Hear From Our Students
Enrolling in the Health Policy and Leadership DrPH program at Loma Linda has proven to be the best decision I have ever made for myself.
Transform Health, Lead Change
offered online (synchronous) and in-person
The primary focus of this program is to enhance the skills and abilities of those in positions of leadership; to develop competencies in policy development, analysis, and implementation; applied to health-care and social determinants of health to add to the body of knowledge about leadership through observation, reflection, and research; and to bring together leaders who desire to learn, mentor, and model exemplary leadership. Program participants are expected to demonstrate a commitment to the core values of Loma Linda University: compassion, integrity, excellence, freedom, justice, self-control, and humility. This program, in part, meets the great need for leaders of integrity who are agents of change, with understanding in both research and practice.
The Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) degree is the highest professional degree for the public health generalist. Participants will focus on public health practice and demonstrate broad knowledge related to professional skills. Consistent with our intentional interdisciplinary approach to doctoral education, this Dr.P.H. degree program offers learners the opportunity to customize an academic plan designed to fulfill their program requirements through unique core courses and a variety of electives offered by the School of Public Health. With approval, in developing their academic plan, learners may also identify courses offered throughout Loma Linda University. Drawing from resources in the School of Public Health and the program faculty’s training and expertise in management, leadership, and policy, participants are able to develop leadership skills and competencies in selected policy areas, such as:
- Health services and health-care
- Systems design and organizational change
- Health disparities and health equity
- Food and nutrition
- Mother-infant health
- Poverty and social-welfare
- Behavior and mental health
- Water, air quality, and the built environment
- Nonprofits and philanthropy
- Resource development and generation
Connect with Karl McCleary, Program Director, at [email protected].
Program Details
Learning outcomes for the Dr.P.H in Health Policy and Leadership Program are as follows:
- Leadership: Participants understand a broad range of leadership issues and participate in future-oriented planning and change processes.
- Health policy: Participants understand the health policy development process and that health policy is a multidisciplinary field of inquiry and practice concerned with social determinants of health and the delivery, quality, and costs of health and health care for individuals and populations.
- Ethics: Participants demonstrate the core values of Loma Linda University, including a commitment to justice, ethical choices, values, and professional practices implicit in their discipline and personal ethics.
- Reflection: Participants model reflective leadership.
- Scholarship: Participants develop skills in reading, evaluating, conducting, and reporting research.
Application Deadlines
Domestic and International
| Quarter | All Applicants |
| Autumn 2026 | August 1, 2026 |
GETTING STARTED ON YOUR APPLICATION
Ready to advance your career in Health Policy and Leadership? Visit llu.edu/admissions-aid/how-apply to see the steps you need to take to apply. Your journey starts here!
- Information on financial aid can be accessed through student services.
- Scholarships: Information on scholarships is available through the Loma Linda University Financial Aid office, and also through the School of Public Health Finance office.
Admission requirements for doctoral degree programs described below are in addition to the University admission requirements and program requirements. The minimum eligibility requirements for admission to a doctoral degree program include the following:
- An M.P.H. degree or master’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution, with a G.P.A. of 3.5 or above. Applicants with a master’s degree in another field may indicate their relevant training, research and/or practice experience, or educational background comparable to the M.P.H. or the M.S. degrees. Dr.P.H. and Ph.D. degree applicants who are admitted without a CEPH accredited M.P.H. degree will be required to take PHCJ 606 Public Health Fundamentals, EPDM 509 Principles of Epidemiology, STAT 521 Biostatistics I or AHRM 514 Biostatistics (covers SPSS and R, SAS), or equivalent courses to fulfill the public health fundamental learning outcomes described in section D.1 of the 2016 CEPH criteria.
- The GRE is not required for applicants who meet the admissions criteria. If an applicant does not meet the minimum G.P.A. requirements, the GRE is required in order for the application to be considered. For prospective students who wish to strengthen their application, GRE scores can be submitted as an option but are not required. GRE scores must have been attained within the last five years.
- Religious affiliation is not a requirement, but students are expected to adhere to on-campus requirements of modest dress, abstinence from alcohol and smoking, and attendance at weekly chapel, as applicable.
Applicants must satisfy the program-specific admission requirements, including but not limited to prerequisite courses and years of experience. Admissions decisions are based on review of applicant’s transcripts, written statement, research and/or practice interest, letters of recommendation, GRE scores or equivalent, and an interview. Satisfying minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
In addition to the entrance requirements for all Dr.P.H. degrees, each applicant to the Dr.P.H. degree program must have:
- M.P.H. degree in health education, health behavior, or health promotion; or a master's degree in a health-related field preferred
- Three to five years of health related work experience
- Transcripts from all universities attended
- Three letters of reference
- Official GRE scores (scores in the 40th percentile and above in each of the three test sections is considered competitive)
- GPA of 3.5 or higher
Get details on the standard cost of attendance here.
