Report on scoping of the potential for developing DrPH training for SSA

January 2015

www.hpsa-africa.org

THE CHEPSAA PROJECTThe development of sustained African health policy and systems research and teaching capacity requires the consolidation and strengthening of relevant research and educational programmes as well as the development of stronger engagement between the policy and research communities. The Consortium for Health Policy and Systems Analysis in Africa (CHEPSAA) will address both of these issues over the period 2011 - 2015. CHEPSAA’s goal is to extend sustainable African capacity to produce and use high quality health policy and systems research by harnessing synergies among a Consortium of African and European universities with relevant expertise. This goal will be reached through CHEPSAA’s five work packages:

assessing the capacity development needs of the African members and national policy networks; supporting the development of African researchers and educators; strengthening courses of relevance to health policy and systems research and analysis; strengthening networking among the health policy and systems education, research and policy communities

and strengthening the process of getting research into policy and practice; project management and knowledge management.

The CHEPSAA project is led by Lucy Gilson (Professor: University of Cape Town & London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine).PARTNERS

Health Policy & Systems Programme within the Health Economics Unit, University of Cape Town, South Africa School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, South Africa Centre for Health Policy, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa Institute of Development Studies, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana Tropical Institute of Community Health, Great Lakes University of Kisumu, Kenya College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu, Nigeria London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, University of Leeds, United Kingdom Karolinska Institutet, Sweden Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Switzerland

CHEPSAA WEBSITE: www.hpsa-africa.org

SUGGESTED CITATIONAgyepong, I.A., Frimpong, E., Kwamie, A., Lehmann, U. and Gilson, L. (2015). Report on scoping of potential for developing Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) training for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Accra: Consortium for Health Policy and Systems Analysis in Africa.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT: Irene Agyepong (iagyepong@hotmail.com )

This document is an output from a project funded by the European Commission (EC) FP7-Africa (Grant no. 265482). The views expressed are not necessarily those of the EC.

Agyepong, I.A., Frimpong, E., Kwamie, A., Lehmann, U. and Gilson, L. (2015). Report on scoping of potential for developing Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) training for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Accra: Consortium for Health Policy and Systems Analysis in Africa.

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 41.1 CHEPSAA WP3 and relevance of scoping for PhD/DrPH...................................................................41.2 Rationale for focusing on scoping for DrPH in Health Leadership for Africa............................4

2. Methodology........................................................................................................................................... 6

3. Findings................................................................................................................................................... 73.1 Existing DrPH programmes........................................................................................................................ 73.2 Core competencies for a DrPH................................................................................................................... 8

4. Conclusions and way forward.......................................................................................................... 9

Annex 1 – Summary of DrPH programmes reviewed.................................................................10

Annex 2 – ASPH Core Competencies for a DrPH...........................................................................36

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1. Introduction

1.1 CHEPSAA WP3 and relevance of scoping for PhD/DrPH

Work package 3 of CHEPSAA focused on supporting sustained health policy and systems research and analysis (HPSR+A) capacity development in Africa by strengthening the focus and delivery of existing HPSR+A training programmes offered by African Consortium members. It had four sub-objectives, of which the third was to scope the potential for developing specialist HPS masters and PhD /DrPH training. This paper reports on the scoping for PhD /DrPH training.

The sustainability of African HPSR+A capacity requires the development of relevant African Education programmes. Targeted at researchers and policy makers, managers and policy advocates, these programmes seek to generate a sustained supply of researchers and a sustained demand for their research and analysis.

The CHEPSAA WP 3 coordination team aimed to scope the potential for development of doctoral level HPS related training in Africa - with an initial review of international experience with doctoral level HPS training, considering target audiences as well as the forms and substance of training provided (considering both PHD and DrPH training). The team began from recognition of two key sets of experiences identified through the African partners assets and needs’ assessment (undertaken within WP1) – that all African Consortium partners:

1) already offered some relevant training in HPSR+A at the time CHEPSAA began work, but none offered HPS research masters or HPS related PhD /DrPH training;

2) recognized the need to provide training programmes for those who would in future pursue both research and leadership careers, and to encourage individuals to move between the two career pathways;

Both the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health and the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree programmes are doctoral level programmes. However, PhD training is typically aimed at graduates who focus their research in more defined public health sub-disciplinary specialization tracks such as epidemiology, health economics, health policy and systems, behavioural sciences etc. The PhD is aimed at those who desire advanced research positions in academia or similar settings. The DrPH on the other hand, is more broadly aimed at professional training designed to prepare individuals for evidence based public health leadership, including practice oriented research and field-based roles.

In this document we report on the scoping for a DrPH focused on Health Leadership for Africa.

1.2 Rationale for focusing on scoping for DrPH in Health Leadership for Africa

It is almost thirty years since the 1978 declaration of Alma Ata. Despite notable past and current successes in public health in developing countries such as the eradication of small pox and successful immunization programmes, health systems remain very fragile and many public health targets and challenges remain unattained or unresolved. Recent challenges like the Ebola epidemic in West African highlight this continuing fragility. The reasons are myriad but prominent among these

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factors are the lack of adequate human resources in terms of appropriate skills and numbers as well as severely under funded health systems. This problem is compounded by inadequate attention given to the strengthening of public health leadership through appropriate selection, training and long term mentoring and development. Indeed, public health leadership is crucial at all levels of the health system and in health research for operational as well as strategic analysis, policy development, program design and planning, monitoring and evaluation and health systems strengthening for effective service delivery. This can only be achieved through the appropriate selection, training and support through mentoring of public health leaders in developing countries.

Following the Alma Alta declaration of 1978, in the area of health systems strengthening much effort in sub Saharan Africa was put into capacity building through International Masters Programmes in Public health training in the North and in the South. This helped to strengthen public health capacity in many parts of the developing world. A critical mass of public health professionals with MPH training has been built up and each year, more are trained. Over the years, in many countries, such staff have moved through the system from more operational managerial positions into key strategic management and policy positions in the health sector. The unspoken assumption appears to be that the years of service and experience will automatically provide the needed leadership and operational and strategic management skills. The years of service and experience are indeed critical and important. However, many of the skills required at operational and strategic leadership and management positions in public health cannot be assumed to have been automatically acquired by years of experience alone. There needs to be a deliberate and systematic effort to develop the skills through training, mentoring and the chance to apply the skills and theory and learn further by application. Effective leadership like any other skill needs to be built and nurtured in those who are expected to use them. A deliberate and systemized effort needs to be made to build the organizational capacity for effective strategic leadership and management at the middle and top levels of the health system and for research to promote health development across sub-Saharan Africa.

Tichy (1997)1 suggests that “one of the major differences between winning (performing) organizations and losing (non performing) organizations is that winning organizations deliberately build leaders at all levels of the organizations and deliberately and strategically prepare the leaders of tomorrow today”.

The focus on scoping for a DrPH with a concentration in Health Leadership for Africa was to respond to these observations and needs by exploring the relevance of a formalized public health leadership training program for sub-Saharan Africa that is designed such that experienced and busy mid career professionals can still make the time to acquire the training to add to their experience to increase their leadership and strategic management effectiveness. Persistence through the program would lead finally to the award of a doctoral degree in public health leadership. The ability to eventually acquire a doctoral degree if the training and capacity building process is followed through is important since it will meet self esteem and self actualization needs, which are important in motivation to complete the process and to perform.

1 Noel Tichy with Eli Cohen (1997) The Leadership Engine – How winning companies build leaders at every level. Harper Collins Publishers Inc., 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022

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2. MethodologyAn online search in Google was made to identify academic institutions offering the DrPH degree. When identified, the program website was searched for information on program characteristics such as vision, duration of the program, courses, competencies and entry requirements.

Selection was purposive based on availability of information on a program website. We also tried to make sure that we searched all regions of the world with the aim that if DrPH programmes were available, at least three of the programmes (if there were as many as three and information was available on the internet) were reviewed. If there were less than 3, all were reviewed.

Based on an internet search, schools of Public Health that currently offer the DrPH degree were found located in the United States, the United Kingdom and Malaysia. None were found in sub-Saharan Africa. The United States had the most DrPH programmes, followed by Australia. There was one older established program in the University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur; and the Jeffery Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences was also starting a new DrPH program.

A non-exhaustive review of some of the existing DrPH programmes world-wide was done for the schools below.

United StatesUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health (http://sph.unc.edu/hpm/hpm-degrees-and-certificates/executive-doctoral-program-in-health-leadership-DrPH-2/ )

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University (http://jphcoph.georgiasouthern.edu/degrees/doctorate/ )

Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health ( http://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/admissions/DrPH-ph )

Harvard School of Public Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

( http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/catalog/degree-programmes/ ) University of California, Berkeley ( http://sph.berkeley.edu/areas-study/doctor-public-

health ) Boston University School of Public Health ( http://www.bu.edu/sph/academics/degrees-and-

programmes/doctor-of-public-health-DrPH/ )

United Kingdom London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

( http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/research/doctor_of_public_health__DrPH_.html ) Brunel University, London. ( http://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/research-degrees-at-

brunel/doctorate-in-public-health-DrPH )

Malaysia University of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur (http://spm.um.edu.my/images/brochure/DrPH.pdf)

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AustraliaUniversity of Sydney (https://sphcm.med.unsw.edu.au/future-students/postgraduate-research/professional-doctorate )Curtin University of Science and Technology (http://courses.curtin.edu.au/course_overview/research/Doctor-International-Public-Health.cfm )La Trobe University (http://www.latrobe.edu.au/courses/public-health/research)

3. Findings

3.1 Existing DrPH programmesThe Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) is an advanced professional degree for those who intend to pursue or advance a professional practice career in health and for current leaders and future leaders in health systems. They face the particular challenge of understanding and adapting scientific knowledge in order to achieve health gain and results. This degree leads to a career in high-level administration, teaching, research or practice, where advanced analytical and conceptual capabilities are required. The DrPH program develops in its candidates all competencies included in MPH programmes, with increased emphasis on high-level skills in problem-solving and the application of public health concepts. The concept of the DrPH is not new. Currently there are several schools of Public Health that offer the DrPH degree located in the United States, the United Kingdom and some countries in Asia2. There are none in Africa. Annex 1 summarizes some of the program information available from the internet search.

Given that DrPH training is for public health professionals in active practice and who are expected to work primarily in public health practice with the training, many programmes – to varying degrees – try to create options for the flexibility to enable professionals to acquire the further training without taking extended periods of time away from professional public health practice. Approaches include using distance learning, having concentrated and therefore shortened periods of residence in the university for theory courses, and allowing part-time study. All programmes require a relevant doctoral research dissertation though in some cases e.g. the John Hopkins program, a specified number of publications in peer-reviewed journals clearly related and linked to a selected dissertation topic can be substituted for the doctoral dissertation. All programmes insist on candidates meeting the required institutional academic quality standards to merit a doctoral degree e.g. credit hours of course work, quality of doctoral dissertation, examinations etc. Mentors and academic supervisors are assigned as for any doctoral dissertation to support the trainees to carry out high quality work since the DrPH is a doctoral degree and must meet the competence levels of any doctoral degree.

Though the fundamental principle of training for the award of a doctoral degree for candidates who intend to use the degree in top-level professional public health practice was common to all the programmes, there was some diversity in the details of how different Schools of Public Health organize their programmes. Almost all the programmes provide information on what they offer on the internet through their websites. Since there is much similarity in principle across programmes, the review is not exhaustive.

2 Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Public_Health - August 2007.

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Common to all the programmes were:The emphasis on professional doctoral level applied training and leadership in practiceThe requirement that candidates are already in or have been in middle and senior level professional public health practice positions and have some practical professional public health working experience before taking the degreeThe efforts to provide the flexibility for professionals who may find it hard to take extended periods of work for doctoral study and thus the use of approaches such as distance learning, crash courses that compress as many credit hours of academic work as possible into limited periods of timeA doctoral dissertationThe requirement of an MPH or its equivalent at entry or failing that the need to acquire core MPH credits in the course of the doctoral training

3.2 Core competencies for a DrPHThe Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) DrPH Steering Committee, draft Consensus Statement about DrPH programmes (ASPH 2009) states:

“There is consensus that ‘the basic public health degree is the master of public health (MPH), while the doctor of public health (DrPH) is offered for advanced training in public health leadership’i

ASPH embarked on an extensive and rigorous process between 2007 and 2009 to define core competencies for a DrPH. The working group consulted over 200 academic and practice participants, using a modified Delphi process to generate consensus and agreement on these guidance notes. The competencies were to guide students and educators on the core abilities recommended for doctoral level training in public health. The ASPH document groups the competencies into the domains of:

Policy analysis, development and advocacy Communication Community /Cultural Orientation Leadership Management Professionalism and Ethics Systems Thinking

A brief description of each domain and details of the competencies under each domain as developed by ASPH can be found in Annex 2.

A study of these competencies confirms the close overlap between the competency areas for a DrPH; and the field of research and practice we refer to as Health Policy and Systems Analysis.

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4. Conclusions and way forwardGiven the lack of such a programme in Africa and its potential relevance in meeting known needs, we concluded that it was important to continue to explore the possibility of developing a DrPH Health Leadership for Africa.

A proposal led by the CHEPSAA team in the University of Ghana was developed and submitted to the Rockefeller Foundation and funding obtained (2014 – 2016) to support the further exploration, development and establishment of a DrPH with a focus on leadership for Health Systems in Africa 3. The CHEPSAA partners in WP3 (UG-SPH, UCT, UWC) together with UNC-Chapel Hill and Makerere University, Uganda, are currently working together to develop the concepts, program and courses for such a program. Collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is also being sought.

Currently as part of the follow-on work to the scoping, with support from the Rockefeller Grant, country baseline needs assessments in Ghana, Uganda and South Africa are almost completed. The aim of the assessments is to analyze context, institutions, programmes, actors and needs in relation to health sector strategic leadership capacity development needs in these countries to inform the customization of the design of the most relevant professional doctoral level public health training (DrPH) for Africa, in terms of content, mode of delivery and contextual relevance.

The results will feed into meetings of the partners through 2015 and 2016 to design the program and its courses. The curriculum developed will be open access so that any of the partners can use it.

3 Rockefeller foundation grant # 2013 THS 307

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Annex 1 – Summary of DrPH programmes reviewed4

Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)Boston University

DrPH in Leadership, Management and Policy

Provides participants with the advanced training and credentials they need to move into a leadership positions in public health

helps participants learn to develop, implement, and evaluate national and international public health programmes and policies

A relevant Master’s degree

Experienced public health practitioners and future public health leaders

Participants must have completed coursework in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Services and Environmental Health with a grade of B- or better prior to admission

Basic knowledge in Biostatistics

Students should have academic advisors to supervise them

Students are paired with practice mentors to serve as

Students need to the 8 core courses and other courses. The core courses include;(1) Needs Assessment

(2) Strategic Planning and Communications

(3) Program and Policy Evaluation

(4) Law and Ethics for Public Health Leaders

(5) Health Economics and Financial Management for Public Health

(6) Cases in Public Health Management

(7) Public Health Leadership Seminar

(8) Public Health Practicum

Leadership

Create a shared vision and articulate this vision to diverse groups, stakeholders, and other professional collaborators to achieve high standards of performance and accountability

Develop skilled teams and capacity-building strategies at the individual, organizational, and community level

Guide organizational decision-making and planning based on internal and external environmental research

Management

Implement strategic planning processes

Evaluate organizational performance in relation to strategic and defined goals

4 Please note that this is not an exhaustive listing of programmes. Some programmes from different universities on different continents (USA, Australia and UK) that currently offer a DrPH are reviewed here to help illustrate the common principles and as well as the variations in approach to program design in the different universities.

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)resource for students Organize the work environment

with defined lines of responsibility, authority, communication and governance and develop financial and business plans for health programmes and services

Advocacy

Analyze the impact of legislation, judicial opinions, regulations, and policies on population health

Develop evidence-based strategies for changing health law and policy

Utilize consensus-building, negotiation, and conflict avoidance and resolution techniques

Critical Analysis

Interpret quantitative and qualitative data following current scientific standards and apply theoretical and evidence-based perspectives from multiple disciplines in the design and implementation of programmes, policies, and

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)systems

Synthesize information from multiple sources for research and practice and evaluate the performance and impact of health programmes, policies, and systems

Identify and navigate the secondary data sources available for use at the regional and community levels internationally and in the U.S. and understand and apply meta-analysis to evaluate policies, especially in situations involving inconsistent or limited data

Professionalism and Ethics

Apply relevant ethical, legal, and human rights principles to difficult and controversial public health policy decisions while demonstrating a commitment to personal and professional values

Articulate the major ethical, legal and human rights principles relevant to public health policy making, both in the US and internationally

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized) Design strategies for resolving

ethical concerns in research, law, and regulations

Communication

Develop informational and persuasive communications

Employ evidence-based communication program models for disseminating research and evaluation outcomes

Explain program proposals and evaluations to lay, professional, and policy audiences

Community/Cultural Orientation

Apply research from anthropology, psychology, history, demography, sociology, and social epidemiology in national and international contexts

Develop collaborative partnerships with communities, policy makers, and other relevant groups

Assess cultural, environmental, and social justice influences on

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)the health of communities

Overall competences required of students at the end of the DrPH program are to

Analyze the impact of legislation, judicial opinions, regulations, and policies on population health

Develop evidence-based strategies for changing health law and policy

Utilize consensus-building, negotiation, and conflict avoidance and resolution techniques

Develop informational and persuasive communications

Employ evidence-based communication program models for disseminating research and evaluation outcomes

Explain program proposals and evaluations to lay, professional, and policy audiences

Apply research from anthropology, psychology,

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)history, demography, sociology, and social epidemiology in national and international contexts

Develop collaborative partnerships with communities, policy makers, and other relevant groups

Assess cultural, environmental, and social justice influences on the health of communities

Interpret quantitative and qualitative data following current scientific standards and apply theoretical and evidence-based perspectives from multiple disciplines in the design and implementation of programmes, Policies, and systems;

Synthesize information from multiple sources for research and practice and evaluate the performance and impact of health programmes, policies, and systems

Identify and navigate the secondary data sources available

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)for use at the regional and community levels internationally and in the U.S. and understand and apply meta-analysis to evaluate policies, especially in situations involving inconsistent or limited data

Mould a shared vision and articulate this vision to diverse groups, stakeholders, and other professional collaborators to achieve high standards of performance and accountability

Develop skilled teams and capacity-building strategies at the individual, organizational, and community level

Guide organizational decision-making and planning based on internal and external environmental research

Implement strategic planning processes

Evaluate organizational performance in relation to strategic and defined goals

Organize the work environment with defined lines of

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)responsibility, authority, communication and Governance and develop financial and business plans for health programmes and services

Apply relevant ethical, legal, and human rights principles to difficult and controversial public health policy decisions while demonstrating a commitment to personal and professional values

Articulate the major ethical, legal and human rights principles relevant to public health policy making, both in the US and internationally; and

Design strategies for resolving ethical concerns in research, law, and regulations

Johns Hopkins University

DrPH in Healthcare Leadership and Management

To measure, monitor and improve the clinical and financial performance of health services organizations and training leaders for organizational change

Master’s level training in healthcare management

Students must complete the DrPH core courses in Environmental Health, Public Health, Biology,

Curriculum focuses on the following areas;(1)Healthcare management and leadership(2) Human services research and healthcare quality(3) Financial management(4) Quantitative tools(5) Health economics(6)Doctoral seminars, special studies and thesis research(7) Additional public health requirements;

At the end of the program, students must be able to;

Demonstrate knowledge of the organization and financing of healthcare services and their public health impact

Describe and critique the financing and organization of healthcare

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)Management Sciences, and the Social and Behavioural sciences

courses under this must be completed for students who in their MPH or professional public health programmes did not take these courses,

services in the U.S

Describe and critique theoretical and conceptual models relevant to healthcare seeking, access, use, quality, costs, health, health policy and healthcare decision-making

Describe the major public health problems in the U.S. and the role of public health agencies, formulation of health policy, and the legal/regulatory environment in addressing these

Conduct evaluation/researc-h projects from conception of ideas through study design, selection and application of appropriate analytic methods, interpretation of results, and publication of findings

Select appropriate experimental, quasi-experimental, and observational study designs to address specific research questions and be able to argue in favor of a specific design as the most appropriate; design studies to minimize bias and maximize generalizability

Develop and implement research

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)protocols that ensure adherence to ethical standards; prepare an application for IRB approval

Obtain appropriate data sources from which sufficient variables can be validly measured to operationalize study constructs necessary for testing specific hypotheses and for conducting program evaluation

Analyze data using appropriate epidemiological, statistical, economic, or qualitative research techniques

Communicate research findings in oral and written form; place research findings in the context of current knowledge; identify limitations and further areas for research; discuss policy implications and public health significance of findings

Demonstrate knowledge of the issues, research and evaluation literatures, conceptual frameworks, and research and evaluation tools. Communicate through written and oral methods to technical and lay audiences

Write manuscripts of publishable

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)quality for the peer reviewed literature that describe and explain evaluation/research findings

Develop presentation skills for communicating to both technical and lay audiences

Develop skills in leading performance improvement teams and organizational change efforts.

University of California at Berkeley

DrPH

The DrPH is a school-wide program whose aim is to train students who will have a trans-disciplinary knowledge about the determinants of health and to provide them with the scientific and professional skills needed to translate this knowledge into effective health interventions.

Applicants should have; A MPH or Master’s degree

from an accredited school of Public Health or equivalent

Applicants who have been admitted but do not have a Master’s degree in Public Health or its equivalent are required to take specific courses to fill the gap for the following courses;

Introduction to Health Policy and Management

Introduction to Environmental Health

All students are supposed to participate in the following;

1st year: Leadership Seminar

2nd year: Prospectus and Research Seminar

3rd year: Dissertation seminar

In addition, the program curriculum has core and breadth courses from which students are supposed to select one course in each area of the core courses and one course from two areas of the breadth courses.

The core courses focus on the areas of

Leadership

This is not available in the program brochure

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)Sciences

Introduction to Health and Social Behaviour

Introduction to Probability and statistics in Biology and Public Health

Epidemiologic Methods

Public Health Ethics

Management

The Breath courses focus on the areas of

Health Politics and Policy Analysis

Public Health Interventions

Environmental Health Sciences

Global Health Sciences

Research Design and Methods

Residency Requirement: All DrPH must also complete a professional DrPH residency requirement where students are given the opportunity for professional development and to broaden their leadership perspective and explore research and career interests by working with a mentor from the host institution and an academic mentor.Qualifying Exams: DrPH students should take a qualifying examination because it is a requirement for student to advance to candidacy. Students are required to prepare a detailed written dissertation prospectus. They are also required to undertake an oral examination of the students’ deep knowledge in his or her defined area of expertise

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

DrPH in Leadership in Global Health and Humanitarian Systems

The goal is to produce graduates with the skills and knowledge for leadership roles in the field of global health and humanitarian response. It equips participants with strong research and measurement capacities and supports their practical application to field issues of humanitarian aid and global health practice.

This program is designed for current and future public health leaders who want to integrate high-level of leadership with management and research, and mid-career global health and humanitarian professionals. Applicants should have significant working experience in global health and protection in humanitarian and/or developing country settings. A master’s degree in Public Health, MSW and MD or similar advanced degree that introduced applicants to statistics, healthcare management, social sciences and population-based sciences.

Students, during the first year, are required to stay on campus. During the remaining two years, students may work off-campus so they can engage deeply with their field practice and dissertation proposal

The program combines on-site formal classes, remote learning and field-based research. Students are required to complete a minimum of 33credits. Students should take core and optional courses; undertake a practicum, comprehensive exams, and dissertation. The exam is normally at the end of the second year of the program, students who pass these exams advance to the dissertation stage of degree program.

Advisors are provided for students to guide their coursework in a focused direction in the student’s chosen field and maximize learning during the DrPH. Additionally, they provide support to students in selecting an appropriate dissertation committee members and they also assist them with their dissertation proposals, implementation and defence.

Understanding of interdisciplinary, health science approaches to population health in developing or crisis-affected contexts

Ability to critically analyze global health systems challenges and the skills to address these in leadership settings

Mastery of program and policy evaluation methods and a deep understanding of evidence-based research and policy formulation

Ability to think critically, using logic, theory, and evidence to engage in systems research, design and analysis

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized) Students are supposed to take these

following three core courses during the first year

Principles and Policy for Global Health and Humanitarian Systems

Public Health and Humanitarian Action

Investigative Methods in Humanitarian Emergencies

Participants are also required to select 15 additional credits from the following courses. Semester 1 courses are;

Applied Regression

Analysis of Categorical Data

Epidemiology III: Applied Epidemiologic Analysis

Management challenges in Evolving Health Care and insurance Systems

Managerial and Organisational Behaviour

Managing Public Health Non-Profits

Health and human Rights Advocacy

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)Quantitative Data Analysis-Service-Based Research II and III

Epidemiological Methods for Measuring human Rights Abuses

Maternal and Child Health in International Primary Health Care

Food and Nutrition in Complex Emergencies

Water and Sanitation in Complex Emergencies

And Semester 2 courses are;Demographic Methods and Principles

Accountability in Humanitarian Aid

Public Health Impacts of Climate Change

Epidemiology II-Design and Conduct of Observational Epidemiology

Analytic Methods for Health Services Management

Public Health Program Planning

Sexual Reproductive health and HIV/AIDS: Clinical, Policy and Program Perspectives

Eliminating Paediatric AIDS: Toward a Global

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)Approach

Survey Design and Data Collection

Protection of Children in War and Disaster

Communicable Diseases in Complex Emergencies

Planning Child Survival Programmes

Gender-Based Violence in Complex Emergencies

Methods in Program Evaluation

Malaria Program Planning

Training for Public Health Programmes

Health Systems Approach to Maternal Mortality

Psychosocial and Mental Health Issues in Forced Migration

Migration and Health: Global And Local Perspectives

Public Health, GIS

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)Water and Infectious Diseases

Applying Ethical and Human rights Principles to Public Health Research

In the second year, students take these courses. Students have remote access to these classes for these courses

Global health and Humanitarian Systems Leadership and,

Advanced Field Research Methods in Global Health

Georgia Southern University Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

DrPH- Public Health Leadership

The goal of this degree is to develop students with appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities required of public health leaders. To prepare leaders adept at complex problem solving, efficient utilization f resources, analysing health needs in the community, policy development and implementation and partnership building

This is not available in the program brochure

The curriculum is designed to provide leadership training and experiences in the public health community.Students take the following courses; Public Health Sciences Core Courses

Advanced Topics in Biostatistics

Environmental and Occupational Health

Epidemiologic Methods

Health Economics, Policy and the Political Process

Theoretical Perspectives of the Social and

At the end of the program, graduates should be able to:Evaluate the main components and issues of the organisation, financing and e delivery f public health systems in the united States

Evaluate the legal, values, ethical dilemmas in Public health that are inherent in efforts to control cost, while assuring access and quality of services for the public

Evaluate the methods for ensuring community health safety and

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)Behavioural Sciences in Public Health

Professional Seminar in Biostatistics

Community-Based Research in Public health

Public Health Funding and Grantsmanship

Advanced Program Concentration Courses-Public Health LeadershipPublic Health Resesarch MethodsFoundations and Strategies for Health OrganisationHealth Organisation CommunicationHealth Informatics and Decision MakingHealth Policy, Regulation and EhticsStrategic and Contingency planningFinancial Mamagement of Public Health Organisatuons andPublic Health Doctoral SeminarDoctoral Public Health Field PracticumDoctoral Public Health Field PreceptorshipDissertationThe courses of study are divided into Public Health Coure Courses; Advanced Courses in Public Health Leadership and Doctiral Public Health Field Practicum

preparedness

Analyze the policy development, assessment, and evaluation process for improving the health status of populations

Evaluate the principles of program development and evaluations it relates to public health initiatives

Analyze budget preparation with justification and evaluation as related to public health initiatives

Evaluate the process for strategic planning and marketing for public health

Analyze quality, cost benefit and performance improvement concepts to address organisational performance issues in public health

Evaluate how systems thinking contributes to solving public health organisational problems

Analyze health policy and management effectiveness using appropriate channels

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)and technologies

Analyze leadership skills for building partnerships in public health

Analyze the trends in resource allocation, and financing and evaluate their effects on consumers, providers, and payers in public health

Evaluate the economic, social and legislative changes impact on public health systems in the US

Apply population and individual ethical considerations in relation to benefit, cost and burden of public health programmes

Evaluate the application and role of policy and management on the conduct of public health research dn practice

Analyze information from various sources to resource and program decision making

Analyze the principles of health equity for public health leadership

Compare the impacts of rural verses urban on the health of communities

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)Evaluate qualitative and quantitative research methods for public health problem solving

Demonstrate the ability to manage program within budget constraints

Evaluate grant proposals or cooperative agreements fro funding from external sources

Apply prevention effectiveness models to prevention strategies through cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, and cost-utility analysis

Apply ethnical decision-making and conduct in all aspects of public health practice

Advocate for programmes and resources that advance the health of the population

Develop a plan to implement a policy pr program, including goals, outcomes and process objectives, staffing plan, budget and implementation steps

Evaluate and demonstrate various research methods in order to produce a

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)public health leadership research paper

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

DrPH – Health Leadership (a 3-year program)

To produce graduates who are motivated to become public health leaders and have the knowledge, skills and have the ability to use these skills effectively to positively impact public health locally and internationally

Applicants must have at least several years of experience in the health field, some of which must be in a management or leadership position. GRE and GMAT scores that are five years old or less are an entry requirement. A master’s degree is an entry requirement but it does not need to have been in public health.

Learning occurs mostly at the workplace or home. Student meet 3 to 5 five days in late August and mid May.

This involves a heavy use of the internet as course materials and most lectures from the internet

The program curriculum is focused on 3 themes;

(1) leadership; students learn organisational leadership theory and practice, leadership in public health law and ethics, leadership in global health systems, strategic thinking and implementation, financial leadership, executive communication and marketing and public relations for health leaders(2) public health also look at population perspectives for health, essentials of practice-based research, leadership in health informatics, health policy analysis and advocacy for leaders(3) research focus on research process, literature review and appraisal, dissertation preparation and planning, fundamentals for research analysis, strategic management in health leadership, the dissertation preparation an planning, program evaluation for health leaders, and doctoral dissertation

Not stated

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

DrPH

Helps students to obtain tools to address challenges in understanding and applying scientific knowledge to improve public health, and to acquire analytical and practical skills needed by Public Health leaders and managers

A second class upper honours degree in a UK university or overseas qualification of equivalent standardMaster’s degree relevant to the course applicant wants to advanceA registrable qualification appropriate to the course to be followedTwo years relevant experience in public health policy, management and leadership

3 main components delivered through lectures, seminars and small group work and fieldwork activities;

(1) 2core modules; Understanding Leadership, Management and Organisations and Evidence Based Public Health Policy

(2) Organisation and Policy Analysis project

(3) Thesis project

Not explicitly stated but these objectives were identified course structure was scrutinized;

(1) Ability to develop a need-based strategies for organisations

(2) Ability to plan effectively and undertake independent research and develop key transferable skills

University of Illinois (UIC)

DrPH

The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree is a professional degree conferred in recognition of a candidate’s command of a comprehensive body of knowledge in the field of public health, and the candidate’s proven ability to initiate, organize, and pursue the investigation and resolution of significant problems in public health practice. The Doctor of Public Health curriculum is designed to prepare public health leaders by ensuring

Students entering without a prior masters of public health degree must complete the six core MPH courses or their equivalent. Students entering without the requisite work experience must complete a field practicum experience of 5 semester hours. Although required for completion of the degree, credits earned to complete MPH course deficiencies and/ or the field practicum will not count toward the 96 hour minimum requirement for

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)expertise in the conceptual foundations of public health, research methods, leadership and communication skills, and a substantive area of specialization.

the DrPH degree. (28 of the 96 hours required are made up for by the thesis)

University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur. Department of Preventive and Social Medicine

DrPH

An advanced professional degree for those who wish to be leaders in the practice of Public Health. It is for those who intend to lead health organizations in the public and private health sectors, and also in teaching and research organizations. The program is oriented towards applied reseach in public health

MPH from University of Malaya or equivalent qualification approved by the Senate. The candidate must have a good pass in any Masters degree. Have adequate working experience in a health related field. Minimum TOEFL score of 590 (paper based) or 80 (internet based) or IELTS band 6

Year One (24 credits of coursework) Public Health core (6 credits) Research core (3 credits) Internship core (6 credits) Specialty electives (9 credits)

o Health Services Managemento Family Healtho Environmental Healtho Occupational Medicineo Epidemiology in Healtho Biomedical Statistics

Year Two and Three (63 credits – Research and Thesis)

University of Sydney, Australia

DrPH

The DPH is an advanced professional research degree aimed at those who intend to pursue careers in public health research or public health policy analysis. Graduating with a DPH demonstrates that you not only have doctoral level competency

Must complete 36 credit points of coursework from the MPH program of the university or from other coursework programmes offered by the School - as agreed by the Head of School, and achieve a weighted average mark of at least 70%. Then proceed to two-years full-time research (or

The DPH can be taken on a full-time basis or its part-time equivalent:Full-time - three years (First year is to cover the MPH course requirements in the university. Two years full time if MPH from the university or accepted equivalentPart-time - six years

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)in research, but have also undertaken a broad education in public health at an advanced level.

longer for part-time) to complete a thesis of equivalent standard to a PhD thesis.MPH from other universities can apply to have all or part of your degree credited towards the DrPH program. Depending on the nature of proposed research, may also be required to undertake extra units of study that will be important to chosen research topic.

Curtin Univ. of Science and Technology, Australia

DrPH

This research-based higher doctorate provides a broad common conceptual and research foundation with an opportunity to undertake advanced study and research in a defined area of public health. Individuals are prepared to assume leadership positions in the field of professional public health practice, teaching and research.

BSc (Honours), or Masters degree (MSc, MPH) usually with several years of experience in Public Health (at least seven years of study and work experience inthe field of Public Health) are entry requirements

This course is available by distance and some units are available online.

This research course is three years equivalent full-time study. Prior to commencement of their thesis, students should have completed most of the coursework component and have submitted their proposal to gain candidacy.

La Trobe University

DrPH

The Doctor of Public Health allows candidates to pursue a higher research degree of a standard similar to the

Candidates for entry into professional doctorates will normally have either an honours degree (H2A standard) or equivalent, a Masters by

3 years full time or 4 – 8 years part time

The professional doctorate program involves the full-time equivalent of one year of coursework and two years of thesis. In the first

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)traditional PhD but one that will also contribute to improved professional practice of participants. These degrees are recognized and classified as research degrees.

research, a Masters by coursework with a substantial thesis component or equivalent. In certain circumstances, candidates who can supply sufficient evidence of research capacity may be admitted through a special entry category.

full-time year of the program (or in first or second year for part-time students), students will study subjects in Health Research. To complete first year, elective subjects will be taken from within the Faculty or outside the Faculty, to be agreed with the school of enrolment as being appropriate to the candidate's field of study, professional development plan and/or proposed research program. Up to 30 credit points of elective subjects may be taken from appropriate existing coursework Masters subjects, although doctoral level assessment is required.

Brunel university LondonDrPH

The overall aim is to produce doctoral level public health researchers who possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to undertake public health roles. It is anticipated that graduates would take up public health positions with EU/UK and Overseas governments equipped for international civil service, and national and international NGOs as well as academic public health.

Entry requirementsInternational students must have: English Language Proficiency: IELTS 7

Will normally also require Bachelors degree with first or 2.1 honours or Masters degree in a relevant discipline, OR be able to demonstrate equivalence of the above;

Will usually have at least three years of relevant health or social science related work experience. Exceptionally, applicants who

3 year full time study or 5 years mixed full and part time. 120 taught credits. Professional Research Degree. Focus on Research, Practice and Policy in Public Health. Cross-university initiative employing multidisciplinary approaches in research and training to identify and address local, national and global Public Health challenges.

Cross-disciplinary, with staff from Social Sciences disciplines, as well as Health Sciences, involved in the teaching and research. Practical as well as theoretical education in public health, preparing graduates for leadership in the world of public health.

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Institution Programme goal Programme requirements Focus of curriculum/ course structure Competences (summarized)have obtained a lower qualification than those listed above but whose experience and training can be regarded as suitable preparation may be allowed into the programme.

Taught courses in year 1. Professionally oriented placement based research projects in year 2 and 3

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Annex 2 – ASPH Core Competencies for a DrPH(Reference: http://www.aspph.org/educate/models/DrPH-model/ )

Domain Brief Description Competencies: Upon graduation, a student with a DrPH should be able to:1. Policy Analysis, Development and Advocacy

The ability to influence decision making regarding policies and practices that advance public health using scientific knowledge, analysis, communication and consensus building

1.1 Present positions on health issues, law and policy1.2 Influence health policy and program decision making based on scientific evidence,

stakeholder input and public opinion data1.3 Utilize consensus building, negotiation, and conflict resolution techniques1.4 Analyze the impact of legislation, judicial opinions, regulations, and policies on population

health1.5 Establish goals, timelines, funding alternatives, and strategies for influencing policy

initiatives1.6 Design action plans for building public and political support for programmes and policies1.7 Develop evidence based strategies for changing health law and policy

2. Communication The ability to assess and use communication strategies across diverse audiences to inform and influence individual, organization, community and policy actions

1.1 Discuss the inter-relationships between health communication and marketing1.2 Explain communication program proposals and evaluations to lay, professional and policy

audiences1.3 Employ evidence based communication program models for disseminating research and

evaluation outcomes1.4 Guide an organization in setting communication goals, objectives and priorities1.5 Create informational and persuasive communications1.6 Integrate health literacy concepts in all communication and marketing initiatives1.7 Develop formative and outcome evaluation plans for communication and marketing efforts1.8 Prepare dissemination plans for communication programmes and evaluations1.9 Propose recommendations for improving communication processes

3. Community /Cultural orientation

The ability to communicate and interact with people across diverse communities and

3.1 Develop collaborative partnerships with communities, policy makers, and other relevant groups

3.2 Engage communities in creating evidence based, culturally competent programmes

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Domain Brief Description Competencies: Upon graduation, a student with a DrPH should be able to:cultures for development of programmes, policies and research

3.3 Conduct community based participatory intervention and research projects3.4 Design action plans for enhancing community and population based health3.5 Assess cultural, environmental, and social justice influences on the health of communities3.6 Implement culturally and linguistically appropriate programmes, services and research

4. Critical Analysis The ability to synthesize and apply evidence based research and theory from a broad range of disciplines and health related data sources to advance programmes, policies and systems promoting population health

4.1 Apply theoretical and evidence based perspectives from multiple disciplines in the design and implementation of programmes, policies, and systems

4.2 Interpret quantitative and qualitative data following current scientific standards4.3 Design needs and resource assessments for communities and populations4.4 Develop health surveillance systems to monitor population health, health equity, and public

health services4.5 Synthesize information from multiple sources for research and practice4.6 Evaluate the performance and impact of health programmes, policies and systems4.7 Weigh risks, benefits, and unintended consequences of research and practice

5. Leadership The ability to create and communicate a shared vision for a positive future; inspire trust and motivate others; and use evidence based strategies to enhance essential public health services

5.1 Communicate and organization’s mission, shared vision, and values to stakeholders5.2 Develop teams for implementing health initiatives5.3 Collaborate with diverse groups5.4 Influence others to achieve high standards of performance and accountability5.5 Guide organizational decision making and planning based on internal and external

environmental research5.6 Prepare professional plans incorporating lifelong learning, mentoring, and continued career

progression strategies5.7 Create a shared vision5.8 Develop capacity building strategies at the individual, organizational and community level5.9 Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional values

6. Management The ability to provide fiscally responsible strategic and operational guidance within both public and private health organizations for achieving

6.1 Implement strategic planning processes6.2 Apply principles of human resource management6.3 Use informatics principles in the design and implementation of information systems6.4 Align policies and procedures with regulatory and statuatory requirements6.5 Deploy quality improvement methods

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Domain Brief Description Competencies: Upon graduation, a student with a DrPH should be able to:individual and community health and wellness

6.6 Organize the work environment with defined lines of responsibility, authority, communication, and governance

6.7 Develop financial and business plans for health programmes and services6.8 Establish a network of relationships, including internal and external collaborators6.9 Evaluate organizational performance in relation to strategic and defined goals

7. Professionalism and Ethics

The ability to identify and analyze an ethical issue: balance the claims of personal liberty with the responsibility to protect and improve the health of the population; and act on the ethical concepts of social justice and human rights in public health research and practice

7.1 Manage potential conflicts of interest encountered by practicioners, researchers, and organizations

7.2 Differentiate among the administrative, legal, ethical, and quality assurance dimensions of research and practice

7.3 Design strategies for resolving ethical concerns in research, law and regulations7.4 Develop tools that protect the privacy of individuals and communities involved in health

programmes, policies, and research7.5 Prepare criteria or which the protection of the public welfare may transcend the right to

individual autonomy7.6 Assess ethical considerations in developing communications and promotional initiatives7.7 Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in ethical discourse and analysis

8. Systems Thinking The ability to recognize system level properties that result from dynamic interactions among human and social systems and how they affect the relationships among individuals, groups, organizations, communities and environments

8.1 Identify characteristics of a system8.2 Identify unintended consequences produced by changes made to a public health system8.3 Provide examples of feedback loops and “stocks and flows” within a public health system8.4 Explain how systems (e.g. individuals, social networks, organizations and communities) may

be viewed as systems within systems in the analysis of public health problems8.5 Explain how systems models can be tested and validated8.6 Explain how the contexts of gender, race, poverty, history, migration, and culture are

important in the design of interventions within public health systems8.7 Illustrate how changes in public health systems (including input, processes and output) can

be measured8.8 Analyze inter-relationships among systems that influence the quality of life of people in

their communities8.9 Analyze the effects of political, social and economic policies on public health systems at the

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Domain Brief Description Competencies: Upon graduation, a student with a DrPH should be able to:local, state, national and international levels

8.10 Analyze the impact of global trends and interdependencies on public health related problems and systems

8.11 Assess strengths and weaknesses of applying the systems approach to public health problems.

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i ASPH Education Committee. Doctor of Public Health (DRPH) Core Competency Model. Version 1.3 November 2009Obtainable from: www.asph.org