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Master of Public Health

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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 Master 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.

The Graduate School will be authorizing standardized test waivers to applicants to the Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 terms. Please contact Graduate Admissions at graduateschool@usm.edu to request a waiver.

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 master of public health

Masters in Public Health Core Requirements (18 hours)

Course Credits
Epidemiology
3 hrs.
Biostatistics
3 hrs.
Environmental Health
3 hrs.
Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health
3 hrs.
Internship in Public Health 3-9 hrs. (6 hrs. required)
3 hrs.

Requirements for Emphasis in Health Policy and Administration (21 hours)

Course Credits
Introduction to Health Systems
3 hrs.
Health Policy
3 hrs.
Healthcare Financial Management I
3 hrs.
Health Law and Ethics
3 hrs.
Health Economics
3 hrs.
Health Care Strategic Planning
3 hrs.
Health Care Organizational Behavior and Human Resources
3 hrs.
Health Care Marketing
3 hrs.
Healthcare Financial Management II
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, click here. For financial aid information, click here. For detailed tuition information, click here.

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

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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