A degree program in Public Health provides methodological and technical foundations for conducting analyses of needs (assessment), developing intervention strategies (policy development), implementing them (assurance), and evaluating interventions that improve the health of populations and health-disadvantaged populations. Public health is a science with strong links to practice, and practice is conversely strongly linked to research. The population focus means that international comparisons must always be made and the international state of knowledge must be included, even in degree programs that train primarily for a national market.

Here you can find the member study programs of the DGPH.
Depending on the location of study and the options available, emphasis can be placed on subjects

• that are more national or more international in perspective,
• that are more strongly oriented towards research or more strongly oriented towards application,
• that cover the breadth of possible interventions or that set specialized focal points.

The content orientation and required scientific depth of the necessary competencies usually require a Master's degree (MPH or M.Sc. or M.A.) for many activities. However, public health relevant activities can also be performed with a bachelor's degree or even without a degree and with professional training. Thus, there are also bachelor's degree programs with a very strong public health focus. Of course, there is also the possibility to do a doctorate in Public Health.

Master's programs generally require a first university degree. This can be related to medicine or health sciences, or economics, social sciences, law or natural sciences, preferably with a health-related focus or professional experience. The individual study locations have different narrow or broad admission requirements.