Master of Public Health

Curriculum

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The MPH program is designed to be a 2-year program encompassing two fall and two spring semesters for full-time students; however, some concentrations can be completed in as little as 3 consecutive semesters in the on-campus program. The MPH online program is typically completed in 6 consecutive semesters.

All MPH students are required to complete a set of core courses, including a 260 hour practicum and a capstone course. In addition, students must enroll in a set of concentration-specific core and elective courses, to reach a minimum total of 42 units.

Explore the USC Course Catalogue for the on-campus program

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Core Courses

MPH students in all concentrations are required to complete 16 units (on-campus program) or 20 units (online program) of core coursework in addition to the Practicum in Public Health (1 unit) and Capstone in Public Health (1 unit). These core requirements educate students in the critical foundational areas of public health, as determined by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Core courses differ between on-campus and online programs as noted.

Through core coursework, students will gain an understanding of:

  • History and philosophy of public health, including core values, concepts, functions and leadership roles
  • Concepts, methods, and tools of public health data collection, analysis and interpretation
  • Evidenced-based reasoning and informatics approaches essential to public health practice
  • Population health concepts
  • Cultural context of public health issues and respectful engagement with people of different cultures and socioeconomic strata

PM 501 Foundations in Health Education and Promotion

(4 units)

Online only

On-campus students in the community health promotion concentration take this course as part of their concentration requirements.

Overview and application of behavioral theories to the field of health education and promotion. Examines the determinants of health behavior and strategies for change at the individual, group and community level.

PM 502 Foundations of Public Health

(4 units)

On-campus only

Overview of public health concepts and issues, including population health; ethics; health disparities, determinants, and systems of care; global health; policy; health promotion; environmental health.

PM 503 Practice of Public Health

(4 units)

On-campus only

Introduction to the application of strategies and tools for practice in public health, including policy advocacy, leadership and management, program planning and evaluation, health communication. (Prerequisite: PM 502)

PM 508 Health Service Delivery in the U.S.

(4 units)

Online only

On-campus students in the health services and policy concentration take this course as part of their concentration requirements. Those in other concentrations can take this course as an elective.

Historical development of the American health care system; determinants of health care utilization; role of health care providers; health policy; public health services; and health care finance.

PM 510 Principles of Biostatistics

(4 units)

Online and On-campus

Concepts of biostatistics; appropriate uses and common misuses of health statistics; practice in the application of statistical procedures; introduction to statistical software including EXCEL, SPSS, nQuery.

PM 512 Principles of Epidemiology

(4 units)

Online and On-campus

Terminology/uses of epidemiology and demography; sources/uses of population data; types of epidemiologic studies; risk assessment; common sources of bias in population studies; principles of screening.

PM 564 Public Health Leadership and Management

(4 units)

Online only

On-campus students in the community health promotion concentration can take this course as an elective.

Introduction to leadership and management concepts, tools, and practices in the context of domestic and global public health and healthcare delivery settings.

Concentration Courses

Within their concentration, on-campus MPH students are required to complete 16 units (4 courses) of core coursework and 8 units (on-campus program) or 4 units (online program) of elective coursework.

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Biostatistics-Epidemiology

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Community Health Promotion

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Global Health

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Health Services and Policy

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Practicum

The Practicum is considered part of the core curriculum of the MPH program. The course is an opportunity for students to integrate the knowledge and skills learned in the MPH program through structured, practical training. The practicum consists of 260 hours of field training in a public health agency, such as a county health department, or a community-based organization. Students have the opportunity to complete their practicum through an international experience if desired.

PM 596 Practicum in Public Health (1 unit)

Applied practical experience through fieldwork in federal, state, and/or local public health agencies/organizations, including community-based organizations; research and school-based settings. (Recommended Preparation: PM 502, PM 503 and at least one MPH concentration core course)

 

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Capstone

MPH Capstone is considered part of the core curriculum of the MPH program. The course is a culminating experience, and students enroll in the course in their final semester of the program.

PM 597 Capstone in Public Health (1 unit)

Provides the culminating, integrative learning experience for students enrolled in the Master of Public Health program. (Recommended Preparation: completion of all MPH course work)

 

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Interested in the online MPH?

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    Ready to apply? Submit your application via the USC application website.

    Note the Online MPH program does not utilize SOPHAS for applications.

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