Master of Public Health

The online Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is designed to help prepare professionals to resolve complex health issues and enhance the wellbeing of communities in the U.S. and around the world. Through excellence in teaching, research, and service, this respected online program seeks to educate and develop capable leaders in the public health workforce by closely aligning with academic community partners and by empowering students to address relevant public health problems today. This interdisciplinary degree challenges you to proactively seek implementable solutions and to develop preventative measures by understanding the scientific, psychological, and sociological competencies that significantly impact public health policy and practices today.

Our Master’s in Public Health is accredited by The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH®) through December 31, 2029. View our accreditation page for more details. A copy of the self-study and the final report from CEPH can be requested by emailing [email protected].

The Council on Education for Public Health is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and public health programs offered in settings other than schools of public health.

Please be advised that due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many hospitals are not allowing internship placements at this time. We are making you aware as this may adversely impact your time to completion. Please contact the practicum coordinator if you have questions by emailing Dr. Donna Ross at [email protected].

The Typhon student practicum tracking software is implemented in to the Public Health program for the PBHE697 course. Typhon allows faculty the ability to keep track of documents, practicum hours, and communication. It also allows the preceptor to view and approve hours as submitted. Typhon offers the ability to develop the students' professional portfolio and access the system for 5 years. This course requires an additional cost for the use of Typhon student practicum tracking software, to be purchased by the student prior to the start of the practicum.

CEPH® is a registered trademark of the Council on Education for Public Health.

Statement of Mission: The mission of the American Public University System (APUS) Master of Public Health (MPH) program is to prepare and educate students to promote health and well-being as public health practitioners through excellence in teaching, research, and service in preparation for leadership opportunities in a diverse and global society through a student-focused learning environment.

Degree Program Objectives

In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:

APUS Master of Public Health Program (MPH) requires students to master a set of competencies before graduation. Students will master CEPH’s 22 foundational competencies categorized into 8 domains. This is a standard set of competencies required for all public health students receiving an MPH degree at accredited institutions. In addition, students will master six (6) specific program competencies (Program Learning Outcome) that are unique to the APUS-MPH program.

22 CEPH Foundational Competencies

Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health

1. Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice
2. Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context
3. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate
4. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice

Public Health and Health Care Systems

1. Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings
2. Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and societal levels

Planning and Management to Promote Health

1. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health
2. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs
3. Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention
4. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management
5. Select methods to evaluate public health programs

Policy in Public Health

1. Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence
2. Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes
3. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations
4. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity

Leadership

1. Apply principles of leadership, governance and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration and guiding decision making
2. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges

Communication

1. Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors
2. Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation
3. Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content

Interprofessional Practice

1. Perform effectively on interprofessional teams

Systems Thinking

1. Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue

APUS-MPH specific program competencies (Program Learning Outcome):

1. Evaluate screening methods of epidemiology using statistical analysis and the impact of disease occurrence, both past and present, on population health
2. Evaluate the effects of environmental factors on the health of populations and discuss appropriate policies to prevent and manage environmental hazards
3. Apply emergency preparedness and disaster health management to public health and healthcare settings
4. Analyze the role of regulatory policy on the healthcare delivery system and management of population health.
5. Develop programs and/or interventions that effectively address the social determinants of health and health disparities.