled students are required to attend orientation (virtual option available) prior to the start of the program
Exceptions to any of the admission requirements may be considered on an individual basis.

Students and applicants with disabilities who seek accommodations must make a request by contacting Section 504/Disability Access and Accommodation Coordinator, 205-726-4078 or disability@samford.edu.