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Public Health, M.P.H.

  • Overview
  • Admissions Requirements
  • Major
  • Areas of Emphasis
  • Accelerated Program
  • Learning Outcomes

Degrees Offered

  • Master of Public Health (MPH)

Nature of the Program

The WVU Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is a multidisciplinary professional degree focused on the application of science, research and theoretical knowledge toward the prevention of disease and improving health and well-being. MPH graduates possess a broad array of skills needed to address challenges affecting communities, including engaging and working with diverse people across sectors, educating the public about best practices in health, and advocating for policy- and systems-level changes that impacts entire populations. The MPH program teaches students to develop and implement evidence-based solutions to complex health issues. Graduates leave our program prepared to work in a variety of public health settings such as health departments, clinics, and federal agencies.

Areas of Emphasis

Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics

The MPH degree with an emphasis in Applied Epidemiology & Biostatistics is designed for those who wish to acquire knowledge and skills necessary for epidemiologic and biostatistical practice and research. The purpose of the degree program is to:

  • Introduce core principles and concepts of epidemiology and biostatistics,
  • Develop proficiency in standard data management and biostatistical analysis
  • Apply epidemiologic and biostatistical concepts to address practical public health concerns

This degree is focused on workforce development and training the next generation of public health professionals. The WVU MPH program is most appropriate for students interested in applied epidemiology and biostatistics. After graduating students will be able to assist in developing epidemiologic studies and apply biostatistical analyses to a range of health scenarios. A diverse faculty create opportunities for students to gain knowledge and experience applying coursework to study injury, substance misuse, infectious diseases, chronic diseases, and more. The culmination of these abilities make our WVU MPH graduates competitive for fellowships, PhD programs, or employment within industry, hospitals, academic institutions, or global, federal, state, or local agencies. Examples of jobs include hospital infection control, public health department epidemiologist, CDC Fellowships, and data analyst at pharmaceutical or insurance agencies.

Where applicable, the program builds on the existing Applied Biostatistics Certificate and community partnership, like CDC NIOSH or the WV Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute which are located on campus. These experiences provide additional opportunities for students enhance their comprehensive core skillsets with more advanced applications in epidemiology and biostatistics.

Applied Epidemiology & Biostatistics Major Competencies

In addition to the standard MPH Foundational Competencies required of all MPH students, our major in Applied Epidemiology & Biostatistics also prepares students to meet six competencies specific to the major.  These include:

  1. Manage data structures efficiently using standard statistical software.
  2. Analyze public health problems through epidemiological and biostatistical lenses.
  3. Apply basic multivariable statistical techniques commonly used in clinical and public health settings.
  4. Derive appropriate inferences from epidemiological and biostatistical data.
  5. Develop written and oral presentations based on sound statistical analyses and epidemiological principles for both substantive investigators and members of the community.

Public Health Practice and Leadership

The MPH degree with an emphasis in Public Health Practice and Leadership (PHPL) is focused on examining social and political systems that influence the health status of populations and then learning how to influence and/or design, implement, and manage broad, system-level instruments to improve population health outcomes. These instruments might include programs in public health agencies, not-for-profit organizations, or healthcare provider settings, or policies at the local, state, national, or international governmental levels.

The MPH emphasis in PHPL has a dual emphasis on acquiring both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Thus, this degree is ideal for recent graduates or early- and mid-career public health professionals seeking to develop or advance their careers in a variety of health care settings. Additionally, the professional practice component of the program has been designed to place students in public health settings and apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to address real-world problems.

Upon completion of the MPH degree with an emphasis in PHPL, students will be prepared to continue developing their careers as leaders, managers, public health professionals, policy analysts, program evaluators, advocates, or health program managers in a variety of public health, government, health care, or other professional settings. In addition, our students will be prepared to continue their graduate education at the doctoral level.

Public Health Practice and Leadership Area of Emphasis Competencies

In addition to the standard MPH Foundational Competencies required of all MPH students, our emphasis in Public Health Practice and Leadership also prepares students to meet 5 competencies specific to the emphasis. These include:

  1. Develop skills to influence the effective production and implementation of health policy.
  2. Assess structures and processes for effective health services management.
  3. Employ processes and applications that positively effect both individuals and group goals.
  4. Develop analytic and statistical skills for application to health service issues.
  5. Appraise theory and skills in policy, management, and leadership to examine and influence real world health issues.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

The MPH degree with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBHS) addresses the behavioral, social, and environmental factors related to individual and population health and health disparities over the life span.  Research and practice in this track contributes to the development, administration, and evaluation of programs and policies in public health to promote and sustain healthy environments and lives for individuals and populations.

A student who graduates with an MPH degree with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Science from WVU will be qualified to work and provide leadership in public health and research settings at national, state or local levels, or work in the public or private sector on health promotion program implementation and evaluation efforts.

Social and Behavioral Sciences Area of Emphasis Competencies

In addition to the standard MPH Foundational Competencies required of all MPH students, our emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences also prepares students to meet competencies specific to the major. These include:

  1. Demonstrate community engagement principles when addressing public health problems.
  2. Appraise qualitative data used for evaluating factors associated with improving public health.
  3. Appraise quantitative data used for evaluating factors associated with improving public health.
  4. Implement social behavioral theories & frameworks designed to describe public health problems and improve public health interventions.
  5. Recommend interventions likely to improve public health.
  6. Organize interventions, including the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health interventions.
  7. Synthesize social and behavioral sciences principles to design an evaluation plan of a public health program. 

Admissions

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a preferred overall GPA of 3.0
International graduate students must meet WVU's minimum score requirement for English language proficiency. 

Application Process

Our CEPH accredited Master of Public Health program participates in the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS), http://www.sophas.org/. The MPH Admissions process has two steps. (1) All MPH applications must be submitted through the national SOPHAS service and (2) applicants must also submit a WVU Graduate application, https://graduateadmissions.wvu.edu/.

In addition to the application, applicants must submit to SOPHAS a statement of purpose and objectives, three letters of reference, a current resume/curriculum vitae, and all university transcripts. SOPHAS requires original transcripts from ALL U.S. and International institutions attended (even Study Abroad).

There is a SOPHAS application fee. Applicants must indicate their first choice of MPH major and may also indicate a second choice. A maximum of two choices is allowed.

E-submit your application as soon as the applicant entered information is complete. Do NOT wait for SOPHAS to receive transcripts, recommendations or test scores.

Plan Ahead! Allow up to 4 weeks for SOPHAS to verify grades, process, and mail your application to your designated institutions after your documents have been received.

SOPHAS grants fee waivers based upon financial need for Peace Corps Volunteers, McNair Scholars, Gates Millennium Scholars Program, AmeriCorps, U.S., and International applicants.

Once the department has reviewed the SOPHAS application, students will receive a communication from the WVU School of Public Health regarding their recommendation for acceptance and instructions to complete the WVU graduate application and pay the application fee.

International Students must meet WVU's minimum score requirement for English Language Proficiency.

Major Code: 8402

Major Requirements

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
Students must earn a minimum grade of "C-" in all PUBH and emphasis coursework.
PUBH 510Contemporary Foundations of Public Health Practice2
PUBH 511Epidemiology for Public Health Practice3
PUBH 512Research Translation and Evaluation in Public Health Practice 3
PUBH 613Public Health Program Evaluation3
PUBH 520Building and Sustaining Public Health Capacity2
PUBH 521Public Health Prevention and Intervention 3
PUBH 629 MPH Capstone1
PUBH 630MPH Field Practicum3
PUBH 540Health Systems Leadership3
PUBH 541Systems Thinking in Public Health Practice2
PUBH 696Graduate Seminar1
General Elective3
Approved Elective Courses available from MPH Director and/or MPH Advisor
Required Area of Emphasis15
Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Public Health Practice and Leadership
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Total Hours44
  1. All students in the WVU SPH MPH program are required to maintain a portfolio that demonstrates their ability to meet the competencies associated with the MPH Foundational Courses, the Area of Emphasis Courses, and to apply a selection of those competencies in an approved practice-based setting(s).  This portfolio must be submitted for review at the end of each academic year, as well as reviewed and approved prior to the successful completion of the program.

  2. The MPH degree will be awarded based on successful completion of all academic requirements and demonstrated achievement of competencies via the student portfolio system and class-based evaluations of competency attainment.

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
PUBH 5102PUBH 5113PUBH 6303
PUBH 5123PUBH 5202 
PUBH 5213PUBH 5403 
PUBH 5412PUBH 6961 
 General Elective3 
 10 12 3
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
AOE Courses6PUBH 6133 
AOE Elective3PUBH 6291 
 AOE Courses6 
 9 10
Total credit hours: 44

Note: With approval from the MPH Program Director and the Director of Practice-Based Learning, PUBH 630: MPH Field Practicum can be taken anytime during Year 2. Students must select at least six credit hours for electives.

Areas of Emphasis

  • Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics
  • Public Health Practice and Leadership
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences

Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics Area of Emphasis

BIOS 603Applied Biostatistics 23
BIOS 611Data Management and Reporting3
EPID 611Concepts and Methods of Epidemiology3
EPID 612Applied Epidemiology for Public Health3
Elective3
Approved elective courses available from MPH Director and/or MPH Advisor
Total Hours15
*

Those seeking this emphasis must take BIOS 601 as a substitute for PUBH 612.

Public Health Practice and Leadership Area of Emphasis

Policy 3
Select one of the following:
HPML 510
Health Economics
HPML 601
Foundations of Health Policy
Management and Leadership3
Select one of the following:
HPML 520
Health Administration and Operations Management
HPML 555
Health Services Project Management
HPML 582
Managing Quality Improvement in Healthcare
Managerial Analysis and Decision-Making3
Select one of the following:
HPML 556
Managerial Epidemiology & Strategy
HPML 622
Analytic Methods for Health Policy, Management, and Leadership
Electives6
Approved elective courses available from MPH Director and/or MPH Advisor
Total Hours15

 

Social and Behavioral Science Area of Emphasis

SBHS 611Community Assessment3
SBHS 617Community Engagement and Advocacy in Public Health 2
SBHS 619Intervention Planning & Design3
SBHS 620Implementing and Managing Public Health Programs3
SBHS 621Grant Writing for Public Health Practice1
Elective3
Approved elective courses available from MPH Director and/or MPH Advisor
Total Hours15

Accelerated Program

In order to be admitted to this ABM program, applicants must:

  • be enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) program.
  • have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
  • complete a minimum of 60 credit-hours, but not more than 92 credit-hours, as prescribed in the BSPH Plan of Study.
  • Transfer students (internal or external) are not eligible for the ABM program at this time.
  • earn a minimum grade of "B+" in PUBH 205: Writing for Public Health Audiences.
  • schedule one meeting with their WVU School of Public Health undergraduate advisor to ensure they are eligible to apply for the program.
  • not be enrolled in a dual degree or certificate program.
  • not have any documented infractions with the WVU Office of Student Conduct or any external law enforcement agencies.

Degree Requirements

A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for the Bachelor of Science in Public Health.
University Requirements 51
School Core Requirements 25
Public Health Major Requirements 25
MPH Public Health Program Requirements44
Total Hours145

University Requirements

General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits)
Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 725
PUBH 191First-Year Seminar1
General Electives 25
Total Hours51

School Core Requirements

PUBH 101Introduction to Public and Community Health3
PUBH 200Introduction to Public Health Careers and Information1
PUBH 201Global Perspectives of Public Health3
PUBH 202Social Determinants of Health 3
PUBH 205Writing for Public Health Audiences3
PUBH 211Biostatistics for Population Health3
PUBH 222Epidemiology for Public Health3
PUBH 233The US Healthcare System: Structures and Incentives3
PUBH 241Biological Basis of Public Health3
Total Hours25

Public Health Major Requirements

A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required in all Public Health Major Requirements.
Discipline-Specific Requirements
PUBH 243Issues in Environmental Health3
PUBH 331Introduction to Health Policy3
PUBH 352Introduction to Social and Behavioral Science and Practice3
PUBH 353Mastering Health and Wellness3
Select one of the following:3
PUBH 311
Health Research Data Management and Reporting
PUBH 423
Introduction to Modern Epidemiologic Research
PUBH 454
Introduction to Public Health Research Methods
Public Health Electives3
All remaining PUBH Courses (excluding PUBH 486) *
Culminating Experience Coursework
PUBH 400Field Placement Preparation Seminar1
PUBH 489School of Public Health Undergraduate Capstone (minmum grade of C-)2
PUBH 481Public Health Field Experience 4
Total Hours25

MPH Program Requirements

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
Students must earn a minimum grade of "C-" in all PUBH and emphasis coursework.
PUBH 510Contemporary Foundations of Public Health Practice2
PUBH 511Epidemiology for Public Health Practice3
PUBH 512Research Translation and Evaluation in Public Health Practice 3
PUBH 613Public Health Program Evaluation3
PUBH 520Building and Sustaining Public Health Capacity2
PUBH 521Public Health Prevention and Intervention 3
PUBH 629MPH Capstone1
PUBH 630MPH Field Practicum3
PUBH 540Health Systems Leadership3
PUBH 541Systems Thinking in Public Health Practice2
PUBH 596 Graduate Seminar1
General Elective3
Approved Elective Courses available from MPH Director and/or MPH Advisor
Required Area of Emphasis15
Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Public Health Practice and Leadership
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Total Hours44

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
PUBH 1911ENGL 102 (GEF 1)3 
PUBH 1013BIOL 101
& 101L (GEF 2)
4 
ENGL 101 (GEF 1)3PUBH 2013 
GEF 43PUBH 2023 
GEF 53GEF 73 
GEF 63  
 16 16
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
PUBH 2413PUBH 2113 
PUBH 2053PUBH 2333 
PUBH 2001PUBH 3313 
PUBH 2433PUBH 3533 
GEF 33General Elective3 
General Elective3  
 16 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
PUBH 2223PUBH 4814 
PUBH 3523PUBH 4892 
PUBH 4001PUBH 311 or 4543 
PUBH Elective3General Electives6 
General Electives6  
 16 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
PUBH 5102PUBH 5113PUBH 6303
PUBH 5123PUBH 5403 
PUBH 5213PUBH 5951 
PUBH 5412PUBH 5202 
General Elective3General Elective4 
 13 13 3
Fifth Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
AOE Course3PUBH 6291 
AOE Course3PUBH 6133 
AOE Course3AOE Course3 
General Elective3AOE Course3 
 12 10
Total credit hours: 145

Major Learning Outcomes

Public Health

Foundational Public Health Knowledge and MPH Foundational Competencies (Learning Outcomes) are determined by the School’s accrediting body, the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Competencies for Areas of Emphasis (which CEPH refers to as concentrations) are set by the program faculty and leadership.

MPH Foundational Public Health Knowledge

There are 12 elements of Foundational Public Health Knowledge in the MPH program:

  1. Explain public health history, philosophy and values
  2. Identify the core functions of public health and the 10 Essential Services*
  3. Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing and assessing a population’s health
  4. List major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality in the US or other community relevant to the school or program
  5. Discuss the science of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in population health, including health promotion, screening, etc.
  6. Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge
  7. Explain effects of environmental factors on a population’s health
  8. Explain biological and genetic factors that affect a population’s health
  9. Explain behavioral and psychological factors that affect a population’s health
  10. Explain the social, political and economic determinants of health and how they contribute to population health and health inequities
  11. Explain how globalization affects global burdens of disease
  12. Explain an ecological perspective on the connections among human health, animal health and ecosystem health (e.g., One Health)

MPH Foundational Competencies (Learning Outcomes)

The 22 MPH Foundational Competencies are organized into eight (8) domains:

Evidence-Based Approached 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 & 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 & 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

Area of Emphasis Competencies (Learning Outcomes):

Applied Epidemiology & Biostatistics emphasis

  1. Manage data structures efficiently using standard statistical software.
  2. Analyze public health problems through epidemiological and biostatistical lenses.
  3. Apply basic multivariable statistical techniques commonly used in clinical and public health settings.
  4. Derive appropriate inferences from epidemiological and biostatistical data.
  5. Develop written and oral presentations based on sound statistical analyses and epidemiological principles for both substantive investigators and members of the community.

Public Health Practice & Leadership emphasis

  1. Develop skills to influence the effective production and implementation of health policy.
  2. Assess structures and processes for effective health services management.
  3. Employ processes and applications that positively effect both individuals and group goals.
  4. Develop analytic, statistical, and economic skills for application to health service issues.
  5. Appraise theory and skills in policy, management, and leadership to examine and influence real world health issues.

Social & Behavioral Sciences emphasis

  1. Demonstrate community engagement principles when addressing public health problems.
  2. Appraise qualitative data used for evaluating factors associated with improving public health.
  3. Appraise quantitative data used for evaluating factors associated with improving public health.
  4. Implement social behavioral theories & frameworks designed to describe public health problems and improve public health interventions.
  5. Recommend interventions likely to improve public health.
  6. Organize interventions, including the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health interventions.
  7. Synthesize social and behavioral sciences principles to design an evaluation plan of a public health program.
  • Biostatistics
  • Epidemiology
  • Health Administration
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences
  • Population Health
  • Public Health
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences

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