• Description of Program
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

IU’s degrees in public health prepare students to promote the health of the general public by assuming leadership roles that influence education, policy development, advocacy efforts, research, and program development, implementation, and evaluation. Students in the public health degree programs examine a range of critical health issues facing communities both domestically and abroad.

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.):

• SPH-B 589 Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-E 651 Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-P 510 Organization and Administration of Public Health Programs (3 cr.)
• SPH-Q 501 Introduction to Statistics in Public Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-V 541 Environmental Health (3 cr.)

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

• SPH-B 696 Field Experience in Public Health (4 cr.) (prerequisite: GPA of at least 3.0)
• SPH-B 698 MPH Culminating Experience (3 cr.)

Behavioral, Social, and Community Health Concentration (21 credits)

Complete each of the following courses:

• SPH-B 501 Assessment and Planning in Public Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-B 529 Health and Disease Disparities in Diverse Communities (3 cr.)
• SPH-B 602 Intervention Design in Public Health (3 cr.) (p: B 589 and B 501)
• SPH-H 562 Health Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
• Electives by approval of advisor (minimum 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 interest in a healthy lifestyle is increasing the demand for public health professionals. Public health careers can be found in local, state, and federal government; nonprofit organizations; businesses and corporations; hospitals; county health departments; universities; and with health foundations and health-based grant projects. A public health degree with a concentration in Behavioral, Social and Community Health can lead to career positions such as the following:

• Community Health Educator
• Disease Prevention Manager
• Health Promotion Specialist
• Intervention Designer
• Maternal and Child Health Specialist
• Obesity Prevention Coordinator
• Public Health Educator
• Public Health Program Manager
• Public Health Researcher
• Sexual Health Educator
• Technical Advisor for HIV/AIDS Programs
• Vaccine Advisor and Program Manager
• Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator