Master of Public Health Requirements
Program Requirements
- MPH students must complete 42 hours of coursework.
- Pass a capstone project and oral defense.
- Students must have an overall 3.0 GPA to graduate.
Executive Master of Public Health in Health Policy Administration: An MPH program designed for individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree and have up to at least three years of full-time work experience in a health care/service setting (See additional details below). The degree can be completed in 22 months using a rigorous, concentrated format that includes three classes each semester (two in the summer semester) that meet on Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Five weekends are required each semester. For information on this degree program, contact the Executive MPH coordinator in the Department of Public Health at 266-4911.
Admission Requirements
Application for admission to the MPH (Executive) 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 (admit once per year).
A complete application consists of the Graduate Studies Office 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 3.0 on the last 60 hours of coursework.
A minimum of three years of experience in a health care/service setting is required. The number of years of experience can be adjusted based on GPA. If the GPA is 3.25 then 2 years’ experience is required; if GPA is 3.5 then 1 year experience is required; if the GPA is 3.75 then no experience is required.
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.
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.
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.
