PhD Public Health Comments

I agree, a simple search pulls up 100's of jobs that don't require CEPH!

Jared, have you attempted to search for federal employment? Walden is highly respected by the feds.  Good luck!

I finished my PhD with Walden University, and I am running into some problems. I can't get a job anywhere. They all want me to have CEPH accreditation. Unfortunately, this is not required for PhDs, but they still want it. 

I can't find a job and this is nuts.

Jared

All I can say is....oh S%#t!!

I believe that CEPH accreditation applies only to the MPH -- to the Master's level. I plan to obtain my MPH from another school that is CEPH-accredited (DMU is CEPH accredited, fully online, does not require a GRE and is very affordable). Then I am considering completing my studies with a PhD at Walden. I am less worried about where my PhD comes from as long as my foundational Master's level is universally accepted. 

By the way, as part of your consumer education, you should know what CPH stands for. That is Certified in Public Health. It is not necessary to have, but nice to have. It is a new professional accreditation or recognition of professionals in public health. It is IMPOSSIBLE to sit for that exam, unless you graduate with a CEPH-accredited MPH degree because that is one of their requirements. Therefore, all Walden graduates would be excluded. See: publichealthexam.org/. The future employment landscape may evolve and become more competitive, so why make a decision that could limit you for the rest of your life? 

I recommend that anyone considering applying to public health school attend an annual APHA convention. That is the American Public Health Association. They have an expo hall full of schools, as well as other public health organizations.  It helps to talk with the schools directly and compare answers.   You will likely meet representatives on the admissions teams of the universities.  It is a bit expensive, but is a worthwhile investment in your future and will put you one step ahead of students in your first year's class. You can also attend workshops. I have gone 2 years in a row.

There are some issues with the Public Health program, however, I believe the university is addressing these problems. One other posting indicates Walden is not CEPH accredited, and that is true, however, it is a fully accredited university and CEPH accreditation is not required to (have) for some and (earned) for others, to be a reputable program and a valid degree. They need to review what is required to have CEPH accreditation. I, too, have had problems with my dissertation committee, but those issues have been resolved. Since that time, I have an outstanding committee and, with their guidance, my research is doing EXACTLY what it was designed to do! Like all other universities, there are problems, but there were problems with my undergrad university as well as the college where I earned my MPH. 

For someone who wants a free ride to receive a diploma, Walden is not the university to attend. It takes work and Walden faculty will tell you that you will not be spoon fed - you will earn your degree. Since I have been in this program I have found that I can be in a professional atmosphere and can talk the talk, and walk the walk! No, it's not an easy ride at Walden and yes, there are issues that need to be resolved. However, these need to be in the right perspective.