Master of Public Health Requirements
Program Requirements
- MPH students must complete 45 hours of coursework.
- MPH/ANTMA students must complete a minimum of 66 hours.
- Pass a comprehensive exam.
- Students must have a 3.0 GPA in all course work to graduate.
The MPH epidemiology and biostatistics program is open to individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree. The degree can be completed in 15 months using a rigorous, concentrated format that includes four classes each semester (including a summer semester). For information on this degree program, contact the MPH coordinator in the Department of Public Health at 266-5435.
Internship
Students must complete a nine-credit hour (400 clock hours) internship at an approved site.
Admission Requirements
Application for admission to the MPH program is made through the Graduate School of the university and through the Department of Public Health.
Applications are due July 15 for fall semester and October 15 for spring semester.
A complete application consists of the Graduate School application, the Department of Public Health application and essay, GRE scores, transcripts and three letters of reference from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s readiness for graduate study. International applicants also must submit a TOEFL/IBT score.
Minimum GPA is 2.75 on the last 60 hours of coursework.
Minimum TOEFL/IBT score is 79 for international applicants.
Applications are evaluated by the department’s Graduate School Admissions Committee. Enrollment priority is given to Mississippi residents. Other factors in the decision for admission include the GPA, GRE scores, writing skills demonstrated in the essay, and the reference letters.
Students applying to the MPH/MBA program must also apply to the MBA program and take the GMAT exam.
Continuous Enrollment Requirement: Students must meet the requirement specified in the front section of this Bulletin.
Plan of Study. Students must submit their signed, official Plan of Study Form to the Graduate School by the end of the first semester they are enrolled. The Plan of Study Forms are available at www.usm.edu/graduateschool/ planofstudy.php - click on the “Plan of Study” link.
Research and Scholarly Integrity Education
All faculty holding Regular or Associate graduate faculty status, must complete CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments. All graduate students must complete the CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments the first semester they are enrolled in graduate school. The RSIE policy and training information are found on the Graduate School web page –www.usm.edu/graduate-school. Contact the Dean of the Graduate School if you have any questions regarding the policy of training information.
Masters in Public Health (Epidemiology and Biostatistics Emphasis)/Masters in Anthropology Dual Degree Core Courses (66 hours)
The dual program allows students interested in epidemiology and biostatistics and in anthropology to complete requirements for each degree simultaneously.
The combination of disciplines prepares graduates for a variety of career opportunities in the public, voluntary, and private community health sectors. Training in social and behavioral studies, statistics, disease epidemiology, and data analysis from the Department of Public Health combined with training in anthropological linguistics, ethnology, and archaeology from the Department of Anthropology, afford an opportunity for the graduates to manage programs concerning health and disease as related to diverse populations with specific cultural backgrounds and associated needs.
The ANT courses (30 hours) cover all foundation, as well as highly specific, areas of the program. The DPH courses (36 hours.) include all Master of Public Health degree core and epidemiology/biostatistics emphasis area requirements for the traditional student in the MPH program.
