The DrPH programme is designed to develop public health leaders through a practice-oriented curriculum. Combining coursework, mentored portfolio work, and a dissertation, the programme equips students with the essential competencies, leadership skills, and real-world experience needed to address complex health challenges across diverse settings.
Learning Outcomes
Leadership
Provide leadership in public health settings, including the ability to develop and implement public health policies and interventions.
Critical thinking
Critically appraise public health issues and apply evidence-informed approaches to problem-solving.
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Work effectively with individuals and teams from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to address public health challenges.
Communication
Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including policymakers, health professionals, and the public.
Curriculum
Students will complete 52 units of coursework, consisting of effective public health leadership (6 units), evidence-informed public health policy and decision-making (6 units), public engagement (8 units), a dissertation (8 units), and a public health competencies portfolio (24 units). The degree will be awarded to students who successfully complete all requirements with a minimum overall GPA of 3.50.
SPH6901 Effective Public Health Leadership (6 Units)
This course helps prepare students to lead effectively in complex public health environments by providing grounding in the political, social, and cultural factors that influence health outcomes. Topics include leadership theories and styles, organisational behaviour, power dynamics, resource allocation, health financing, strategic planning, ethical decision-making, equity, and innovation. Through reflective learning, students will develop greater awareness of their leadership style and strengthen their capabilities to address public health challenges.
SPH6902 Evidence-Informed Public Health Policy & Decision-Making (6 Units)
This course helps prepare students with the necessary skills to develop, implement, and assess evidence-informed policy and decision-making. It covers the policy-making process, the use of evidence in decision-making, and how to work effectively within policy environments. It emphasises practical approaches to selecting, synthesising, and assessing public health evidence to inform organisational and policy decisions.
SPH6903 Public Engagement Seminars (8 Units)
SPH6904 Dissertation (8 Units)
This course gives students the opportunity to develop and apply essential research skills to a self-selected public health topic. Students will be supervised by an NUS faculty member and develop a research question, design a study protocol, obtain ethics approval if needed, collect and analyse data, prepare a manuscript, and submit it to a recognised peer-reviewed journal. The dissertation is intended to demonstrate competence in essential public health research and dissemination methodology, thus integrating knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme. Supervisors offer technical guidance through meetings, written feedback, and ongoing communication.
SPH6905 Portfolio (24 Units)
This practice-based course forms the core of the programme, enabling students to demonstrate achievement of 14 essential public health competencies aligned with the UK Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework (PHSKF). Students are mentored by experienced faculty and public health practitioners while engaging in a comprehensive process of competency completion, preparing them to become internationally recognised leaders capable of addressing public health challenges.
Modes of Learning
The programme suits working health professionals both in Singapore and overseas, with most coursework and consultations conducted during intensive in-person sessions or online. Students attend one to two in-person sessions a year, lasting 2 to 7 days, while most learning takes place online or in their workplace.
Students will receive supervision and mentorship from experienced NUS faculty, along with support in working through their portfolio from a workplace mentor they will select themselves. These supervisors and mentors will offer guidance and feedback to help students address complex public health issues, ensuring alignment with ethical standards and stakeholder needs.
Collaborative learning is also emphasised. Group work and problem-solving activities are incorporated to help students strengthen their teamwork and communication skills in preparation for public health leadership roles.