Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Program Is It?

Walden University's Ph.D. in Public Health program with a specialization in Community Health Education combines a basic education in public health systems with a focus on the development of administrative skills necessary to oversee public health communications, program analysis, and population health control. Specialization courses address community health resources, community health assessment, public health theories, behavioral change theories applying to individuals and communities, and public health program development. The core curriculum offers discussions in disease prevention, public health marketing and public relations, health information technology, and public health program financing. Face-to-face residencies and a dissertation must also be completed. The program is offered in two tracks of study.

What are the Prerequisites?

You should have a bachelor's or master's degree and possibly some experience in the public health or health services field before entering Walden University's Ph.D. in Public Health program with a specialization in Community Health Education. Applicants to Walden University's programs should be at least 24 years old and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent; applicants may need to complete additional requirements for some programs.

What are the Course Requirements?

The total number of credits you must earn to complete the Ph.D. in Public Health program with a specialization in Community Health Education from Walden University depends on the track of study you pursue. Track I students must complete 82 credits and Track II students 110 credits. Core, research core and specialization courses remain the same in each track. In addition, a dissertation is required in both tracks of study. The time to complete this program varies and is most impacted by individual student progress.

Track I Course Requirements (for students with a M.P.H. or M.S. in Public Health)

Foundation Courses

• Foundations for Graduate Study

Core Courses

• Population Health and Issues in Disease Prevention
• Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations for Public Health Leaders
• Health Informatics and Surveillance
• Economics and Financing of Public Health Systems
• Public Health Leadership and Systems Thinking

Research Core Courses

• Research Theory, Design, and Methods
• Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
• Writing a Prospectus

Specialization Courses

• Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
• Choose one of the following:
  • Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
  • Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
  • Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis
• Community Health Assessment
• Application of Public Health and Behavior Change Theories
• Advanced Program Implementation and Evaluation

Dissertation

• Public Health Dissertation

Track II Course Requirements (for students with a bachelor's degree or higher in any discipline other than public health)

Foundation Courses

• Foundations for Graduate Study
• Essentials of Public Health: A Case Study Approach
• Social, Behavioral, and Cultural Factors in Public Health
• Biostatics
• Epidemiology
• Environmental Health
• Health Policy and Management
• Research in Public Health

What Could I Do After I Graduate?

Career Opportunities

You could pursue management or executive positions in local or federal government health agencies or in community health organizations after graduating from Walden University's Ph.D. in Public Health program with a specialization in Community Health Education. You might also seek a career in research or in teaching public health courses at a college or university. Educational program management, health services administration, or environmental health policy development might be among your responsibilities. Positions you could pursue include:

• Health information specialist
• Health education director
• Public health program director
• Community health services coordinator

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org.