Nov 03, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2023-2024 
    
USC Catalogue 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE]

Public Health (MPH) (Online)


The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree provides professional training in the field of public health, which is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. The MPH program addresses public health foundational knowledge and builds student competencies in public health practice (e.g., healthy lifestyle promotion; disease and injury prevention; and detection, prevention, and responses to infectious diseases, domestically and globally).

The MPH program is offered in a traditional (on-campus) and online format. The MPH degree requires a minimum of 42 semester units of required and elective graduate courses. 

Students fulfill core required courses, including five foundational courses, a practical experience (practicum)* and a capstone course**. In addition, online MPH students select from one of six concentrations: Biostatistics/Epidemiology, Community Health Promotion, GeoHealth, Global Health, Health Services and Policy, and Generalist.

For complete admission requirements, refer to the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences .  

* The practicum, an applied practice experience (internship) in federal, state, and/or local public health agencies/organizations, including community-based organizations, health care organizations, and research settings, is a required component of the MPH degree. The practicum provides the opportunity for students to apply their public health competencies and prepare for work in governmental and non-governmental organizations in public health and health-related fields.

** Students enroll in the capstone course during their last semester prior to graduation. Through a paper writing assignment, the course allows students to integrate their course work and practical experiences in public health.

Additional Requirements


In addition, at least another 20 units of course work must be completed in their selected concentration of study.

Community Health Promotion Concentration


Biostatistics/Epidemiology Concentration


Concentration Elective Courses (4 units)

AND choose one course (4 units) from the following:

Global Health Concentration


Concentration Elective Courses (4 units)

AND choose one course (4 units) from the following:

Health Services and Policy Concentration


Concentration Elective Courses (4 units)

AND choose one course (4 units) from the following:

GeoHealth Concentration


Concentration Elective Courses (4 units)

AND choose one course (4 units) from the following:

Generalist Concentration


Admission to this track will be limited to students to have already obtained an advanced graduate or professional degree (e.g. JD, PhD, MD, etc.) or those currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. based medical degree program (MD). 

Required Concentration Courses (20 units)


Students will complete 20 units of course work through courses identified with their faculty adviser in an individualized program of instruction that has been tailored to their background and career plans in public health.