Dr. Leslie Hoglund, Graduate Program Director
Email Address: lhoglund@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 care services. The program is available as traditional (class-room), online or hybrid options.
Graduates of the MPH with a concentration in Health Behavior and Health Promotion are successful health behavior and health promotion leaders, directors, managers, health educators, community health planners, program managers, and program evaluators in public and private sectors including health departments, not-for-profit organizations, and foundations. Their work is aimed at preventing disease and injury and promoting healthy behaviors through education, communication, research, and publication.
Graduates of the MPH with a concentration in Global Environmental Health will be prepared to work for local, state, and federal agencies, the uniformed services, not-for-profit organizations, international organizations, and the private sector in such roles as environmental health officer, public health emergency response coordinator, global environmental health analyst, food safety officer, environmentalist/sanitarian, environmental disaster specialist, health inspector, bioterrorism preparedness coordinator, environmental health consultant, and consumer safety officer.
Graduates of the MPH with a concentration in Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases will be prepared to work as public health professionals who focus on the causes, patterns and control of diseases and injury in populations around the world. Epidemiology is a fundamental public health science and is essential to the surveillance of and responses to infectious disease and other outbreaks.
Admission
Students must complete an application for graduate admission to be considered for admission to the MPH program.
The graduate admission application is available on the Office of Admission's website.
Applications to the program, including all supporting materials, must be submitted online. Admission to the program is competitive, and is based on academic qualifications and experience. Applications are reviewed on rolling basis and late submitted applications may be considered.
Application Checklist:
- Completion of Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited US institution or Foreign institution.
- 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 500-word essay describing the applicant's interests in public health and reasons for choosing to apply for the MPH program.
- TOEFL/IELTS is required for International Applicants.
- Complete an evaluation of transfer by the Office of Admissions, if required, for applicants transferring from a CePH accredited MPH program.
Though GPA is not the sole criterion for admission, a minimum grade point average of 3.00 or higher makes the applicant most competitive. 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. The first deadline to submit a completed application is by March 15. Applications will be accepted until July 15. Applicants will be formally notified of admission status in two weeks following the application deadline and will be advised by the program director until they are assigned a faculty advisor after orientation. Students not admitted will receive a notice informing them of the decision. Applicants need to confirm their spot in the program within 2 weeks of receiving a decision.
Continuance and Readmission Policy
In addition to the Old Dominion University continuance policies in this catalog, the following policies are specific to all concentrations in the MPH Program:
- An overall grade of B (3.00) or better is required to graduate from the MPH program.
- A student who leaves the program and is readmitted may be required to take additional coursework prior to or concurrent with readmission.
- A student may be readmitted to the MPH program only once.
Curriculum Requirements
The Master of Public Health (MPH) is a 43-credit program. All courses include the standardized, competencies required for accreditation of MPH programs by the Council on Education for Public Health (CePH). Students can select a concentration during their first two terms of the program.
Core Courses
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| MPHO 600 | Introduction to Public Health Practice | 1 |
| MPHO 605 | Introduction to Biostatistics for Public Health | 3 |
| MPHO 608 | Environment and Public Health | 3 |
| MPHO 611 | Social and Behavioral Sciences for Public Health | 3 |
| MPHO 614 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| MPHO 616 | Research Methods in Public Health | 3 |
| MPHO 620 | Health Management and Systems Thinking | 3 |
| 9 |
| Grant Writing for Public Health Practice | |
| Integrative Learning Experience | |
| Principles of Toxicology | |
| Global Health | |
| Interprofessional Study Abroad on Global Health | |
| MPHO 669 | Applied Practice Experience | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 31 |
Global Environmental Health Concentration
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| MPHO 622 | Environmental Health Law, Justice and Governance | 3 |
| MPHO 632 | Environmental and Occupational Health Risk Assessment | 3 |
| MPHO 778 | Global Environmental Health | 3 |
| MPHO 784 | Creating Sustainable Environmental Futures | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 |
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. Each core course is 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 the MPH Program (mph@odu.edu) for an individualized plan.
Graduation Requirements
Requirements for graduation include a minimum 43 graduate credit hours, 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).
