Program Description

The Master of Public Health degree provides education and training to equip students for a broad range of careers including work in public health practice, research and policy. Two concentrations are offered, with a common core composed of training in not only fundamental public health subjects (including epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, socio-behavioral factors, and public health services), but also addressing critical cross-cutting competencies.

Students may elect one of two concentrations. Specialization in Global and Community Health (GCH) provides training focused on the critical need for community health professionals skilled in risk assessment, education, intervention, and program management - particularly in communities facing high disease burdens and limited resources. A second concentration in Research, Evaluation and Policy (REP) is designed to train health professionals with advanced training in research methods, biostatistics, analysis, and health policy to equip graduates to help produce systemic improvements in care delivery and value.

Admission Requirements

Students may be admitted to study for either fall or spring semester; however, spring matriculation for study in Research, Evaluation and Policy is made only in exceptional circumstances. Limited credit (6 hours maximum) may be granted to students transferring from CEPH-accredited programs.

Applicants must follow the admissions process at the Graduate Admissions website at www.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/how-to-apply-for-admission. Specific additional program requirements include:

• Admitted students must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accepted, accredited college or university with a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Waivers to the requirement may be made in exceptional circumstances, such as when prior satisfactory graduate school performance has been demonstrated.
• Submission of three (3) letters of recommendation. At least two must from previous faculty if the applicant has engaged in full-time post-secondary study in the previous five years.
• Resume of work history or curriculum vitae, to describe both post-secondary work and study.
• Personal statement not to exceed two pages in length.

Applications are evaluated on a competitive basis, and individual interviews may be utilized in the admissions process.

Program Requirements

The Master of Public Health requires 44 hours of coursework. First-year students gain a strong foundation of a broad core curriculum and are prepared for rotations and employment experiences in just two semesters.

Practicum training is complemented by a second year capstone composed of a comprehensive exam coupled with either a manuscript or a research thesis. The program may be completed in 4 semesters. In addition, three- and four-year study plans permit coordinated dual degree study.

Students choose from concentrations in either Global and Community Health (GCH) or Research, evaluation and Policy (REP).

Students must maintain a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or better throughout the program.

Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
First Semester		Credit Hours
PH 601	Intro Public Health	1
PH 602	Public Health Biology	2
PH 611	Epidemiology	3
PH 621	Statistical Methods I	3
PH 671	Community Health	3
	Credit Hours	12
Second Semester
PH 615	Health Sys Research	3
PH 631	Environmental Health	2
PH 641	Social Behavioral Aspects PH	2
PH 642	Health Communications	2
PH 693	Law and Ethics	3
	Credit Hours	12
Second Year
Third Semester
PH 655	Intro Health Policy	2
PH 661	Chronic Disease	3
PH 672	Global Health	3
PH 694	Practicum	3
	Credit Hours	11
Fourth Semester
PH 651	Public Health Services	2
PH 662	Control of Inf Disease	3
PH 692	Seminar (elective)	1
PH 696	Capstone	3
	Credit Hours	9
	Total Credit Hours	44