Public Health (M.P.H.)

Student Learning Outcomes

• History, philosophy and values: Explain public health history, philosophy and values.
• Core functions and essential services: Identify the core functions of public health and the 10 Essential Services.
• Quantitative and qualitative methods: Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing and assessing a population’s health.
• Morbidity and mortality: List major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality in the US or other community relevant to the school or program.
• Prevention: Discuss the science of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in population health, including health promotion, screening, etc.
• Advancing knowledge: Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge.
• Environmental factors: Explain the effects of environmental factors on a population’s health.
• Biological and genetic factors: Explain the biological and genetic factors that affect a population’s health.
• Behavioral and psychological factors: Explain the behavioral and psychological factors that affect a population’s health.
• Social determinants of health: Explain the social, political and economic determinants of health and how they contribute to population health and health inequities.
• Globalization: Explain how globalization affects global burdens of disease.
• One health: Explain an ecological perspective on the connection among human health, animal health and ecosystem health.
• Competency #1-4 - Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health
  • Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice.
  • Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context.
  • Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health: Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software as appropriate.
  • Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy and practice.
• Competency #5-6 - Public Health & Health Care Systems:
  • Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings.
  • Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and societal levels.
• Competency #7-11 - Planning & Management to Promote Health
  • Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health.
  • Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs.
  • Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention.
  • Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management.
  • Select methods to evaluate public health programs.
• Competency #12-15 - Policy in Public Health
  • Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence.
  • Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes.
  • Advocate for political, social and economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations.
  • Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity.
  • Competency #16-17 – Leadership
  • Apply principles of leadership, governance and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration and guiding decision making.
  • Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges.
• Competency #18-20 – Communication
  • Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors.
  • Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation.
  • Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content.
• Competency #21 - Interprofessional Practice
  • Perform effectively on interprofessional teams.
• Competency #22 - Systems Thinking
  • Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

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)

Additional Admission Requirements

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

1. Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree or an equivalent degree from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree.
2. Through no specific major is required, adequate undergraduate preparation in social, health, or biological sciences is recommended.
3. 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.
4. Complete the Graduate School application along with the $35 application fee.
5. Statement of purpose for studying Public Health (include career plans relative to the MPH).
6. Two letters of recommendation are required.
7. 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 .