Master of Public Health

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Program-at-a-Glance (Graduate)

Credit Hours:

Total Hours: 45

Cost per Credit Hour:

$519.12

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Completion Time:

1-3 years *pending hours enrolled

Accreditation:

CEPH

Special Requirements:

No GRE required

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The need for healthcare professionals is more important than ever, and with the Master of Public Health Degree from The University of Southern Mississippi, you can play a major role in cultivating a healthy lifestyle for your community. Earning your online Master’s 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. Looking for more? Our enrollment coaches are here to help. Click here for more info! This is your life, plus college!

A number of scholarship opportunities are available for online students! Our Online Student Scholarship gives first time, fully online students an opportunity for $500 towards their first semester. To get started with our Online Student Scholarship, or to view our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, visit our Student Scholarship page now!

The Graduate School will be authorizing standardized test waivers to applicants to this program!

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* image of the career salaries for public health professions
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Masters in Public Health Core Requirements (45 hours)

Course Credits
Practicum in Public Health 3-9 hrs. (6 hrs. required)
6 hrs.
Epidemiology
3 hrs.
Biostatistics
3 hrs.
Health Administration
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.
Healthcare Financial Management I
3 hrs.
Health Law and Ethics
3 hrs.
Health Economics
3 hrs.
Healthcare Strategic Planning
3 hrs.
Healthcare Organizational Behavior and Human Resources
3 hrs.
Healthcare Financial Management II
3 hrs.

Masters in Public Health/Masters in Business Administration Dual Degree

The MPH/MBA dual degree was developed for those students interested in pursuing higher-level careers in health administration and/or consulting. Students must apply the MPH and MBA programs separately and meet the admission criteria of each program.

Pre-Program Requirements for MBA

All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in a three-hour course (undergraduate or graduate) in the following three subjects:

  • Accounting         ACC 200, 220, BA 611 or the equivalent
  • Finance               FIN 300, BA 670 or the equivalent
  • Statistics              BA 201 or the equivalent

Business Core Prerequisite Requirements

All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in a three-hour course (undergraduate or graduate) in the following three subjects:

  • Accounting         ACC 200, 220, BA 611 or the equivalent
  • Finance               FIN 300, BA 670 or the equivalent
  • Statistics              BA 201 or the equivalent

MPH/MBA Dual Degree Course Requirements (78 hours)

Course Credits
Managerial Accounting
3 hrs.
Practicum in Public Health (6 hours required)
3 hrs.
Epidemology
3 hrs.
Biostatistics
3 hrs.
Health Administration
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.
Healthcare Financial Management
3 hrs.
Health Law and Ethics
3 hrs.
Health Economics
3 hrs.
Healthcare Strategic Planning
3 hrs.
Healthcare Organizational Behavior and Human Resources
3 hrs.
Healthcare Financial Management II
3 hrs.
Global Location and Trade
3 hrs.
Financial Management
3 hrs.
Organizational Behavior and Leadership
3 hrs.
Analytical Decision Making
3 hrs.
Global Business Systems
3 hrs.
Global Business Strategy
3 hrs.
Marketing Management
3 hrs.

Advisor Approved Business Electives (9 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.

Yes! To view all the funding resources available to graduate students, please visit the Graduate Admissions Funding Resources 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

If you still have questions, please visit our FAQ page, or take a moment to fill out our form at the bottom of the screen, and we will reach out to you!

Admission Requirements

The Graduate School is now offering standardized test waivers to applicants of this program for this program. There is currently no GRE requirement for this degree!

Health administrators are charged with coordinating a wide variety of activities crucial to the effective and efficient delivery of health services and programs. A health administrator plans, organizes, coordinates, and supervises the delivery of services within health care organizations, including hospitals, mental health clinics, medical group practices, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, insurance and pharmaceutical companies. Students earning a MPH degree find positions in the above areas as well as with consulting firms.

The MPH Health Policy and Administration emphasis is delivered in an online format and not a traditional classroom setting. The degree can be completed in 15 months using a rigorous, concentrated format that includes four classes each semester (including a summer semester). For information on this degree program, contact the School of Health Professions Graduate Coordinator.

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 Health Professions Graduate Admissions Committee evaluates applications. Factors in the decision for admission include GPA, 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, 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/MBA Dual Degree option must also apply to the MBA 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 program requirements and expectations.

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