MPH Mission
Cultivate leaders who are creative, critical thinkers, with the knowledge and skills to address evolving public health challenges.
Cornerstones
- Practice-centered: Curriculum that integrates theory and application, with students engaged in real-world public health experiences.
- Evidence-based: Students trained to apply, and contribute to, evidence-based public health approaches.
- Equity-focused: Challenge and equip students to apply a health equity lens in all aspects of practice and research.
- Diverse: The learning experience is enhanced by valuing all people and perspectives.
- Collaborative: Interprofessional learning to strengthen the skills needed to impact population and community health.
Introduction to the MPH Program
The UNMC Master of Public Health Program is a specialized professional master’s degree program designed to prepare graduates for work in public health. Public health practice is increasingly regarded as important to citizen well-being as a means to better health and potential reduction in costs for critical care.
Core courses focus on the areas of knowledge basic to public health. Concentration areas emphasize the areas of prevention, scientific knowledge base, interdependency with other areas of knowledge and practice, and social justice.
Course material pays particular attention to health status, health outcomes, and health needs in special populations (e.g., racial and ethnic minorities, children, and women). Statistics related to these populations, as well as cultural and etiological considerations, will be discussed throughout the curriculum in an effort to instill in students the need for awareness of the health differences in population groups. The goal of this orientation is to equip program graduates to address society's public health needs. Elective courses will be drawn from a broad base of courses.
The MPH Program was approved by the Board of Regents and the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education in the summer/fall of 2001 and began admitting students in January 2002.
Prerequisites
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0-point scale).
Concentrations with Prerequisites
- Epidemiology Concentration: The student must have received the equivalent of a grade of B or better in one college-level precalculus or similar math course.
- Environmental and Occupational Health Concentration: The student must have successfully completed the following courses: one semester of biology, one semester of chemistry, and one semester of college-level math.
- Biostatistics Concentration: The student must have received the equivalent of a grade B or better in college level statistics and algebra. One calculus course is recommended.
Transcripts
Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities are required. All non-US transcripts must be evaluated by the World Education Service using their ICAP Course-by-course evaluation service.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must submit 3 letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to academic, practice and/or research abilities.
Statement of Intent
A one-page personal statement describing the applicant’s:
- Interest in and potential for contributing to public health and the chosen MPH concentration
- Career objectives
- Self-assessment of personal skills and general preparation for succeeding in a public health graduate program
A Resume or Curriculum Vitae
English Proficiency Requirement
Test of English as a Foreign Language, IELTS, or Duolingo scores are required of all applicants who have not received a previous degree from a US institution or a country where the only official language is English, such as U.K., Australia, or Canada (excluding Quebec).
Minimum Requirements:
- TOEFL: 550-Paper, 213-computer, 80-internet
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo: 120
OPTIONAL: Graduate Record Examination
- The Graduate Record Examination is optional for all applicants, but it is highly recommended for any applicant with below a 3.0 GPA from their previous coursework.
Full details of the application and admissions process can be found on the College of Public Health Admissions website.
https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/academics/admissions/index.html
MPH Foundational Competencies
| Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health | |
| MPHF1 | Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice |
| MPHF2 | Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context |
| MPHF3 | Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate |
| MPHF4 | Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice |
| Public Health & Health Care Systems | |
| MPHF5 | Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings |
| MPHF6 | 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 & Management to Promote Health | |
| MPHF7 | Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health |
| MPHF8 | Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs |
| MPHF9 | Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention |
| MPHF10 | Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management |
| MPHF11 | Select methods to evaluate public health programs |
| Policy in Public Health | |
| MPHF12 | Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence |
| MPHF13 | Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes |
| MPHF14 | Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations |
| MPHF15 | Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity |
| Leadership | |
| MPHF16 | Apply principles of leadership, governance and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration and guiding decision making |
| MPHF17 | Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges |
| Communication | |
| MPHF18 | Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors |
| MPHF19 | Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation |
| MPHF20 | Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content |
| Interprofessional Practice | |
| MPHF21 | Perform effectively on interprofessional teams |
| Systems Thinking | |
| MPHF22 | Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue |
- Master of Public Health, Biostatistics Concentration
- Master of Public Health, Emergency Preparedness
- Master of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health Concentration
- Master of Public Health, Epidemiology Concentration
- Master of Public Health, Health Promotion Concentration
- Master of Public Health, Maternal and Child Health Concentration
- Master of Public Health, Public Health Administration and Policy Concentration
CPH 529 - Capstone Experience:
The Capstone Experience (CPH 529) is a requirement of all students in the MPH program. This experience is intended to contribute to the health of the population and provide students with learning and further development of public health competencies under the guidance and supervision of professionals. The capstone project addresses a topic of public health significance and is evidence that the student can integrate skills and competencies from across the curriculum to conduct public health research and/or practice. Approval of the final capstone report constitutes an assessment that the student is prepared to enter public health practice. The capstone is the culminating experience of the MPH degree and meets requirements of the national accrediting body in public health, the Council on Education for Public Health for an integrative learning experience.
Students select two foundational and two concentration competencies to design a capstone experience appropriate to their educational and professional goals. Capstone planning should be discussed with a student’s faculty mentor and typically begins halfway through the program of study.
Students who work in public health settings can conduct a project at their place of employment to satisfy capstone requirements. Dual-degree students should incorporate their learning from both degree programs in a unique integrative experience. In addition, students enrolled in a dual-degree program must have a committee member representing the other degree program. Students should refer to the Canvas Student Success Center for specific details about the MPH capstone experience.
MPH Capstone Course (CPH 529) Grading Policy
Traditional Capstone Track – Non-Completion & Grading Policy:
Should a student not complete the capstone in the term in which they register for CPH 529, they can receive a grade of Incomplete (I). It is then necessary for the student to re-register for CPH 529, paying required tuition and fees, for one additional term to complete the capstone. Should the capstone not be completed in two terms of registration in CPH 529, students will have the equivalent of one academic semester of non-enrollment status from the last term of enrollment in CPH 529 to complete the capstone. If a student fails to successfully complete their capstone during this period, the grades of I will be converted to grades of (F).
- Incomplete (I) indicates satisfactory work in progress. The student is making progress or effort as determined by the faculty supervisor.
- Students can be in non-enrollment status for the equivalent of one academic year from the last term of enrollment in CPH 529. The (I) remains on the transcript during non-enrollment. Upon successful completion of the capstone, a (P) grade will be submitted, and the grade of (I) will be converted to a (P) at this time.
- Students who do not have a capstone that is successfully completed and accepted at the end of the period of non-enrollment will be subject to the UNMC Non-enrollment Policy and administrative withdrawal. Any (I) grades not resolved at the time of administrative withdrawal will convert to an (F) grade.
- On a transcript, (I) will count toward attempted credit hours.
Traditional Capstone Track Example: A student enrolls in the traditional capstone in the fall. They do not complete their work, so they re-enroll in the spring and pay tuition and fees again. The student did not successfully complete the work in the Spring and transition into non-enrollment status for Summer. The student must successfully complete the requirements during the summer semester to graduate from the program.
Capstone Course Track – Non-Completion & Grading Policy:
Students enrolled in the capstone course track offered by the department (including, but not limited to, CPH 529 Sections 2, 3, 81, or 82) who do not successfully complete their project during the first semester of enrollment will receive an Incomplete (I) or Fail (F) grade and must re-enroll for one additional semester, including paying tuition and fees again. If a student fails to successfully complete their capstone during their second enrollment in a capstone course, the grade of Incomplete will be converted to a grade of Fail (F) and will be administratively withdrawn from the program. Upon successfully completing the capstone course, a grade of Pass (P) will be submitted, and the grade of Incomplete (I) will be converted to a (P).
Capstone Course Track Example: A student enrolls in the capstone course offered by the department in the fall. They do not complete their work, so they re-enroll in the spring and pay tuition and fees again. They must complete the spring course to graduate from the program.
Special Situations:
*If advised by their capstone committee chair and the Director of Master’s Programs, students may enroll in the capstone course track after one semester of enrollment in the traditional capstone track. In this situation, the capstone course track policy of non-completion will then apply.
Example: A student enrolls in the traditional capstone track in the Fall but doesn't successfully complete their project. After conversations with their capstone committee chair and the Director of Master’s Programs, they enroll in the Capstone course track, if available for their concentration. They can enroll in the capstone course for a maximum of two semesters (paying tuition and fees for both semesters), but the course must be successfully completed by the end of the second semester of enrollment in the capstone course offered by the department.
CPH 528 - Applied Practice Experience (APEx):
The Applied Practice Experience meets requirements of the national accrediting body in public health, the Council on Education for Public Health, and is a requirement of all MPH students. The purpose of this 3 credit hour course is to provide all students with an applied, scholarly, and mutually beneficial experience in a public health practice setting. This experience augments the academic course work, meets community needs, and provides students with an opportunity to integrate and apply at least five foundational public health competencies. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of public health principles, values and practice.
APEx Course Learning Objectives:
Through participation in CPH 528, Applied Practice Experience, students will:
1. Engage in an Applied Practice Experience with a partner organization that
a. Clearly demonstrates integrated and applied knowledge, principles and skills acquired through
classroom instruction.
b. Meets the partner organization’s identified needs.
2. Perform activities that demonstrate the development, enhancement, and application of foundational public health competencies and describe activities performed to achieve/address these competencies.
3. Develop two beneficial products for the partner organization.
4. Develop a final presentation that reflects the integration of public health knowledge, principles and skills and demonstrates mastery of public health principles, values and practice.
Prior to receiving permission to enroll, the following requirements must be met:
1. Attendance at APEx Orientation session (held each semester)
2. In good academic standing
3. Completion of at least 6 credit hours plus the CPH 500 Foundations in Public Health Course, which may be taken concurrently with CPH 528 APEx
4. Completion of Affiliation Agreement
5. Completion of Professionalism Training Module no longer than 60 days prior to registration (located in Canvas under the COPH Student Success Center)
6. Approval of the Applied Practice Experience Learning Contract
For more information, students should refer to the UNMC, Office of Public Health Practice website, which may be found here: https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/ophp/placements/apex/index.html