IUPUI Campus Bulletin 2022-2023

IUPUI Bulletins » Schools » Welcome to the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health! » Graduate » Degree Programs » Master of Public Health - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Degree Programs

Master of Public Health - Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Indiana University MPH Program is a unique program which can be completed on a part-time basis in three years, or on a full-time basis in two years. It can be completed in a traditional classroom format or fully online format. Most of the required MPH courses are offered in the evening to allow working professionals the opportunity to continue their education. Through classroom and community learning experiences, case studies, group and individual projects, and internships, students will explore public health problems and issues, learn how to think critically and work in teams. At the completion of the curriculum, students will have a number of products created that demonstrate to employers their skills in advancing social and community systems change to improve health outcomes.  Courses are taught by scholars and practitioners drawn from many disciplines and perspectives.

The MPH Program at IU School of Public Health is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

The Master of Public Health (MPH) provides a balance of academic theory and real-world experience, ensuring students are well prepared for a career in public health or to pursue further education. The Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) concentration is a great choice for those who want to have an impact on population health. Students learn how to: implement community health education programs, develop, and advocate for policies that advance social justice to improve public health, implement community health promotion, and address societal determinants of health. 

Social and Behavioral Sciences Concentration Competencies

1. Produce at least one advocacy strategy to address public health priorities.
   1. Write a health policy brief in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
2. Design communication tools to optimize individual and/or community health across different audiences.
   1. Develop and produce a Community Solutions Podcast episode in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
3. Design, implement, and analyze research studies, in collaboration with a community agency, to address an agency-identified public health issue
   1. Develop and implement and analyze a qualitative study in Qualitative Research Methods.
4. Construct in partnership with a community agency a program implementation and evaluation plan to address an agency-identified public health issue.
   1. Develop a community health program in ILE1: Advanced Program Planning, and an associated evaluation plan in ILE2: Research Methods and Program Evaluation
5. Develop a grant proposal and fund-raising case statement to advance a community agency’s programming and mission.
   1. Develop a grant proposal and fund-raising case statement for a community health plan in ILE2: Research Methods and Program Evaluation and ILE1: Advanced Program Planning respectively.

Social and Behavioral Sciences Curriculum

To complete this degree, you will take a combination of Public Health Core Courses, SBS Concentration Courses, Public Health Electives Courses, and Public Health Practical Experience Courses that together total 45 credits. The specific distribution of courses is as follows:

Public Health Core Courses

Take all 4 courses for a total of 12 credits

• PBHL P510 Introduction to Public Health (3 credits)
• PBHL P511 Comprehensive Methods and Applications in Biostatistics and Epidemiology (3 credits)
• PBHL P513 Planning, Evaluation & Management (3 credits)
• PBHL P512 Communication & Leadership (3 credits)

Social and Behavioral Science Concentration Courses

Take all 7 courses for a total of 21 credits

• S615 Qualitative Methods (3 credits)
• S617 Health Promotion & Disease Prevention (3 credits)
• S620 A Biopsychosocial Approach to Stress (3 credits)
• S619 Health Disparities and Health Equity (3 credits)
• S605 Public Health Biology (1 credit)
• S662 Integrated Learning Experience 1: Advanced Program Planning (4 credits)
• S664 Integrated Learning Experience 2: Research Methods and Program Evaluation (4 credits)

All students will choose a focus area of either "Global Maternal and Child Health" or "Public Health Communications" and take 2 courses for 6 credits in their chosen focus area

Global Maternal and Child Health 

• S630 Global Maternal and Child Health (3 credits)
• S660 A Biosocial Approach to Global Health (3 credits)

Public Health Communication

• S625 Applied Public Health Campaigns (3 credits)
• S622 Coaching for Health and Wellness (3 credits)

Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective Courses

Select 1 course for a total of 3 credits. If a course below is not in your selected focus area of either "Global Maternal and Child Health" or "Public Health Communications," it can be taken as an elective. Students can work with their academic advisor to select another elective not listed below if it will help advance their career opportunities.

• S622 Coaching for Health Behavior Change (3 credits)
• S625 Applied Public Health Campaigns (3 credits)
• S640 Culture and Health (3 credits)
• S635 A Biosocial Approach to Global Health (3 credits)
• S630 Global Maternal and Child Health (3 credits)

Public Health Practical Experience

Take the course below for a total of 3 credits

• S602 Public Health Internship (3 credits) – 240 total hours required; 160 of these hours must be conducted onsite.

Certified Public health Exam

MPH students entering the program fall 2020 and beyond are required to pass the CPH exam prior to graduation. More information on this requirement can be found at https://fsph.iupui.edu/academics/certifications.html

Admission Criteria

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college.
• Official GRE scores, if cumulative undergraduate GPA from all universities attended is below 3.0.
• Minimum of one year of undergraduate mathematics (e.g., algebra, statistics, or finite math).
• Competent written and oral communication skills.
• Students meeting these requirements are not guaranteed admission. Other admission factors include references, work experience, the personal statement, and personal interview (if applicable).

MPH applications and supplemental materials must be submitted to SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service). SOPHAS is meant to facilitate the collection of common application materials and general information. For more information and frequently asked questions please visit sophas.org. In addition to the SOPHAS application all applicants will be required to complete a short application to the IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis) Online Graduate and Professional Admissions Application system at the link provided within the SOPHAS application.

Admission Requirements

1. Personal Statement
2. Resume
3. Transcripts
4. Recommendations
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) 

Applicants who have earned a cumulative undergraduate GPA of below a 3.0 are required to submit official scores from the GRE taken within the past 5 years. International applicants whose undergraduate work was completed at institutions outside of the U.S. or Canada are required to submit scores from the GRE regardless of cumulative GPA. The cumulative undergraduate GPA is calculated using all undergraduate grades earned from all colleges and universities attended. The GRE is not required of applicants who have a graduate or professional degree from a U.S. or Canadian college or university. The following exams can be substituted for the GRE: DAT, ECFMG, LSAT, OAT, GMAT, MCAT, or USMLE (steps one and two).