Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health (MPH) prepares students for a wide range of careers in public health, ensuring that they develop a broad base of knowledge and skills that can be applied to a variety of settings. The curriculum requires 45 credits and includes intermediate- and advanced-level coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, program planning and evaluation, health policy, and a 6-credit field experience. The program emphasizes social justice, with the goal of training leaders who will work to achieve health equity and offers a unique interdisciplinary experience. Students will take courses with students in other Egan-level graduate programs and will learn from faculty with diverse professional backgrounds. 

PUBH 5101Foundations of Public Health3
PUBH 5303Program Planning and Evaluation3
PUBH 6400Public Health Capstone I3
PUBH 6499Public Health Capstone II3
PUBH 6500Public Health Field Experience6
PUBH 7602Advanced Epidemiology and Biostatistics3
HCAD 6100Introduction to the United States Healthcare System3
NURS 7601Epidemiology and Biostatistics3
NURS 7605Advanced Health Policy3
NURS 7608Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice3
NURS 7611Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health3
Master's Elective (Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering)3
Master's Elective (Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering)3
Master's Elective (Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering)3

Please note that the below plans of study are a sample of the Online Fall semester cohort start. There are also plan of study grids available from the Program Director for the online program with a spring or summer semester start as well. 

(Full Time)

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
HCAD 6100 Introduction to the United States Healthcare System 3
NURS 7601 Epidemiology and Biostatistics 3
NURS 7611 Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health 3
PUBH 5101 Foundations of Public Health 3
 Credits12
Spring
PUBH 5303 Program Planning and Evaluation 3
PUBH 7602 Advanced Epidemiology and Biostatistics 3
NURS 7608 Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice 3
Master's Elective (Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering) 3
 Credits12
Summer
NURS 7605 Advanced Health Policy 3
PUBH 6400 Public Health Capstone I 3
Master's Elective (Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering) 3
 Credits9
Second Year
Fall
PUBH 6499 Public Health Capstone II 3
PUBH 6500 Public Health Field Experience 6
Master's Elective (Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering) 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits45

(Part Time)

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
HCAD 6100 Introduction to the United States Healthcare System 3
NURS 7611 Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health 3
PUBH 5101 Foundations of Public Health 3
 Credits9
Spring
PUBH 5303 Program Planning and Evaluation 3
Master's Elective (Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering) 3
 Credits6
Summer
NURS 7605 Advanced Health Policy 3
Master's Elective (Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering) 3
 Credits6
Second Year
Fall
NURS 7608 Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice 3
NURS 7601 Epidemiology and Biostatistics 3
 Credits6
Spring
PUBH 6400 Public Health Capstone I 3
PUBH 7602 Advanced Epidemiology and Biostatistics 3
 Credits6
Summer
PUBH 6499 Public Health Capstone II 3
Master's Elective (Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering) 3
 Credits6
Third Year
Fall
PUBH 6500 Public Health Field Experience 6
 Credits6
 Total Credits45

PUBH 5101 Foundations of Public Health    3 Credits

This course is designed to introduce graduate students without a baccalaureate degree in Public Health to the profession and sciences of Public Health. This course will provide an overview of the history and philosophy of Public Health, its core functions and essential services, and its role in understanding and promoting human health.

PUBH 5303 Program Planning and Evaluation    3 Credits

This course prepares students to develop, implement, and evaluate Public Health programs and interventions. Students will learn to conduct a community health needs assessment; prioritize health needs; select appropriate intervention strategies; and develop program goals, objectives, and evaluation plans. Pre-requisite NURS 7611.

PUBH 6400 Public Health Capstone I    3 Credits

The capstone provides an opportunity for students to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills they’ve gained throughout the program by completing an independent scholarly or applied project. With guidance from a faculty member, students will create and evaluate a public health intervention or design and carry out an original research project. In Public Health Capstone I, students develop a detailed plan and written proposal for their project. Pre-requisites: NURS 7601, PUBH 7602, PUBH 5303.

PUBH 6499 Public Health Capstone II    3 Credits

This course is a continuation of Public Health Capstone I. In this course, students complete their capstone projects, by implementing and evaluating the program they created or by collecting and analyzing data to answer an original research question. Students will produce a final paper and presentation for their project. Pre-requisite PUBH 6400.

PUBH 6500 Public Health Field Experience    6 Credits

The Public Health Field Experience will fulfill the applied practice experience requirement of the MPH program. Each student will have the opportunity to demonstrate attainment of key program competencies by completing 300 hours of training and practice with a partner agency in their local area. Pre-requisite: All other coursework except PUBH 6499 should be completed.

PUBH 7602 Advanced Epidemiology and Biostatistics    3 Credits

This course provides an introduction to statistical reasoning and procedures used in Public Health research. Probability theory, descriptive and inferential statistics, and regression and correlation methods will be covered, with applications using statistical software. Pre-requisite NURS 7601.