Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree Program

Vikki Nolan, DSc, MPH
Associate Professor, Assistant Dean, MPH Coordinator
228 Robison Hall
901.678.1696

Email: vgnolan @memphis.edu

The mission of the CEPH accredited Master of Public Health (MPH) program is to provide a stimulating academic environment in a metropolitan setting that supports excellence and innovation in education, research, and service to enhance the lives and health of individuals, families, and communities in the Mid-South. Program objectives are: (1) Prepare future leaders in the field of public health by providing the highest quality education and practice opportunities in theories, approaches, methods, and other substantive issues pertinent to public health; (2) Create and nurture an environment conducive to interdisciplinary public health initiatives, with special emphasis on vulnerable populations who suffer disproportionately from illness and disability; (3) Pursue innovative and rigorous research on critical public health issues to prevent disease and injury, promote well-being, and foster overall physical and mental health; (4) Stimulate collaboration with the community to develop effective partnerships in combating the health challenges in our communities, city, state, and region; and (5) Inform public policy, disseminate health information, and increase awareness of public health concerns through disease surveillance, needs assessments, and program evaluation.

Program Admission

A multi-disciplinary faculty admissions committee determines admission to the MPH program. Criteria for the selection process are broad because of the wide range of backgrounds from which students may apply. Prior background in public health or health care is not necessary for admission but may be considered in the admission process. The following is necessary for application:

Applicants must hold a bachelor or graduate degree from an accredited college or university with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) or a graduate cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher in the major subject area. Current Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from within the past five years are required.

Applicants already holding a doctoral degree or its professional equivalent obtained in the United States may be exempt from the GRE requirement. Professional school standardized test scores (e.g. MCAT, DAT, LSAT, etc.) may be substituted for the GRE by applicants who are enrolled in or who have already earned post-baccalaureate degrees in areas such as medicine, dentistry, or law. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Letters of recommendation from at least three persons familiar with the applicant’s academic background or experience in public health related issues, specifying in detail the applicant’s capabilities for graduate study and for future performance as a public health professional, are required. At least one letter from a former professor or instructor is required.

Applicants must also submit a statement of purpose in approximately 400-500 words indicating his or her present interests and career goals, including why s/he wants to pursue an MPH degree.

Program Prerequisites

All MPH applicants will be expected to have adequate preparation in the sciences, including at least one college-level course in general biology (including human biology), mathematics (e.g., calculus or algebra), and a social science (e.g., sociology, anthropology, or psychology). Basic computer skills are also expected. Courses in health-related fields such as anatomy, physiology, nutrition, chemistry, physics, and statistics are not mandated, but are strongly recommended. Previous professional or other relevant work experience is also highly desirable, but not required.

Program Requirements:

Completion of a total of 42 hours, including 18 hours of core course requirements; 9 hours of electives, 3 hours of practicum/field experience, and 3 hours of a culmination experience in the form of either a thesis or master’s project seminar. Students may choose a concentration in any of the following areas: Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Health Systems Management, Social and Behavioral Sciences, or Urban Health. They may also choose to have a Generalist MPH degree. 

Concentration courses include:

Electives (9 hours)

Elective courses applied to the MPH program requirements must have the advisor’s approval.

Possible electives include courses within the concentration areas as well as:

• BIOL 7080 - Public Health Microbiol Credit Hours: (3)
• COMM 7012 - Seminar Health Comm ** Credit Hours: (3)
• HADM 7107 - Health Care Ethics Credit Hours: (3)
• HADM 7109 - Health Information Systems ** Credit Hours: (3)
• NUTR 6602 - Community Nutrition Credit Hours: (3)
• NUTR 6902 - Study Tour/Foods/Nutr Credit Hours: (1-3)
• PUBH 7104 - Large Data Sets/PUBH Research Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7310 - Mixed Model Regression Analys Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7311 - Appl Categorical Data Analys Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7334 - Comm Based Part Resrch Mthds Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7337 - Public Health Nutrition Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7338 - Critical Issues in Global Hlth ** Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7340 - Behavioral Intervention Develp ** Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7345 - Health Literacy Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7347 - Qualitative Mtds Hlth Research Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7445 - Genetic Epidemiology Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7450 - Randomized Clinical Trials I Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7190 - Adv SAS for PUBH Prof 1 Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7191 - Adv SAS for PUBH Prof II Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7501 - Health Systems Organizations Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7502 - Hlth Policy, Theory & Methods Credit Hours: (3)
• SOCI 7853 - Gender And Health Credit Hours: (3)
• PUBH 7309 - Appl Surv Analys in Pub Hlth Credit Hours: (3)

MPH online course notes

** denotes courses that may be available online.

Retention Requirements

All students enrolled in the MPH program are expected to attain high academic achievement in all courses taken. The following criteria will be used to determine retention status of students:

Students having been admitted unconditionally who maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher will be considered in good standing if not more than 2 (two) grades of C+ or lower has been earned.

Students must maintain a GPA of 3.00. In accordance with the Graduate School guidelines, any student not meeting this requirement will be placed on probation. The MPH Coordinator will review each student’s academic record to determine whether to request permission from the Graduate School to allow a student who has not maintained a 3.00 GPA to continue to enroll in classes while on probation. The MPH Coordinator must approve courses for a student on probation. Probationary status continues even if the student has a grade under appeal. If a student remains on probation for two consecutive semesters or remains on probation after taking three courses (9 semester hours) without raising the overall GPA to 3.00, the student will be suspended from the program. Appeals of suspension must be submitted in writing to the MPH Coordinator.

A student who has been suspended from the MPH program will be denied enrollment in PUBH courses after suspension.