Master of Public Health (MPH)

ßÙßÇÂþ»­'s Master of Public Health (MPH) program prepares graduates to prevent disease and promote health by addressing underlying environmental factors and social determinants. The ultimate goal is to achieve health equity among populations.

Program overview

The program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career in public health and those in the public health workforce who wish to further their education.

The MPH program is a 48-credit multidisciplinary professional degree program offering full-time and part-time study options (see sample curriculum plans and course descriptions). Students can choose electives in areas such as population health, global health, disaster management and forensic health.

By using a transdisciplinary approach that combines classroom learning, academic research, interprofessional collaborations and community engagement, graduates are equipped for leadership roles in creating evidence-based solutions to pressing public health challenges. Students learn to assess scientific evidence and convert it into practical health improvements for diverse populations and communities.

Fieldwork, internships and capstone project

A series of experiential public health courses facilitates connections between the classroom and the community, and the program culminates in an internship and capstone project. This prepares students to meet professional standards while providing opportunities to apply public health theories and concepts and promoting the development of communication skills, leadership abilities and collaborative relationships.

4+1 Program Available: The Harpur-MPH 4+1 program allows students to complete a bachelor’s degree in any Harpur major leading to a BA, BS or BFA (BMus is excluded) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in just 5 years.

Eligibility for Certified in Public Health Exam

Graduates of the MPH program at ßÙßÇÂþ»­ (as an accredited program by the Council on Education for Public Health) are eligible to take the Certified in Public Health (CPH) examination administered by the . 

Students in the MPH program sit for the CPH exam as a required component of their coursework in PH525: Applied Epidemiology, which has a course fee that covers the $250 cost of the exam plus a $38 administrative overhead charge.   

After graduation

Graduates of the MPH program acquire the knowledge, skills and values of public health and are prepared for careers in the public, nonprofit and private sectors. Program graduates are ideally suited to work in public health departments, insurance agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and settings across the healthcare spectrum, from primary care and home care to hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Funding and scholarships

There are many funding and scholarship opportunities at ßÙßÇÂþ»­. We encourage prospective students to review available program-specific scholarships and awards.