Master of Public Health Program
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Agatha Borne, DVM, PhD
School of Community and Rural Health Building H, Office H247
(903) 877-1439
agatha.borne@uthct.edu
PROGRAM MISSION
The Master of Public Health (MPH) program is designed to develop the knowledge and skills for future leaders to meet the health and safety needs of communities and workplaces with a focus on rural communities, small businesses and agrobusinesses. Students will graduate from the program with marketable skills, qualifications and competencies in the five core knowledge areas of public health.
PROGRAM GOALS
Graduates of the MPH program will:
- Be able to explain and discuss the 10 essential public health services as they relate to each of the four core functions of public health.
- Have achieved and demonstrated mastery in the five core knowledge areas of public health.
- Be a valuable asset to industry and other organizations requiring public health expertise.
- Have attained a level of professional integrity and competency integral to any career in public health.
- Be prepared for careers in public health.
- Have honed their ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Be computer and technology literate.
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLO)
- The student will demonstrate mastery in each of the five core knowledge areas in public health: biostatistics, epidemiology, social and behavioral sciences, health policy and management and environmental health sciences.
- The student will demonstrate proficiency in the four core functions of public health, as well as be able to explain the principles and interrelatedness of the 10 essential public health services.
- The student will demonstrate proficiency in using multiple informational resources to gather, analyze, apply and report solutions to public health problems with a special emphasis on rural community health.
- The student will demonstrate proficiency in English communication in both oral (public speaking) and written forms as they pertain to conveying key concepts in public health.
- The student will demonstrate proficiency in using computers and other forms of digital technology and media as they pertain to research, office management and public health issues.
- The student will demonstrate independent and critical thinking skills.
PROGRAM ADMISSION PREREQUISITES
To be admitted to the MPH graduate program, a student must hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field and have completed:
- Two semesters of science (such as biology, chemistry, environmental science, anatomy, physiology and physics).
- One semester of college algebra or an equivalent course.
PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Students must complete the graduate program application for admission into the MPH graduate program (available on the university website).
- Applicants must submit official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended, including community colleges. Applicants should have an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
(If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirements, it is possible to be admitted on a probationary status.)
- Although not required, applicants coming directly from a baccalaureate program are strongly encouraged to take the GRE. A minimum combined score of 295 is preferred: 145 on the quantitative section and 150 on the verbal section. (You can sign up for the GRE online (www.ets.org/gre) as well as find out about testing centers and dates. If you have already taken the GRE, this site will allow you to request an official copy of your scores.)
- All applicants must submit three letters of recommendation.
These letters should be written by former professors and/or employers to highlight why you would do well in the MPH graduate program.
THE MPH TUITION SCHOLARSHIP
Depending on availability of funds, the School of Community and Rural Health offers a semesterly tuition and fee scholarship on a limited basis to degree-seeking graduate students admitted into the MPH program. These scholarship awards are for $250 per credit hour (CH) up to 3 CH ($750) per semester (typically fall and spring) based on availability of funds, number of applicants and the academic merit of the student. If awarded, scholarship funds will be applied to the student’s account at the beginning of the award semester. A new application is required before each semester.
To be considered for this scholarship, a student must:
- Be admitted to the Health Science Center at UT Tyler MPH degree program (clear or provisional admission as defined in the General Academic Catalog).
- Be actively pursuing the MPH degree (neither on academic leave of absence nor in absentia).
- Have met all program prerequisite requirements.
- Be enrolled in and maintain at least 5 CH in the MPH program during the award semester.
To be awarded a continuing scholarship, the student must additionally:
- Have satisfactorily completed all previous coursework in the program (“B” or better).
- Have a current, approved degree plan (on file in the program office).
- Have maintained the requisite course load for the previous award semester.
If awarded, the student must maintain regular enrolled student status during each semester of the award and must not be on scholastic probation, leave of absence or registered in absentia.
Failure to meet these conditions may result in termination of the scholarship. At the discretion of the committee, the scholarship may be reinstated once the student regains regular student status and/or adequately corrects any academic deficiencies. Students will be notified via their university email when the application becomes available online at: www.uthct.edu/student-financial-services.
SCHEDULE OF MPH PROGRAM COURSE OFFERINGS
All course information, including syllabi and faculty curriculum vitae, can be found online.
Course offerings are as follows:
FALL SEMESTER OFFERINGS:
- Environmental & Occupational Health, PBHL 5304
- Epidemiology I, PBHL 5342
- Social & Behavioral Aspects of Community Health, PBHL 5344
- At least one elective from each department
SPRING SEMESTER OFFERINGS:
- Health Policy, Administration & Management, PBHL 5330
- Biostatistics I, PBHL 5317
- Public Health in Rural Populations, OEHS 5340
- At least one elective from each department
SUMMER SEMESTER OFFERINGS:
- At least one elective from each department
COURSES OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER:
MPH PROGRAM CURRICULUM
The Master of Public Health program is designed to cover five general core areas of knowledge to attain depth and breadth in all five of the core areas of public health knowledge as defined by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH):
A. Biostatistics
The collection, storage, retrieval, analysis and interpretation of health data; design and analysis of health-related surveys and experiments; concepts and practice of statistical
data analysis.
B. Epidemiology
Distributions and determinants of disease, disabilities and death in human populations; the characteristics and dynamics of human populations; the natural history of disease and the biologic basis of health.
C. Environmental Health Sciences
Environmental factors including biological, physical and chemical factors that affect the health of a community.
D. Health Services Administration
Planning, organization, administration, management, evaluation and policy analysis of health and public health programs.
E. Social & Behavioral Sciences
Concepts and methods of social and behavioral sciences relevant to the identification and solution of public health problems.
The program requires each student to take six core courses. These courses are designed to give students the academic foundation necessary for more advanced studies in each of the five CEPH core areas. In addition to these core courses, a minimum of four electives is required. Typically, students in the general MPH program will choose one elective from four
different areas (OEHS, COMH, EPBI and HPEM). Several elective courses within one area are possible with special permission from the dean. However, HPEM 5317 should not be taken by MPH students as an elective, as it is a duplicate of PBHL 5317 Biostatistics. In addition to didactic courses, students in the MPH program will gain working knowledge of public health issues through internship/practicum experiences and a Capstone project. Available electives in COMH, EPBI and HPEM areas are listed under their respective departments.
DEPARTMENTAL COURSE OFFERINGS (OEHS & PBHL)
Some courses from this department are available as electives for the MHA program. Refer to MHA program description under the Department of Healthcare Policy, Economics and Management (HPEM).
Typical Two-Year Degree Plan for Master of Public Health (42hours)
The MPH program can be completed at your own pace within six years from time of admission. Students traditionally complete the 42 credit hours on a two-year track. However, it is possible to complete the program on a “fast-track” in as little as 15 months over the course of four semesters.
Year 1 - Fall
Year 1 - Spring
Year 1 - Summer
| | Elective - Free Elective in first Core Area (3 hours) | |
| PBHL 5350 | Internship/Practicum I | 3 |
Year 2 - Fall
| | Elective - Free Elective in second Core Area (3 hours) | |
| PBHL 6350 | Capstone Project I | 3 |
| or | |
| | Elective - Free Elective (3 hours) | |
Year 2 - Spring
| | Elective - Free Elective in third Core Area (3 hours) | |
| | Elective - Free Elective in fourth Core Area (3 hours) | |
| PBHL 6360 | Capstone Project II | 3 |