The Master of Public Health (MPH) is a professional degree program designed to train graduates to work with organized community efforts in a variety of settings on disease prevention and health promotion among diverse populations. Often the terminal degree for the front-line public health worker, this program will develop health professionals qualified to organize health programs; to engage in health promotion activities; and to undertake endeavors that address various health issues with local, state, federal, and private agencies throughout the nation and abroad.

See the Addendum  to this Bulletin for updates to this degree program.

University Policies

Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.

Admissions Requirements

Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.

Degree Requirements

Coursework. The MPH requires 44 semester units. Core courses comprise 28 units and 16 units in a specific area of concentration determined by the student’s interests and professional goals.

Supervised Field Training. Students are required to complete an applied practice experience. The applied practice experience, known as the supervised field training (i.e., internship) is ideally conducted at or near completion of coursework. It serves as one of the culminating experiences for the degree. Students must meet the Practical Experience Milestone through participating in an internship at a community, governmental, or health-related entity that contributes to the health and well-being of populations. Students enroll in CGH 306 - Supervised Field Training in Public Health. Students must have their milestone approved by the school prior to the submission of their Final Approval Form. This milestone is to be completed during the time to degree at CGU (5 years for master’s students). Extensions of Time to Degree citing the need to complete this milestone will not be approved.

Capstone Requirement.  The main purpose of the Capstone course (CGH 307 – Public Health Capstone) is to provide the culminating, Integrative Learning Experience for MPH students during their semester prior to graduation. The Capstone course will provide an opportunity for students to synthesize academic training with public health practice in the career preparation of their choice.

Transfer Credit.  The University’s policy on transfer credit applies. The MPH program permits the transfer of up to 10 semester units from prior graduate work completed outside of CGU with advisor approval.

 

School of Community and Global Health (SCGH) Practical Experience Milestone

Students pursuing a public health degree (Master of Public Health or Doctor of Public Health) must meet the Practical Experience Milestone by completing an applied practice experience through an internship or practicum within a public health agency (paid or unpaid, for credit or not for credit).

Students must have their milestone approved by the School prior to the submission of their completed Final Approval Form. This milestone is to be completed during the time to degree at CGU (7 years for doctoral students, 5 years for masters students). Students may have a maximum of 4 years of experience for the Practical Experience Milestone.

Interprofessional Education Co-curricular Requirement (IPE)

The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) requires MPH students to meet the following foundational competencies related to interprofessional practice (IPP):

“Integrate perspectives from other sectors and/or professions to promote and advance population health.” 

The co-curricular requirement assesses student demonstration of this competency. The requirement can be fulfilled through satisfactory completion of CGH 489e - Interprofessional Practice Co-Curricular Requirement.