Master of Public Health, M.P.H.

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Objective

To prepare students to be public health professionals who draw on knowledge and skills from a variety of disciplines to define, critically assess, and resolve urban public health problems. Morgan State University Public Health graduates will have a foundation in public health that enables them to be advocates, researchers, practitioners, and policy developers relative to urban public health problems.

Admission to the Program

For unconditional admission, applicants must have earned a bachelor and/or master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above on previous baccalaureate or master’s degree course work. Admission to the Master of Public Health Program is granted for only the fall semester and is based on the following requirements:

Three (3) letters of recommendation from practicing public health professionals and/or other professionals or academicians.
A current resume.
A 1-2 page essay describing your work/educational experience, area of interest, and career objectives. Official transcripts of all post secondary studies and documentation of previous academic achievement, and professional accomplishments.
Results obtained on the Graduate Record Examination [sent directly from Education Testing Service (ETS)]; test scores for MPH degree applicants may not be more than five (5) years old prior to date of application.
At least one (1) year of work-related experience in public health/ allied health field is preferred.
Interview with a member of the Program’s admissions committee (in person when possible).

General Requirements for the Master of Public Health Degree

All students who seek to earn the Master of Public Health degree will be required to complete a total of 48 graduate credit hours including a Public Health practicum for a minimum of seven (7) credit hours.

Residency Requirements

All full-time students must complete a minimum of two consecutive semesters in residence - with at least nine (9) credit hours of course work per semester - to satisfy the residency requirement of the program and University. A full course load within the MPH program consists of twelve (12) credit hours per semester. Part-time candidates for the MPH degree will satisfy residency requirements by completing 18 credit hours. Upon completion of course requirements and successfully passing the comprehensive examination, the MPH candidate must continue to register for course work each semester until the requirements are fully and successfully completed.

Transfer Students from Other Morgan State University Graduate Programs

The School of Community Health and Policy’s Public Health Program will accept MSU students in good academic standing from other graduate degree programs wishing to go into the field of public health. Such students will be assessed on an individual basis regarding their public health interest, relevance of prior undergraduate and graduate courses to the Program, academic performance in their respective fields as well as their potential to cope with public health science-based courses in the new program. A maximum of twelve (12) graduate credits of course work may be transferred from other graduate programs.

Program of Study

The core curriculum, designed to provide fundamental knowledge of major areas of public health, is required of all MPH degree students. The core courses cover the areas of environmental health, quantitative methods, health planning, policy and administration, as well as social and behavioral factors in public health. A total of 24 credit hours of graduate courses are designated for the MPH degree core area and nine (9) credits of required courses. These courses are outlined as follows:

Core Courses

PUBH 500 - Epidemiological Methods in Public Health I 4 Credits
PUBH 501 - Statistical Methods in Public Health I 4 Credits
PUBH 502 - Social and Behavioral Health Sciences 4 Credits
PUBH 503 - Policy and Health Services Planning and Management I 4 Credits
PUBH 504 - Public Health and Health Disparities 4 Credits
PUBH 506 - Environmental Health Sciences 4 Credits
PUBH 512 - Biological Basis of Public Health 1 Credits

Total Credit Hours: 24

Required Courses

PUBH 603 - Public Health Community Needs Solutions 3 credits.
PUBH 610 - Public Health Research and Systems Thinking 3 Credits
PUBH 760 - Community Needs Solutions II 2 Credits

Total Credit Hours: 8

Practice Courses

PUBH 517 - MPH Internship I 1 Credits
PUBH 518 - MPH Internship II 3 Credits
PUBH 607 - MPH Internship III (Integrating Experience) 3 Credits

Total Credit Hours: 7

Summary for MPH Degree Coursework

Degree Coursework

Program Core Courses 24 credits.
Required Courses 8 credits.
Concentration Courses 9 credits.
Public Health Practicum 4 credits.
Integrating Experience 3 credits.

Total Credits for the Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree: 48

*For the final step of the capstone, students have the option to complete an Integrating Experience or a thesis. Those who opt to conduct a thesis complete three additional credits than those who choose the Integrating Experience (Thesis Guidance (PUBH 797) and Thesis Seminar (PUBH 798).

Degree Offering

The Program offers a MPH degree where students can select the generalist or departmental concentration track. Students will declare their track at the end of the first year of study. For each track, students must follow a prescribed set of courses as described in their approved plan of study. Additional requirements for concentrations can also be found in the approved student handbook.

Public Health Practicum

A minimum seven (7) credit hours of internship is required of all MPH students. The internship provides the student an opportunity to engage in community practice experiences by working with ongoing community projects. Depending on the student’s interest, the internship may be carried out in governmental or non-governmental health agencies, health institutes, or academic units and programs of public health.

Core Competency Examination:

All MPH students are required to sit for the Program-wide Core Competency Examination. At a minimum, this Core Competency based examination covers content from the core courses. Students must pass the examination at a proficiency established by the Program.