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.
Graduates of the MPH with a concentration in Health Behavior and Health Promotion are prepared to be 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.
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.
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).
Fall 1 (10 credit hours)
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| MPHO 600 | Introduction to Public Health Practice | 1 |
| MPHO 605 | Introduction to Biostatistics for Public Health | 3 |
| MPHO 611 | Social and Behavioral Sciences for Public Health | 3 |
| MPHO 614 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
Spring 1 (9 credit hours)
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| MPHO 608 | Environment and Public Health | 3 |
| MPHO 616 | Research Methods in Public Health | 3 |
| MPHO 620 | Health Management and Systems Thinking | 3 |
Summer 1 (6 credit hours)
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| MPHO 651 | Health Promotion Theory and Practice | 3 |
| MPHO 661 | Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
Fall 2 (9 credit hours)
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| MPHO 630 | Health Communication and Social Marketing for Public Health | 3 |
| MPHO 640 | Health Disparities and Social Justice | 3 |
| 3 |
Spring 2 (9 credit hours)
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| MPHO 669 | Applied Practice Experience | 3 |
| 3 |
| 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).
