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02-09-2026, 03:24 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-09-2026, 09:43 AM by Jonathan Whatley.)
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) is introducing two online doctorates and several doctoral-level certificates.
The
Doctor of Executive Leadership (DEL) is online and asynchronous. 42 credits x 520 = 21 840. The DEL offers specialty pathways in
- Healthcare Leadership
- Global Health & Humanitarian Medicine
- Medical Education Leadership
- Emergency Management and Disaster Response
- Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
and students can also earn
a certificate in each area, either stacking toward the DEL or as a standalone credential.
The
Doctor of Public Health in Leadership for Rural Health and Sustainable Development is 42 credits for entrants with an MPH, 57 credits for entrants without. Tuition isn’t currently clear (but see swlearner71 below).
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02-09-2026, 09:37 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-09-2026, 10:32 AM by swlearner71.)
Hey, great find!
Tuition seems to also be 21,840 for the DrPH (if you have an MPH), based on their admissions info. That would make it one of the most affordable online DrPH options.
Unless I missed it somewhere, it does not appear that they're CEPH accredited, which can definitely be a deterrent for many. However, in some cases, it could still make an awesome deal. Perhaps it can serve as a follow up to the MPH at WGU?
Thanks for the information, Jonathan!
https://publichealth.achehealth.edu/admissions/
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(02-09-2026, 09:37 AM)swlearner71 Wrote: Hey, great find!
Tuition seems to also be 21,840 for the DrPH (if you have an MPH), based on their admissions info. That would make it one of the most affordable online DrPH options.
Unless I missed it somewhere, it does not appear that they're CEPH accredited, which can definitely be a deterrent for many. However, in some cases, it could still make an awesome deal. Perhaps it can serve as a follow up to the MPH at WGU?
Thanks for the information, Jonathan!
https://publichealth.achehealth.edu/admissions/
I was thinking the same thing a WGU masters in Public Health and build up to this program , only issue is this program takes 3 years to complete and the courses are long 16 weeks each.
Degrees In Progress
Masters in Human Resource Management
Completed Degrees
Doctor of Science in Public Safety '25
Doctor of Healthcare Administration '22
Masters of Business Administration '22
Masters of Public Administration '19
Masters of Arts in Urban Affairs '17
Masters of Arts in Criminal Justice '16
Bachelor of Science in Police Studies '14
Graduate Certificate in Criminal Investigations '15
![[-]](https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/images/collapse.png)
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02-09-2026, 11:28 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-09-2026, 11:30 PM by FireMedic_Philosopher.)
Unless I missed something, only one of the certificates is open to non -physician assistants.
the others require a state or national PA ticket to apply and all count toward the PA only DMSc.
the website also brags that the "general" track DMSc (they call it "foundational" track) is only 24 weeks in length...
How the hell can anything 24 weeks long be called a doctorate?
Associates in: EMS, History, and Philosophy
Certificates in: Military History and Quality Assurance
B.S. in: Emergency Management and Healthcare Admin
M.S. in: Public Safety Administration
Graduate Certificate in: National Security
In Progress: Doctorate and Masters # 2 and 3
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(02-09-2026, 11:28 PM)FireMedic_Philosopher Wrote: Unless I missed something, only one of the certificates is open to non -physician assistants.
the others require a state or national PA ticket to apply and all count toward the PA only DMSc.
It looks like ACHE introduced
four stackable certificates via the DMSc program which is exclusive to PAs, but is now also offering
the five certificates listed above separately through the DEL program, which is available to non-PAs.
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02-19-2026, 11:04 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-19-2026, 11:08 AM by Stonybeach.)
(02-09-2026, 11:28 PM)FireMedic_Philosopher Wrote: Unless I missed something, only one of the certificates is open to non -physician assistants.
the others require a state or national PA ticket to apply and all count toward the PA only DMSc.
the website also brags that the "general" track DMSc (they call it "foundational" track) is only 24 weeks in length...
How the hell can anything 24 weeks long be called a doctorate?
The DMSc "Foundational track" is 42 doctoral credit hours and may include up to 12 experiential or transfer credits, potentially shortening the length. Otherwise, you pick one of the other 6 specialty offerings in addition to the "24-week" foundation. It appears to be at least a one-year program, not unlike many Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs.
https://dmsc.achehealth.edu/foundational-curriculum/
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I've been accepted into the ACHE DrPH program!
Decision Factors
- Fraction of the cost compared to $80K–$120K programs like Johns Hopkins or Tulane
- Designed for working healthcare leaders with realistic part-time attendance
- Strong rural health and the underserved focus that matches my clinical practice
- Regional relevance and networking throughout the South/Central U.S.
- Chance to help shape a new program as an early cohort member
- Build public health leadership skills without disrupting my career or breaking the bank
- CEPH accreditation isn't a priority for me — I already have my terminal doctorate from Abide University ?
PhD, DNP, MBA, MSIO
