Public Health (Health Policy and Administration), M.P.H.

Master of Public Health Requirements

Program Requirements

1. MPH students must complete 45 hours of coursework.
2. MPH/MBA students must complete a minimum of 78 hours.
3. Pass a comprehensive exam.
4. Students must have a 3.0 GPA in all course work to graduate.

The MPH health policy and administration 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 to five 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 six-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/graduate-school - click on Current Students and then click on the “Plan of Study” link.

Integrity Assurance Program (IAP)

All faculty holding Regular or Associate graduate faculty status must complete IAP training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments. All graduate students must complete the training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments the first semester they are enrolled in graduate school. The policy and training information can be found on the following website: http://www.usm.edu/research/research-and-scholarly-integrity-assurance-program

Masters in Public Health Core Requirements (18 hours)

• DPH 622 - Epidemiology 3 hrs.
• DPH 623 - Biostatistics 3 hrs.
• DPH 655 - Environmental Health 3 hrs.
• DPH 656 - Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health 3 hrs.
• DPH 611 - Internship in Public Health 3-9 hrs. (6 hrs. required)

Requirements for Emphasis in Health Policy and Administration (21 hours)

• DPH 626 - Introduction to Health Systems 3 hrs.
• DPH 627 - Health Policy 3 hrs.
• DPH 657 - Healthcare Financial Management I 3 hrs.
• DPH 670 - Health Law and Ethics 3 hrs.
• DPH 716 - Health Economics 3 hrs.
• DPH 727 - Health Care Strategic Planning 3 hrs.
• DPH 737 - Health Care Organizational Behavior and Human Resources 3 hrs.
• DPH 747 - Health Care Marketing 3 hrs.
• DPH 757 - Healthcare Financial Management II 3 hrs.

Masters in Public Health/Masters in Business Administration Dual Degree Foundation Courses

The MPH/MBA dual degree was developed for those students interested in pursuing higher-level careers in health administration and/or consulting. Students must apply the MPH and MBA programs separately and meet the admission criteria of each program.

Masters in Business Administration/Masters in Public Health Dual Degree Core Courses (78 hours total)

(Note: MBA courses only offered on the Gulf Coast campus)

• MBA 600 - Organizational Behavior and Leadership 3 hrs.
• MBA 605 - Marketing Management 3 hrs.
• MBA 610 - Analytical Decision Making 3 hrs.
• MBA 611 - Managerial Accounting 3 hrs
• MBA 620 - Global Economy 3 hrs.
• MBA 640 - Financial Management 3 hrs.
• MBA 650 - Global Business Systems 3 hrs.
• MBA 660 - Global Business Strategy 3 hrs. *
• Advisor Approved Business Electives 9 hrs. **
• DPH 611 - Internship in Public Health 3-9 hrs. (6 hrs. required) ***
• DPH 622 - Epidemiology 3 hrs.
• DPH 623 - Biostatistics 3 hrs.
• DPH 626 - Introduction to Health Systems 3 hrs.
• DPH 655 - Environmental Health 3 hrs.
• DPH 656 - Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health 3 hrs.
• DPH 627 - Health Policy 3 hrs.
• DPH 657 - Healthcare Financial Management I 3 hrs.
• DPH 670 - Health Law and Ethics 3 hrs.
• DPH 716 - Health Economics 3 hrs.
• DPH 727 - Health Care Strategic Planning 3 hrs.
• DPH 737 - Health Care Organizational Behavior and Human Resources 3 hrs.
• DPH 747 - Health Care Marketing 3 hrs.
• DPH 757 - Healthcare Financial Management II 3 hrs.

Requirements for Master’s Minor in Public Health (18 hours)

• Approved electives 3 hrs.
• DPH 622 - Epidemiology 3 hrs.
• DPH 623 - Biostatistics 3 hrs.
• DPH 625 - Health Administration 3 hrs.
• DPH 655 - Environmental Health 3 hrs.
• DPH 656 - Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health 3 hrs.