Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health program provides students knowledge essential to the practice of public health on a global scale. Students develop a strong foundation in public health by studying environmental health issues, biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy and management, and social and behavioral determinants of health, as well as study in specialization areas so that graduates gain the expertise necessary to address some of the world’s most pressing problems.
Graduates of the MPH program will be able to assume leadership positions in public health by promoting the health of individuals, communities, and the world through the synthesis of research and application of best practices in public health. They will know how to advocate for policies that help improve human health.
What You Will Learn
Graduates of the MPH program will:
- Analyze public health literature and apply evidence-based practices to public health issues.
- Identify, quantify and then promote reduction of the harmful impacts of current and emerging technologies on health.
- Address current public health challenges through multidisciplinary approaches that apply the latest scientific knowledge, collaboration, and creative problem-solving skills.
Focus Areas
Types of Careers
MPH graduates will be prepared for a range of careers in private industry, government, consulting, law, insurance, hospitals, and the nonprofit sector. These careers include titles such as Environmental Health & Safety Manager, Injury Prevention Specialist, Director of Family Health Services, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Industrial Hygienist, Disaster Preparedness Researcher, Informatics Specialist, Program Officer, Biostatistician, Policy Analyst, and Health Commissioner, among others. Some students may plan to continue to doctoral programs or seek positions in academia.
Admission Requirements
- BA or BS degree, or senior-year status, with an overall GPA of at least 3.0.
- Grades of C or better in required, prerequisite college-level courses. These include a minimum one semester of statistics and one semester of either biology or anatomy and physiology. Applicants who are missing prerequisites may be admitted with the provision that they meet with their advisor before or during their first semester and develop a plan of study to complete the prerequisites during the first year.
- GRE score. The GRE requirement may be waived with a prior graduate degree. Individuals who graduated from UMass Lowell in the past 5 years with a GPA of 3.5 or higher may be able to waive the GRE upon approval of the Graduate Coordinator.
- For international applicants, TOEFL scores of at least 79 (Internet-based) are required.
- Applicants to the Nutrition specialization must have taken undergraduate courses in Human Nutrition and Biochemistry.
Curriculum of Study
The MPH program is a 42-credit, post-BS program with foci on Global Environmental Sustainability and Health, Epidemiology, Nutrition, Population Health, Gerontology, or Healthcare Management. The program has been developed to meet the requirements of the accrediting body, the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The core courses in the MPH program include five three-credit courses in biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, health policy & management, and social and behavioral determinants of health. The foci areas as noted above will require five 3-credit required courses beyond the Public Health core and two 3-credit elective courses that will be chosen in consultation with the student’s academic advisor. Students will also complete 6-credit MPH practica experiences under faculty supervision.
Core Courses in the MPH Program
All MPH students will take five core public health courses plus a two-semester, six-credit MPH practicum (21 credits total):
For the most up to date information please visit the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog for more information.