Master of Public Health Public Health with a Concentration in Health Management and Policy (MPH)
For information about the MPH Program:
mph@odu.edu
Website: https://www.odu.edu/academics/programs/masters/public-health
Students can complete this program in a traditional (classroom) format or online.
The Master's of Public Health (MPH) is designed to prepare students for entry and/or advancement in public health careers. The program provides students with an understanding of the public health sciences and with knowledge and skills that can be utilized in healthcare management, population-based research, and the community practice of public health. The MPH is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree from all academic disciplines within and outside of the health disciplines. The graduates of the program will be ready to serve as invaluable professionals and leaders in the realm of public health.
Students in the Health Management and Policy track work to address the complex issues presented by today’s dynamic healthcare sector. Students prepare to face the cost, access and quality challenges of the healthcare system, incorporating concepts and competencies from areas such as management, policy analysis and finance.
Admission
The Master of Public Health program evaluates applicants using a holistic review process. All components of an application are reviewed prior to making an admission decision. Consideration may be given for appropriate work experience in a health-related field.
All applications are made through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS), the centralized application service for schools and programs of public health.
Application Checklist:
- Completion of Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited US institution or Foreign institution with a GPA of 2.8 or higher.
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from academic sources or employment supervisor. Additional letters of recommendation are encouraged, if available.
- Unofficial transcripts from all degree-granting programs listing the dates of program completion or attendance.
- A personal essay of approximately 500 words explaining your public health career goals, reasons for interest in the Public Health program, specialty concentration selected with reasons for this selection, and any relevant work experience
- TOEFL (minimum 79 IBT or 550 paper)/IELTS (minimum 7.0) is required for International Applicants.
There are no pre-requisite courses or specific undergraduate degrees required to be eligible to apply. Previous coursework in statistics and research methods is encouraged but not required. Applicants will be formally notified of admission decisions within two weeks of receipt of a completed application. Applicants need to confirm their spot in the program within 2 weeks of receiving a decision. Admitted students will be assigned a faculty advisor in their concentration area.
Recommended Prerequisites
There are no prerequisite courses for the Health Management and Policy Track. However, introductory courses in accounting and finance, macroeconomics and business finance may provide useful preparation for the courses included in the track.
Full-Time Course Sequence
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall Term | 10 | |
| Introduction to Public Health Practice | ||
| Introduction to Biostatistics for Public Health | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences for Public Health | ||
| Health Management and Systems Thinking | ||
| Spring Term | 9 | |
| Principles of Epidemiology | ||
| Intro to Research Methods | ||
Elective | ||
| Summer Term | 6 | |
| Healthcare Strategy | ||
| Financing Healthcare | ||
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall Term | 9 | |
| Policy and Politics of Health | ||
| Organizational Management | ||
Elective | ||
| Spring Term | 9 | |
| Environment and Public Health | ||
| Applied Practice Experience | ||
| Conflict Analysis and Negotiations | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 43 | |
Elective Options
Please see your faculty advisor for additional options and for information on when courses are offered.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MPHO 626 | Effective Information Technology for Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| MPHO 634 | Health Law and Ethics | 3 |
| MPHO 690 | Leadership | 3 |
| MPHO 772 | International Health Exchange Program | 3 |
Additional Requirements
Sequence of Course Offerings
A full-time student should be able to finish the program in five (5) academic terms. The study plan is designed to both accommodate typical student program time-to-completion needs and ensure a successful path through the coursework to program completion. Most courses are offered once per academic year in a specific semester for both online and on-campus students. Please review the course sequence carefully. Students interested in attending the program in a part-time capacity should contact their academic advisor for an individualized plan.
Graduation Requirements
Requirements for graduation include a minimum 43 graduate credit hours, with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 overall and in the concentration.
Financial Assistance
Financial aid is available to graduate students at Old Dominion University. In addition to the financial aid offered by the University, graduate students may be eligible for aid and student loans administered by other agencies. For information please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.
For additional information on the MPH curriculum or admission requirements, or if you’re interested in taking courses as a non-degree seeking student, please contact the Graduate Program Director (mph@odu.edu).