The Master of Public Health (MPH) program prepares public health professionals in a community of learning, dedicated to excellence and grounded in the Lutheran tradition, to excel in leadership and service in the field of public health in a global society.
The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to enhance public health competence to promote health and prevent disease in human populations through ecological approaches across multiple determinants of health in the fields of either global health or epidemiology. Graduates will use knowledge, skills, and attitudes attained in the core concepts of public health including advanced coursework in health behavior, health services administration, environmental health, epidemiology, and statistics. Public health professionals are prepared to lead public health programs to address the needs of populations to promote and protect the health of the community in a global society.
The program is offered in a face-to-face and online format through synchronous and asynchronous coursework. This format will provide students with the ability to collaborate directly with faculty experts and peers throughout the program.
Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of the MPH degree is to prepare graduates to pursue professional positions within varied public health settings. The MPH graduate will:
- Synthesize the roles of the public health professional for populations in a global society.
- Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate population health by developing, managing, and delivering public health programs.
- Develop manage, implement, and evaluate strategies to address the environmental influences of culture, economics, ethics, law, policy, politics, society, and technology in public health.
- Engage in the processes of scholarship, critical thinking, communication, change, and life-long learning.
- Integrate public health ethics, values, service, and leadership skills.
- Through experiential learning, promote health of populations in dynamic public health care environments.
- Serve the profession, the public health agency, and the community.
Admission Requirements
In addition to completing the graduate admission requirements, students applying to the MPH Program must submit the following materials:
- A completed Master of Public Health application form
- 3.000 grade point average in previous college level work
- Official transcripts from an accredited university
- Two letters of recommendation
- An essay relating graduate study to professional goals
Policy for Readmission
MPH students who leave in good academic standing may resume enrollment in the program within three years after taking their first course by enrolling in courses required for completing the degree requirements. If an MPH student is on leave from the program from three to five years, the completed coursework will be reviewed and an individualized program for completion will be determined by the dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions based on the courses taken, the current information needed for public health practice, and student experience. Student remediation may be part of this individualized program. Students who have left the MPH program in good academic standing and wish to re-enroll in the program five years or more after taking their first course in the graduate program will have their transcripts reviewed on an individual basis. Readmission to the program may require retaking courses and/or remediation. In addition to the College of Nursing and Health Professions' policy for readmission, all MPH students must follow the graduate readmission procedures.
Progression and Graduation Requirements
To progress in master's level courses, a student must have a 3.000 cumulative grade point average, and a 3.000 grade point average in all Public Health courses.
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