Doctor of Public Health

Co-Chairs

Kimberly Doughty, MPH, PhD, CHES
Assistant Professor of Public Health

Anthony Santella, DrPH, MPH, MCHES, CPH
Professor of Public Health

School Leadership

Patricia Simino Boyce, PhD, RN
Dean of the Egan School

Karen Burrows, DNP, MAHSM, RN, C-EFM, CHSE
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies

Sally O. Gerard, DNP, RN, CDCES
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies

Public Health Faculty

Brigid Cakouros, DrPH
Visiting Assistant Professor of Public Health

Bridget Hussain, PhD, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN
Assistant Professor of Public Health

Marybec Griffin, PhD, MPH, MA
Assistant Professor of the Practice of Public Health

Jessica Planas, RN, PhD, MPH, CHES
Professor of Nursing and Public Health

Jennifer Schindler-Ruwisch, DrPH, CPH
Associate Professor of Public Health 

Bachelor of Science in Public Health Students

Maggie Chmelicek

Olivia Kuselias

Bachelor of Science in Public Health Alumni

Taylor Choe '21

Kelsi McCarthy '23

Master of Public Health Students

Elizabeth Biggs

Nate Hudson

Anne Wallace Juge

Master of Public Health Alumni

Larry Cass MPH'25

Lane Kelleher MPH'25

Doctor of Public Health Students

Dipika Khushalani, MBBS, MPH

Vanessa Rubenstein '21, MPH

General Membership

Ellen Andrews, PhD
Executive Director
CT Health Policy Project

Theresa Argondezzi, MPH, CHES
Assistant Director of Health, Community Health
Norwalk Health Department

Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA
Executive Director of the Injury Prevention Center
Connecticut Children's

Director of Injury Prevention Program
Hartford Hospital

Assistant Professor in Pediatrics
UCONN School of Medicine

Marianne Buchelli, MPH, MBA
Public Health Services Manager
State of Connecticut Department of Public Health

Tim Callahan, MPH
Former Director of Health
Bridgeport and Norwalk Departments of Health

Pareesa Charmchi Goodwin, MPH
Executive Director
CT Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health

Tiffany Donelson, MPH
President and CEO
Connecticut Health Foundation

Lawrence Eisenstein, MD, MPH, FACP
Vice President of Community and Public Health
Catholic Health

Ebony Jackson-Shaheed, MPH
Director of Health and Human Services
City of Hartford

Deepa Joseph, MPH
Director of Health
Milford Health Department

Chair
CT Association of Directors of Health

Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria, ATC.L.
State Representative
Connecticut General Assembly
Licensed Athletic Trainer

Representative Sarah Keitt, MPH
State Representative
Connecticut General Assembly

Joan Lane, MPH
Project Coordinator
Southwest Community Health Center

Amy Lehaney, MPH, RS
Director of Health
Town of New Canaan

Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey
State Representative
Connecticut General Assembly

Dawn Myles, MS, MSN, RN
Vice President of Population Health Operations
Nuvance Health/Northwell Health

Pam Paulmann, MPH
Health and Wellness Coordinator
Fairfield University

Melissa Quan, EdD
Director of Center for Social Impact
Fairfield University

Jessica Steier, DrPH, PMP
CEO
Vital Statistices Consulting

Founder and Host
Unbiased Science

Executive Director
Science Literacy Lab

Thomas St. Louis, MSPH
Director of Office of Public Health Workforce Development
State of Connecticut Department of Public Health

Caprice Taylor Mendez, MEd
CEO and President
Universal Health Care Foundation of CT

Please contact Graduate Admission (gradadmis@fairfield.edu, 203-254-4184) or DrPH Program Director, Dr. Anthony Santella (asantella@fairfield.edu).

A DrPH focuses on applying research and leadership skills to address public health challenges, often leading to careers in practice, administration, or academia. DrPH coursework is typically completed on a part-time basis, and students are usually self-funded. Additionally, DrPH students are required to complete an applied practice experience.

In contrast, a PhD emphasizes research and theoretical knowledge, with graduates typically pursuing academic, research, or policy analysis roles. PhD students are generally enrolled full-time, with tuition typically supported by their institution.

The online DrPH program at Fairfield University is designed to prepare public health professionals for advanced leadership roles in academia, healthcare, policymaking, and research. As all academic programs at Fairfield University are rooted in Jesuit values, the program emphasizes ethical leadership, social justice, and service to underserved populations. With an emphasis on refining essential public health skills such as research methods, policy analysis, program design, and public health education, this program equips graduates to address complex public health challenges on both local and global scales.

The Public Health Program at Fairfield University is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Learn More About CEPH Accreditation.

Applicants must demonstrate at least 3 years of professional experience in public health or healthcare following completion of the MPH or a related graduate degree

We offer two plans of study: a 57-credit plan for students with a master’s degree in a field other than public health (e.g., MS, MA, MSW, MSEd, MBA, MHA), and a 42-credit plan for students who have earned an MPH.

Yes, our students complete a part-time, cohort program that begins each Fall (the day after Labor Day).

All coursework is delivered online and asynchronously. Asynchronous coursework allows students to complete lessons, assignments, and exams on their schedule, without the need for real-time (synchronous) participation. This format provides flexibility, enabling students to learn at their own pace while still meeting course deadlines. Faculty provide office hours and periodic optional class sessions live on Zoom.

Students in the 42-credit program will complete the below courses in addition to two electives.

Students in the 57-credit plan will complete 15 MPH foundational credits, followed by the 42-credit plan described above. Those additional courses include the following.

The Fairfield DrPH program offers a generalist concentration. Its coursework is designed to address the 20 CEPH-required competencies across key domains: data and analysis; leadership, policy, and governance; policy and programs; and education and workforce development. In addition, the Fairfield generalist track emphasizes additional competencies in storytelling and data visualization, implementation science, and applied ethics.

The dissertation phase of the program spans the final 12 months, during which students complete three courses (8 credits) to plan, execute, and defend their dissertation. The dissertation will result in three publishable manuscripts. Each DrPH student will work with a three-person dissertation committee. Faculty from across the University are open to working with DrPH students.

Yes, there are three required residencies, one each year (around September/October), where all DrPH students, regardless of cohort, come together. Residency locations will rotate between Fairfield, CT, Austin, TX, and Washington, DC. The agenda will include guest speakers, case study discussions, career development, skills development, and dissertation preparation. While not required, online students are welcome to campus and are invited to attend Commencement.

Yes, financial aid is available to students enrolled in the online DrPH online program while enrolled on at least a half-time basis.

Yes, for a list of opportunities please visit the Graduate Assistantship section of the Graduate Aid and Assistantships page.

The Doctor of Public Health is a low residency program and cannot support international students seeking an I-20, which is needed to receive an F1 student visa.