Public Health (MPH)

Master of Public Health 
Unit: School of Public Health and Information Sciences (GH)
Program Website 
Academic Plan Code(s): See Concentration Requirements tab.

Program Information

Introduction

The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program is designed to graduate students with skills in the core competencies in public health and additional competencies in one of the following concentrations: biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy, health promotion and behavioral sciences, or global public health.

Graduates of the MPH program are prepared for positions in the public health workforce, in health-related industries, and in academic organizations and for further professional or academic education.

Competencies

The MPH program has adopted the foundational competencies published by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH 2016 MPH Foundational Competencies) and each MPH concentration has developed concentration-specific competencies.

The learning objectives for each core course in the MPH curriculum are mapped to these targeted foundational  CEPH competencies and the learning objectives for courses offered in each concentration are mapped to the specific competencies developed for that concentration.

Concentrations

Concentrations are offered in each of the following areas of public health. Each concentration is designed to develop the competencies needed by a public health worker in the corresponding area.

Concentrations by Department

Concentration	Department
Biostatistics	Bioinformatics and Biostatistics
Epidemiology	Epidemiology and Population Health
Health Policy	Health Management and System Sciences
Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences	Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences

Students are encouraged to declare their concentration at the time of application, though applications from students that do not declare a concentration are also accepted. For students declaring concentrations, the faculty in each concentration reviews applicants for acceptance. Applications from students that do not declare a concentration are reviewed for acceptance by the MPH Program Director.

Requirements for declaring concentrations in the MPH program after matriculation are:

• Undeclared students will need to identify to a concentration prior to November 15 of their first semester.
• The student must be in good standing in the MPH program.
• Any undeclared student will first meet with the department chair or director of the concentration prior to declaring that concentration to determine if there are any additional criteria for admission to that concentration.

Accreditation

The School of Public Health and Information Sciences is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). For more information, see the School’s accreditation webpage.

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Accelerated Bachelor's-MPH in Public Health

The accelerated degree program allows any qualifying undergraduate student to complete their undergraduate bachelor's degree and the Master of Public Health (MPH) over a five year period.  The first four years consist of undergraduate studies, including up to 15 credits of graduate level courses taken during the senior year, culminating in the award of a bachelor's degree.  

The fifth year, including the summer following graduation with a bachelor’s degree, consists of graduate coursework in public health, leading to completion of the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program is designed to provide students with training in foundational MPH competencies as well as a specific area of concentration. MPH concentrations currently available for the accelerated program are:

• Epidemiology
• Health Policy
• Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences

MPH graduates are prepared for positions in the public health work force, health-related industries, academic organizations, or for further professional or academic education.

The accelerated curriculum allows students to take a maximum of 15 credit hours of the Master of Public Health course work during their undergraduate studies.

For more information, please refer to the School of Public Health and Information Sciences Undergraduate Programs page.

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Dual MPH in Health Policy - Masters in Health Administration

The dual MPH (Health Policy) - MSHA degree program facilitates development of advanced population and public health management professionals that may leverage knowledge and practices from both public health science and healthcare management domains to serve in leadership roles within public health institutions, federal-state-local agencies, and healthcare organizations. For more information about the dual program, please visit the program webpage.

Admission Requirements

The ideal candidate for admission to the MPH program has received the equivalent of a bachelor's degree or higher, can comprehend and communicate effectively in English, has the recommendations of at least three persons in a health-related or advanced education field, has performed satisfactorily on one or more standardized test, and is interested in pursuing a career in public health or a related field.

The requirements for admission to the MPH program are:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or its equivalent
• Recommended minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• If a candidate's primary language is not English, one of the following:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam with a minimum score of 79 (after conversion for test type), official IELTS scores of at least 6.5 overall band score from the academic module exam or official Duolingo overall score of 105.  
  • Degree from an accredited U.S. institution

Applicants must apply through the Centralized Application Service for Public Health, SOPHAS.

An application is considered after the following requirements have been received:

• Three letters of recommendation written within the last twelve months.
• Official transcripts of all degrees.
• One-page personal statement written by the applicant that is a clear, substantive description of his or her goals in public health, noting any professional or research experience.
• GRE scores are not required for the following MPH concentrations: Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, Health Policy, and Epidemiology. 
• GRE scores are required for the MPH concentration in Biostatistics.
• International applicants: Foreign credential evaluation of all degrees from non-U.S. institutions. Please contact the MPH program prior to completing this requirement.
• Students applying with a concentration in Health Policy must be interviewed by the HMSS Health Leadership Committee.

Application Deadline

Fall semester – March 1 (International applicants). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for domestic students.
Domestic students are encouraged to apply no later than 30 days prior to the start of the fall semester.

Spring semester – Applications are not accepted.

Summer semester – Applications are not accepted.

For information on the application process, please contact:

Fax: (502) 852-3294

Faculty Advisor

On matriculation, each student is assigned a faculty advisor and is requested to meet at least twice each semester with his or her advisor.

If a student is admitted to a specific concentration, the director of the concentration will assign a specific faculty member as advisor.  If students are admitted to the program as undeclared, the MPH program director will serve as their advisor.  Undeclared students admitted to a specific concentration by the end of the first semester will be assigned a faculty advisor by the director of the concentration.

The faculty advisor serves as academic practicum advisor, academic mentor, and counselor on career and employment opportunities, professional development, and opportunities beyond graduate school. 

Program Requirements

The MPH curriculum consists of core courses, concentration courses in one of the areas of public health, completion of a practicum experience, and completion of an integrating experience. The core courses are generally completed prior to taking concentration courses, the integration experience, and the practicum. 

Full-time students are expected to complete the program and graduate in two years. Part-time students are required to complete the program and graduate within six years.

Coursework

42-48 total credit hours:

• Twelve (12) credit hours of core courses
• Four (4) credit hours of Practice Experience
• Two (2) credit hours of Integrative Experience
• 24-30 credit hours of concentration coursework

Students must successfully complete core, concentration, practicum, and integrating experience coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Academic Standing

To maintain good academic standing in the MPH program, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for all coursework in the program. A student must be in good academic standing in order to receive the degree.

Any MPH student with a program cumulative GPA below 3.0 will be placed in probationary status. Any student who remains in probationary status for two consecutive terms may be considered for dismissal from the program.

MPH Coursework

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Core Coursework		12
PHMS 501	Introduction to Public Health Practice and Administration
PHPB 501	Introduction to Public Health Behavior
PHEP 501	Introduction to Epidemiology
PHST 500	Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Sciences I
Practice Experience		4
PHPH 677	Public Health Practice Experience 1
PHPH 678	Public Health Practice Experience 2
PHPH 679	Public Health Practicum Experience 3
Integrative Experience		2
PHPH 698	Public Health Integrative Learning Experience
Concentration Coursework		24-30
See Concentration Requirements for specific coursework and a two-year (full-time) Plan of Study
Minimum Total Hours		42-48

Concentration courses (minimum 24 credit hours)

All students seeking an MPH degree in the School of Public Health and Information Sciences must take a minimum of 24 credit hours in their selected concentration. For a detailed description of coursework for each of the concentrations, click on "Concentration Requirements" in the menu above.

Concentration Requirements

Concentration in Biostatistics

Academic Plan Code(s): PH_ _MPHBIO

42 total credit hours, made up of the following:

Twelve (12) credit hours of MPH core coursework
 Four (4) credit hours of Practice Experience
 Two (2) credit hours of Integrative Experience
24 credit hours of required courses in Biostatistics

The Biostatistics concentration is not available for completion by accelerated MPH students.

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Fall		Hours
PHMS 501	Introduction to Public Health Practice and Administration	3
PHPB 501	Introduction to Public Health Behavior	3
PHEP 501	Introduction to Epidemiology	3
PHST 500	Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Sciences I	3
	Hours	12
Spring
PHST 501	Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Sciences II	3
PHMS 641	Data Mining I	3
PHST 620	Introduction to Statistical Computing	3
PHPH 677	Public Health Practice Experience 1	1
	Hours	10
Year 2
Fall
PHST 680	Biostatistical Methods I	3
PHEP 602	Introduction to Epidemiologic Methods	3
PHPH 678	Public Health Practice Experience 2	1
PHPH 698	Public Health Integrative Learning Experience	2
	Hours	9
Spring
PHST 640	Statistical Methods for Research Design in Health Sciences	3
PHST 681	Biostatistical Methods II	3
PHST 684	Categorical Data Analysis	3
PHPH 679	Public Health Practicum Experience 3	2
	Hours	11
	Minimum Total Hours	42

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Concentration in Epidemiology

Academic Plan Code(s): PH_ _MPHEPI

• Accelerated BA in Public Health-MPH: PHBAMPHEPA
• Accelerated BS in Public Health-MPH: PHBSMPHEPA
• Accelerated BA/BS-MPH for non-Public Health majors: PHMPHEPA

Students concentrating in the MPH Epidemiology Program will be required to fulfill a minimum of 45 credit hours including the following:

Twelve (12) credit hours of MPH core coursework
 Four (4) credit hours of Practice Experience
 Two (2) credit hours of Integrative Experience
24 credit hours of required courses in Epidemiology
Three (3) credit hours (maximum) of either: a) an epidemiology selective¹  or b) an independent study (i.e., PHEP 666)²

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Fall		Hours
PHMS 501	Introduction to Public Health Practice and Administration	3
PHPB 501	Introduction to Public Health Behavior	3
PHEP 501	Introduction to Epidemiology	3
PHST 500	Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Sciences I	3
	Hours	12
Spring
PHST 501	Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Sciences II	3
PHEP 627	Survey Research Methods	3
PHEP 604	Epidemiology of Infectious Disease	2
PHEP 616	Disease Surveillance and Health Statistics	3
PHPH 677	Public Health Practice Experience 1	1
	Hours	12
Year 2
Fall
PHEP 602	Introduction to Epidemiologic Methods	3
PHEP 609	Epidemiology of Cardiometabolic Disease	2
PHEP 620	Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology	3
PHPH 678	Public Health Practice Experience 2	1
	Hours	9
Spring
PHEP 607	Epidemiology of Cancer	2
PHEP 655	Emerging Issues in Epidemiology	3
One of the following:		3
PHEP 666	Master's Independent Study in Epidemiology and Population Health
PHEP Selective (see list below) 1
PHPH 679	Public Health Practicum Experience 3	2
PHPH 698	Public Health Integrative Learning Experience	2
	Hours	12
	Minimum Total Hours	45

¹ Epidemiology Electives: Availability of the following courses will vary each year as epidemiology selectives with consideration to faculty workloads:

• PHEP 606 Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology 
• PHEP 613 Epidemiology of Aging and Disability 
• PHEP 624 Methods in Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology *
• PHEP 626 Introduction to Social Epidemiology 
• PHEP 611 Nutritional Epidemiology 
• PHEP 615 Foundations of Global Maternal and Child Health *
• PHEP 625 Child Health & Development *

² PHEP 666 Master's Independent Study in Epidemiology and Population Health may be taken as an optional course for MPH Epi-concentration students who wish to supplement their learning experience via independent research with a faculty member. Enrollment is limited to three (3) credit hours for an MPH student.

*Availability subject to coordination with Global Health Concentration. Non-epidemiology courses also may be selected pending program and instructor permissions; all courses offered by SPHIS are pre-approved by the program, with the exception of those required for the MS or PhD in Epidemiology (PHEP 618, PHEP 621, PHEP 622, PHEP 623, PHEP 701, PHEP 702, PHEP 750, PHEP 778) for which both program and instructor permission will be required for enrollment. 

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Concentration in Health Policy

Academic Plan Code(s): PH_ _MPHHPC

• Accelerated BA in Public Health-MPH: PHBAMPHHPA
• Accelerated BS in Public Health-MPH: PHBSMPHHPA
• Accelerated BA/BS-MPH for non-Public Health majors: PHMPHHPA

48 total hours, made up of the following:

Twelve (12) credit hours of MPH core coursework
Four (4) credit hours of Practice Experience
 Two (2) credit hours of Integrative Experience
21 credit hours of concentration coursework
 9 credit hours of Health Policy elective coursework

The Health Policy concentration is not available for completion by accelerated MPH students.

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Fall		Hours
PHMS 501	Introduction to Public Health Practice and Administration	3
PHPB 501	Introduction to Public Health Behavior	3
PHEP 501	Introduction to Epidemiology	3
PHST 500	Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Sciences I	3
	Hours	12
Spring
PHST 501	Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Sciences II	3
PHMS 610	Health Policy and Analysis	3
PHMS 530	Comparative Health Systems	3
PHMS 635	Health Law and Ethics	3
PHPH 677	Public Health Practice Experience 1	1
	Hours	13
Year 2
Fall
PHMS 662	Health Economics	3
One of the following:		3
Health Policy Elective #1 *
PHMS 670	Statistical Data Management (recommended for students wishing to pursue the PhD in Health Management & Policy)
Health Policy Elective #2 *		3
PHPH 678	Public Health Practice Experience 2	1
	Hours	10
Spring
PHMS 509	Health Finance and Financial Management	3
One of the following		3
Health Policy Elective #3 *
PHMS 671	Statistical Analysis for Population Health (recommended for students wishing to pursue the PhD in Health Management & Policy)
PHPB 611	Community-Centered Engagement and Assessment	3
PHPH 679	Public Health Practicum Experience 3	2
PHPH 698	Public Health Integrative Learning Experience	2
	Hours	13
	Minimum Total Hours	48

 Recommended Health Policy Electives*

• PHMS 685 Health Operations & Management Science
• PHMS 615 Introduction to Health Systems
• PHPB 705 Policy to Advance Health Equity
• URBS 661 Public Management
• URBS 653 Urban Policy Analysis
• PHMS 700 Introduction to Health Services Research*
• PHMS 708 Population Health and Health Disparities*
• PHMS 715 Health Policy Research*
• SOC 618 Qualitative Research Methods*

*Students interested in pursuing the PhD in Public Health Sciences, specialization in Health Management and Policy should align their health policy electives with PhD courses to save up to nine (9) credit hours in the doctoral program.

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Concentration in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences

Academic Plan Code(s): PH_ _MPHHKC

• Accelerated BA in Public Health-MPH: PHBAMPHHKA
• Accelerated BS in Public Health-MPH: PHBSMPHHKA
• Accelerated BA/BS-MPH for non-Public Health majors: PHMPHHKA

45 total hours, made up of the following:

Twelve (12) credit hours of MPH core coursework
Four (4) credit hours of Practice Experience
Two (2) credit hours of Integrative Experience
27 credit hours of concentration coursework

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Fall		Hours
PHMS 501	Introduction to Public Health Practice and Administration	3
PHPB 501	Introduction to Public Health Behavior	3
PHEP 501	Introduction to Epidemiology	3
PHST 500	Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Sciences I	3
	Hours	12
Spring
PHPB 654	Foundations of Health Equity	2
PHPB 611	Community-Centered Engagement and Assessment	3
PHPB 630	Social and Structural Determinants of Health	3
PHPB 652	Evidence-Based Practices in Public Health	3
PHPH 677	Public Health Practice Experience 1	1
	Hours	12
Year 2
Fall
PHPB 612	Health Communication: Theory and Practice	3
PHPB 614	Public Health Intervention Design, Implementation, and Sustainment	3
PHPB 635	Health Promotion Policy Development	3
PHPH 678	Public Health Practice Experience 2	1
	Hours	10
Spring
PHPB 615	Program Evaluation	3
PHPB 651	Equitable Leadership and Program Management in Public Health	4
PHPH 679	Public Health Practicum Experience 3	2
PHPH 698	Public Health Integrative Learning Experience	2
	Hours	11
	Minimum Total Hours	45

*Other elective can be any SPHIS course for which the student meets the prerequisites or other another relevant course approved by the student's academic advisor. 

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Dual Master of Public Health, Health Policy - Master of Science, Health Administration

Dual Master of Science, Health Administration - Master of Public Health, Health Policy

Unit: Public Health and Information Sciences
Academic Plan Code: PH_ _MPHHPC, HEADMS

Program Information

The dual MPH (Health Policy) - MS Health Administration degree program facilitates development of advanced population and public health management professionals that may leverage knowledge and practices from both public health science and healthcare management domains to serve in leadership roles within public health institutions, federal-state-local agencies, and healthcare organizations. For more information about the dual program, please visit the program webpage.

Admission Requirements

Students must apply to and be accepted into both the MPH-HP and MS-HA programs. Only MS-HA Evening track students may apply. Each program will require a separate application and application fee. 

Program Requirements

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Fall		Hours
PHMS 501	Introduction to Public Health Practice and Administration	3
PHPB 501	Introduction to Public Health Behavior	3
PHEP 501	Introduction to Epidemiology	3
PHST 500	Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Sciences I	3
	Hours	12
Spring
PHST 501	Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Sciences II	3
PHMS 610	Health Policy and Analysis	3
PHMS 509	Health Finance and Financial Management	3
PHMS 530	Comparative Health Systems	3
PHPH 677	Public Health Practice Experience 1	1
PHMS 686	MSHA Practicum Experience I	1
	Hours	14
Summer
PHMS 620	Healthcare Strategic Management	3
	Hours	3
Year 2
Fall
PHMS 505	Governance and Management of Healthcare Organizations (elective #1)	3
PHMS 680	Health Management Leadership Seminar	1
PHMS 681	Population Health Quantitative Methods (elective #2)	3
PHMS 682	Population Health Information Management	3
PHMS 683	Healthcare Quality Management	3
PHPH 678	Public Health Practice Experience 2	1
PHMS 691	MSHA Practicum Experience II	1
	Hours	15
Spring
PHPB 611	Community-Centered Engagement and Assessment	3
PHMS 684	Project Management for Population Health	3
PHPH 679	Public Health Practicum Experience 3	2
PHMS 692	MSHA Practicum III	1
PHPH 698	Public Health Integrative Learning Experience	2
	Hours	11
Year 3
Fall
PHMS 662	Health Economics	3
PHMS 685	Health Operations & Management Science	3
PHMS 687	Managerial Accounting for Healthcare Managers	3
PHMS 688	Healthcare Marketing	2
MPH-HP Elective #3		3
	Hours	14
Spring
PHMS 689	Insurance & Alternative Payment Models	2
PHMS 635	Health Law and Ethics	3
PHMS 630	Human Resource Management in the Public Health Sector	3
PHMS 625	Population Health Management	3
PHMS 690	MSHA Capstone Course	3
	Hours	14
	Minimum Total Hours	83