Available Fall 2027
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) – Public Health Practice
Career Opportunities
Lead Initiatives for Better Health in Your Community with Advanced Knowledge 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.
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.
Pursue Your Degree with Confidence
- Study under professors with years of experience in the field who are devoted to your growth as a public health student and professional.
- Participate in a vibrant academic community of faculty and peers within your department as well as campus-wide with events like Liberty’s Research Week and Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition.
- Enjoy Liberty’s extensive on-campus resources, such as the Jerry Falwell Library and over 20 teaching and research laboratories.
- Engage with local and international public health initiatives through Liberty University’s partnerships to reach at-risk communities in Lynchburg, the Mixteco in Richmond, and communities served by Hope of Life in Guatemala.
What Will You Learn?
- Finance and resource management, accounting for public health, and principles for financial decision-making in public health settings
- Health communication theory and past and current practice, advocating for health through media, and creating health initiatives for community engagement
- Leadership in public health, team-building, and collaborative strategies for effective program design in public health organizations
- Qualitative data collection and application and assessment of public health programs
Potential Career Opportunities for DrPH in 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
Facilities and Resources Available to DrPH in Public Health Practice Students
As a student in Liberty’s DrPH in Public Health Practice residential program, you can:
- Explore over 20 teaching and research laboratories.
- Immerse yourself in engaging research projects. Our students have helped 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!
- 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.
- 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.
Admission Requirements for Our Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) – Public Health Practice
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: Explain your motivation for pursuing a DrPH degree at this point in your career (500 words or less)
- Department approval required
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Credit Hours

Available On Campus
Class Type
Residential
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Aug 23, 2027
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC