Public Health, M.P.H.
Contact
Dr. Carol J. Ewan Whyte, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Programs in Public Health
cewanwhyte@une.edu
Program Description
Overview
The Graduate Programs in Public Health are designed to provide foundational skills desirable for professionals engaging in the practice, education, and research of public health. The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program competencies align with the competencies outlined by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) in 2018 and revised in 2024. Required and elective courses in the M.P.H. program help students attain these competencies that are at the center of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by public health professionals.
Major Description
The College of Professional Studies (CPS) offers a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree and a Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GCPH). These programs provide graduate education to individuals currently working in the field of public health, allied health professionals, clinicians, recent graduates, and those making a career change to the field of public health. All curricula are delivered in an online, asynchronous format, making content accessible to students regardless of where they live. The programs offer full- and part-time options.
The Master of Public Health is a 42-credit-hour curriculum that develops and enhances skills in a variety of professional areas, including epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioral health, program development and evaluation, and public health policy, administration, and management. Applied Practice Experience (APE) and Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) are required components of the M.P.H. program.
Concentrations
M.P.H. students can select from four concentrations: M.P.H. in Epidemiology, M.P.H. in Public Health Education and Communication, M.P.H. in Global Health, or a Generalist Concentration where you can customize your M.P.H. degree. Students must declare a concentration before taking their first elective.
Mission
Program Vision
Our graduates will build healthier global communities through informed and collaborative public health practice.
Program Mission
The Graduate Programs in Public Health are globally accessible programs committed to promoting health equity in communities through education, research, and service using a scholar-practitioner model.
Program Values
At GPPH, we value and encourage:
- Accessibility
- Advocacy
- Collaboration
- Cultural Humility
- Diversity
- Equity
- Integrity
- Service
Accreditation
The Master of Public Health degree program and the Graduate Certificate in Public Health are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Transfer Credit
Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three courses (maximum of nine credits) into the M.P.H. program.
To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the College of Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to the Program Director and will be granted at their discretion.
Transfer courses must:
- Be classified as graduate level.
- Be from a CEPH-accredited institution.
- Have been taken within five years of the application.
- Have been completed with a grade of B or better.
- Be worth three credits.
- Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education.
Individuals who earned a Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GCPH) from the University of New England within the last five years may apply for admission to the M.P.H. program and request that all courses be accepted. Current GCPH students, who are in good standing, may apply to the M.P.H. program at any time during the certificate program by requesting a Change of Major with their Enrollment and Retention Counselor.
Experiential learning
The M.P.H. program does not grant academic credit for life experiences or previous work experience.
Admissions
See Online Admissions for more information.
Financial Information
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. Please consult this catalog’s Financial Information page for specific tuition and fees information.
Financial Aid
Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office. Call (207) 602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.
Curricular Requirements
Master of Public Health Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Required Courses | ||
| GPH 702 | An Interprofessional Approach to Policy & Advocacy | 3 |
| GPH 706 | Public Health Administration & Leadership | 3 |
| GPH 712 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| GPH 714 | Principles of Public Health | 3 |
| GPH 716 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| GPH 719 | Research Methods | 3 |
| GPH 722 | Introduction to Environmental Health | 3 |
| GPH 723 | Applied Practice Experience (APE) Planning Course | 0 |
| GPH 726 | Social and Behavioral Health | 3 |
| GPH 738 | Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| GPH 739 | Applied Practice Experience | 3 |
| GPH 748 | Integrative Learning Experience Foundation Course | 0 |
| Select one of the ILE Project Course Options below: | 3 | |
| Advanced Policy Analysis | ||
| Advanced Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Program Evaluation | ||
| Select three Program/Concentration Specific Electives below: | 9 | |
| Public Health Law and Ethics | ||
| Public Health Policy: Theory & Methods | ||
| Infectious Disease Epidemiology | ||
| Applied Epidemiology | ||
| Biostatistics II | ||
| Foundations of Maternal & Child Health | ||
| Introduction to Occupational Health | ||
| Public Health Financial Management | ||
| Grant Writing | ||
| Public Health Education Design and Delivery | ||
| Community Assessment | ||
| Chronic Disease Epidemiology | ||
| Pandemic Preparedness and Response | ||
| Global Health | ||
| Public Health Social Marketing | ||
| One Health | ||
| Total Hours | 42 | |
M.P.H. Concentration-Specific Electives
After completing the Program Required Courses, M.P.H. students complete three electives specific to their concentration for a total of nine additional credits. M.P.H. students are required to have declared a concentration before completing the APE. Please speak with your Academic Advisor if you need help in making this decision.
Electives for the M.P.H. – Generalist Concentration
Students in the Generalist Concentration select three courses from the list of electives (see above) to customize their M.P.H. degree.
Electives for the M.P.H. in Epidemiology Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GPH 713 | Infectious Disease Epidemiology | 3 |
| or GPH 736 | Chronic Disease Epidemiology | |
| GPH 717 | Applied Epidemiology | 3 |
| GPH 718 | Biostatistics II | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Electives for the M.P.H. in Public Health Education and Communication Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GPH 727 | Grant Writing | 3 |
| GPH 729 | Public Health Education Design and Delivery | 3 |
| GPH 765 | Public Health Social Marketing | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Electives for the M.P.H. in Global Health Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GPH 721 | Foundations of Maternal & Child Health | 3 |
| GPH 740 | Global Health | 3 |
| GPH 766 | One Health | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Academic and Technical Standards
Competencies
The Graduate Programs in Public Health adopted the latest foundational competencies that align with the competencies outlined by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) in 2024. Relevant competencies are listed on each course syllabus.
In addition, the program has the following program competencies for each M.P.H. concentration:
M.P.H. – Generalist Concentration
Students customize their degree in the M.P.H. Generalist Concentration. The program competencies completed are determined by the three elective courses selected.
M.P.H. in Epidemiology
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses of public health research and programs to determine potential threats to the validity of study findings.
- Evaluate the appropriateness of study designs relative to the needs of priority populations.
- Evaluate the potential impact of public health programs on specific populations based on the interpretation of data analysis results.
- 4. Utilize epidemiology practices and principles to investigate, analyze, and address the factors influencing the distribution of health and disease within diverse populations.
- Demonstrate the ability to integrate key components of disease surveillance and screening into public health practice.
M.P.H. in Public Health Education and Communication
- Describe how societal, organizational, and individual factors influence and are influenced by public health communication and learning processes across diverse communities.
- Apply theory and strategy-based communication principles across different settings and audiences to prioritize health education and promotion needs.
- Collaborate with priority populations and partners to develop and adapt public health education interventions.
- Examine evidence-informed findings related to identified health issues and desired changes.
- Develop and deliver culturally appropriate evidence-based and timely information across diverse priority audiences.
M.P.H. in Global Health
- Explore health challenges and opportunities with an emphasis on advancing health equity and implementing strength-based approaches in diverse global contexts.
- Implement culturally responsive public health practice addressing the root causes of health disparities.
- Utilize interdisciplinary approaches to explore realistic ways to mitigate adverse health outcomes while leveraging existing population strengths.
- Apply principles found in emerging disciplines and/or technologies to investigate the interrelationship between humans, animals, and the changing environment.
- Propose opportunities to address global health issues through collaboration, innovation, and strength-based approaches.
Minimum Grade Point Average
Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Any student who receives a grade of F in two or more courses may be dismissed from the program. An F that is replaced through retaking the course does not count toward this policy.
Graduation Requirements
To qualify for completion of and receive the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), students must:
- Satisfactorily complete 42 credits of specified coursework, including a concentration within six years.
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Have no outstanding financial obligations to the University.
Program Goals
Education
- Enroll and support qualified and diverse students.
- Cultivate a learning environment that values diversity and cultural competence.
- Ensure all graduates possess the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for public health practice.
- Align curricula with public health workforce needs. Recruit, retain, and support qualified and diverse faculty.
Research
- Sustain a scholarly research agenda to advance the field of public health. Support scientific inquiry among students.
- Support a collaborative scholarly environment for students and faculty.
Service
- Facilitate student and faculty participation in service activities with a public health focus.
- Identify service opportunities that foster networking and align with career goals.