The Master of Public Health (MPH) Program at the University of Memphis integrates the academic study of public health theory with principles of public health practice in order to prevent disease, promote healthy lifestyles, and protect the community. Faculty engage in innovative, community-based research to identify best practices, inform public policy, and advocate for the under-served.

Dr. Marian Levy is Director of the MPH Program, which is structured to meet accreditation standards of the Council on Education for Public Health. The program prepares practitioners to address public health concerns of the metropolitan mid-South.

Our program activities include the following:

Public Health Academic Practice Bridges
Academicians from the University of Memphis and public health practitioners from the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department share insights in research and best practices in a monthly roundtable series. Topics have included bioinformatics, geographic information systems (GIS), international tobacco control research, HIV prevention, and community health promotion for vulnerable populations.

MPH Practicum 
The Health Department serves as the primary location for MPH students’. To date, student practicum experiences have served in the areas of HIV prevention, breastfeeding, immunization, TB control, community health promotion, and emergency preparedness.

MPH Thesis and Master Projects

One of the graduation requirements is the completion of a MPH Thesis or Master Project during the student's second year. Click here for a current list of past students Thesis and Master's Project.

Health Care Interpreter Training Program
In partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the MPH program offers courses are offered in Basic and Advanced Interpreting. Tennessee Association for Medical Interpreters National training conferences are held annually to facilitate advanced interpreter skills. Health Care Interpreter Program information.

Cultural competence  
Understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture was promoted via partnership with the Confucius Institute and through an educational exchange with Chinese public health practitioners.

Sustainability
In partnership with Herff College of Engineering's Center for Biofuel Energy & Sustainable Technologies [BEST], the MPH program hosts the annual Sustainable Technologies Awareness Day.This event is designed to promote environmental responsibility and eco-activism among students, staff, and faculty at the University of Memphis. See pictures from Tiger Blue Goes Green 2010!

Health Risk Appraisal
The MPH Program partners with the Loewenberg School of Nursing to obtain and analyze health risk data at the Student Health Fair.

Emergency Preparedness
MPH students supported the Shelby County Health Department’s drill to test readiness for catastrophic events.

Academic Presentations
The School of Public Health faculty and students present their work at national, state, and local public health conferences. Look at recent Faculty and Student Achievements. Public Health faculty presented three papers at the 136th American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting in 2008. MPH faculty and three MPH students had a total of five posters accepted for presentation at the 2008 Tennessee Public Health Association (TPHA) Conference. Five MPH students presented posters at the 2009 Graduate Research Fair. Presentations

Community Involvement
MPH Graduate Assistants helped the March of Dimes compile a current directory of community prenatal resources. Click Here for the current directory. The Public Health Student Association is also involved in several community projects such as HIV outreach, tobacco cessation, infant mortality walks, and March of Dimes walks.

Unnatural Causes
In partnership with the Health Department, the MPH program spearheaded community discussions based on the PBS documentary series addressing the sources of our alarming socioeconomic and racial disparities in health.

“TRUE BLUE CHOICES” is a social norms alcohol education campaign delivered by the  Department of Athletics at the University of Memphis in partnership with the School of Public Health, Student Health Services, Student Affairs, and Orientation Services. Funding for this 3-year project was received from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).  The University of Memphis is one of 15 institutions, out of 53 proposals received, to be awarded CHOICES grants from the NCAA.