Master of Public Health
Overview
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program is designed to provide students with a broad knowledge base regarding the major elements of public health including health services administration, project and program design, epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, social and behavioral theory and application, and healthcare policy and law. Students are equipped to pursue a career in the areas of health services administration, epidemiology, or health education. This 42-credit program may also serve as a stepping-stone into various doctoral degrees.
The Master of Public Health degree builds upon the professional knowledge and practical skills of the public health professions in accordance with the university’s Christian heritage and mission. This 42-credit degree can serve as a terminal degree or can prepare the adult student for applied doctoral degrees such as the Dr.P.H. (Doctor of Public Health) or Ed.D. (Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership). It is incumbent upon the student to confer with the institution conferring the terminal degree to determine admission and transfer requirements.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) for the Master of Public Health
Graduates of the Master of Public Health degree program will be able to:
- PLO 1: Demonstrate the ability to integrate a Christian worldview within the public health industry and society.
- PLO 2: Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
- PLO 3: Evaluate key personal and organizational ethics affecting public health activities.
- PLO 4: Critically evaluate interventions and outcomes based on data analysis and interpretation common to public health practice.
- PLO 5: Apply critical thinking skills and systems-based approaches in evaluating public health research.
- PLO 6: Implement specific professional competencies within a public health arena.
- PLO 7: Articulate the role of diversity and cultural awareness in promoting high professional standards and better public health outcomes.
Requirements for the M.P.H.
Preparation for the Degree
STAT 280 with a grade of C- or higher, is a requisite course for the MPH program, specifically a prerequisite for the PUBH 520 course. STAT 280 does not count toward graduate degree totals.
Requirements
This program features 14 classes at three credits each, including a 3-credit practicum, to total 42 credits. Each course meets for eight weeks. The graduate student typically takes one course at a time completing two courses each semester. The major core component is 27 credits in length, while the second component consists of 15 credits in a chosen emphasis.
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core Requirements | 27 | |
| Emphasis | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
Major Core Requirements
In order to earn the Master of Public Health degree, students must complete the following required core courses and the courses for one area of emphasis while achieving a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0:
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PUBH 500 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| PUBH 510 | Social and Behavioral Theory and Application | 3 |
| PUBH 520 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| PUBH 530 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| PUBH 540 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| PUBH 550 | Health Services Administration | 3 |
| PUBH 580 | Public Health, Cinema, and Social Media | 3 |
| PUBH 610 | Leadership Practices in Public Health | 3 |
| PUBH 690 | Graduate Public Health Culminating Experience | 3 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Emphasis
Master of Public Health students select from one of the following two areas of emphasis:
Public Health Analysis
Students completing the Master of Public Health degree with a public health analysis emphasis explore the biological determinants of disease and historic factors affecting mortality and morbidity. They also analyze and interpret statistical data and apply data models and strategies to healthcare issues in local, regional, national, and global contexts. Students complete five courses that align with their career goals. Such students are equipped to pursue careers in public health research and epidemiology with local, regional, national, and global health agencies.
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PUBH 620 | Healthcare Research Methods | 3 |
| PUBH 625 | Disease Investigation and Mitigation | 3 |
| PUBH 630 | Public Health Program Design and Evaluation | 3 |
| PUBH 640 | Multicultural Disease Prevention | 3 |
| PUBH 660 | Global Engagement | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Public Health Practice
Students completing the Master of Public Health degree with a public health practice emphasis develop skills in identifying and investigating public health issues and developing educational programs designed to promote health, modify behaviors, reduce risks, and improve well-being. Students select five courses that best match their career goals. Such students are equipped to pursue careers in health education or administration in governmental and non-governmental agencies, community colleges, and community-based health education programs.
| Requirement | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PUBH 560 | Healthcare Policy, Law, and Society | 3 |
| PUBH 570 | Sexuality, Gender, and Public Health | 3 |
| PUBH 600 | Resource Management in Public Health | 3 |
| PUBH 630 | Public Health Program Design and Evaluation | 3 |
| PUBH 640 | Multicultural Disease Prevention | 3 |
| PUBH 645 | Community Health Education | 3 |
| PUBH 650 | Health Promotion and Risk Reduction | 3 |
| PUBH 660 | Global Engagement | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |