DrPH vs. PhD: My Public Health Doctorate Journey & What You Should Know

In this episode of The Dr. Des Show, I take you through my journey of earning a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)—from deciding between a DRPH and a PhD, securing funding, managing full-time work while in school, dealing with burnout, and navigating the dissertation process. If you're thinking about getting a doctorate in public health or you're already deep in the struggle, this episode is for you!

I break down the key differences between a DRPH and PhD, discuss whether a doctorate is the right choice for your career goals, and share tips for surviving and thriving in a doctoral program.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ DRPH vs. PhD: What's the Difference? – Understanding the key distinctions and choosing the right path for your career goals.
✅ Funding a Doctorate: How I Got Mine Fully Funded – The funding opportunities available and why you should never pay out of pocket for a PhD.
✅ Balancing Work & School – How I worked full-time while pursuing my DRPH and the lessons I learned.
✅ Burnout is Real: How to Manage Stress in a Doctoral Program – My personal experience with burnout and how I overcame it.
✅ Dissertation Survival Guide – Choosing a topic, handling research, and getting through the writing process.
✅ Should You Get a Doctorate? – A checklist to help you determine if a DRPH or PhD is right for you.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

🎓 Public Health Club Workshop: DrPH vs. PhD – Learn from DRPH and PhD professionals about the career differences, salaries, and funding opportunities. Join here

Join me LIVE in Atlanta on April 11, 2025 for The Business of Public Health Summit! We're talking entrepreneurship, career pivots, public health x tech and so much more! There will be a public health business pitch competition plus champagne! 

Secure your ticket here!🎟

https://www.drdesshow.com/

https://www.publichealthclub.com/