Graduate

Master in Public Health (MPH)

Learn to promote and protect health at the local, state, national, and global levels.

Master in Public Health students learn about public health.

About this Program

The Master of Public Health (MPH) at Ole Miss is offered both online or on campus.  

The MPH prepares future public health professionals for roles in health policy, research, education, and administration.

  • Students learn to work with diverse populations and our applied learning experiences ensure MPH graduates are ready to join the workforce to promote health and tackle pressing public health issues.

What's the difference btween an online and an on-campus Master of Public Health?

Students interested in the Master of Public Health at Ole Miss can choose between an online or on-campus program. If you have a busy life already, you may find that the online program is best for you. If you want the Ole Miss, on-campus experience, our residential option may be the perfect choice.

  • Our curriculum (online and on campus) prepares graduates for both the Certified in Public Health (CPH) and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exams.

Whatever you choose, you'll still graduate with a Master in Public Health from a leading R1 research university. But, before you decide there are some differences you should consider.

Online Master in Public Health

The online MPH is a 42-credit hour program conducted entirely online. You can choose between two concentrations, Community Health and Epidemiology.

  • The courses are only 8 weeks long, allowing you to work around your already busy schedule.
  • Through core classes you'll get the foundational education you need to help improve community health.
  • Before you graduate, your practicum will give you hands-on experience in unique settings, including government, non-profits, industrial, or university roles.  

On-campus Master in Public Health 

Our on-campus Master in Public Health degree is 42 total credit hours, including a practicum experience.

  • On-campus courses are 15 week longs, following a spring and fall schedule on our beautiful, Oxford Campus.
  • Through core classes you'll get the foundational education you need to help improve community health.
  • Before you graduate, your practicum will give you hands-on experience in unique settings, including government, non-profits, industrial, or university roles.  

Students seeking flexibility in completing coursework may be interested in our online MPH program, which offers the potential to complete the program within 18 months, including an in-field practicum experience.

On this Page…

    Program Information

    Program Type

    Master's Program

    Area of Study

    Health and Social Services

    Duration

    18 months

    Degree

    Master in Public Health

    Program Location

    Oxford

    Online

    Emphases

    Community Health;
    Epidemiology

    Required Credit Hours

    42

    Program Requirements and Application Process

    Find information for the Master in Public Health below. For more information see the Graduate School Catalog.

    The Master of Public Health is 42 credit hours long and consists of the following courses:

    Public Health Core (15 hours)

    • PH 505: Health Program Planning (3 hours)
    • PH 528: Public Health Policy (3 hours)
    • Jour/IMC 585: Health Communication (3 hours)
    • PH 610: Biostatistics for Public Health Practice (3 hours)
    • PH 646: Epidemiology (3 hours)

    Public Health Practicum (6 hours)

    • PH 698: Public Health Practicum (1-6 hours)

    Electives (3-12 hours)

    • PH 600: Foundations of Public Health (3 hours)
    Required in the first semester for students without an undergraduate degree in public health
    • PH 515: Motivational Interviewing (3 hours)
    • PH 595: Human Health and Illness (3 hours)
    • PH 620: Emerging Issues in Public Health (3 hours)
    • PH 665: Special Topics in Health Behavior (3 hours)
    Other courses across campus in areas of interest

    Concentrations (9-18 hours)

    Students will select one concentration in community health or epidemiology or a combined community health and epidemiology concentration which would require 9 credits from each of epidemiology and community health.

    Community Health Concentration (9 hours)

    • PH 555: Health Equity (3 hours)
    • PH 635: Theories in Health (3 hours)
    • PH 685: Health Program Evaluation (3 hours)

    Epidemiology Concentration (9 hours)

    • PH 670: Applied Epidemiology (3 hours)
    • PH 674: Chronic Disease Epidemiology (3 hours)
    • PH 680: Infectious Disease Epidemiology (3 hours)

    OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

    Integrative Learning Experience (ILE)

    In the last semester of their degree, students will complete a comprehensive exam to satisfy the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) requirement for an integrative learning experience (ILE).

    Depending on a student's schedule, they can complete the course requirements for the Master in Public Health in either 18 or 24 months. See the links below to get a better idea at scheduling MPH courses. 

     

    The MPH program consists of 42 credit hours and is organized so that students complete a public health core (15 credits), at least one concentration (9 credits), a practicum experience (6 credits), and elective courses (3-12 credits). All courses are 8-week, accelerated courses.

    Public Health Core (15 credits)

    Public Health Practicum (6 credits)

    Satisfies the CEPH requirement for an Applied Practice Experience (APE)

    Community Health Concentration (9 credits)

    Epidemiology Concentration (9 credits)

    Electives (3-12 credits)

    Students without an undergraduate degree in public health must take PH 600: Foundations of Public Health in their first semester as one of their elective courses. Students will have the option to use their elective courses to complete a second MPH concentration or to take courses at the 500+ graduate level within or outside the public health program in their areas of interest. Electives outside the public health program may follow a 16-week semester program delivery.

    Integrative Learning Experience (ILE)

    In the last semester of their degree, students will complete a comprehensive exam to satisfy the CEPH requirement for an integrative learning experience (ILE).

    For information concerning the application process to the Master in Public Health, please visit the Graduate School's Apply Now Graduate School Portal.

    The University of Mississippi Graduate School seeks to recruit an outstanding and inclusive student body.  To that end, we have established a program to help departments and programs recruit such students to University of Mississippi graduate programs.

    To be considered for the funding program, admitted students must be nominated by their department chair or graduate program coordinator.  To be eligible for nomination a student must not be enrolled in an on-line program and must satisfy requirements given in either 1 or 2 below:

    1. Academic Excellence – Demonstrate superior academic achievement by having at least one of the criteria given below. Preference will be given to students who will also be receiving an assistantship from another University source of at least $2500/semester.
      • Undergraduate GPA of 3.5
      • Master’s degree GPA of 3.75
      • Other measure of potential for excellence in graduate study
    1. Excellence in Inclusivity -Because the University of Mississippi recognizes that benefits accrue to our students when they are part of a diverse community of learners, students may be nominated for the program on the basis that their presence will add diversity to the classroom, department or the campus. The nomination must include information about how the student will add to the diversity of the university community. To be eligible a student must be a US citizen or permanent resident.  The program for full-time students who are not working full-time includes a fellowship (1) and a partial tuition scholarship (2).  Part-time students and/or students with full-time employment are only eligible for a partial tuition scholarship (3).

    Funding terms:

    1.  
      • The fellowship is $1,000/semester for 4 semesters for master’s students and $1,500/semester for 8 semesters for MFA and doctoral students. The fellowships are paid during the Fall and Spring Semesters only.  To receive this award, must be admitted into a degree program, must be enrolled on the Oxford campus for at least 9 hours of graduate coursework each semester and must not have a full-time job.  Requests to extend the award beyond 4 or 8 semesters will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
      • The tuition scholarship for full-time students (those registered for at least 9 hours of graduate coursework) without a qualifying graduate assistantship is valued at 75 percent of regular graduate tuition and 44 percent of the non-resident fee.  The tuition scholarship is available for Fall, Spring and Summer Sessions and not applicable for any intersessions.
      • The tuition scholarship for part-time students (those registered for fewer than 9 hours of graduate coursework) is valued at 50 percent of regular graduate tuition and 44 percent of the non-resident fee.  The tuition scholarship is available for Fall, Spring and Summer Sessions and not applicable for any intersessions.

    Summer Graduate Research Assistantship Program

    The Summer Graduate Research Assistantship Program provides $3,000 for doctoral and MFA students and $2,500 for master’s students in departments that do not offer a doctoral degree.

    The Summer Graduate Research Assistantship Program is competitive and awarding of the funding is not guaranteed.

    • The funding is offered during the summer (minimum of 10 weeks of research). The goal is to provide funds to enable promising graduate students to remain on task and on campus in their pursuit of a degree. Students cannot obtain additional university employment during this period. Funds are not renewable.

    To be eligible, the student must be a full-time, full-standing student at any stage and in any discipline. Preference will be given to doctoral students who have completed their prospectus. A limited number of assistantships will also be reserved for master’s (thesis option) track students.

    Online programs are NOT eligible at this time.

    For additional opportunities and information please visit the graduate school Financial Aid Information webpage.

    What does Public Health look like in the job market?

    82K

    Median income for Disaster Recovery Managers in 2022.

    78K

    Median income for Epidemiologists in 2022.

    100K

    Median income for Health and Safety Engineers in 2022.

    104K

    Median income for Medical and Health Services Managers in 2022.

    What can you do with a Master's in Public Health?

    • Epidemiologist
    • Registered Nurse
    • Healthcare Administrator
    • Community Service Manager
    • Substance Abuse Counselor
    • Data Analyst
    • Health Coordinator
    • Biostatistician

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    We're here for you!

    We are here to answer any questions you have about the Master in Public Health at UM! Don't hesitate to reach out.

    Allison Ford Wade

    Professor and Director of Graduate Programs with the Department of Health, Exercise Science & Recreation Management

    Next Steps

    Explore Affordability

    We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.

    Apply to the University of Mississippi

    Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?