Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health program is a CEPH accredited program that is appropriate for health professionals furthering their careers as health educators, supervisors, leaders, and administrators in public health settings including county, state, and federal health agencies, as well as community-based organizations, healthcare organizations, and public institutions dedicated to the improvement of population health. The purpose of the MPH program is to prepare professionals to develop knowledge and skills to identify, assess, evaluate, and resolve public health problems with competence in program planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Specific entrance requirements have been established by the University and the Department of Health Science and Human Ecology. Further information and application materials are available on the department web pages.

This is a hybrid-required program. About 51-60% of the instruction will be offered in-person and about 40-49% of instruction will be offered online.

Admission to the Program

In addition to the general requirements of the University, specific requirements for admission to classified graduate status are:

1. Meet all university admissions requirements.
2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (“B”) in the last 60 semester units of undergraduate coursework and in all post-graduate coursework;
3. Undergraduate coursework in the natural and social sciences, including those focused on diversity and population health;
4. A copy of most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
5. Three letters of recommendations that highlight the applicant’s (1) academic ability and potential to succeed in the graduate program and (2) professional experiences that make the candidate ideal for public health. At least one letter of recommendation must be from the coordinator/director or an instructor from the school where applicant most recently completed coursework that highlights how the student met the standards of the undergraduate program (if such a coordinator/director does not exist, a faculty member may write such a letter);
6. A statement of purpose, double-spaced and 2-3 pages maximum, detailing: (1) practical experience(s) in public health and how it relates to the program (this is weighted most), (2) academic experience(s) in public health or related field, (3) immediate and long-term professional goals and how that relates to the program, (4) reasons for being interested in the MPH program, and (5) key skills the applicant can bring to the program.
7. Writing sample based on a public health topic of interest to the applicant, typed, approximately 1,000 words, double-spaced, with appropriate references (not counted in the word limit). The writing sample should highlight the applicant's basic understanding of community health needs, epidemiology, and application of public health concepts to solve population health issues.

The admissions committee evaluates the applicant as a whole package, including grade point average, letters of recommendation, and other supporting documents. Majority of emphasis and priority, however, is given to public health experiences beyond those required by curriculum, such as externship, employment, etc. that highlight the applicant's ability to be successful in the field, in addition to grade point average in core public health or related courses. 

Students accepted as conditionally classified can attain fully classified status by completing at least 10 semester units of MPH core coursework with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (“B”) and must remove any deficiencies stated as conditions for acceptance into the program or otherwise set by the department’s admissions committee.

Advancement to Candidacy

Candidacy will be granted to students based on:

1. Achieving classified status;
2. Completion of 20 semester units towards the MPH with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 ("B") and a B (3.0) or higher in all required coursework;
3. Submitting a formal program of study of graduate coursework prepared in consultation with the MPH program director and receiving recommendation for candidacy;
4. Completing the Writing Requirement for Graduate Candidacy (WRGC) which will be satisfied by completion of a program-specific course upon discussion with advisor.

Requirements for Graduation

1. Advancement to candidacy for the degree and approval of the specific program of study;
2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (“B”) or better, in all graduate course work fulfilling the requirements of the Master of Public Health and grades of “B” (3.0) or better in all coursework;
3. A minimum of 42 semester units of approved graduate-level coursework included in the formal program, with at least half of the units required for the degree gained from 6000-level courses in Health Science and Human Ecology (HSCI), a minimum of 30 units must be completed at this university;
4. Completion of all program requirements, including culminating experience;
5. The Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement is met by completion of a program-specific course in consultation with an advisor.

https://catalog.csusb.edu/colleges-schools-departments/natural-sciences/health-science-human-ecology/mph/