Degree Programs
Master of Public Health - Interdisciplinary Public Health Studies
The Master of Public Health in Interdisciplinary Public Health Studies (IPHS) provides you with a broad foundation to tackle the complex problems facing us today. This multidisciplinary concentration allows you to deepen your public health experience to align with your career goals.
You will graduate with a well-rounded educational experience that equips you with the skills to become a public health professional ready to spark change in Indiana and beyond.
Interdisciplinary Public Health Studies curriculum online and in-person
The MPH–IPHS offers the flexibility you need to complete your degree. You have the option of pursuing an in-person/hybrid experience, traditional 16-week semesters online, or accelerated 8-week semesters online.
After completing the core public health courses, you will take courses from a variety of public health specialties and complete an internship and capstone experience.
The in-person/hybrid and traditional online (16-week long semesters) experiences allow you to customize your program of study to enhance your research or practice interests.
With the accelerated online experience (8-week long semesters) you have the option to complete your studies in as little as 15 months.
Master of Public Health core courses
Take all six courses for a total of 18 credits
- P510 Introduction to Public Health
- P500 Social and Behavioral Science in Public Health
- P551 Biostatistics for Public Health
- P519 Env’t Science in Public Health
- P517 Fundamentals of Epidemiology
- P504 U.S. Healthcare Sys. & Health Policy
Public health interdisciplinary concentration courses
Choose any four of the following 3-credit hour concentration courses for a total of 12 credits
- E601 Advanced Epidemiology
- E635 Foundations of Public Health Informatics
- E711 Applied Epidemiological Methods
- E715 Observational Studies
- H611 Policy Design, Implementation & Management
- H619 Financial Management for Public Health Organizations
- H624 Developing Strategic Capabilities
- H628 Health Info Systems
- S617 Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
- S619 Health Disparities & Health Equity
- S662 Advanced Program Planning
- S664 Research Methods and Program Evaluation
Public health interdisciplinary elective courses
Choose any three of the following 3-credit hour elective courses or from the concentration course offerings for a total of 9 credit hours
- A641 Global Health & Sustainable Development
- A643 Water & Sanitation
- A644 Sustainable Production & Consumption
- A646 Restoration of the Land & Sea
- B552 Fundamentals of Data Management
- B581 Introduction to Computing
- B582 Introduction to Clinical Trials
- E606 Grant Writing
- E609 Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- E618 Global Cancer Epidemiology
- E645 Information Exchange for Population Health
- E666 Overview of Precision Health
- H531 Pop. Health and Value-based Care
- H613 Emergency Preparedness
- H658 Research Concepts in Health Policy & Management
- S620 Stress and Population Health: A biopsychosocial exploration
- S625 Applied Public Health Campaigns
- S630 Global Maternal and Child Health
Public Health practical experience
Take both courses for a total of 6 credits
- P602 Public Health Internship
- P705 MPH Capstone Experience
Competencies
- Utilize basic quantitative and qualitative research designs used in public health and apply epidemiological measures and methods in a population.
- Analyze the interdisciplinary roles, relationships, and resources of the entities influencing public health.
- Apply diversity, equity, and inclusion approaches in public health research and practice.
- Determine appropriate use of data and statistical methods and informatics for problem identification and resolution, and program planning.
- Evaluate public health research, summarize current knowledge, interpret the implications for public health policies and programs, and make recommendations for improvement.
Admission criteria and requirements
Criteria
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college.
- 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.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)GRE scores are not required for admission. To strengthen the application, GRE scores are strongly recommended if the cumulative GPA from all undergraduate institutions attended is below 3.0. Official GRE test scores taken within the past five years are acceptable.
Personal statement
The personal statement should contain only responses to the following five questions. Students must upload their responses to the Personal Statement section of SOPHAS.
Please answer each of the following five questions in a concise and well-written short answer format. Responses to each question should not exceed 100 words (500 words total for all five questions).
- Where did your interest in public health originate?
- Why are you interested in the Fairbanks School of Public Health?
- Which MPH concentrations are you pursuing and why?
- What do you think you might be doing professionally five years from now? Please list two possibilities.
- What do you think are the most pressing public health issues at this time?
Résumé
For each position on the résumé or CV, provide the job title, employing agency, dates employed, and responsibilities held. Indicate any additional strengths or skills such as fluency in foreign languages, research experience, teaching experience, community service, and demonstration of leadership skills. Include professional certifications, honors, and awards.
Your résumé or CV can be uploaded electronically into SOPHAS and should not be mailed.
Transcript
U.S. or Canadian transcripts
Official post-secondary transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended (must be sent directly from the institutions to SOPHAS). This includes previous study at Indiana University campuses. U.S. applicants who studied at foreign institutions as part of a study abroad experience at their U.S. college or university do not need to provide a WES evaluation of their study abroad coursework.
Applicants are required to enter all U.S. coursework. Entering U.S. coursework allows SOPHAS to calculate GPAs that institutions use in reviewing applications, provides a way for institutions to review applications using electronic review forms and also allows for a mechanism to gather aggregate information about prior coursework. SOPHAS uses official transcripts to verify the self-reported coursework. This process significantly expedites the institution review process.
For regular mail, please send your transcript to:
SOPHAS
P.O. Box 9111
Watertown, MA 02471-9111
For overnight delivery only:
SOPHAS
c/o Liaison International
311 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-612-2090
Applicants who have not earned a degree at the time of application submission will be required to submit an official transcript upon acceptance to the IU Fairbanks School of Public Health. This official transcript should indicate your degree earned and date of conferral. If you did not earn your degree at the time you applied to SOPHAS, please send an updated official transcript with degree earned and date of conferral to:
IU Fairbanks School of Public Health
Office of Student Services and Admissions
Attn: Cher Pearcy
1050 Wishard Blvd., 5th Floor
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Foreign transcripts
All applicants with foreign academic credentials must provide a World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation of those credentials. Because this process can take some time, applicants should submit their transcripts to WES at least one month in advance of the application deadline.
Through special arrangements with SOPHAS, WES will deliver its credential evaluation report directly to SOPHAS by secure electronic transmission. This expedites the delivery of the evaluation report as well as images of the applicant’s verified transcripts to SOPHAS and allows SOPHAS to process the report most efficiently.
Letters of recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required from academic/professional sources that can provide an unbiased critical assessment of your abilities, skills, strengths, and weaknesses. Examples of academic/professional sources are professors, academic advisors, internship preceptors, or immediate supervisors. Examples of sources that are not acceptable include coworkers, colleagues, teaching assistants, classmates, ministers, and relatives.
Recommendation letters must be submitted electronically to SOPHAS.
Interview
Interviewees are invited at the discretion of the admission committee.
The MPH admissions committee conducts interviews using Skype video conferencing for applicants who are unable to travel to Indianapolis for the interview. Skype is a free software application that allows users to connect through the internet to communicate. Note that applicants will need access to a webcam and microphone for the interview.
International applicants
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
The Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health requires applicants whose native language is not English or whose academic study was done exclusively at non-English speaking institutions to prove English proficiency by providing either official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. Scores must be under two years old.
The preferred minimum English language test scores for admission to the Fairbanks School of Public Health are:
- Internet-based TOEFL: minimum score of 92
- Computer-based TOEFL: minimum score of 263
- Paper-based TOEFL: minimum score of 620
- IELTS (total band score): minimum score of 7
Applicants must submit:
- TOEFL scores to SOPHAS using the following designation DI Code 5688.
- IELTS scores must be uploaded electronically to SOPHAS.
English Placement Test
- International applicants who reside in the U.S. at the time of application must submit TOEFL, ILETS or IUPUI EAP (English for Academic Purposes) exam scores.
- International applicants who do not reside in the U.S. at the time of application must submit their TOEFL or IELTS scores with their application and, if admitted to the MPH program, also complete an EAP Exam upon arrival to Indianapolis.
- The USMLE and ECFMG do not fulfill the required proof of English proficiency when applying to the MPH program. Applicants who have passed the USMLE or ECFMG must also submit TOEFL, IELTS or EAP scores.
To schedule a test date and time please call the testing center at 317-274-2620.
WES evaluations of transcripts
Foreign transcripts
All applicants with foreign academic credentials must provide a World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation of those credentials. Because this process can take some time, applicants should submit their transcripts to WES at least one month in advance of the application deadline.
Through special arrangements with SOPHAS, WES will deliver its credential evaluation report directly to SOPHAS by secure electronic transmission. This expedites the delivery of the evaluation report as well as images of the applicant’s verified transcripts to SOPHAS and allows SOPHAS to process the report most efficiently.
DO NOT mail any other documents to SOPHAS, including thesis, dissertations, or pre-secondary or secondary transcripts.
International applicants will be required to submit official transcripts, marksheets and diplomas from all colleges and universities attended to the IUPUI Office of International Affairs (OIA). OIA will evaluate your transcripts to determine if eligibility requirements for graduate study have been met.
Please mail transcripts, marksheets and diploma to:
Office of International Affairs
Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis
902 W. New York Street, ES2126
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Office: (317) 274-7000
Fax: (317) 274-2213
Email: intlaff@iupui.edu
Web: international.iupui.edu
Updated: April 2023
