UNC ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS

Public Health

• Executive Doctoral Program in Health Leadership (DrPH)

Nursing

• BSN to DNP Health Care Leadership & Administration
• MSN to DNP

Education

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Organizational Learning and Leadership

^* The three-year timeline is based on students following a standard sequence of two courses per term.

• Are Online Doctoral Students Charged In-State or Out-of-State Tuition?

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  Students enrolled in our online doctoral degrees who reside outside of North Carolina are typically charged an out-of-state tuition rate. Because the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a state institution, North Carolina residents may qualify for a lower in-state rate. You can review the exact cost per credit hour and explore your funding options by viewing our tuition and financial aid details.

• Can Online Doctoral Students Secure Graduate Assistantships, Fellowships or University Funding?

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  Because UNC’s online professional doctorates are designed for full-time working professionals, traditional graduate assistantships and research fellowships are typically not available. However, students often fund their education through a combination of federal financial aid, external scholarships and employer sponsorship. We encourage you to speak with an enrollment specialist to discuss the best ways to finance your degree.

• Does UNC Accept Employer Tuition Reimbursement or VA Benefits for These Online Doctorates?

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  Yes, the University proudly accepts military and veterans’ benefits to help cover the cost of your education. Additionally, many online doctoral students utilize employer tuition reimbursement programs offered by their workplaces. You can coordinate directly with our financial aid office to apply these approved benefits toward your balance.

• Do UNC’s Online Doctoral Programs Require Any In-Person Visits to the Chapel Hill Campus?

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  While the majority of your coursework is completed online, some doctoral degrees do require limited on-campus immersions. For example, the Executive Doctoral Program in Health Leadership requires students to visit the campus a few times a year for intensive, face-to-face networking and leadership training. We recommend checking the specific requirements of your intended program to see if any travel is necessary.

• Are the Online Classes Held Live (Synchronous) or Are They Self-Paced (Asynchronous)?

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  Our online doctoral degrees utilize a highly engaging, blended learning model. You will complete self-paced, asynchronous coursework — such as recorded lectures and readings — on your own schedule during the week. Then, you will attend weekly, synchronous live classes via webcam to discuss these concepts face-to-face with your professors and peers. You can view the specific course structure for your degree by exploring the program curriculum.

• Do I Have to Write a Traditional Dissertation?

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  The culminating project for your degree depends entirely on the specific doctoral track you choose. While the DrPH program requires a traditional dissertation focused on a public health issue, the Ed.D. program requires a Dissertation in Practice (DiP) guided by a series of three capstone courses to solve an organizational challenge. Similarly, the DNP relies on an immersive clinical project rather than a traditional academic dissertation.

• For the DNP program, Does UNC Help Secure Clinical Preceptors, or Am I Responsible for Finding My Own Site?

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  The University provides dedicated support to help you navigate your clinical requirements. Our Graduate Clinical Placement Coordinator will actively work to facilitate contacts with approved sites and preceptors in your local area. Once a clinician agrees to precept, the clinical support team handles the administrative details and contracts so you can focus entirely on your health care training.

• What Is the Difference in Career Outcomes Between the DrPH and a Traditional Ph.D. in Public Health?

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  The Executive Doctoral Program in Health Leadership (DrPH) is a practice-oriented degree designed for mid- to senior-level professionals aiming to lead public health organizations and shape high-level health policy. In contrast, a traditional Ph.D. focuses heavily on academic research and is typically intended for individuals pursuing careers as university professors or full-time scientific researchers.

• Will the Ed.D. in Organizational Learning and Leadership Qualify Me for K-12 Superintendent Licensure?

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  No, this specific concentration is not designed to lead to superintendent or principal licensure in North Carolina or other states. Instead, it equips professionals with the tools to lead improvement, empower teams, and deliver on organizational goals across a wide variety of corporate, non-profit and higher education environments.

• Is the Executive DrPH Designed Strictly for Health Care Administrators, or Can Clinicians (Like MDs and RNs) Apply?

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  Clinicians are highly encouraged to apply, provided they meet the professional experience criteria. The program requires at least five years of post-graduate experience in the health field with significant management or leadership responsibilities, a benchmark many experienced nurses, physicians and clinical directors meet. To confirm if your background aligns with this degree, please review the full admissions requirements.