Master of Public Health

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Program-at-a-Glance (Graduate)

Credit Hours:

Total Hours: 45

Cost per Credit Hour:

494.12

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Completion Time:

1-3 years *pending hours enrolled.

Accreditation:

SACSCOC

Special Requirements:

1. Statement of Purpose 2. CV/Resume

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Do you want to become a high-level leader in a health care organization or advance your health care management career? Earning your online Masters of Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy and Administration can help you achieve your career goals while you enjoy the benefits of an affordable, flexible program. Our online MPH in Health Policy and Administration can give you advanced knowledge in health care management so you can take your health care career to the next level.

The University of Southern Mississippi’s MPH in Health Policy and Administration is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to coordinate a wide variety of activities crucial to the effective and efficient delivery of health services and programs. The health administrator plans, organizes, coordinates, and supervises the delivery of services within health care organizations, including hospitals, medical group practices, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, mental health clinics, insurance and pharmaceutical companies.

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The Graduate School will be authorizing standardized test waivers to applicants to the Spring, Summer, and Fall 2021 terms.

Your Future

Check out some of the jobs our graduates landed after earning this degree:
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Clinic Manager
  • Department or Service Line Manager
  • Health Care Consultant
  • Health Services Manager
  • Hospital Administrator
  • Health Policy Analyst
  • Program Manager
National Salary Averages* Career pathway for online masters of public health
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Masters in Public Health Core Requirements (18 hours)

Senior undergraduate students in the Public Health program who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher qualify may take up to 12 credit hours of graduate credit coursework in elective courses during the senior year.

To qualify for the Accelerated Master’s Option, the student must:

  1. Have completed a minimum of 90 hours of graded undergraduate coursework in the BS in Public Health (Health Policy and Administration)
  2. Have completed at least 15 hours of undergraduate DPH coursework with no grade lower than a “C”.
  3. Have a minimum 3.5 undergraduate cumulative grade point average.

The student’s undergraduate advisor and the school director will review the application. If approved for the program, the student must:

  1. Submit an Undergraduate Out-Of-Career Course form to the Graduate School before registering for any graduate-level course. In order to receive proper academic credit and reduced tuition rates, this form is required prior to registration.
  2. Maintain a minimum 3.5 undergraduate cumulative grade point average.
  3. Complete each graduate course with no grade lower than a “B” (for credit toward the graduate degree). Acceptance into the AMO does not guarantee admission into the MPH program. Students must apply for graduate admission into the MPH program. Please refer to Admission Requirements and Procedures for general application guidelines and to the admission requirements in this section for additional program-specific information.
  4. Choose shared courses from those listed below. These courses will apply toward both the BS degree and MPH degree at the undergraduate tuition rate.
Course Credits
Internship in Public Health 3-9 hrs. (6 hrs. required)
3 hrs.
Epidemiology
3 hrs.
Biostatistics
3 hrs.
Introduction to Health Systems
3 hrs.
Introduction to Health Policy and Administration
3 hrs.
Environmental Health
3 hrs.
Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health
3 hrs.

Additional Note

Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.

Frequently Asked Questions
What are the costs?

To find pricing information, visit our pricing page. For financial aid information, view our financial aid page. For detailed tuition information, visit our business services page.

The prospective student must complete the Graduate School admission application online and pay the application fee at http://apps.usm.edu/graduate-school/grad-school-apps/.

There is no minimum score because performance on the GMAT or GRE is only one component of the application package.

You can complete the online Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Administration in 15 months based on a full-time schedule averaging 4-5 courses per semester.

No. Online MPH students pay resident tuition.

Yes. All of the courses for the online Master of Public Health are available totally online. You are not required to visit campus for an in-class lecture; however, participation in online lectures may be required by your instructors. You are required to complete 400 hours of fieldwork at a health facility during your last semester.

The internship is a culminating experience that is completed during the last semester of your program. You must complete 400 hours of fieldwork at a health facility.  The internship is a valuable opportunity for you to gain hands-on experience and engage in professional networking within a health services organization. You will apply the knowledge and skills gained from academic courses to real situations. You must be in good academic standing to be approved for the internship.  Your advisor and the internship coordinator will assist you with internship placement that fits your needs and career interests.  More information on the internship is available in the MPH Graduate Student Handbook.  https://www.usm.edu/sites/default/files/groups/department-public-health/pdf/mph_graduate_student_handbook-_updated_5.2.2016.pdf

Yes.  You must pass a comprehensive examination (often called “comps”) to complete the MPH in Health Policy and Administration.  Comprehensive examinations are usually taken over two days during the last semester of the program.  Comprehensive examinations allow you to demonstrate your comprehension of public health and your emphasis area as well as apply the knowledge you have learned during the program. More information on comprehensive examinations is available in the MPH Graduate Student Handbook. https://www.usm.edu/sites/default/files/groups/department-public-health/pdf/mph_graduate_student_handbook-_updated_5.2.2016.pdf

No. A thesis is not required. The MPH in Health Policy and Administration is a comprehensive exam based program.  Students must pass a comprehensive examination to complete their degree.  Comprehensive exams require online exam proctoring at an approved site.  More information about the Department of Public Health’s MPH Comprehensive Examination Policy is available athttps://www.usm.edu/community-public-health-sciences/mph-comprehensive-exam-policy

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Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the Academic Requirements and Procedures, applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree. Application for admission to the MPH program must be submitted to the Graduate School and through the School of Health Professions.

Applications are due August 1 for fall semester and December 15 for spring semester. The School of HealthProfessions Graduate Admissions Committee evaluates applications. Factors in the decision for admission include GPA, GRE scores, writing skills demonstrated in the essay, and reference letters from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s readiness for graduate study.

A complete application consists of a graduate application, a statement of purpose, GRE or GMAT scores, transcripts, resume, and three letters of reference. International applicants also must submit a TOEFL/IBT score.

  • Minimum GPA is 2.75 on the last 60 hours of coursework.
  • Minimum TOEFL/IBT score is 79 for international applicants.
  • Students considering the MPH/MA Dual Degree option must also apply to the ANTMA program.

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

Students must complete an approved internship (six credit hours/280 fieldwork hours), pass comprehensive exams, and have a 3.0 GPA in all coursework to graduate.

See General Degree Requirements  and General Academic Information for other requirements and policies

 

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