Master of Public Health
Mission
The mission of the Master's Degree in Public Health (MPH) program is aligned with the mission of Saint Elizabeth University to promote leadership in service and social responsibility to others, and to support the well-being of all individuals and communities; particularly those who have been traditionally underserved in our society.
The mission of the MPH program is to educate professionals to be leaders in promoting the holistic health and wellness of individuals and groups, especially those at highest risk living in communities with greatest need for health and wellness support.
Degree Requirements
The program requires the successful completion of 42 credit hours. All students must take the following courses:
Core Courses (33 Credits)
| MPH601 | Foundations in Public Health: Ethics and Cultural Competency | 3 |
| MPH620 | Public Health Policy & Law | 3 |
| MPH630 | Human Development and Health | 3 |
| MPH640 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| MPH645 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| MPH650 | Research Methods and Statistics | 3 |
| MPH670 | Population Health Disparities and Strategies to Promote Health Equity | 3 |
| MPH675 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| MPH680 | Health Behavior and Health Education | 3 |
| MPH690 | Implementing and Evaluating Public Health Programs | 3 |
| MPH697 | Internship and Culminating Requirement | 3 |
Choose three electives (8-9 Credits)
| FN620 | Child and Adolescent Nutrition | 2 |
| FN625 | Health Promotion & Aging | 3 |
| FN626 | Public Health Nutrition | 3 |
| FN677 | Program Design & Management in Community Nutrition | 3 |
| PSY620 | Helping Relationship in Counseling | 3 |
| PSY653 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
Prerequisite: an undergraduate or graduate level statistics course is required before students can take MPH640 Biostatistics.
Students who choose FN620 as one of their electives will need to participate in an MPH697 Internship and Culminating Requirement valuing 4 credits (rather than 3 credits), in order to earn the required 42 total credits for the MPH program.
Course Sequence for Master of Public Health
First Year
Fall Semester (6 Credits)
| MPH601 | Foundations in Public Health: Ethics and Cultural Competency | 3 |
| MPH630 | Human Development and Health | 3 |
Spring Semester (6 Credits)
Summer Semester (6 Credits)
| MPH620 | Public Health Policy & Law | 3 |
| MPH680 | Health Behavior and Health Education | 3 |
Second Year
Fall Semester (6 Credits)
Spring Semester (6 Credits)
| MPH670 | Population Health Disparities and Strategies to Promote Health Equity | 3 |
| Elective 1 | 3 |
Summer Semester (6 Credits)
| MPH690 | Implementing and Evaluating Public Health Programs | 3 |
| Elective 2 | 3 |
Third Year
Fall Semester (6 Credits)
| MPH697 | Internship and Culminating Requirement | 3 |
| Elective 3 | 3 |
Admission Criteria
Applicants must follow all of the admission criteria for graduate programs including but not limited to:
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- Generally, applicants must have achieved a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of not less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students who have background and potential for success but whose GPA is less than 3.0 may be admitted to the graduate program on a provisional basis.
- Meet SEU health requirements.
- Computer literacy is vital for successful completion of the program. Students who need to increase their computer competency should speak to the Program Chair about options for obtaining the necessary computer skill level.
- An acceptable background check may be required as a condition for completing a Public Health course and/or project. Applicants are responsible for completing and paying for all background check(s) if more than one is required under renewal time lines.
- Submit a completed application, personal statement, resume, two letters of professional recommendation, and official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) colleges/universities attended.
- Graduate students whose native language is not English must submit certification of English proficiency or take an English language proficiency exam as determined by the graduate course of study coordinator. An original copy of your test score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) taken within the past two years, must be submitted. TOEFL scores must be 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or higher. The TOEFL requirement is waived for students who have received a baccalaureate or master's degree from an accredited college of university in which English was the language of instruction as verified on the student transcript(s) and/or transcription services(s).
- Programs and courses taken at colleges in countries outside the United States must be evaluated by WES (World Education Services) for a course-by-course evaluation.
Transfer Credit Policy
Transfer of credit into the graduate program will be subject to the evaluation and approval of the program director. A maximum of twelve (12) credits can be transferred into the Master of Public Health program. All transfer credits must carry a minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).
Program Completion Criteria
Completion of the program will be determined by successful completion of all course work with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better. In addition, students must receive a "pass" grade for their Internship and Culminating Experience.
Continuous Enrollment Criteria
Students are expected to enroll continuously until the program is completed. With the exception of students who are on an approved Leave of Absence (see the Leave of Absence Policy), any student who has not registered for a course for two consecutive semesters (fall/spring) must pay one credit of graduate tuition (through the course GST650) in each subsequent semester until the student registers for a course.
This continued enrollment fee is required in order to maintain standing in the program. Should the student not pay the continued enrollment fee, the student will have to reapply for admission to the program in order to continue in the program.