Public Health, MPH
Advance your public health career with real-world skills, expert guidance, and the flexibility to learn on your schedule through Valpo’s MPH program — where the work you do, from scientific research to community outreach, makes a direct positive impact on the lives of others.
About Our Master of Public Health
Valparaiso University’s flexible master of public health (MPH) – available 100% online, on campus, or hybrid – equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle public health challenges, focusing on areas like epidemiology, disease prevention, and health policy. Whether you’re leading health initiatives, conducting research, or advocating for equitable health outcomes, our MPH degree prepares you for a rewarding career dedicated to enhancing the well-being of individuals and populations.
Mission Statement
Our master of public health (MPH) program, situated within Valparaiso University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, embodies and actively promotes the vision and mission of the college.
The program’s mission is to prepare critically inquiring and competent public health professionals who embrace truth and learning and who respect Christian values while promoting health for communities in dynamic healthcare environments.
Vision
Together, we prepare team-ready professional leaders who will strengthen communities by transforming health and healthcare.
MPH Program Goals
The program’s goals that describe strategies to accomplish the defined mission are:
- Enhance student knowledge and skills in public health through innovative instruction and learning opportunities.
- Engage in scholarly endeavors that strengthen the evidence supporting public health.
- Cultivate enduring partnerships with communities and organizations, fostering sustained collaboration and mutual support.
Evidence-Based Approaches to Public Health
- Apply epidemiological methods to settings and situations in public health practice.
- Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context.
- Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate.
- Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice.
Public Health and Healthcare Systems
- Compare the organization, structure and function of healthcare, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings.
- Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community, and systemic levels.
Planning and Management to Promote Health
- Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health.
- Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs.
- Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention.
- Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management.
- Select methods to evaluate public health programs.
Policy in Public Health
- Discuss the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence.
- 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.
- Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity.
Leadership
- Apply leadership and/or management principles to address a relevant issue.
- Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges.
Communication
- Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors.
- Communicate audience-appropriate (i.e., non-academic, non-peer audience) public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation.
- Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content.
Interprofessional and/or Intersectoral Practice
- Integrate perspectives from other sectors and/or professions to promote and advance population health.
Systems Thinking
- Apply a systems thinking tool to visually represent a public health issue in a format other than a standard narrative.
- Critically evaluate epidemiologic literature.
- Assess the distribution and determinants of a disease for a given population using meaningful epidemiologic measures.
- Develop research questions and formulate appropriate analytic approaches.
- Apply appropriate statistical methods to manipulate and analyze public health data.
- Apply the basic terminology and definitions of epidemiology in oral presentations and written reports.
At Valpo, our MPH program offers a comprehensive exploration of the field. You’ll take advanced courses in public health theory, education, research, and practice that will train you to see the world through the lens of a public health professional. The curriculum covers critical subjects such as:
- Biostatistics and epidemiology
- Environmental health for a sustainable future
- Epidemiologic research methods
- Social, behavioral, and cultural factors in health
- Public health policy, leadership, and administration
- Public health program planning, management, and evaluation
MPH Core Requirements: 24 Credits
| Course | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| IPE 603 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| PHS 501 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| PHS 503 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| PHS 513 | Social, Behavioral, and Cultural Factors in Health | 3 |
| PHS 520 | Biological Basis of Disease | 3 |
| PHS 521 | Environmental Health for a Sustainable Future | 3 |
| PHS 560 | Public Health Policy, Leadership, and Administration | 3 |
| PHS 662 | Public Health Program Planning, Management, and Evaluation | 3 |
Epidemiology Concentration: 9 Credits
| PHS 613 | Applied Epidemiology | 3 |
| PHS 619 | Applied Health Data Analysis | 3 |
| PHS 673 | Epidemiologic Research Methods | 3 |
Applied Practice Experience/Integrative Learning Experience: 6 Credits
| PHS 680 | Applied Practice Experience | 3 |
| PHS 681* | Integrative Learning Experience | 3 |
Electives: 3 Credits
| Total | 42 Credits |
All international students are required to take GRD-500.
*Public Health 681 is to be taken during the final term.
Admission to the master of public health program is decided by the following criteria for fall and spring start dates:
- A completed graduate studies application form
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college of university
- Minimum 2.75 GPA in all undergraduate and/or graduate coursework
Learn More
Enriching your educational experience, our master of public health program includes two essential courses:
Applied Practice Experience: You’ll gain hands-on experience in internship rotations in diverse public health settings like community organizations, public health agencies, and nonprofits.
Integrative Learning Experience: Students address real-world public health challenges through impactful, solution-driven capstone projects in collaboration with community groups and industry partners.
Guided by experienced faculty, these hands-on components provide opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios, deepening your understanding of public health and preparing you with practical skills when you graduate.
Students also have opportunities for experiential service learning around the world. We offer an abundant array of service-learning trips to countries such as Costa Rica, Thailand, and China, where you can interact with public health professionals in hospitals, healthcare facilities, and public health agencies internationally and strengthen cross-cultural communication skills.
Demand for public health professionals has never been higher. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in epidemiology are projected to grow 16% in the next decade, a much faster rate than the national average for all occupations (3%).
Meanwhile, salaries continue to rise. Median pay for public health specialists is about $77,000. Public health administrators earn over $100,000 annually, on average.
Benefit from Valpo’s remarkable job placement rate for public health degree students. You will be well-prepared to tackle new challenges and enhance your earning potential.
Careers with a master of public health:
- Epidemiologist
- Public health manager
- Health policy analyst
Through Valpo’s MPH program, you’ll master essential skills to excel in public health and leadership:
- Community health strategy
- Collaborative leadership
- Policy and advocacy
- Program budgeting
- Health systems innovation
- Standards and evaluation
At Valpo, you’ll receive comprehensive career support to help you take the next step in your public health career:
- Career counseling: One-on-one guidance from experienced public health professionals
- Networking opportunities: Connections with industry leaders and public health organizations
- Job portal access: Exclusive access to public health job opportunities
- Resume development: Professional assistance in crafting a compelling resume
- Interview preparation: Mock interviews and feedback sessions
- Alumni network: Engagement with successful graduates in the public health field
How can I prepare for an MPH?
Beyond meeting the educational requirements, it can be helpful to pursue internships or volunteer work to help you get hands-on experience in the field. This experience will prepare you to build on the skills you’ve developed and give you additional insight into public health careers.
What are the requirements for international students?
International applicants must complete an application profile, write a reflective essay, provide recommendation letters, provide transcripts and credential evaluations from a NACES member institution, demonstrate English proficiency, provide proof of financial support, provide a passport copy, and pay the application fee before the deadline.
Please note: A non-native English speaker is required to have a minimum TOEFL (iBT version) 82 or IELTS 6.5.
College of Nursing and Health Professions
Program Rankings & Highlights
Hear From Our Public Health Students
“I don’t think I ever would’ve guessed that I’d be in this position this soon after graduation, but I am incredibly grateful for everything [Dr. Amy Buckenmeyer] taught me during my time at Valpo! You prepared me well to take on all these challenges head-on, so thank you.”
— Kayle ’22 MPH
Public Health Equity Prevention Manager, Gila County Health and Emergency Management
public health
Meet Our Faculty
Our diverse and interdisciplinary faculty includes epidemiologists, researchers, health administrators, data scientists, physicians, and public health practitioners. Build meaningful connections with accomplished faculty and industry experts who are eager to share their insight and advice.
graduate studies
Related Programs
