Graduate Academic Programs

Master's Degree Programs

Master of Public Health Degree (MPH), Public Health Administration Major

Description of Program

This program prepares students to assume leadership roles in the public and private sectors and to effectively create and implement policies and manage programs that promote the public’s health with the opportunity to focus on rural populations. Coursework is completed in health policy, finance and budgeting, program evaluation, leadership, legal issues, and resource acquisition and management. Students have the opportunity for significant research and practice involvement with public health and health services organizations in Indiana and beyond.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 43 graduate credit hours is required for this program. A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. A minimum grade of C– is required in each course. All electives for completing the degree must be approved by the advisor. Prerequisite courses may be prescribed for students lacking sufficient background for graduate study in public health.

Master of Public Health Degree Requirements (43 credits)

MPH Degree Common Course Requirements (22 credits)

Complete each of the following public health core courses (15 cr.):

  • HPER-C 510 Organization and Administration of Public Health Programs (3 cr.)
  • HPER-C 589 Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health (3 cr.)
  • HPER-T 591 Introduction to Statistics in Public Health (3 cr.)
  • HPER-V 512 Environmental Health Science (3 cr.)
  • HPER-Y 611 Epidemiology (3 cr.)

Complete each of the following required public health courses. (7 cr.):

  • HPER-C 644 Field Experience in Public Health (5 cr.) (prerequisite: GPA of at least 3.0)
  • HPER-C 650 MPH Culminating Experience (2 cr.)

Public Health Administration Concentration (21 credits)

Complete each of the following courses. (12 cr.):

  • HPER-H 594 Health Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
  • HPER-H 625 Legal Issues in Health Promotion (3 cr.) or HPER-R 544 Legal Aspects of Recreation Administration (3 cr.)
  • HPER-H 695 Acquiring & Managing External Funds for Health & Human Services (3 cr.)
  • HPER-T 594 Finance and Budgeting (3 cr.)

Complete nine credits of graduate-level electives selected in consultation with the student's advisor. (9 cr.):

Special Opportunities

Degree programs in public health balance theoretical knowledge with professional experience through internships and opportunities to work with faculty on research, teaching, and service projects. The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program is accredited by the Council for Education in Public Health (CEPH).

Careers

Public health careers can be found in regulatory agencies; advocacy groups; professional associations; think tanks; consulting firms; local, state, and federal government agencies; nonprofit organizations; businesses and corporations; hospitals; county health departments; universities; and with health foundations and health-based grant projects. A public health degree specializing in public health administration can lead to career positions such as the following:

  • Evaluation Specialist
  • Public Health Advisor
  • Public Health Policy Analyst
  • Public Health Research Coordinator
  • Program Manager
  • Project Director
  • Program Coordinator
  • Public Health Consultant

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