Public Health (M.P.H.)

Program Coordinator/Contact

Mary Beth Fishback
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions
Avera Health and Science Center #249; Box 2202C
605-688-6347
www.sdstate.edu/pharmacy-and-allied-health-professions/master-public-health-mph

Program Information

The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree program is a collaborative degree offering of South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota. The M.P.H. degree is the most widely recognized professional credential for leadership and practice in public health. As outlined by the Council on Education for Public Health, which accredits M.P.H. programs, the M.P.H. curriculum covers the five core areas of public health education:

Biostatistics
Epidemiology
Health Services Administration
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Environmental Health

Course Delivery Format

Coursework is provided through distance delivery (online, DDN, etc.) using lecture formats and asynchronous presentations.

Student Engagement and Support Opportunities

The program offers student engagement through research and practice opportunities. Ongoing partnerships exist with entities such as the South Dakota Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Indian Health Services, and the South Dakota Department of Health.

Facilities and Services

The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree program is an interdisciplinary graduate program of the Graduate School, involving departments and colleges across the university.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Master of Public Health

Option C - Coursework Only

42 Credit Hours

Core Requirements

(Instruction of some courses shared between USD and SDSU campuses)

HSAD 770 - Advanced Health Care Management Credits: 3 (USD)
HSC 733 - Environmental Health Credits: 3
HSC 760 - Program Evaluation Credits: 3
OCTH 733 - Promotion of Health and Prevention of Disability Credits: 3 (USD)
PUBH 701 - Biostatistics for Public Health Credits: 3 (USD)
PUBH 710 - Epidemiology Credits: 3 (USD)
PUBH 720 - Public Health Practice (COM) Credits: 3
PUBH 730 - Public Health Project (COM) Credits: 6
PUBH 740 - Rural Health Policies and Education Credits: 3 (USD)
PUBH 750 - Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health Credits: 3 (USD)
SPCM 540 - Health Communication Credits: 3 (USD)

Electives

Credits: 6

BIOL 567 - Parasitology Credits: 3
BIOS 663 - Advanced Concepts in Infectious Disease Credits: 6
HSC 533 - Occupational Health Credits: 3
HSC 785 - Advanced Epidemiology Credits: 3
NUTR 660 - Maternal and Child Nutrition Credits: 3
NUTR 760 - Vitamins and Minerals in Human Nutrition Credits: 3
NUTR 761 - Nutrition and Aging Credits: 3
PHA 741 - Public Health and Wellness Credits: 2
PHA 752 - Drugs of Abuse and Addiction Credits: 2
PHA 753 - Women and Children’s Health Credits: 2
PUBH 761 - Social Epidemiology Credits: 3
Electives offered at USD:
- ADS 754 - Public Policy and Addiction Credits: 3
- CPHD 601 - Introduction to Bioinformatics Credits: 3
- CPHD 610 - Experimental Design and Analysis Credits: 3
- EDER 860 - Advanced Statistics I Credits: 3
- EDER 861 - Advanced Statistics II Credits: 3
- HSAD 710 - Advanced Strategic Management of Health Care Orgs Credits: 3
- HSAD 740 - Advanced Health Care Systems Credits: 3
- HSC 575 - Process and Outcomes Evaluation Credits: 3
- PSYC 514 - Drugs and Behavior Credits: 3
- PSYC 778 - Survey Research Methods Credits: 3
- SOC 510 - Methods of Social Research Credits: 3
- SOCW 640 - Diversity and Social Justice Credits: 3

Total Required Credits: 42

Additional Admission Requirements

Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree or an equivalent degree from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree.
Through no specific major is required, adequate undergraduate preparation in social, health, or biological sciences is recommended.
A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework. Each institution may admit students on conditional or provisional status per university policy.
Complete the Graduate School application along with the $35 application fee.
Statement of purpose for studying Public Health (include career plans relative to the MPH).
Two letters of recommendation are required.
Successfully complete a criminal background check upon acceptance.