Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) Major in Public Health (Health Policy & Management Concentration) -Accelerated Online Program

Program Overview

The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree prepares students for advanced careers in public health. It provides practical training in foundational public health knowledge and core competencies and teaches students how to assess, plan, and deliver public health programs. Graduates can pursue employment in public health departments, state and federal health agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other community health organizations. Students are prepared to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist exam offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. and/or the Certified in Public Health certification offered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. 

Application Requirements

The items required for admission consideration are:

  • Completed online application
  • $55 nonrefundable application fee
  • $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials;
  • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
  • Official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
  • a 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
  • Statement of purpose (500 words, double-spaced, computer-generated) addressing the following:
    • Why public health is an interest area for you
    • How you will use a graduate degree in Public Health to reach your career goals
  • Three letters of recommendation from persons best able to assess the student’s ability to succeed in graduate school
  • Resume

Applicants should refer to the Graduate College website for additional information regarding the admission process.

Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores

Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.

  • official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
  • official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
  • official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
  • official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
  • official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall

This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Public Health (M.H.P.) degree with a major in Public Health (Health Policy & Management Concentration) requires 42 semester credit hours. 

Course Requirements 

Required Core Courses
PH 5335Public Health Leadership3
PH 5315Applied Behavioral Statistics in Public Health3
PH 5320Foundations of Public Health3
PH 5303Social Determinants of Health 3
PH 5350Advanced Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation3
PH 5370Applied Epidemiology3
HA 5356Policy Development in Healthcare Arena3
HA 5640Administrative Practicum6
or PH 5660 Internship in Public Health
HA 5346Strategic Management and Marketing for Healthcare Organizations 3
HA 5316Healthcare Financial Management II3
HA 5321Healthcare Law and Policy3
HA 5334Data-Guided Healthcare Decision-Making 3
HA 5362Healthcare Organizational Behavior, Theory, and Leadership3
Total Hours42

Master's level courses in Health and Human Performance: PH & HA

Courses Offered

Public Health

PH 1310. Foundations of Personal Health.

This course provides an introduction to personal health and wellness topics including nutrition, mental health, sexual health, and physical fitness with an emphasis on health trends and health behaviors.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
TCCN: PHED 1304

PH 1320. Introduction to Public Health.

This course provides students a basic understanding of U.S. and global public health systems. Students are also introduced to various public health settings, specific careers in public health, and public health certifications.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 2338. Substance Use and Abuse.

This course explores the impact of substance use and abuse on personal, public, and population health. Course content includes current statistics and information on substance use and abuse issues and substance prevention interventions with a focus on public health prevention strategies.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
TCCN: PHED 1346

PH 2340. Community Health.

This course acquaints students with issues, trends, developments, and principles in community health. The course also provides an overview of selected topics, such as epidemiology, community organization, and program planning. Corequisite: PH 1320 with a grade of "C" or better.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 3301. Environmental Health.

This course is an examination of the ecological impact resulting from contemporary sociopolitical action and its resulting influence on human health.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 3315. Statistics in Public Health.

This course emphasizes analysis and interpretation of health-related data. Descriptive and inferential statistics (including measures of central tendency and variability, estimation, ANOVA, and regression) will be used to understand factors associated with current health-related issues. (WI) Prerequisites: MATH 1312 or MATH 1315 or MATH 1317 or MATH 1319 or MATH 1329 or MATH 2321 or MATH 2417 or MATH 2471 with a grade of "C" or better.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 3321. Health in the School Setting.

This course offers a foundation in health methods and activities to provide resources for the elementary and secondary school teacher. Provides an overview of current school health issues: Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model, mental health, personal health, family life, substance abuse, and violence in the school setting.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 3330. Inclusion and Diversity in Women's Health.

This course is designed to explore the health care concerns unique to women and to provide students with opportunities to create strategies to improve women's health. Particular attention will be given to issues that affect women in under-served populations and how to more effectively serve their needs.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 3348. Prevention of Disease.

This course provides an overview of the etiology of communicable and chronic diseases with special emphasis on health promotion activities to reduce the incidence of disease in communities and society.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 3350. Consumer Health.

This course focuses on consumer health and decision making with regard to the selection of health products and services. Students will learn how to effectively evaluate health information with emphasis on consumer literacy, public policy, and consumer products and services.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 3360. Issues in Human Sexuality.

The course provides a study of human sexuality as a lifelong process of acquiring information and forming healthy attitudes, beliefs, and values regarding sexuality. Human sexuality's impact on personal and public health will be explored.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 3370. Epidemiology.

This course introduces students to epidemiological concepts including determinants of health and patterns of disease in populations, population health descriptive techniques, use of health indicators and secondary data sources. Students will focus on epidemiology in community health assessment and program evaluation, and development of public health strategies and policy. Prerequisite: MATH 1312 or MATH 1315 or MATH 1317 or MATH 1319 or MATH 1329 or MATH 2321 or MATH 2417 or MATH 2471 or HON 2302A or HON 2302B and with a grade of "D" or better.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 3374. Global Health.

This course focuses on principles of international health in global populations. Students explore roles of health educators collaborating with providers of health services to diverse populations.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 3376. Worksite Health Promotion.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to worksite health promotion. The focus of the course is on planning, implementing, and evaluating worksite health promotion programs. The course addresses other contemporary health issues, policies, and considerations that affect worksite health promotion.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 4100. Professional Development in Public Health.

This course provides the opportunity for students to obtain a community or public health promotion internship and to actively participate in professional development activities including conferences, development of resumes and interaction with health professionals. If a student is planning to complete an internship, this course must be completed during the semester immediately prior.

1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 4331. Health Disparities.

This course explores social determinants of health and health disparities in the U.S. and globally. Students explore past and existing public health initiatives to address health disparities in various U.S. and global communities.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 4335. Public Health Leadership.

This course allows students to develop discipline-specific leadership skills and a personal leadership philosophy which will help in managing public health and health promotion programs. Topics include leadership philosophy, staffing, programming, budgeting, public relations, facilities, and evaluations.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 4336. Health Behavior Theory.

This course introduces students to health behavior theory, including cognitive, operant, and social theories of motivation and behavior, behavior change theory, social marketing, and social ecology. Students will also learn about the role of behavior theory in health promotion practice and public health interventions. (WI) Prerequisites: PH 1320 and PH 2340 both with grades of "C" or better.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 4347. Independent Study in Public Health.

This course is designed for undergraduate students who display potential for independent research in public health. Students work individually with faculty to develop an independent research study/project in public health. Open on an individual basis by arrangement with the division chair. May be repeated for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisites: Instructor approval.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 4360. Internship in Public Health.

This part-time internship involves the application of public health concepts to a community or public health setting. Students participate in the work of a health organization/agency and complete a semester-long project. A minimum of 200 contact hours is required. (WI) Prerequisite: PH 4100 with a grade of "C" or better and a minimum 3.0 major GPA and departmental approval. Corequisite: PH 4640 with a grade of "C" or better.

3 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 20 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 4640. Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation.

Students apply professional knowledge and skills to the development of public health programs. Topics include needs assessment, data gathering techniques, instrument design, data and statistics, and the interpretation, reporting, and application of findings for program development. Cultural competency and communication are covered. (WI) Prerequisite: PH 1320 and PH 2340 both with grades of "C" or better. Corequisite: PH 4336 with a grade of "C" or better.

6 Credit Hours. 6 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 4660. Internship in Public Health.

This internship involves the application of public health concepts to a community or public health setting. Students participate in the work of a health organization/agency and complete a semester-long project. A minimum of 400 contact hours is required. (WI) Prerequisites: PH 4100 and PH 4640 both with grades of "C" or better and a minimum 3.0 major GPA and departmental approval.

6 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 40 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Health Administration 

HA 5111. Topics in Health Administration.

An in-depth study of a singular topic or a related problem being faced by practicing managers in the rapidly changing healthcare industry. Special emphasis will be placed on the topic’s current relevance and its utilitarian value to the participant. May be repeated if topic differs.

1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5191. Field Experience Orientation.

This course will assist the student to prepare for the field experience and to prepare for the comprehensive exam. An extensive orientation to the field experience will be provided to better enable students to move from the classroom setting to a workplace scenario.

1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

HA 5199B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.

1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

HA 5299B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.

2 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

HA 5300. Healthcare Organization and Delivery.

A survey of the organization and delivery of health services focusing on the history and development of health systems as they relate to the overall health and medical care systems. Major attention is given to governing bodies, patient care organizations, and executive management structures.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5301. Healthcare Administration Research Methods.

A study of research methodology as it pertains to healthcare administration. Included are hypothesis forming, designing research, and the collection, manipulation and analysis of data. Knowledge of numeracy and statistics is essential.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5303. Information Systems Management in Healthcare.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to information systems management for healthcare organizations. It covers the determination of information required by whom, design of information flows, procurement of information systems technology resources, assurance of information security, and management of systems integration.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5304. Healthcare Economics and Financial Theory.

A study of economic theories that have an impact on the healthcare industry. Special emphasis will be placed on emerging economic research and its impact on potential policy ramifications.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5311. Trends in Health Administration.

An in-depth study of singular trend or a related problem being faced by practicing managers in the rapidly changing healthcare industry. Special emphasis will be placed on the topic’s current relevance and its utilitarian value to the participant. Examples of trends, which are typically offered, include trends in rural health, managed care ethical issues, and in total quality management. This course may be repeated for credit with a different subject area.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5316. Healthcare Financial Management.

An introduction to healthcare financial management including the financial management in healthcare organizations, healthcare payment systems, financing and investment decisions, and financial planning, analysis, and control. Prerequisites: accounting, economics, and statistics.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5321. Healthcare Law.

An in-depth analysis of healthcare law and its effect on the relationships between the patient, the patient’s family, the provider, and other interested third parties. Analysis of cases is the primary method of study.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5325. Health Care Quality Improvement Concepts and Tools.

This course teaches the concepts of quality in health care and the use of quality improvement tools. Quality management will be explored using Lean Six Sigma continuous process improvement methodologies. This course is intended to help students learn and translate health care quality management theory, concepts, and knowledge into practice.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5334. Operational Decision Making for Healthcare Managers.

An introduction to the fundamentals of selected operations research techniques essential to the analysis of healthcare managerial problem situations, the design of new and improved systems, and the implementation of systems to achieve desired systems performance.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5335. Public Health for Healthcare Administrators.

This course introduces the healthcare manager to public health and its role in preventing illnesses and improving the health of the community. Students will learn of the role of the manager in disease prevention and how to participate and lead community efforts for the wellness of the community.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5346. Healthcare Strategic Management.

This capstone course examines mission, vision, strategy, and operations from both the formulation and implementation perspectives. Emphasis will be on the role of the manager/leader in strategic management analysis, creativity, and action. This course is available to HA majors only.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5355. Human Resource Management in Healthcare Facilities.

A study of personnel administration in the healthcare facility and the environment in which it functions. Emphasis will be on the role of the Personnel Office in forecasting, developing, and managing human resources, in addition to a review of current legislation affecting the personnel function.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5356. Policy Development in Healthcare Arena.

Prospective healthcare administrators analyze changing healthcare paradigm to determine decision-points where policies can be affected. Course allows students to apply existing skills to real world policy issues at state and national levels and to analyze policy development from numerous stakeholders’ viewpoints.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5362. Healthcare Organizational Behavior/Theory.

This course is a study of theory and concepts drawn from the behavioral and social sciences. These concepts are applied as a foundation and conceptual framework for the analysis, diagnosis, prediction and guidance of human behavior in healthcare organizations.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5371. Marketing of Health Services.

A study of marketing functions and principles as they relate to the healthcare delivery system. Analysis of marketing concepts such as market segmentation, marketing planning, marketing audit, marketing positioning, and marketing mix will be discussed.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

HA 5375. Healthcare Accounting.

An introduction to financial accounting in healthcare with an emphasis on the preparation of non-profit financial statements for healthcare service organizations, control procedures for healthcare entities, and accounting issues unique to the healthcare industry. This course does not earn graduate degree credit.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from Graduate GPA|Leveling
Grade Mode: Leveling/Assistantships

HA 5399A. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s initial thesis enrollment. No thesis credit is awarded until student has completed the thesis, HA 5399B.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

HA 5399B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

HA 5450. Administrative Field Placement.

A one-semester, full-time field experience which allows students to apply their foundational didactic education by means of rotations, experiences, and projects in a healthcare organization. This course is graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

4 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 20 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

HA 5599B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.

5 Credit Hours. 5 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

HA 5640. Administrative Practicum.

A one-semester, part-time field experience designed for the student already working full-time in healthcare. The practicum provides a broader orientation to the student’s organization and exposure to special projects.

6 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 20 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

HA 5840. Administrative Field Placement.

A one-semester, full-time field experience which allows students to apply their foundational didactic education by means of rotations, experiences, and projects in a healthcare organization.

8 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 40 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

HA 5999B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.

9 Credit Hours. 9 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit