Master of Public Health

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Agatha Borne, DVM, PhD

School of Health Professions

North Campus, Academic Building (H), Office H202

[phone]

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

 

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Blair Zdenek, MPH

North Campus Academic Building (H), Office H203

[e-mail]

903-877-5925

PROGRAM VISION AND MISSION

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program vision is improved health outcomes in rural East Texas and beyond. 

The program mission is to educate and train the next generation of public health professionals to serve the community to improve health, and to develop research capacity needed to evaluate and discover new knowledge. The program is designed to develop the knowledge and skills of future leaders to meet the health and safety needs of communities and workplaces with a focus on rural communities. 

The program goals to accomplish the defined mission are to: 

1. Educate the future public health workforce and leaders to promote wellness and disease prevention in underserved and disparate populations across East Texas and beyond.
2. Build a network of community collaborators focused on SDOH, wellness, and equitable access to health and wellness services throughout East Texas and beyond.
3. Enhance teaching and research infrastructure and programs toward culturally appropriate and equitable access to health and wellness in East Texas and beyond. 

PROGRAM ADMISSION PREREQUISITES

To be admitted to the MPH graduate program, a student must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (or be in final year of study) 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.)
• 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.

NOTE: As part of the application packet, applicants submit a resume, cover letter and personal statement addressing why they are interested in the program, and their goals upon program completion. 

THE MPH TUITION SCHOLARSHIP

Depending on availability of funds, the School Health Professions 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. The application period is open for submissions when notices, calls for applications and links to applications are posted on the university's student financial services website.

To be considered for this scholarship, a student must:

1. Be admitted to the UT Tyler MPH degree program (clear or provisional admission as defined in the General Academic Catalog).
2. Be actively pursuing the MPH degree (neither on academic leave of absence nor in absentia).
3. Have met all program prerequisite requirements.
4. 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:

1. Have satisfactorily completed all previous coursework in the program (“B” or better).
2. Have a current, approved degree plan (on file in the program office).
3. 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. 

MPH Program Competencies and Curriculum

The Master of Public Health program is a fully online program designed for students to attain depth and breadth in public health, as defined in the foundational competency areas of

• Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health 
• Public Health & Health Care Systems 
• Planning & Management to Promote Health 
• Policy in Public Health 
• Leadership 
• Communication 
• Interprofessional and/or Intersectoral Practice and 
• Systems Thinking. 

Additionally, graduates of the UT Tyler MPH generalist program can proficiently 

1. utilize community assessment and analysis tools to address factors that contribute to disparities in rural populations,
2. develop a risk assessment and management plan relevant to PH programs and services,
3. develop strategies for obtaining resources for PH programs, projects, and services,
4. evaluate major environmental laws and their effects on environmental factors in health, and
5. examine occupation as a social determinant of health.

The MPH program is a 42 credit-hour program which requires each student to complete 10 core courses, two experiential courses consisting of an applied practice experience (APE, internship/practicum) and a culminating integrative learning experience (ILE, Capstone), and two elective courses. Students in the general MPH program choose electives from Environmental Health Sciences (OEHS), Social and Behavioral Sciences (COMH, ALHS, HECC), Epidemiology & Biostatistics (EPBI), and Healthcare Policy Economics and Management (HPEM), which provide instruction in the traditional Public Health service areas grounding the discipline. Other elective courses may be selected from those offered within the School of Health Professions, the School of Medicine (OEHS, EPBI), or other health-related programs with advisor approval. Electives from other programs and departments must be approved on an individual basis.

Course Requirements for Master of Public Health (42 credit hours)

The MPH program can be completed at your own pace within six years from time of admission. Students traditionally complete the 42-credit hour program 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, if the student has a strong health background.

Required Courses (30 hours)

PBHL 5317	Biostatistics I	3
PBHL 5342	Epidemiology I	3
PBHL 5344	Social and Behavioral Aspects of Community Health	3
PBHL 5330	Health Policy Administration and Management	3
PBHL 5304	Environmental and Occupational Health	3
OEHS 5340	Public Health in Rural Populations	3
COMH 5310	Foundations of Program Evaluation	3
COMH 6334	Community Health Analysis and Assessment	3
HPEM 6340	Leadership Foundations and Strategies for Health	3
PBHL 5334	Finance and Resourcing for Public Health Organizations	3

APE & ILE Courses (6 hours)

PBHL 5350	Internship/Practicum I	3
PBHL 6355	Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) Simulation	3
	or
PBHL 6365	Integrative Learning Experience II (ILE II) Capstone Project	3

Electives (6 hours)

Students choose two electives from the following public health-focused disciplines:

• Environmental Health Science
• Social and Behavioral Science
• Health Policy, Economics, and Management
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics