Taught component (delivered online)

The taught component consists of two compulsory modules delivered fully online. In “Understanding Leadership, Management and Organisations” students explore a range of issues and theories relating to management, leadership and organisations and consider the application of these theories both to public health organisations and their own management practice. “Evidence Based Public Health Policy” focuses on key skills required for improving and shaping policy and practice, involving accessing, understanding, developing, disseminating and facilitating the use of the evidence base for better public health outcomes. The modules are delivered between late September and December and we are currently trialling online delivery. We use a variety of teaching methods including lectures, seminars and small group work. Students are expected to learn through both directed and self-directed study. Modules are assessed through individual written assignments.

Students are not formally assessed on any other modules but should take modules from the Doctoral Transferable Skills Programme and may choose to study some MSc modules to cover particular skills relevant to their research. This enables students to tailor the programme to their individual backgrounds and needs.

• View module specification for Evidence-based Public Health Policy and Practice
• View module specification for Understanding Leadership, Management & Organisations 

Research Study I: Organisational or Policy Analysis (OPA) project

The OPA project involves research that provides DrPH students with the opportunity to observe and analyse the workings of a public health organisation in its policy environment and to gain a better understanding of how to develop effective public health organisations, influence public policy and deliver public health goals. The project usually involves 3-6 months fieldwork within a host organisation of the student’s choice, during which time the student may be formally employed by the organisation or may be present as an independent researcher.

The objectives of the project that contribute to the overreaching purpose will vary depending on the topic and chosen methodology. It is expected, however, that all OPA reports will cover the following generic objectives:

• To outline the context and key influences on policy (if applicable) in relation to the specific public health issue and organisation chosen for the project;
• To assess the extent to which organisational factors or external relationships constrain or enhance the organisation’s ability to deliver its mandate;
• To develop clear, actionable policy or practical recommendations to increase the effectiveness of the organisation in influencing or delivering its public health goals;
• To gain experience in applying policy science or organisational management theories to the critical analysis of a real world organisational case study.

The host organisation can be any public, non-profit or private institution that is engaged in public health practice or has a public health mandate. OPA projects can be undertaken inside or outside (recommended) the student’s normal place of work.

Students are expected to use an appropriate methodological approach. Data collection methods may include: observations, interviews, focus groups, surveys and documentary analysis. Appropriate approach to data analysis should be used, drawing upon recognised theoretical and analytical frameworks from the relevant fields, for example: management, organisational theory, policy analysis, political science or sociology.

The OPA project is assessed on the basis of a written report not exceeding 15,000 words examined internally by two independent assessors. The report is intended to provide practical advice to the host organisation or policy community in the form of a constructive critique, identifying areas for development or improvement and containing actionable recommendations. At the same time, the report must be soundly informed by literature, theory and robust data collection and analysis.

Progression to the OPA project component is subject to successful completion of the two compulsory core modules. The OPA project report is normally submitted for assessment before commencing the thesis element of the programme.

Research Study II: Thesis project

As for a PhD, the purpose of the DrPH thesis project is to enable students to develop as competent independent researchers and conduct original research. By the end of their studies students should be able to plan effectively and undertake independent research and will have developed key transferable skills. As with a PhD, the thesis topic can be from any public health-related discipline or subject area agreed with the student’s supervisor and the research must be original and make a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the chosen subject.

Research plans are assessed at a formal DrPH Review (equivalent to the “upgrading” for MPhil/PhD students). Whilst the DrPH research thesis must meet doctoral level standards, due to the time allocated for this component (typically about 18 months), the DrPH thesis is necessarily shorter in length and more limited in scope than a PhD thesis.

The DrPH thesis has a 60,000 word limit, excluding references and appendices. 

Programme duration

The period of study for full-time DrPH students is a minimum of three years and a maximum of four years (or four and eight years respectively under part-time study mode). Students are normally required to spend time at LSHTM during the preparation for their OPA project,  preparing and presenting their research project plans to a DrPH Review Committee, or at other key points during the course of the Programme, as agreed with their Supervisors or the Programme Directors. Over the course of their degree DrPH students are normally expected to spend at least 9 months full-time in London.

As the timetable of compulsory modules is fixed, all DrPH students need to commence the programme at the start of the UK academic year in September. The programme aims to be flexible to meet students’ needs while at the same time adhering to excellence in learning and research.

Part-time study

LSHTM requires students who apply for part-time study to be available to study for at least two days per week (not including weekends). Where applicable, a letter from your employer is required to confirm that at least two days per week will be permitted for work on your degree. Please note that in Term 1 part-time DrPH students should allow a minimum of 2.5 days a week for each module they are studying.

Note that the two compulsory modules are taught in the first term. Part-time students have the option of taking one module in their first year and the other module at the beginning of their second year. However, because students are not permitted to start the main phase of their OPA research until both modules have been completed, this can introduce a delay into the overall progression of the degree (students are able to carry out preparatory activities for their OPA and/or research thesis elements between modules but are not able to begin data collection). Consequently many part-time students elect to take both core modules together, effectively increasing their workload temporarily to a full-time mode, followed by a period of a few months without any formal tuition, allowing them to re-balance their other commitments.