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

Master of Public Health Requirements

Program Requirements

1. MPH students must complete the 45 hours of coursework, unless the 9 hours of internship is waived.
2. MPH/MBA students must complete a minimum of 78 hours. MPH/ANTMA students must complete a minimum of 66 hours.
3. Pass a comprehensive exam.
4. Students must have a 3.0 GPA in all course work to graduate.

Executive Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Administration: An MPH program designed for individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree and have at least three years of full-time work experience in a health care/service setting. 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 Dr. Ray Newman 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. Those with at least three years of experience or a terminal degree in a relevant area may apply for a waiver of the internship requirement.

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 reviewed three times a year and are due July 15 for fall semester and October 15 for spring semester.

A complete application consists of the Graduate Studies Office application, the Department of Public Health application and essay, GRE or GMAT scores, transcripts and three letters of reference from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s readiness for graduate study. International applicants also must submit TOEFL scores.

Minimum GPA is 2.75 on the last 60 hours of coursework.

Minimum TOEFL score is 550 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 or GMAT 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 Core Requirements (18-24 hours)

• 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.
• DPH 611 - Internship in Community Health 3-9 hrs.

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 - Health Care Accounting for Managers 3 hrs.
• DPH 670 - Health Law and Justice 3 hrs.
• DPH 727 - Health Care Strategic Planning 3 hrs.
• DPH 737 - Health Care Org Behavior and Human Resources 3 hrs.
• DPH 738 - Ethics for Health Care Managers 3 hrs.
• DPH 747 - Health Care Marketing 3 hrs.
• DPH 757 - Health Care Financial Management 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 Community Health 3-9 hrs. ***
• 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 - Health Care Accounting for Managers 3 hrs.
• DPH 670 - Health Law and Justice 3 hrs.
• DPH 727 - Health Care Strategic Planning 3 hrs.
• DPH 737 - Health Care Org Behavior and Human Resources 3 hrs.
• DPH 738 - Ethics for Health Care Managers 3 hrs.
• DPH 747 - Health Care Marketing 3 hrs.
• DPH 757 - Health Care Financial Management 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.