Online Degree Programs

Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Administration

Thank you for your interest in the online Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Health Policy and Administration offered by the School of Public Health at UIC. The MPH is the basic professional degree that prepares graduates for public health practice, teaching, and research. This program offers an opportunity for students to complete their MPH degree through online course work.

This degree program is available for students with at least three years of experience in public health who may matriculate into the abbreviated Professional Enhancement Program (PEP). It is also available to applicants with existing graduate degrees in a relevant field.

The PEP curriculum consists of general public health course work for students who have three or more years of public health experience related to their chosen academic division, or a graduate or professional degree in a relevant area. Students are required to complete 42 semester hours (SH) of study. Full-time students admitted into the PEP program may be able to complete all requirements in one calendar year. Part-time students should be able to complete the program in less than three years.

Qualifications for Admission

The MPH admissions process is highly competitive. Admitted students typically have at least a combined undergraduate/graduate grade point average of 3.00 (A = 4.00) and a combined Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of at least 1,000 (verbal plus quantitative). Public health, management, or social leadership experience is also an important consideration.

The following admission requirements apply to all divisions within the School of Public Health.

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited school is the minimum requirement for admission to the MPH degree program; a master's or doctoral degree in an area relevant to public health is preferred.

In addition, each division has specific requirements regarding prerequisite training, experience, and grade point average (GPA). Please see divisional websites for these specific admission requirements.

MPH Program Requirements

The PEP MPH program consists of four components:

• SPH School-wide Core Requirements – (19 SH)
• Divisional “Enrichment Curriculum” – (19 SH, half of which must be HPA)
• Culminating Experience–
• IPHS 650 Field Experience in Public Health (0-3 SH)
• IPHS 698 MPH Capstone Experience (1 SH)
• Required Non-Credit Training
• HIPAA Research 101
• Investigator Training 101

*Field Experience in Public Health

The Field Experience is required of all MPH students, with the majority being required to complete a 5 credit (320 contact hours) assignment. Some students may qualify for a reduced practicum of 3 credits (192 contact hours) depending on their prior public health experience and career goals, and would need to discuss this possibility within their chosen division. Field Experience requirements vary by division, with more information found on their divisional websites.

**MPH Capstone Experience

The MPH Capstone Experience is required of all MPH students, with requirements differing by division. The Capstone enables the student to synthesize and integrate knowledge acquired in course work and other learning experiences, such as the Field Experience. Students are encouraged to apply theory and principles in a situation that approximates some aspect of professional practice.

Please visit the MPH Student Handbook for more details about the MPH program, and requirements for the Field Experience and Capstone.

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