Emory’s DrPH First Cohort Was Treated Like an Unethical Experiment

[underground]

Emory’s DrPH program has been a major disappointment. As part of the first cohort, it feels like we were used as guinea pigs for a program that was not ready to launch. The program is superficial, poorly organized, and severely under-supported. Admissions appear to have prioritized volume over quality, accepting too many students without having enough faculty, advising, or academic infrastructure in place. TAs often seem unprepared, and course quality is far below what should be expected from a school that markets itself as one of the top public health institutions.What is especially unacceptable is that the program received funding and directed it to the second cohort, while the first cohort was left out in the cold after enduring the program’s worst growing pains. Based on my experience, the reputation Emory advertises does not match the reality of this DrPH program.

[Hmaxey]

On 4/25/2026 at 12:25 AM, underground said:

Emory’s DrPH program has been a major disappointment. As part of the first cohort, it feels like we were used as guinea pigs for a program that was not ready to launch. The program is superficial, poorly organized, and severely under-supported. Admissions appear to have prioritized volume over quality, accepting too many students without having enough faculty, advising, or academic infrastructure in place. TAs often seem unprepared, and course quality is far below what should be expected from a school that markets itself as one of the top public health institutions.What is especially unacceptable is that the program received funding and directed it to the second cohort, while the first cohort was left out in the cold after enduring the program’s worst growing pains. Based on my experience, the reputation Emory advertises does not match the reality of this DrPH program.

I'm sorry you had this experience!! Unfortunately I had a very similar experience at GWU and ended up leaving the program because of it. I am starting over at Rutgers this fall and am very hopeful their program will be better.