Impact Lives

Online Master of Public Health (MPH) Curriculum

The 58 credit hour online MPH degree program provides a comprehensive foundation of courses combined with electives that delve into specific issues affecting global health today. You will be able to apply the theories and ideas you learn during your required internship.

You also have the opportunity to enhance your public health skillset by earning an optional certificate(s) in conjunction with your degree:

Foundation Courses (46 credits)

MPH 511 Biostatistics* (4 Credits)

Applies statistical reasoning and methods in addressing, analyzing, and solving problems in public health, healthcare, and biomedical, clinical, and population-based research.

Prerequisite: Algebra or Equivalent


MPH 601 Behavioral and Social Aspects of Public Health* (4 Credits)

Addresses behavioral and social factors and theories related to individual and population health.


MPH 602 Public Health System* (4 Credits)

Explores the history, basic structures and operations of public health and health care delivery systems based on Essential Public Health Services.


MPH 604 Epidemiology* (4 Credits)

Studies the patterns of disease and injury in human populations and applies findings to the control of health problems using Excel and PASW (formerly SPSS) statistical software.


MPH 605 Environmental Health* (4 Credits)

Studies environmental factors including biological, physical, and chemical factors that affect the health of the community.


MPH 606 Research Methods in Public Health* (4 Credits)

Explores research design, collection and reporting of data, interpretation of findings, inferential procedures and current public health research.

Prerequisite: MPH 511 and MPH 604; Department Consent Required


MPH 607 Community Health Analysis (4 Credits)

Demonstrates the collection of data on and setting priorities for improving the health of a defined population. It involves field work and utilization of research skills. This culminating experience requires the synthesis and integration of knowledge from previous coursework.

Prerequisite: MPH 511, MPH 604, and MPH 606. Department Consent Required


MPH 610 Health Policy* (4 Credits)

Addresses the development and advocacy processes for public health policies; provides tools for policy analysis; and application to important public health issues.


MPH 611 Biological Aspects of Public Health (4 Credits)

Explores the biological and molecular context of public health and its incorporation into public health practice and articulates how biological, chemical and physical agents affect human health.


MPH 662 Management of Health Services Organizations* (4 Credits)

Explores basic management principles and practical tools for health management professionals in a variety of public health and health care organizations.


MPH 690 Internship/Capstone in Public Health (6 Credits)

During the internship, students will demonstrate skills and competencies learned in the MPH program in a practical, supervised experience in a health-related agency. The purpose of the internship is to provide experiential learning and the opportunity to explore professional goals.


Emergency Preparedness Certificate (16 credits)

Complete one foundation course and three electives.

MPH 605 Environmental Health* (4 Credits)

Studies environmental factors including biological, physical, and chemical factors that affect the health of the community.


MPH 650 Emergency Preparedness and Planning (4 Credits)

(ELECTIVE) Introduces the core principles and practices of emergency preparedness and planning from all types of hazards, threats and disasters.


MPH 654 Psychology and Sociology of Disasters (4 Credits)

(ELECTIVE) The focus of this course is the immediate and long-term effects that natural and man-made disasters have on survivors, their communities and first responders; and methods to assist survivors in their recovery. Students learn to mitigate stress reactions, triage behavioral casualties and when to refer to behavioral health specialists or other social and medical services.


MPH 656 Emergency Response and Recovery (4 Credits)

(ELECTIVE) Focuses on the role of the public health system in responding to all types of hazards, threats, and disasters. This course builds upon the concepts learned in MPH 650 and MPH 654.


Health Education & Promotion Certificate (16 credits)

Complete one foundation course and three electives

MPH 601 Behavioral and Social Aspects of Public Health* (4 Credits)

Addresses behavioral and social factors and theories related to individual and population health.


MPH 609 Cultural Context of Health Care in the U.S. (4 Credits)

(ELECTIVE) Addresses cultural factors related to individual and population health and health disparities over the life course.


MPH 632 Public Health Education Methods (4 Credits)

(ELECTIVE) Presents evidence-based methods of health education and promotion addressing major risk factors for death, injury, and disability.


MPH 634 Public Health Education Programs and Skills (CHES) (4 Credits)

(ELECTIVE) Focuses on health education and the skills required for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examinations.


MPH 694 Grant Writing for Public Health (4 Credits)

(ELECTIVE) Provides an overview of the grant writing process and funding sources for research, practice, and administration/planning grants; and requires development of a full grant proposal.


Health Management & Policy Certificate (16 credits)

Complete three foundation courses and one elective

MPH 602 Public Health System* (4 Credits)

Explores the history, basic structures and operations of public health and health care delivery systems based on Essential Public Health Services.


MPH 610 Health Policy* (4 Credits)

Addresses the development and advocacy processes for public health policies; provides tools for policy analysis; and application to important public health issues.


MPH 662 Management of Health Services Organizations* (4 Credits)

Explores basic management principles and practical tools for health management professionals in a variety of public health and health care organizations.


MPH 664 Marketing of Public Health Services (4 Credits)

(ELECTIVE) Explores concepts of marketing theory, planning, strategy, research and implementation of marketing plans including social media plans. Cross listed with NRHL 664.


MPH 680 The Business of Health Care (4 Credits)

(ELECTIVE) Explores current topics in the business of delivering health services. including insurance, privacy of information, accountable care organizations, and financing structures and implications of the U.S. Affordable Care Act of 2010.


MPH 694 Grant Writing for Public Health (4 Credits)

(ELECTIVE) Provides an overview of the grant writing process and funding sources for research, practice, and administration/planning grants; and requires development of a full grant proposal.


Epidemiology Certificate (16 credits)

Complete three foundation courses and one elective

MPH 511 Biostatistics* (4 Credits)

Applies statistical reasoning and methods in addressing, analyzing, and solving problems in public health, healthcare, and biomedical, clinical, and population-based research.

Prerequisite: Algebra or Equivalent


MPH 604 Epidemiology* (4 Credits)

Studies the patterns of disease and injury in human populations and applies findings to the control of health problems using Excel and PASW (formerly SPSS) statistical software.


MPH 606 Research Methods in Public Health* (4 Credits)

Explores research design, collection and reporting of data, interpretation of findings, inferential procedures and current public health research.

Prerequisite: MPH 511 and MPH 604; Department Consent Required


MPH 696 Applied Epidemiology Course (4 Credits)

(ELECTIVE) This course combines the fundamental skills and competencies acquired in biostatistics, epidemiology, and methods of research and provides an interactive, hands-on experience in actual study design, development of survey instruments, and collection, analysis and reporting of real data.


MPH 697 Advanced Research Methods (4 Credits)

Focuses on the process and implementation of research in the field through a variety of possible mechanisms: secondary data analysis, original data collection, or meta-analysis, using statistical methods and software.

Prerequisite: MPH 606 Research Methods in Public Health


*Included in Master’s program foundation courses

Find out more about the curriculum of our online MPH program: Request more information or call us at (866) 295-3104 to speak to one of our Program Managers right away.