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Public health promotes and protects the health of communities and improves the quality of life for all people.  The goal of public health is to promote disease and injury prevention through research, community interventions and education. A further defining goal of public health is its work towards addressing and eradicating health disparities and promoting healthcare equity, quality and accessibility.

Public health is a dynamic, diverse, and growing field where practitioners work from a myriad of disciplines and approaches to improve the health and lives of people. Practitioners work together to address the root causes of complex and multi-faceted health problems in order to develop practical, sustainable and cost-effective solutions.

A career in public health allows people to contribute to preventing injury and illness across populations at many different levels, with the potential to reach thousands of people at one time. The variety of jobs available make public health a good fit for those who seek to serve others and make an impact.

The current employment outlook for public health professionals is strong and growing annually. The demand for public health professionals continues to rise in response to increasing domestic and international health concerns such as: growing problems with chronic diseases, potential pandemics, air and water quality issues, workplace safety and more.  As these growing health concerns continue to impact the health of our populations, the need for a trained public health force to respond to these issues persists.

Public health offers a wide range of career opportunities, and annual wages for public health jobs range from $35,000-$130,000.

Graduates of the SU MPH program can go on to work in:

• ÌýÌý Hospitals
• ÌýÌý Health Departments
• ÌýÌý Community organizations ÌýÌý
• ÌýÌý Government
• ÌýÌý Nongovernmental organizations
• ÌýÌý Foundations
• ÌýÌý Start-ups
• ÌýÌý Pharmaceutical companies
• ÌýÌý Consulting firms
• ÌýÌý Private businesses
• ÌýÌý Corporations
• ÌýÌý Academic institutions

This program is all online and offers full-time and part-time study options. Complete your studies from anywhere around the globe, while you develop a close relationship with your instructors and classmates. 

With SU’s MPH, you’ll study through an online program where you’ll gain expertise in:

• Promoting healthy behaviors
• Implementing health and disease prevention programs
• Understanding epidemiological linkages between specific determinants/exposures and disease
• Developing and advocating sound health policy practices
• Addressing rural and underserved population health concerns
• And so much more

The Master of Public Health (MPH) is a part of Shenandoah’s  School of Health Professions. However, this program will be interdisciplinary in nature, drawing on expertise in the College of Arts and Sciences public health and behavioral health programs, as well as Business, Pharmacy, Nursing and the Conservatory.

Core required courses (33 credits total)

Course	Title	Credit Hours
PH 501	History and Philosophy of Public Health	3
PH 505	Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health	3
PH 510	Biostatistics	3
PH 515	Principles of Epidemiology	3
PH 520	Health Policy and Management	3
PH 525	Program Planning and Implementation	3
PH 530	Fundamentals of Program Evaluation	3
PH 535	Health Communication	3
PH 540	Rural Health System	3
PH 545	Public Health Perspectives on Chronic Disease	3
PH 550	Public Health Leadership and Professionalism	3

Applied Practice and Integrated Learning Experience (6 credits total)

Course	Title	Credit Hours
PH 700	Applied Practice Experience	4
PH 701	Integrated Learning Experience	2

2 Elective Courses from the Following (6 credits total)*

Course	Title	Credit Hours
PH 605	Maternal and Child Health	3
PH 610	Environmental and Occupational Health	3
PH 615	Public Health Law and Ethics	3
PH 620	Community Health Research & Assessment	3
PH 625	Global Health	3

45 credits total for the entire MPH degree

• Public Health Certificate
• Population Health Certificate 
• Dual Degree: Master or Physician Assistant Students and Master of Public Health
• Dual Degree: Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Public Health
• Fast Track (3+2) Public Health
• Early Assurance Public Health Pathway (EA-MPH)

View application deadlines, program prerequisites, and submit your application for Shenandoah’s graduate Public Health programs through the Office of Admissions. 

Application Information

How much will this degree cost? View ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ’s tuition and fees. 

Tuition & Fees

For more information about cost of attendance, see our financial aid page. Tuition scholarships are available for INOVA, Valley Health and SU Alumni.  See the Graduate Scholarships and Tuition Discounts page.  

Public Health students have participated in a variety of international opportunities such as attending the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland. Global Experiential Learning (GEL) classes are also offered each year for students to work on community health education. Recent Public Health GEL trip destinations include Haiti, Uganda and Nepal. 

Learn About Education Abroad

Public Health Students Share Why They Choose to Study at Shenandoah

Hear What Our Students have to Say about Public Health Careers and Perspectives

Study public health at the graduate level on a schedule that works for you through ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ’s online masters and certificate programs in the field. Meet some of our students, who are pairing public health with their careers and studies in a variety of health professions.

Students Explain the Advantages of Earning Dual Degrees 

Shenandoah offers a Doctor of Pharmacy with a Master of Public Health Dual Degree as well as a Physician Assistant and Master of Public Health Dual Degree.