Berkeley DrPH vs. more specialized DrPH/doctorates

[strongerthan]

Hi all, 

 

I'm having a hard time figuring out how the Berkeley DrPH program would compare to more specialized doctorate programs at other schools (i.e. DrPH at Hopkins, SD at Harvard). For those of you who have gone through the program, are considering attending, or maybe have visited and have a better sense of it than I do: What do you feel are the strengths of this program that set it apart from others? To me, it seems like a more interdisciplinary degree that has the potential to be utilized in a number of different professional areas, but I don't really have anything to base that off of, other than what I've read on their site. 

 

I just found out I was accepted to Berkeley and would like to visit during their open house to get a better feel for it, but flights from where I live are just too expensive and I don't think I can afford it. I'm in touch with admissions folks, but am interested to hear your opinions.

 

Thanks!

 

PS I have to say, as a long time lurker here trying to navigate my way through the decisions process, the information you guys share has been SO HELPFUL, so a big thanks to all of you who post and keep this place going. 

[drphstudent]

You've probably already made this decision, but I thought I'd add my 2c, as I had to make this choice and it wasn't easy. So, I was deciding between funded Berkeley and funded Hopkins (similar generous packages). Being from the east coast, and Hopkins being Hopkins (my dream school for a while), I was really torn. I chose Berkeley and it was for the reason you hint at above - ultimately it came down to the fact that I wanted a more flexible program and the option to do work outside a school of public health.

 

I know that if I had gone to Hopkins, I would have gotten a really strong education in the department in which I had been accepted, but Berkeley's DrPH is extremely flexible and they really encourage students to enroll in courses across the university. And that's attractive as their departments of statistics and demography, and schools of policy and business, as well as programs in other social sciences all rank within the top 5 or 10. I'd also be remiss to say that Berkeley SPH - while not Bloomberg - is generally a strong school as well. Their Epi PhD is #1 (NRC rank), and their Policy and Management doctorate is up there as well, so there is a lot of interesting work being done within the SPH too. 

 

I'd imagine if you were looking to get on a track and coast along on that for 3 or 4 years, Hopkins might be a safer bet. You can certainly take advantage of a slew of electives at Hopkins, so I don't want to give the impression that it's an objectively rigid place in terms of curriculum, but relative to Berkeley, their DrPH program is much more rigid and your options for taking courses outside of Bloomberg are very limited relative to Berkeley (I assume you are aware of the geographic separation of Bloomberg from the rest of the university). Though if you are a self-starter, and have interests that may not be met solely within a school of public health, the Berkeley program is a good option. 

 

It's curious that you ask about the SD at Harvard as well, as that is a research degree, whereas the DrPH programs at Hopkins and Berkeley are more practice-focused. Wheww... If I had gotten into Harvard too, even if it was the SD, that would have been an even more difficult choice. Ended up not applying. 

 

Is that helpful? Would be interested to know what you decided. 

 

Cheers. 

Edited April 26, 2013 by drphstudent

[zengwawa]

Hi drphstudent,

Could you talk about your background a little bit? I heard for doctoral program in PH, it is hard to get funded. Considering your offer from Hopkins and Berkeley, I guess maybe you have very strong research experience?

 

I just finished my master degree at Hopkins and I am also planning to apply for DrPH or PhD in Public Health(I am interested in global health or nutrition). At this moment Bekerley is more attractive to me (than Hopkins) for various reasons. One thing is that there are lots of self/partially-funded doctoral students here at Hopkins ,who I don't want to end up being like. What about funding for DrPH at Berkeley? Also for the DrPH there, is the two year working experience mandatory?

 

Many thanks!

[drphstudent]

Sure. PM me.