Public health practitioners are prepared to plan, implement, and evaluate programs designed to meet the health needs of populations. The MPH program includes knowledge basic to public health, including biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and health services administration.
The mission of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Parker University is to develop leaders who will improve health, diminish health disparities, and contribute to the profession through education, community service, and innovative research.
The MPH degree is designed to prepare students to address the broad mission of public health utilizing education, community service, and research. Public health practitioners are prepared to plan, implement, and evaluate programs designed to meet the health needs of populations. The MPH program includes knowledge basic to public health, including biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and health services administration. In addition to providing students with the educational foundation of public health, the MPH program provides students with field experience and an opportunity to apply their knowledge through the Applied Practice Experience and the Integrative Learning Experience.
Parker University offers two concentrations in the MPH degree program. Upon enrollment, students will choose either Epidemiology or Health Promotion.
Program Description MPH Epidemiology
The MPH in Epidemiology prepares students for specialization in advanced quantitative methods of epidemiology and its applications for health research, policymaking, and program implementation.
Program Description MPH Health Promotion
The MPH in Health Promotion provides students with the knowledge and skills for applied public health practice in the private and public sectors as related to population health.
The MPH core curriculum is designed to meet the Foundational Public Health Knowledge learning objectives, the MPH Foundational Competencies, the Applied Practice Experience, and the Integrative Learning Experience established by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
The MPH program ensures that all students are grounded in the following foundational public health knowledge upon graduation:
Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health
Public Health & Health Care Systems
Planning & Management to Promote Health
Policy in Public Health
Leadership
Communication
Interprofessional Practice
Systems Thinking
Length of Program
The MPH program may be completed in eight terms, requiring 45 credit hours.
Mode of Instruction
The Master of Science degree in Public Health is offered through distance education. Students will be required to choose an in-person site for the Practicum.
The Master of Public Health program is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
At the discretion of the Dean or Provost’s Office, a candidate demonstrating academic potential may be admitted. The student must maintain a “B” or above for the first term of enrollment.
Failure to provide all admissions documentation, test scores, or to achieve the grade point average required by the end of the first semester may lead to suspension or dismissal from the University. All graduate students are required to complete foundational courses for the appropriate program through undergraduate or equivalent course work. Students who have not completed relevant undergraduate courses will be required to take equivalent courses upon acceptance to the program. Pre-requisite courses must be completed with a “C” grade or higher.
Pre-Requisite Requirements
The Master of Public Health students must complete a total of 45 graduate semester credit hours of coursework. Students will be enrolled in fifteen credits from the core required courses representing the fundamental domains of public health: biostatistics, epidemiology, social and behavioral sciences, health services administration, and environmental health science. Fifteen credits will be chosen based on the specialization of one of two concentrations: epidemiology or health promotion. Students will choose an additional six credits from elective courses. Three credits will be Applied Practice Experience that includes a public health field practicum, and six credits will be awarded from the Integrative Learning Experience.
Students are required to complete the Applied Practice Experience and the Integrative Learning Experience.
Practicum: Applied Practice Experience
The Applied Practice Experience (APE) requires students to complete a three-credit-hour practicum experience, a minimum of 120 hours. The practicum is a supervised work experience for MPH students to work on a project to help integrate and apply the knowledge and competences form the MPH program to a real-world public health concern. Students may choose a public health setting, such as a local health department, community organization, school, or hospital. The practicum will allow the students to apply and enhance their skills necessary to function as a public health professional. The practicum is designed to address the program’s competencies and the student’s career interests while making contributions to the practicum site.
Upon completion of the APE, students will be able to:
Students are expected to gain supervised experience in a public health setting that will allow them to demonstrate competency through the APE. Students are required to submit at least two products, or deliverables, from the practicum experience. Each student will demonstrate a total of five competencies: three MPH foundational competencies and two competencies that are defined by the chosen field of study.
Integrative Learning Experience
The Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) includes a self-assessment, a critical reflection of students’ professional growth. The ILE will demonstrate the attainment of the Foundational Competencies and field of study competencies. Students will submit a reflection paper, a presentation, and assigned projects to demonstrate a competency-based integrative learning experience.
Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for the Master of Public Health, students at Parker University must fulfill the following requirements:
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