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MPH Curriculum

The Master of Public Health (MPH) curriculum consists of 42 total credits that can be completed on a full or part-time basis. The curriculum is designed to reflect the core competencies of public health and prepares our graduates to join the public health workforce.

2025–2026 MPH student handbook

Courses

The courses in this table reflect curriculum for full-time MPH-exclusive students (those earning a single degree).

Course Number	Course Name	Instructor	Semester
PUBLHLTH 777*	Clinical Medicine and Public Health	Dipesh Navsaria	Spring
PUBLHLTH 780	Evidence-Based Decision-Making	Liz Bush	Fall
PUBLHLTH 782	Determinants of Health and Health Equity: A Systems Approach	Mark Edgar	Fall
PUBLHLTH 783	Quantitative Approaches to Public Health	Matt Walsh	Fall
PUBLHLTH 784	Quantitative Approaches to Public Health II	Matt Walsh	Spring
PUBLHLTH 785	Public Health and Health Care Systems	Sam Austin/Michele Robinson/Beth Wikler	Spring
PUBLHLTH 786	Planning and Management to Promote Health	Sara Lindberg	Spring
PUBLHLTH 787	MPH Applied Practice Experience Seminar	Danielle Smith	Spring
PUBLHLTH 788	Applied Practice Experience	Danielle Smith	Summer
PUBLHLTH 790	Public Health and Social Justice: Tools and Models	Jordan Bingham/Alia Stevenson	Fall
PUBLHLTH 791	Strategic Health Communication-Theory and Practice	Erin Aagesen	Fall
PUBLHLTH 792	Public Health Policy and Politics	Tom Oliver	Fall
PUBLHLTH 793**	Public Health Leadership	Sweta Shrestha/Jon Temte	Fall

Notes

* PUBLHLTH 777: Clinical Medicine and Public Health is the leadership course for MD, PA, and PMR only.

** All MPH students will be required to take a leadership course. Dual degree students may take this course or a pre-approved leadership course in their other program.

Electives

Students in MPH program are required to take 6 credits of electives. Dual degree students who take an alternative leadership course may need 7 credits of electives.

Elective Requirements

The MPH Program maintains a list of courses that count towards elective credits.

Approved electives will:

Include 50 percent or more public health or public health-related content
Be at a 500 level or above
Be approved by the MPH Curriculum Committee

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs enhance MPH students’ educational experiences, count toward their elective credits and allow them to specialize.

Applied Practice Experience

MPH students demonstrate competency attainment through a required Applied Practice Experience (APEX) with a community-based component. APEX provides practical experience in a public health setting where students apply their skills and knowledge.

Integrative Learning Experience

MPH students complete an Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) that exhibits a combination of foundational and discipline competencies. Students work with MPH faculty to design an ILE that matches their educational and professional goals.