Historic Moment for 91ΑΤΖζ Health Science Program

By Jonathan Murrietta
Kamiar Alaei

On Friday, September 30th, 91ΑΤΖζGov. Gavin Newsom . The bill allows 91ΑΤΖζState University (CSU) campuses to offer independent Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) programs.

91ΑΤΖζState University, Long Beach and other CSU campuses have been restricted in offering independent terminal degrees apart from private universities and UCs except few professional degrees; however, to meet critical workforce needs, an exception has been made for a doctorate in public health. Now, the first ever doctorate program in public health being proposed at 91ΑΤΖζ has the official green light from state government.   

β€œWe had to change the law, in order to make this work, which we did,” says Chair of Health Science at 91ΑΤΖζ Kamiar Alaei.

Alaei, who has been advocating for an independent doctorate in public health for years, says the proposed doctorate program in public health is hoped to  be available for student enrollment as early as Fall, 2024.

Over the past two years, Alaei was co-leading an effort to engage all CSU campuses to have one single voice in the matter of CSUs being able to provide an independent doctorate in public health.

β€œThe lesson we learned from [the COVID-19 pandemic] is that policy making needs to be evidence based. Public health outcomes are improved when senior  health staff and stakeholders  are trained at terminal-degree levels.”  

β€œWe are moving in the right direction in terms of providing more opportunities for students wanting to work in the public health sector,” Alaei says. β€œWe have been working a long time for this [independent doctorate] – rallying assembly members, and senators across the state. β€œNow that Governor [Newsom] has signed this bill, it is a historic moment and pretty amazing.”