MARIAN C. LEVY, DrPH
Director and Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Room 216, Scates Hall
(901) 678-4514

Email: mlevy@memphis.edu

http://pubh.memphis.edu/

 All graduate students must comply with the general requirements of the Graduate School (see Admissions Regulations, Academic Regulations, and Minimum Degree Requirements) as well as the program requirements of the degree being pursued.

I. Description of Program

The mission of the Master in Public Health (MPH) program at the University of Memphis is to provide a stimulating academic environment in a metropolitan setting that supports excellence and innovation in education, research, and service to enhance the lives and health of individuals, families, and communities in the Mid-South. Program objectives are:

1. Prepare future leaders in the field of public health by providing the highest quality education and practice opportunities in theories, approaches, methods, and other substantive issues pertinent to public health.
2. Create and nurture an environment conducive to interdisciplinary public health initiatives, with special emphasis on vulnerable populations who suffer disproportionately from illness and disability.
3. Pursue innovative and rigorous research on critical public health issues to prevent disease and injury, promote well-being, and foster overall physical and mental health.
4. Stimulate collaboration with the community to develop effective partnerships in combating the health challenges in our communities, city, state, and region.
5. Inform public policy, disseminate health information, and increase awareness of public health concerns through disease surveillance, needs assessments, and program evaluation.

II. Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree Program

A. Program Admission
A multi-disciplinary faculty committee will determine admission to the Masters in Public Health (MPH) program. Criteria for the selection process are broad because of the wide range of backgrounds from which students may come and the wide range of disciplines they may study. Prior work in health care is not necessary for admission, but may be considered in the admission process. The following is necessary for application:

1. Applicants must hold a bachelor or graduate degree from an accredited college or university with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) or a graduate cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher in the major subject area. Current Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (from within the past five years) will be expected for all applicants (verbal and quantitative scores will be reviewed).
2. Applicants already holding a doctoral degree or its professional equivalent may be exempt from the GRE requirement. Those who have earned professional school standardized test scores (MCAT, DAT, GMAT, and LSAT) may be substituted for the GRE by applicants who are working toward or who have already earned post-baccalaureate degrees in areas such as medicine, dentistry, management, or law.
3. Applicants whose native language is not English will be expected to submit acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
4. Letters of recommendation from at least three persons familiar with the applicant’s academic background or experience in public health related issues, specifying in detail the applicant’s capabilities for graduate study and for future performance as a public health professional, are required. At least one letter from a former professor or instructor is required.
5. Applicants must also submit a statement of purpose in approximately 400-500 words indicating his or her present interests and career goals, including why s/he wants to pursue an MPH program.

B. Program Prerequisites
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited college or university with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher or a graduate cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher in the major subject area.

All MPH applicants will be expected to have adequate preparation in the sciences, including at least one college-level course in general biology (including human biology), mathematics (e.g., calculus or algebra), and a social science (e.g., sociology, anthropology, or psychology). Basic computer skills are also expected. Courses in health-related fields such as anatomy, physiology, nutrition, chemistry, physics, and statistics are not mandated, but are strongly recommended. Previous professional or other relevant work experience is also highly desirable, but not required.

C. Program Requirements

1. Completion of a total of 42 hours, including 18 hours of core course requirements; 18 hours of electives, 3 hours of practicum/field experience, and 3 hours of thesis or master's project. Students may choose a concentration in any of the following areas: Social and Behavioral Health, Health Systems Management, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, or Biostatistics. If a concentration is chosen, instead of taking 18 hours of electives, students will take 12 hours of concentration courses and 6 hours of electives.
2. Core courses include:
   HADM 7105 Government Regulation of Health Services (3)
   HPRO 7722/HLTH 7722 Intervention Theories and Applications (3)
   PUBH 7120 Environmental Health I (3)
   PUBH 7150 Biostatistical Methods I (3)
   PUBH 7170 Epidemiology in Public Health (3)
   PUBH 7180 Foundations of Public Health (3)
3. Concentration courses include:
   Social and Behavioral Health Concentration
   COMM 7014 Public Health Communication (3)
   ANTH 7250 Community Culture and Program Evaluation (3)
   PUBH 7130 Social Determinants of Health (3)
   PUBH 7131 Social and Behavioral Policy Development (3)
   Health Systems Management Concentration
   ECON 7710 Health Care Economics (3)
   HADM 7115 Public Health Organization and Management (3)
   HADM 7204 Quality and Outcomes Management in Health Care (3)
   PADM 7602 Public Budgeting and Finance Administration (3)
   Environmental Health Concentration
   ESCI 7250 Hazard and Risk Assessment (3)
   ESCI 7613 GIS and Human Health (3)
   PUBH 7122 Environmental Health (3)
   BIOL 7124 Environmental Toxicology (3)
   Epidemiology Concentration
   PUBH 7172 Epidemiology in Public Health II (3)
   PUBH 7130 Social Determinants of Health
   PUBH 7140 Epidemiology of Chronic Disease (3)
   PUBH 7141 Epidemiologic Survey Method (3)
   Biostatistics Concentration
   PUBH 7104 Large Data Sets and Public Health Research (3)
   PUBH 7141 Epidemiologic Survey Method (3)
   PUBH 7152 Biostatistical Methods II (3)
   PUBH 7450 Randomized Clinical Trials (3)
4. Electives (18 hours total for the general MPH degree; 6 hours total for students taking a concentration) will be taken with the approval of the faculty advisor. Possible electives include courses within the concentration areas as well as:
   ANTH 7521 Biocultural Epidemiology (3)
   ANTH/PADM 6412 Neighborhood Development and Social Entrepreneurship (3)
   ANTH 7511 Anthropology of Health Care (3)
   BIOL 7080 Public Health Microbiology (3)
   BIOL 7751 Conservation Biology (3)
   COMM 7012 Seminar in Health Communication (3)
   HADM 7107 Health Care Ethics (3)
   HPRO 7712 Epidemiology (3)
   HPRO 7142 Seminar in Health Promotion (3)
   NUTR 6602 Community Nutrition (3)
   NUTR 6902 Study Tour in Foods and Nutrition (3)
   NUTR 7204 Life Span Nutrition (3)
5. Satisfy completion of PUBH 7985 Practicum/Field Experience (3).
6. Satisfy completion of PUBH 7996 Thesis (3) or PUBH 7992 Master's Project (3). NOTE: Students choosing the thesis option should familiarize themselves with the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide before starting to write.
7. Pass comprehensive examination.

D. Retention Requirements

All students enrolled in the MPH program are expected to attain high academic achievement in all courses taken. The following criteria will be used to determine retention status of students:

1. Students having been admitted unconditionally who maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher will be considered in good standing if not more than 1 (one) grade of 2.00 or lower has been earned.
2. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.00. In accordance with the Graduate School guidelines, any student not meeting this requirement will be placed on probation. The MPH Graduate Coordinator will review each student's academic record to determine whether to request permission from the Graduate School to allow a student who has not maintained a 3.00 GPA to continue to enroll in classes while on probation. The Graduate Coordinator must approve courses for a student on probation. Probationary status continues even if the student has a grade under appeal. If a student remains on probation for two consecutive semesters or remains on probation after taking three courses (9 semester hours) without raising the overall GPA to 3.00, the student will be suspended from the program. Appeals of suspension must be submitted in writing to the Direction of the MPH program through the Graduate Coordinator.
3. A student who has been suspended from the MPH program will be denied enrollment in PUBH courses subsequent to suspension.
4. Elective courses applied to the MPH program requirements must have the advisor's approval.

PUBLIC HEALTH (PUBH)