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The Impact of Student Debt on Career Choices among Doctor of Public Health Graduates in the United States: A Descriptive Analysis

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  • Chulwoo Park

    (Department of Public Health and Recreation, San José State University, San Jose, CA 95192, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Eric Coles

    (DrPH Coalition, 93 Longwood Ave., Brookline, MA 02446, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

(1) Background: As gaps in the public health workforce grow in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, graduates of the schools of public health, especially Doctors of Public Health (DrPH), are poised to offer relief. While there are some known recruitment issues, student debt and debt impact on career choices are understudied. (2) Methods: In the present study, we perform a descriptive analysis of the potential impact of student debt on career choices among DrPH students and alumni in the United States using a cross-sectional national online survey. A total of 203 participants (66: alumni and 137: current students) completed the survey. Descriptive statistics, a chi-squared test of independence, and content analysis were used to analyze the funding situation and its impact on career choices. (3) Results: We found that (1) 72% of current DrPH students have zero funding support for their degree, (2) scholarship opportunities for a DrPH degree are limited, especially when compared to PhD programs, and (3) student debt impacts 59% of DrPH students’ and 29% of DrPH graduates’ career choices (about 49% of all respondents). (4) Conclusions: Student debt and a misunderstanding of DrPH are likely impediments to DrPH graduates participating in the public health workforce.

Suggested Citation

  • Chulwoo Park & Eric Coles, 2022. "The Impact of Student Debt on Career Choices among Doctor of Public Health Graduates in the United States: A Descriptive Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:8:p:4836-:d:795151
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rothstein, Jesse & Rouse, Cecilia Elena, 2011. "Constrained after college: Student loans and early-career occupational choices," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(1), pages 149-163.
    2. Congressional Budget Office, 2017. "Comparing the Compensation of Federal and Private-Sector Employees, 2011 to 2015," Reports 52637, Congressional Budget Office.
    3. Gerald Eric Daniels Jr. & Andria Smythe, 2019. "Student Debt and Labor Market Outcomes," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 109, pages 171-175, May.
    4. Kahler W. Stone & Kristina W. Kintziger & Meredith A. Jagger & Jennifer A. Horney, 2021. "Public Health Workforce Burnout in the COVID-19 Response in the U.S," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-11, April.
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