Program Information
For more information about the Masters Program contact Courtney DeMond at 585-6225 or email Courtney at Courtney.DeMond@utah.edu. For more information about the PhD Program contact Peggy Christensen at 585-6808 or email Peggy at Peggy.Christensen@utah.edu.
The Department of Family and Preventive Medicine began offering master's level training in public health in 1975 with the degree Master of Science in Community Medicine (MSCM). In 1984 the formal degree title (but not curricular requirements) was changed to Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH). An additional degree program, Master of Public Health (MPH), was authorized in 1989. The two degree programs provide a broad overview of public health and preventive medicine, as well as courses that give the student specialized training in the various aspects of public health.
Graduates are prepared to assume positions in which research, planning, management, and evaluation skills are required. Typically, these include state and local public health organizations, health care delivery systems, universities and medical schools, governmental health agencies, and industry.
The Program's graduates have pursued careers in preventive medicine, health policy and planning, health services administration, epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, industrial hygiene, occupational health nursing, and in research in public and private organizations.
While applications from students with varied backgrounds will be considered, the programs are primarily intended to enhance the skills and career development of those already in one of the multiple health and science fields, and to provide them with a comprehensive perspective on issues facing them in their professional responsibilities.
The degree programs require students to take a series of public health-oriented core courses, pass a comprehensive examination, and complete a number of elective courses to meet the stipulated academic credit hours for the degree. But the programs differ with regard to overall purpose and specific requirements.
mph
The MPH degree is appropriate for the student who plans a career in public health practice that does not necessarily involve research. No research project is required, and this degree program consists of 45 semester credit hours. The MPH degree is considered a professional degreeand takes approximately two years to complete as a full-time student. Students who undertake their training on a part-time basis because of work or other commitments may require more time. All new master level students are admitted to the MPH degree.
msph
The MSPH degree provides students with general skills and knowledge for a career in public health that includes research. This degree prepares the student for a career in a public health -related field. The degree therefore requires the student to complete a research project and present the results in the form of either a thesis or paper of publishable quality. Consequently, with these additional requirements the program takes approximately two and a half years of full-time study to complete the required minimum of 55 semester credit hours. Students who undertake their training on a part-time basis because of work or other commitments may require more time. The University allows students four years to complete their degree. Since all students are automatically admitted to the MPH degree, they must later request to switch to the MSPH degree (see Public Health Policies and Guidelines).
Examples of theses and publishable papers done by former MSPH students include:
md/mph
In conjunction with the School of Medicine, the combined MD/MSPH or MPH degree is available. This option combines clinical medical training with the perspectives and skills of the public health/preventive medicine physician. The core requirements for the public health degree remain the same for any of the degree options; however, there are some public health requirements, which are met by medical school coursework. The dual MD/MPH degree requires an additional year of study beyond the four years of medical school. A request for the combined program must be made before admission to the Public Health Program. The Dean of Student Affairs must approve all applicants prior to admissions. Formal application to the Graduate School is required. If a student is accepted to medical school he or she may substitute the MCAT for the GRE requirement.
mph/mha
In conjunction with Healthcare Administration the MPH/MHA joint degree is available. This option gives students two master degrees with approximately 64 credit hours. A number of credit hours double count for the degrees allowing for completion in approximately 3 years of full-time study. The MHA degree was approved by the Board of Regents in 2006. It is suitable for students who want to pursue administrative positions in healthcare facilities, state and local health departments, as well as international organizations.
If an applicant or student wishes to pursue the MPH/MHA joint degree they should contact Courtney DeMond, Courtney.Demond@utah.edu or (801) 587-3315 for admissions information.
mpp/mph
In conjunction with Public Policy the MPP/MPH joint degree is available. This option gives students two master degrees with approximately 61 credit hours. MPP will accept nine semester hours from MPH courses as elective credit hours in the MPP program. These nine credit hours may include a combination of FPMD 6600, FPMD 6700, FPMD 6401 and FPMD 6550. The MPH will accept 12 semester hours from MPP courses as elective credit hours in the MPH program. These 12 credit hours may include a combination of PADMN 6320, PUBPL 6900, PUBPL 6563, PUBPL 6950, and PUBPL electives. Allowing for completion in approximately 3 years of full-time study. The MPP degree was approved by the Board of Regents in January 2009.
It is suitable for students who want to pursue Students who pursue a joint MPP/MPH degree will acquire the skills needed to conduct effective health policy analysis, understand organizational processes within the health domain, develop policy-based approaches to address issues of public health importance, and translate complex public health policies for a lay audience. Graduates will also be educated in working across public, non-profit and private sectors to produce policy-based approaches to improving and protecting the public’s health. Through this joint degree program, graduates will gain the education needed to be effective in professional roles that involve health policy development, administration, and evaluation.
If an applicant or student wishes to pursue the MPP/MPH joint degree they should contact Courtney DeMond, Courtney.Demond@utah.edu or (801) 587-3315 for admissions information.
dnp/mph
ph.d.
Beginning fall semester, 2004, we began offering a Ph.D. degree in public health. A terminal degree in public health will allow the public health practitioner to be a primary investigator on population-based studies, and thus enable the researcher to compete for NIH and other funded studies. It will also enable the student to teach and conduct research as faculty at schools of medicine, schools of public health and other academic settings, as well as cancer centers, HMOs and other health organizations.
Because the depth of knowledge required for a successful doctoral degree, the successful Ph.D. student must complete additional coursework, as well as successfully pass a general examination, a qualifying examination, write and submit an original research proposal, successfully complete the dissertation project, and pass a written and oral defense of the project. Consequently, most students require four to six years to successfully complete a doctoral degree. The University allows ten years to complete the doctoral degree.
The program expects to have the first Ph.D. graduates in the fall of 2007.
