Public Health Education, Ed.D. (Ed.S. or ABD to Ed.D. Pathway)

Individuals who have completed an Ed.S. degree or have completed all doctoral coursework but not completed the dissertation (ABD) are eligible for this pathway. The courses listed are to be completed at ACE to earn an Ed.D. in Public Health Education. Please note: students who have not completed at least 6 credits in research prior to enrolling at ACE will need to take additional research credits per the Prior Credit Considerations Grid found here.

Program Description

The Doctorate in Public Health Education (Ed.D.) is designed to prepare healthcare professionals and educators with the competencies necessary to address the public health issues of local, national, and international communities from a health education perspective. The dynamic connection between research, theory, and practice prepares graduates to be leaders and experts in public health education through research intensive coursework and dissertation.

Program Outcomes

Create, implement, and evaluate innovative programs to address public health across diverse communities.
Contribute to innovative solutions for complex public health concerns with actions based on theory, standards, and frameworks.
Interpret evidence-based research to develop and advocate for policies and programs promoting positive social change in the health of individuals and communities.
Collaborate with stakeholders within diverse communities to advocate, educate, and improve the health of individuals and communities.
Demonstrate best practices in leadership and serve as an expert resource in public health education.
Demonstrate evidence-based decision-making, integrating principles of cultural competence, leadership, equity, ethics, and social justice to address public health concerns and education in local, national, and global communities.
Contribute to public health education knowledge bases through the dissemination of applied research.
Utilize professional and ethical standards when engaging in research and evaluation of public health programs.
Demonstrate competence in the application of multiple research methods.
Apply, analyze, and promote best practices in leadership.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Ed.D. in Public Health Education program is to provide a research intensive, evidence based public health education curriculum to give students the necessary analytical, problem solving, theoretical, and leadership tools to bring about positive health change in diverse and evolving communities.

Credits Transferred from Prior Education (27 Semester Credits)

Course List (37 Total Semester Credits Required)

Public Health Courses (18 Semester Credits)

Leadership Courses (3 Semester Credits)

LEAD6001 - Introduction to Advanced Studies (1 Semester Credit; 5-wk Format) (Initial Course)
LEAD6011 - Leadership as a Reflective Practice (1 Semester Credit; 5-wk Format)
LEAD6021 - Leadership Seminar (1 Semester Credit; 5-wk Format)

Research Courses (6 Semester Credits/2 Courses)

Two courses will be required based on transcript review. If a student does not have 6 research credits on their transcript (rare) additional credits could be required.

Dissertation Courses (10 Semester Credits)

Additional Support Courses (if required or desired)

Courses may be required if progression is not achieved in courses OR students can elect to take courses to support their progress. If an Ed.D. student is required to take either the Research or Dissertation Boot Camp (RES6223 or RES6233) course, they will be charged for the tuition and fees associated with the Boot Camp course and not the tuition and fees associated with the dissertation sequence course they are retaking with the boot camp (RES6512, RES6521, RES6531, RES6541, or RES6551).

CITI Training

All students pursuing advanced degrees are required to have completed a certificate of completion for the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) in Human Subjects Research. There will be no additional fee. This is strongly recommended for students who anticipate conducting dissertation research involving human subjects. The CITI offers training modules for a Social-Behavioral-Educational (SBE) track, as well as additional modules of interest. More information can be found in Student Commons. Scroll down under Doc Program Resources where you will find the CITI Program Guide.

This program also offers two additional pathways for students transferring in a completed Ed.S. degree or entering as an “All But Dissertation” (ABD) student.

A student with a confirmed 3.0 GPA in an Ed.S. program or has been confirmed to have completed all Ed.D. work besides their dissertation (ABD) at a 3.0 GPA are eligible to transfer their prior coursework/degree to ACE in its entirety and complete. Please see the Ed.S. or ABD to Ed.D. Pathway option.

Note

This program is neither designed nor approved (as of the publication date of this Catalog) to prepare students for licensure, certification, or endorsement in any state.
Check availability in your state on the Programs by State section of the ACE website.
This pathway does not include a Focus of Study. Please note that if you are a Georgia educator seeking an in-field certificate upgrade, you may require a concentration (Focus Of Study) in a field in which you are currently certified. This may be determined by utilizing the Georgia Professional Standards Commission - Certificate Upgrade Advisor site.