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.
| Concentration | Department |
|---|---|
| Biostatistics | Bioinformatics and Biostatistics |
| Epidemiology | Epidemiology and Population Health |
| Global Public Health - emphasis in Maternal and Child Health | 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.
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
- Global Public Health with an emphasis in Maternal and Child Health
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.
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 90 (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.
- Passing an advanced level Intensive English as a Second Language program
- ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) certification
- Degree from an accredited U.S. institution (requires provisional admission with evaluation of English language competency and potential requirement to pass an advanced level Intensive English as a Second Language program)
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: Global Health, 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:
School of Public Health and Information Sciences
University of Louisville
485 East Gray Street
Louisville, KY 40202
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:
- 12 credit hours of core courses
- 4 credit hours of Practice Experience
- 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.
MPH Coursework
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Coursework | 12 | |
| Introduction to Public Health Practice and Administration | ||
| Introduction to Public Health Behavior | ||
| Introduction to Epidemiology | ||
| Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Sciences I | ||
| Practice Experience | 4 | |
| Public Health Practice Experience 1 | ||
| Public Health Practice Experience 2 | ||
| Public Health Practicum Experience 3 | ||
| Integrative Experience | 2 | |
| 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:
12 credit hours of MPH core coursework
4 credit hours of Practice Experience
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.
| 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 | Epidemiological 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 | |
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:
12 credit hours of MPH core coursework
4 credit hours of Practice Experience
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
| 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 616 | Disease Surveillance and Health Statistics | 3 |
| PHPH 677 | Public Health Practice Experience 1 | 1 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHEP 602 | Epidemiological Methods | 3 |
| PHEP 604 | Epidemiology of Infectious Disease | 2 |
| PHEP 607 | Epidemiology of Cancer | 2 |
| PHEP 620 | Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology | 3 |
| PHPH 678 | Public Health Practice Experience 2 | 1 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHEP 609 | Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease | 2 |
| PHEP 655 | Emerging Issues in Epidemiology | 3 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| 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.
Concentration in Global Public Health – Maternal and Child Health Emphasis
Academic Plan Code(s): PH_ _MPHGPH
- Accelerated BA in Public Health-MPH: PHBAMPHGPA
- Accelerated BS in Public Health-MPH: PHBSMPHGPA
- Accelerated BA/BS-MPH for non-Public Health majors: PHMPHGPA
47 total credit hours, made up of the following:
12 credit hours of MPH core coursework
4 credit hours of Practice Experience
2 credit hours of Integrative Experience
20 credit hours of Global MPH concentration courses
9 credit hours of targeted MCH emphasis coursework
| 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 530 | Comparative Health Systems | 3 |
| PHEP 615 | Foundations of Global Maternal and Child Health | 3 |
| PHPH 677 | Public Health Practice Experience 1 | 1 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHEP 602 | Epidemiological Methods | 3 |
| PHEP 604 | Epidemiology of Infectious Disease | 2 |
| PHEP 624 | Methods in Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology | 3 |
| PHPB 614 | Critical Thinking, Programming Planning, and Implementation | 3 |
| PHPH 678 | Public Health Practice Experience 2 | 1 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHPB 615 | Advanced Program Evaluation | 3 |
| PHEP 625 | Child Health & Development | 3 |
| PHEP 627 | Survey Research Methods | 3 |
| PHPH 679 | Public Health Practicum Experience 3 | 2 |
| PHPH 698 | Public Health Integrative Learning Experience | 2 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 47 | |
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:
12 credit hours of MPH core coursework
4 credit hours of Practice Experience
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.
| 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 * |
||
| 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 * |
||
| Statistical Analysis for Population Health (recommended for students wishing to pursue the PhD in Health Management & Policy) | ||
| PHPB 611 | Community Organization 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*
PHEH 526 Nutrition and Maternal and Child Health- PHMS 685 Health Operations & Management Science
- PHMS 615 Introduction to Health Systems
- PHPB 705 Policy to Advance Health Equity
- PADM 605 Public Management
- UPA 650 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 twelve (12) credit hours in the doctoral program.
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
43 total hours, made up of the following:
12 credit hours of MPH core coursework
4 credit hours of Practice Experience
2 credit hours of Integrative Experience
25 credit hours of concentration coursework
| 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 | ||
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Sciences II | ||
Public Health elective * |
||
| PHPB 604 | Health Decision and Risk Analysis | 3 |
| PHPB 611 | Community Organization and Assessment | 3 |
| PHPH 677 | Public Health Practice Experience 1 | 1 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHPB 612 | Health Communications Campaigns: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| PHPB 614 | Critical Thinking, Programming Planning, and Implementation | 3 |
| PHPB 630 | Social Determinants of Health | 3 |
| PHPB 660 | Grant Writing for Health & Human Services | 1 |
| PHPH 678 | Public Health Practice Experience 2 | 1 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHPB 615 | Advanced Program Evaluation | 3 |
| PHPB 635 | Health Promotion Policy Development and Advocacy | 3 |
| PHPH 679 | Public Health Practicum Experience 3 | 2 |
| PHPH 698 | Public Health Integrative Learning Experience | 2 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 43 | |
*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.
