Public Health (M.P.H.)

Location(s): Online

Student practicing giving an injection.

Program Coordinator/Contact

James Amell, Julie Stevens and Dale Evenson Endowed Faculty Scholar and Associate Professor
Department of Allied and Population Health
Avera Health and Science Center 133, Box 2202C
605-688-4329

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

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

The M.P.H. program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

Course Delivery Format

Coursework is provided through distance delivery (online, DDN, etc.) using lecture formats and asynchronous presentations. 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. Students can also become active in the South Dakota Public Health Association (SDPHA). The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) is an interdisciplinary graduate program, involving departments and colleges across the university.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Master of Public Health

Non-Thesis

42 Credit Hours

Core Requirements

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

PUBH 701 - Biostatistics for Public Health Credits: 3 (USD)
PUBH 702 - Public Health Theory and Practice (COM) Credits: 3
PUBH 710 - Epidemiology Credits: 3 (USD)
PUBH 720 - Public Health Practice (COM) Credits: 3
or PUBH 721 - Public Health Applied Practice Experience I (COM) Credits: 1
and PUBH 722 - Public Health Applied Practice Experience II (COM) Credits: 1
and PUBH 723 - Public Health Applied Practice Experience III (COM) Credits: 1
PUBH 729 - Leadership and Project Management in Public Health (COM) Credits: 3
PUBH 730 - Public Health Integrative Learning Experience (COM) Credits: 3-6 (3 credits required)
PUBH 733 - Environmental Health Credits: 3
PUBH 740 - Introduction to US Health Systems and Policy Credits: 3 (USD)
PUBH 750 - Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health Credits: 3 (USD)
PUBH 755 - Program Planning and Evaluation Credits: 3
PUBH 760 - Public Health and Native American Communities Credits: 3 (USD)

Supporting Area Coursework

Students must take at least 9 credit hours of supporting area coursework from either USD or SDSU. 6 credits must be from PUBH prefix courses. Credits: 9

Supporting Area Coursework offered by SDSU

NURS 670 - Health Policy, Legislation, Economics and Ethics Credits: 3
NURS 675 - Cultivating a Practice of Cultural Humility in Healthcare Credits: 3
NUTR 660 - Maternal and Child Nutrition Credits: 3
NUTR 715 - Public Health Nutrition Credits: 3
NUTR 724 - Nutrition Education in the Community Credits: 3
NUTR 727 - Obesity Across the Lifespan Credits: 3
NUTR 760 - Vitamins and Minerals in Human Nutrition Credits: 3
NUTR 761 - Nutrition and Aging Credits: 3
PUBH 540 - Health Geography Credits: 3
PUBH 751 - Public Mental Health Credits: 3
PUBH 753 - Maternal and Child Health Credits: 3
PUBH 754 - Mixed Methods in Public Health Research Credits: 3
PUBH 761 - Social Epidemiology Credits: 3
PUBH 762 - Cultural Perspectives in Public Health Credits: 3
PUBH 764 - Applied Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health Credits: 3
PUBH 767 - Public Health Toxicology Credits: 3
STAT 515 - R Programming Credits: 3
Other graduate-level electives with advisor approval Credits: 3

Supporting Area Coursework offered by USD

ACP 754 - Public Policy and Addiction Credits: 3
HSAD 559 - Health Service for Long Term Care Credits: 3
HSAD 560 - Administration of Long Term Care Credits: 3
HSAD 710 - Advanced Strategic Management of Health Care Orgs Credits: 3
HSAD 740 - Advanced Health Care Systems Credits: 3
HSAD 770 - Advanced Health Care Management Credits: 3
HSC 565 - Perspectives of Child and Adult Maltreatment: A Multidisciplinary Approach Credits: 3
HSC 575 - Process and Outcomes Evaluation Credits: 3
HSC 763 - Qualitative Research Methods in Health Sciences Credits: 3
MSAS 763 - Professional Writing for Public Administrators Credits: 3
OCTH 733 - Promotion of Health and Prevention of Disability Credits: 3
PUBH 711 - Topics in Applied Biostatistics Credits: 3
PUBH 727 - Cancer Epidemiology Credits: 3
PUBH 763 - Casual Inference in Public Health Credits: 3
PUBH 765 - Community Health Assessment and Action Planning Credits: 3
PUBH 768 - Climate Effects on Public Health Credits: 3
PUBH 770 - Public Health Immunology Credits: 3
PUBH 792 - Public Health Topics Credits: 3
SOCW 600 - Social Policy Analysis Credits: 3
SOCW 640 - Diversity and Social Justice Credits: 3
Other graduate-level electives with advisor approval Credits: 3

Total Required Credits: 42 (Non-Thesis)

Additional Admission Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: 71 Internet-based
TOEFL Essentials: 7.5
IELTS: 6.0
Duolingo: 100

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.

General Requirements

Graduate students should consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework. For additional information, refer to the Master’s Degree Requirements .