Master of Public Health
Graduate Degree
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
5 Semesters
Overview
In-Depth Learning with Personalized Flexibility
Master theory and practice with a public health education that’s complemented by real-world learning experiences. Here, our faculty invest in your success with teaching that’s focused on one-on-one discussions, hands-on coursework and personal mentoring. And to provide worker-friendly schedule options, our program is paced over two years with weekend and evening courses.
Who It's For
If you’re ready to expand your interests and passions in the public health realm, we’ll connect you to meaningful research, practical experiences, and professional opportunities.
The Master of Public Health program is designed for working healthcare professionals who have a commitment to acquire the knowledge and skills that will help them advance to leadership positions. Students come from a variety of careers such as health departments, hospitals, integrated health delivery systems, HMOs, group practices, government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations.
Key Benefits
- You can complete the program in 5 Semesters
- Attend a highly respected public health program while continuing to work
- Class sizes limited to 20 students allow you to get the most value from your education
- Gain skills through a hands-on customized practicum experience based on career interests
- Opportunities to engage in real-time program planning or research, working alongside faculty to address prevalent public health challenges on a local, national, and global level
- Unique, rigorous coursework and class formats
- Supportive faculty who are continuously available and committed to assisting you at each step of the program
- Development of skills that will prepare you to promote and protect public health and safety through education, service, and evidence-based science
How Long It Takes
The Master of Public Health program is 5 semesters, and generally takes 2 years to complete.
Accreditation Employers Trust
The Master’s of Public Health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Graduates of CEPH-accredited schools and programs of public health are equipped with the population health skills to address the world’s most pressing health issues.
"I teach a Disaster and Public Health class where we address issues like Ebola, earthquakes, disease outbreak, flu, influenza, vaccinations. Teaching and mentoring has changed my life; as a young man there weren't opportunities that I wish I could have and I want to give students those opportunities."
About the Program
Find Your Calling
We’ll help you answer it. Not only does our faculty invest extensive time into each student’s education, but we also offer experiences out in the world that equip you to pursue a career that matters. Get connected to meaningful research projects and practice settings tailored to your passions, whether you’re designing research programs or studying global health issues.
Professors work one-on-one with students to ensure each individual grasps the material and concepts, ensuring no student ever falls behind.
What You'll Learn
Graduates of the MPH program will be prepared to:- Understand and apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice
- Understand and apply quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given context
- Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming, and software, as appropriate
- Interpret the results of data analysis for public health research, policy, or practice
- Understand the organization, structure, and function of health care, public health, and regulatory systems across national and international settings
- Understand how structural bias, social inequities, and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community, and societal levels
- Understand and assess population needs, assets, and capacities that affect communities’ health
- Understand and apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of policies or programs
- Design a population-based policy, program, project, or intervention
- Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management
- Select models and statistical methods to evaluate public health programs
- Understand and apply multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence
- Understand and propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes
- Advocate for political, social, or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations
- Understand and evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity
- Understand and apply principles of leadership, governance, and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration, and guiding decision making
- Understand and apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges
- Understand and apply communication strategies for different audiences and sectors
- Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through verbal presentation (culturally sensitive)
- Understand and apply the importance of diversity and inclusion and cultural competence in communicating public health content
- Understand the importance of performing effectively on interprofessional teams
- Understand and apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue
Want to learn more about the Master of Public Health program?
A dedicated admissions counselor will reach out to you with personalized information to help with your search for the right program.
Request More InfoCareer Opportunities
Our practical, hands-on courses are designed to help you smoothly step from classroom to workforce. In fact, Westminster graduates are frequently requested by state and local agencies recruiting new employees.
This degree is internationally recognized, so you can take your skills just about anywhere. You put in the hard work to learn, and we’ll do our share to foster connections between students and hiring organizations.
Our faculty use their connections at local, national, and international organizations to make introductions between graduates and public health professionals.
Student Success
Graduates have found jobs in state and local agencies, as well as federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United Nations, the National Institute of Health, and other international agencies.
"After I pursued my master’s degree, I became an environmental health scientist, ensuring that food, water, and air are safe. Because of the breadth of topics we studied, I have knowledge of every health profession and can use that to my advantage—which makes me an asset to my employers. My degree gives me the flexibility to be well-versed in a wide range of health topics. I can literally be anything I want in the health field."
“Learning how to plan a program, apply for a grant to fund the program, implement the program, and then evaluate it was one of the most impactful and applicable things I’ve learned."
Related Programs
Westminster also offers a Certificate in Public Health, which is designed to begin the process of formal and on-the-job training in public health.
There's No Better Investment Than You
Tuition and Fees
At Westminster, we are committed to making your education affordable.
Financial Aid
Westminster works with all students to determine the financial aid opportunities available to them. Federal financial aid is available and will be awarded on an individual basis to students who have filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some federal financial aid programs require students to maintain the equivalent of full- or part-time enrollment. Westminster also offers scholarships for graduate students.
Scholarships
Students in the Master of Public Health program who are Westminster bachelor of science, bachelor of arts, Bachelor of Business Administration program, or bachelor of fine arts alumni are eligible for the Westminster Alumni Scholarship.
Loans
Graduate students are eligible for Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Direct (grad) PLUS loans through the U.S. Department of Education’s federal student loan program.
Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study is a federally funded program that provides job opportunities for students to earn money to help pay for college. Westminster employs hundreds of students each year in different areas.
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted on a rolling admissions basis.