Master of Public Health, MPH (Online)
The Department of Public Health offers an online MPH degree through the MPH@Baylor program. Only one major is currently offered through this online program, an MPH in Community Health Science. This 42-credit hour program can be completed between 12-24 months. The program includes two required 1-credit-hour public health immersion courses. The Public Health Immersion I course includes students coming to the campus of Baylor University in Waco, Texas for an immersion weekend consisting of invaluable interaction with peers and professors, training in interprofessional education (IPE) and collaboration skills, engagement in community health assessment activities, and early-stage training needed to begin developing ideas for the culminating graduate project that students must complete toward the end of the degree program. The Public Health Immersion II course trains students on how to develop a quality graduate project proposal in preparation for the culminating experience at the end of the program. The culminating project, which includes the completion of a 250-hour minimum internship experience, may be completed in an approved organization/agency and location. All courses, with the exception of the immersion weekend experience, are offered and completed fully online.
Courses in the online program are offered on a quarter system with course start dates occurring in January, April, July, and September. Students may enroll in 1-4 courses per quarter with 6 credit hours per quarter considered full-time. Students can choose to complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis. Students seeking to complete the program on an accelerated timeline must meet additional criteria and receive acceptance to this track during the admissions process. The time to complete varies based on the chosen track:
- Full-time, accelerated: 12 months
- Full-time; standard: 18 months
- Part-time: 24 months
Admissions Requirements for Online MPH
Applicants to the online MPH in Community Health Science program must have earned a Bachelor`s degree from an accredited institution in the United States, or proof of equivalent training at a foreign university. Additionally, applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree with a GPA that demonstrates strong academic success, which is normally 3.0 or higher.
There is no GRE requirement for this program. However, the GRE is recommended for applicants with less than 3 years of work experience or who have not previously attained a Master’s degree. Additionally, an optional essay will be available in the application for these candidates to state why previous coursework or work experience prepares them for the quantitative aspect of the program. Scores from the following exams can also be accepted: MCAT, LSAT, DAT, GMAT.
The admissions team accepts and reviews applications year-round on a rolling basis. Successful applicants possess backgrounds that demonstrate an ability to apply critical thinking skills to solve problems, collaborate with others and work on multidisciplinary teams, understand the importance of data-driven decision making, and embrace the significance of community engagement and cultural relevance in the health promotion process.
All applicants must submit the online application, a resume/curriculum vitae, official transcripts from accredited institutions, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
Electives
A total of 3 electives are required and must be selected from the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PUBH 5329 | Current Topics in Public Health | 3 |
| PUBH 5358 | Global Public Health | 3 |
| PUBH 5380 | Determinants of Health & Health Equity | 3 |
| PUBH 5390 | Public Health Policy and Practice | 3 |
| PUBH 5V94 | Public Health Practicum | 3-4 |
MPH Online Degree Plan
(Full-Time, Standard–18 Months)
| Quarter 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| PUBH 5315 | Theoretical Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| PUBH 5334 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Quarter 2 | ||
| PUBH 5337 | Public Health Concepts in Epidemiology | 3 |
| PUBH 5350 | Assessment and Planning in Public and Community Health | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Quarter 3 | ||
| PUBH 5379 | Research Methods in Public Health | 3 |
| STA 5300 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| PUBH 5121 | Public Health Immersion I | 1 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Quarter 4 | ||
| PUBH 5360 | Evaluation in Public and Community Health | 3 |
| PUBH 5122 | Public Health Immersion II | 1 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Quarter 5 | ||
| PUBH 5378 | Administration and Leadership in Public Health | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Quarter 6 | ||
| ENV 5302 | Foundations of Environmental Health Science | 3 |
| PUBH 5V40 | Community Health Capstone - MPH@Baylor | 1-4 |
| Hours | 4-7 | |
| Total Hours | 39-42 | |