Public Health
Master of Public Health
Online
Course Delivery
43
Total Credits
$725
Credit Hour
19 months
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The College of Human Medicine's Master of Public Health (MPH) program is a pathway for forward-thinkers like you to establish a lifelong commitment to something bigger. To create meaningful interactions that make a lasting impact on the lives of the people you serve, in your community and beyond. As the world continues to evolve around us, so does the need for public health professionals aiming to mobilize change.
MSU's MPH is a generalist degree and allows you to choose elective courses that fit your personal and professional goals. If you have an interest in population health, working side-by-side with community partners and health care providers, look no further.
The need for public health professionals is on the rise and well-trained college graduates are needed to continue the work of community-identified and community-participatory focused public health. There is ample evidence that health inequities are preventable. These needs create a variety of opportunities that await students in pursuit of long and productive careers in public health.
Program Outcomes
Our program places you in the drivers seat by providing you with flexibility, value and increased opportunity to engage in experience-based education. This program has been crafted with students in mind to ensure you're on a path to immediate success within the public health-adjacent industry that you are most passionate about pursuing.
Root values
- Leadership
- Health equity
- Practical application coursework
- Practical methodology
- Practicum orientation
- Program evaluation and systematic review
- Use of public health information for enhancing communication
Career Outlook
Today, more than 700 Spartans in public health are working hard to protect the health of people and communities. These individuals enhance the quality of care available on a global scale by lending their passion for public health and educational experience to those in need.
Public health professionals are at the forefront of creating solutions to many of the worlds immediate health-related issues. Here are some of the common areas public health professionals are focused on addressing today.
- Health equity
- Social determinants of health
- Community health
- Mental health
- Maternal and child health
- Reproductive and sexual health
- Health policy and management
- Health communication and promotion
- Climate change on human health
- Lead contamination
- Gun violence
- Substance abuse
- Nutrition
- Biostatistics
- Communicable disease
- Infectious disease
- Chronic disease
- Global health
Will you join in shaping a healthier tomorrow?
A Top-Ranked Education
- 32nd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2021
- A Top 100 Global University — Times Higher Education and U.S. News & World Report, 2021
Dr. Wayne McCullough
Director of Master of Public Health Program
As director of the College of Human Medicine’s online Master of Public Health Program, Dr. McCullough urges students to address health disparities especially among underserved populations. He has spent much of his more recent career finding ways to remove barriers to better care and improved health. He served as senior associate director of MSU’s Man Up Man Down program, a federally funded study to help African American men achieve better mental and physical health. He is co-investigator on the federally funded MSU program, Research to Reduce Disparities (R2D2), to train CHM students on research.
Course Information
HM 801 - Introduction to Public Health (3 Credits)
Introduction to public health philosophy and core knowledge areas. Ethical, legal and political considerations. Emphasis on principles and tools for population health, disease prevention and health promotion, health determinants, healthcare and public health systems.
HM 802 - Biostatistics for Public Health (3 Credits)
Practical applications and methods using software (SAS, Epi-Info) for statistical analysis, database construction, data visualization and interpretation.
HM 803 - Epidemiology for Public Health (3 Credits)
Distributions and determinants of disease in population. Epidemiologic research, quantitative methods, study designs pros/cons.
HM 804 - Public Health Policy and Administration (3 Credits)
Structural, operational, leadership and components of health policy and public health administration. Community health assessment, advocacy and evaluation within public health agencies and programs. Major business systems used for administration of public health agencies and programs.
HM 805 - Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health (3 Credits)
Concepts and methods of social and behavioral sciences applied to public health problems and issues.
HM 806 - Environmental Factors of Health (3 Credits)
Biological, physical and chemical factors that affect health of populations. Regulatory approaches to environmental hazards. Potential impact of environmental agents on health and preventive management approaches.
HM 807 - Practical Application and Critical Thinking in Public Health (3 Credits)
Critical thinking, reading skills, explanations, problem solving, and decision making in public health using case studies. Questioning assumptions, identifying bias, determining causality, and application of the scientific method. Reporting guidelines and systematic literature reviews.
HM 827 - Principles of Public Health Leadership (1 Credit)
Context, competencies and core leadership skills. Theories and research in public health and related organizations. Best practices, leadership styles, professional identity. Future leadership challenges.
HM 828 - Community Engagement in Public Health Practice (3 Credits)
Methods, ethics, and issues in community engaged practice and scholarship.
HM 854 - Health Equity Framework for Public Health Practice (3 Credits)
Social justice and health equity framework for the practice of public health with analysis of persistent health disparity across race, class, gender, and other forms of difference.
HM 853 - Public Health Program/Intervention Evaluation (3 Credits)
Introduce public health program evaluation methods/tools. Causal inference criteria, standard evaluation guides, procedural and outcome evaluation methods and needs assessment and performance monitoring methods. Integrates epidemiology, biostatistics and public health knowledge pertaining to program evaluation.
HM 880 - Study Design and Research Methods for Public Health Practice (3 Credits)
Examination of empirical and logical basis of public health research. Identification of research questions, study design, data collection and qualitative and quantitative approaches. Reporting of findings. Proposal writing. Ethical considerations in research.
Admission Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Bachelor of applied science is not acceptable
- Résumé or CV
- Volunteer or student organization experience is encouraged
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Transcripts from international institutions must be sent directly to the MSU Office of Admissions from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope. WES evaluations are not accepted.
- Personal statement discussing your interests and goals in public health
- 3 letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources
- Academic statement (optional)
- For applicants who have academic situations, they would like to discuss with the Admissions Committee (e.g., low GPA, withdrawals, etc.)
- GRE (optional)
- International Applicants Only: English language proficiency test scores
To apply to this program:
- We highly recommend applicants review our website before starting an application.
- Complete an application in SOPHAS
- Submit the materials above through the SOPHAS application
- Submit an MSU Application to Graduate Study after completing the SOPHAS application
- Application fee waivers available to anyone who submits a request on our website. Paid fees cannot be refunded
State Authorization: Distance Education Restrictions Based on Permanent Residence. Michigan State University is obligated to comply with existing state laws regarding distance education (programs/departments offering courses delivered exclusively online). State laws regarding distance education vary state-by-state, and even program-by-program within a state. The Master of Public Health offered through the College of Human Medicine’s Division of Public Health at Michigan State University requires a practicum experience that constitutes a physical presence in some states, therefore restricting enrollment in our program to residents of those states. Prior to applying, please access the State-by-State Summary, for the most up-to-date approved and restricted states. For more information, please visit MSU's State Authorization website. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
June 1st
Summer
Application Deadline
March 1st
Spring
Application Deadline
October 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$725 plus university fees
$725 plus university fees
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible.
Program Overview
The College of Human Medicine's Master of Public Health (MPH) program is a pathway for forward-thinkers like you to establish a lifelong commitment to something bigger. To create meaningful interactions that make a lasting impact on the lives of the people you serve, in your community and beyond. As the world continues to evolve around us, so does the need for public health professionals aiming to mobilize change.
MSU's MPH is a generalist degree and allows you to choose elective courses that fit your personal and professional goals. If you have an interest in population health, working side-by-side with community partners and health care providers, look no further.
The need for public health professionals is on the rise and well-trained college graduates are needed to continue the work of community-identified and community-participatory focused public health. There is ample evidence that health inequities are preventable. These needs create a variety of opportunities that await students in pursuit of long and productive careers in public health.
Program Outcomes
Our program places you in the drivers seat by providing you with flexibility, value and increased opportunity to engage in experience-based education. This program has been crafted with students in mind to ensure you're on a path to immediate success within the public health-adjacent industry that you are most passionate about pursuing.
Root values
- Leadership
- Health equity
- Practical application coursework
- Practical methodology
- Practicum orientation
- Program evaluation and systematic review
- Use of public health information for enhancing communication
Career Outlook
Today, more than 700 Spartans in public health are working hard to protect the health of people and communities. These individuals enhance the quality of care available on a global scale by lending their passion for public health and educational experience to those in need.
Public health professionals are at the forefront of creating solutions to many of the worlds immediate health-related issues. Here are some of the common areas public health professionals are focused on addressing today.
- Health equity
- Social determinants of health
- Community health
- Mental health
- Maternal and child health
- Reproductive and sexual health
- Health policy and management
- Health communication and promotion
- Climate change on human health
- Lead contamination
- Gun violence
- Substance abuse
- Nutrition
- Biostatistics
- Communicable disease
- Infectious disease
- Chronic disease
- Global health
Will you join in shaping a healthier tomorrow?
A Top-Ranked Education
- 32nd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2021
- A Top 100 Global University — Times Higher Education and U.S. News & World Report, 2021
Dr. Wayne McCullough
Director of Master of Public Health Program
As director of the College of Human Medicine’s online Master of Public Health Program, Dr. McCullough urges students to address health disparities especially among underserved populations. He has spent much of his more recent career finding ways to remove barriers to better care and improved health. He served as senior associate director of MSU’s Man Up Man Down program, a federally funded study to help African American men achieve better mental and physical health. He is co-investigator on the federally funded MSU program, Research to Reduce Disparities (R2D2), to train CHM students on research.
Course Information
HM 801 - Introduction to Public Health (3 Credits)
Introduction to public health philosophy and core knowledge areas. Ethical, legal and political considerations. Emphasis on principles and tools for population health, disease prevention and health promotion, health determinants, healthcare and public health systems.
HM 802 - Biostatistics for Public Health (3 Credits)
Practical applications and methods using software (SAS, Epi-Info) for statistical analysis, database construction, data visualization and interpretation.
HM 803 - Epidemiology for Public Health (3 Credits)
Distributions and determinants of disease in population. Epidemiologic research, quantitative methods, study designs pros/cons.
HM 804 - Public Health Policy and Administration (3 Credits)
Structural, operational, leadership and components of health policy and public health administration. Community health assessment, advocacy and evaluation within public health agencies and programs. Major business systems used for administration of public health agencies and programs.
HM 805 - Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health (3 Credits)
Concepts and methods of social and behavioral sciences applied to public health problems and issues.
HM 806 - Environmental Factors of Health (3 Credits)
Biological, physical and chemical factors that affect health of populations. Regulatory approaches to environmental hazards. Potential impact of environmental agents on health and preventive management approaches.
HM 807 - Practical Application and Critical Thinking in Public Health (3 Credits)
Critical thinking, reading skills, explanations, problem solving, and decision making in public health using case studies. Questioning assumptions, identifying bias, determining causality, and application of the scientific method. Reporting guidelines and systematic literature reviews.
HM 827 - Principles of Public Health Leadership (1 Credit)
Context, competencies and core leadership skills. Theories and research in public health and related organizations. Best practices, leadership styles, professional identity. Future leadership challenges.
HM 828 - Community Engagement in Public Health Practice (3 Credits)
Methods, ethics, and issues in community engaged practice and scholarship.
HM 854 - Health Equity Framework for Public Health Practice (3 Credits)
Social justice and health equity framework for the practice of public health with analysis of persistent health disparity across race, class, gender, and other forms of difference.
HM 853 - Public Health Program/Intervention Evaluation (3 Credits)
Introduce public health program evaluation methods/tools. Causal inference criteria, standard evaluation guides, procedural and outcome evaluation methods and needs assessment and performance monitoring methods. Integrates epidemiology, biostatistics and public health knowledge pertaining to program evaluation.
HM 880 - Study Design and Research Methods for Public Health Practice (3 Credits)
Examination of empirical and logical basis of public health research. Identification of research questions, study design, data collection and qualitative and quantitative approaches. Reporting of findings. Proposal writing. Ethical considerations in research.
Admission Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Bachelor of applied science is not acceptable
- Résumé or CV
- Volunteer or student organization experience is encouraged
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Transcripts from international institutions must be sent directly to the MSU Office of Admissions from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope. WES evaluations are not accepted.
- Personal statement discussing your interests and goals in public health
- 3 letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources
- Academic statement (optional)
- For applicants who have academic situations, they would like to discuss with the Admissions Committee (e.g., low GPA, withdrawals, etc.)
- GRE (optional)
- International Applicants Only: English language proficiency test scores
To apply to this program:
- We highly recommend applicants review our website before starting an application.
- Complete an application in SOPHAS
- Submit the materials above through the SOPHAS application
- Submit an MSU Application to Graduate Study after completing the SOPHAS application
- Application fee waivers available to anyone who submits a request on our website. Paid fees cannot be refunded
State Authorization: Distance Education Restrictions Based on Permanent Residence. Michigan State University is obligated to comply with existing state laws regarding distance education (programs/departments offering courses delivered exclusively online). State laws regarding distance education vary state-by-state, and even program-by-program within a state. The Master of Public Health offered through the College of Human Medicine’s Division of Public Health at Michigan State University requires a practicum experience that constitutes a physical presence in some states, therefore restricting enrollment in our program to residents of those states. Prior to applying, please access the State-by-State Summary, for the most up-to-date approved and restricted states. For more information, please visit MSU's State Authorization website. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
June 1st
Summer
Application Deadline
March 1st
Spring
Application Deadline
October 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$725 plus university fees
$725 plus university fees
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible.
The MSU Value Promise
You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.
As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years.
MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.
MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.
MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.