Master of Public Health (MPH) and Graduate Certificate in Public Health Program Requirements

Faculty

• Sheryl Steadman, Dean
• John Contreras, Professor, Program Director
• Han Kim, Professor
• Colette McAfee, Associate Professor
• Rachel Myrer, Assistant Professor

Master of Public Health and Graduate Certificate in Public Health Courses

Admission to the Master of Public Health and Graduate Certificate in Public Health

Mission

To prepare future public health leaders with the skills required to address today's population health challenges through the provision of high-quality teaching and mentoring, scholarly activities, service, and community-based projects, and to promote, protect communities, and prevent adverse health events and illness.

Vision

The program’s vision is to seek to be a premier academic resource for public health education, research, and evidence-based practice. Inspired students committed to creating conditions under which people can be healthy.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the MPH program will be prepared to:

• Assess, monitor, and review the health status of populations and their related determinants of health and illness.
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize the proper statistical and epidemiologic tools to assess community needs and program outcomes.
• Interpret quantitative and qualitative data.
• Use methods and instruments for collecting valid and reliable quantitative and qualitative data.
• Identify and prioritize the key dimensions of a public health problem by critically assessing public health literature—both quantitative and qualitative sources.
• Describe the direct and indirect human, ecological, and safety effects of major environmental and occupational agents.
• Determine approaches for assessing, preventing, and controlling environmental hazards that pose risks to human health and safety.
• Identify the causes of social and behavioral factors that affect the health of individuals and populations.
• Apply theoretical constructs of social and health behavior in planning community interventions.
• Articulate the relationship between health care delivery and financing, public health systems, and public policy.
• Apply the principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management, and evaluation in public health organizations and initiatives.
• Function as collaborators on public health projects with the ability to assume leadership roles effectively.
• Identify and apply ethical, moral, and legal principles in all aspects of public health practice.
• Develop public health programs and strategies responsive to the diverse cultural values and traditions of the communities being served.
• Apply evidence-based principles and the scientific knowledge base to develop evaluation methods and critically evaluate public health program outcomes.
• Effectively communicate public health messages to a variety of audiences from professionals to the general public.

Progression in the Program

A student in the MPH program must:

• Have completed a bachelor's degree
• Receive a grade of B or higher in all courses
• Complete the master’s degree in 4 years from the time of initial admission. Students are encouraged to complete the degree in the 10-month cohort schedule
• Complete all master’s project requirements according to identified time schedules

A student in the Graduate Certificate in Public Health (Cert.PH) program must:

• Have completed a bachelor's degree
• Receive a grade of B or higher in all courses
• Complete the certificate in 2 years from the time of initial admission

10-Month Program Format

The MPH 10-month program is designed for working public health and health care professionals who desire to acquire the knowledge and skills that will help them advance in public health leadership positions. The program runs from August through June each year. Courses are offered in a worker friendly hybrid format. The in-class meetings are on Fridays and also online (synchronous). There are five blocks (eight weeks each) that cover three semesters (fall, spring, and summer). Thus, earning an MPH degree in as little as three semesters.

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for a MPH degree or Graduate Certificate in Public Health (Cert.PH), students must satisfy the following conditions to qualify for graduation from Westminster University:

• Meet all credit hour and other course requirements
• Be enrolled at Westminster during the semester in which they wish to graduate
• Maintain good academic standing
• Earn a grade of B or higher in all graduate courses

Note: The program requires that students must earn a grade of B or higher in all graduate courses to qualify for graduation, regardless of their cumulative GPA. The final responsibility for being informed about, and adhering to, graduation requirements rests with the individual. Continued communication with the faculty advisor is recommended.

Program Requirements

Recommended Plan of Study for Master of Public Health

 

Graduate Certificate in Public Health Program Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Public Health (Cert.PH) provides formal education for those who are currently working in the public health arena or those interested in public health. Students who want to continue to pursue their education in public health will be permitted to apply certificate credits towards Westminster University’s MPH degree with approval from the MPH director. The certificate program runs from August to December.