Program Overview
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is a professional degree for students who require a broad general academic experience in public health. Students will acquire competency in the fundamental public health disciplines. This includes research design and conduct, data analysis and policy analysis, communications, program planning and administration, public health systems and the organization of health services in the United States and Latin America, recognition and analysis of ethical issues in public health and professional practice, the needs of special populations, and the integration of these core disciplines in public health decision making.
We recognize the importance of practical knowledge and skills for those entering the field of public health. The MPH degree provides a comprehensive education in areas of knowledge basic to public health: biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health services administration/health economics, and social and behavioral sciences.
The Master of Public Health degree is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Upon completion of the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, all graduates will be able to:
- Competencies:
| Apply epidemiological methods to settings and situations in public health practice |
| Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context |
| Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate |
| Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice |
| Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings |
| Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and systemic levels |
| Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health |
| Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design, implementation or critique of public health policies or programs |
| Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention |
| Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management |
| Select methods to evaluate public health programs |
| Discuss the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence |
| Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes |
| Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations |
| Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity |
| Apply leadership and/or management principles to address a relevant issue |
| Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges |
| Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors |
| Communicate audience-appropriate (i.e., non-academic, non-peer audience) public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation |
| Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content |
| Integrate perspectives from other sectors and/or professions to promote and advance population health |
| Apply a systems thinking tool to visually represent a public health issue in a format other than standard narrative |
- Average Program Duration: 2 years. Students enrolled in the Accelerated MPH program may complete this degree in 1 year. See details below.
- Total required credits: 45 credits
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The MPH Curriculum
The MPH is a generalist degree that provides a comprehensive education in areas of knowledge basic to public health. The total requirements for the major are 45 credits for traditional students. The credits must be completed as core, electives, and capstone. Many students who have an advanced degree (MD, MBBS, JD, DDS, EdD or Ph.D.) may qualify for a credit waiver of up to nine credits.
- Generalist Core Courses (9 credits)
| For students admitted in Spring 2019 and forward, the curriculum requirements for the MPH degree include 9 credits of public health skills (generalist concentration, listed below) and 12 credits of electives. Students entering the program January 2019 and beyond will complete the revised curriculum requirements. |
| EPH 607 Interdisciplinary Health Communication (3 credits) |
| EPH 602 Medical Biostatistics II (3 credits) or BST 625 Statistical Computing (3 credits) |
| EPH 644 Fundamentals of Program Evaluation (3 credits) or EPH 656 Qualitative Research Methods (3 credits) or EPH 647 Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) (3 credits) |
- Capstone Courses (5 credits)
| Students are required to complete 5 credits: EPH 680 Capstone Field Experience and EPH 682 Generalist Capstone Project. Both courses are vital components of the MPH program and together form the Capstone Experience. The Capstone Field Experience is designed to provide students with real-world work experience in the field of public health. This experience places students in health-related settings (local, national, and international) to work on projects of mutual interest to both the field organization and the student. The Capstone Project is intended to build upon this fieldwork and is geared toward providing the student with an opportunity to apply public health academic theory and acquired skills to community health problems. Students are encouraged to build their Capstone Program in such a way that supports their academic and professional interests as they advance in their careers as public health professionals. |
The Accelerated MPH Program
The Accelerated MPH program follows the same 45-credit curriculum as the MPH program, but is completed in one calendar year from summer to summer. Accelerated MPH students start the program in the summer semester, continue in fall semester, take courses during winter inter-session, continue in spring and spring inter-session, and end in the following summer semester. The course load per semester for accelerated students is greater than for traditional students; to ensure completion of the requirements within the shortened timeframe, accelerated students must follow the program plan designed under the supervision of their assigned faculty advisor from the start of the program. Students interested in the Accelerated MPH program must apply via SOPHAS selecting this program as there are unique admissions requirements. Visit the Application Process and FAQs on the Admissions page to learn more about the Accelerated MPH application process and admission requirements.
Curriculum information and course descriptions can be found here.
For the program application, click below.
