The Master's Degree in Public Health in Public Health Practice (MPH PHP) is a 42 credit, broad based, graduate-level public health degree designed for the full-time, working health program administrator, public health worker, or health care professional who is not planning an academic career, but who plans to continue working in the health care field. Individuals who work in the field can gain a greater understanding of the following:
Origins of current health care dilemmas
Best practice community approaches to health promotion
Applied epidemiology
Research design and interpretation of findings from research studies
Methods for analysis of data
Influence of environmental factors on the public’s health
Regulations and laws in public health
Planning and evaluation
Participants in the Public Health Practice MPH Program seek to “be part of the solution” to our society’s persistent health care problems. They will come from state health departments, managed care organizations, academic medical centers, municipal and country health departments, Veterans Administration health systems, school health programs, private not-for-profit community agencies, the medical profession, and many other settings.
Because it is designed for the working professional, there is a 3 course cap per semester. Most students finish the degree in 3- 3 ½ years, taking 1-2 classes per semester.
Learn more about this program:
To receive more information and connect with the program manager, please click on inquire now to the right.
Sample a Course
Click here for more information on the Online Master's Degree in Public Health Practice.
Registration is administered through UMass Amherst Continuing & Professional Education. Please see Fee Schedule below.
| Type of Fee |
Amount |
| Fee per credit |
$575 |
| Registration Fee per semester |
$45 |
| Late Reg. Fee per semester* |
$60 |
| Returned Check Fee per semester** |
$30 |
| Total for course*** |
$1770 (575x3 credits = 1725 + 45 registration fee per semester) |
Click here to browse our course listings.
*applicable when you register after deadline; non-refundable unless course has been cancelled.
** applicable when checks returned unpaid
*** Courses can vary from one to six credits; this total represents a standard 3 credit course
There is also a one-time $300 Graduate Registrar's Service Fee, which is a one-time fee paid by all entering matriculated graduate students.
The School of Public Health and Health Sciences is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the organization recognized by the US Department of Education to accredit public health schools.
The University of Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Did you know?
University of Massachusetts has earned several awards for its distance learning programs, faculty and technology including:
- Ranked Top 3 Public Health Programs in Nation- U.S. News and World Report
- University of Massachusetts Ranked Among Top 28 Best Value in Online Education for Human Services & Psychology Professionals, 2009 by Get Educated
- Ranked Top 10 Online Degrees Colleges- September 2009 (Online Degree Reviews.com)
- UMassOnline Awarded Public Sector of the Year by Mass Technology Leadership Council , 2008
- Most Outstanding Online Teaching and Learning Program, UMass Lowell’s Online Graduate Behavioral Intervention in Autism Program, Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards, 2008
- ‘Excellence in Online Teaching’ Award, Dr. Jeannette E. Riley, Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards, 2008
- 21st Century Best Practices Award, United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
- Program of Excellence, University Continuing Education Association (UCEA)-Journalism Certificate
- Excellence in Faculty Development, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
- Excellence in Online Programming, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
- Excellence in Online Teaching, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
- UMass Amherst Isenberg MBA, Top 10 national rankings, #4 Best Professors (2005, 2006, 2007 Princeton Review: Best Business Schools rankings)
- 4th in Primary Care Education, U.S. World Reports
- Ranked 45th Best University System in the World - London Times
- Excellence in Distance Teaching Education - United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
The online Master's Degree in Public Health is designed for the full-time, working health program administrator, public health worker, or health care professional who is not planning an academic career, but who plans to continue working in the health care field. Participants in this online master's degree seek to "be part of the solution" to our society's persistent health care problems. They come from state health departments, managed care organizations, academic medical centers, municipal and county health departments, Veterans Administration health systems, school health programs, private not-for-profit community agencies, and many other settings.
Any individual with a bachelor's degree or higher with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 grading scale from an accredited university and a minimum of three (3) years' experience in public health or health care is eligible to apply for admission. You must be currently employed in a public health or health care position or be enrolled in an accredited medical residency program.
Admission is competitive - Apply early! Here’s how…
1. Read application form instructions carefully.
2. Complete the UMass Amherst Graduate School Application under "Prospective Students." You can either apply online or download the application from there.
3. A personal statement is required and a minimum of two actual letters (typed) of recommendation are required from individuals best suited to assess the applicant's abilities. Please ask current employers, former supervisors and colleagues.
4. Request original official transcripts in duplicate from each college or university you have attended.
5. Official current (within 5 years) GRE scores (The GRE may be waived for those with a doctoral degree or its equivalent (Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., JD.) from a regionally-accredited US institution.
6. If you are applying for Financial Aid, please fill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
6. TOEFL* if applicable. (Please contact the Graduate School to see if this is applicable to you). (Click here for more information on TOEFL). You can apply to the MPH program in Public Health Practice directly online or by requesting application material online at the Graduate School's website (Click here for application information and materials) or by writing the Graduate School, Goodell Building, University of Massachusetts, 140 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01003-9333, or by calling the University at (413) 545-0721. We encourage applicants to the PHP program to use both professional and academic references whenever possible, and to have their personal statements emphasize their current experience as a public health or health care professional.
Below are the deadlines:
| Fall |
Spring |
| March 1st |
October 1st |
Each course is worth three graduate credits in the 42-credit Master's in Public Health in Public Health Practice Program.
Core Courses (15 credits)
*PUBHLTH 540 Introductory Biostatistics - Fall/Spring
*PUBHLTH 565 Environmental Health Practices - Fall/Spring
*PUBHLTH 601 Application of Social & Behavioral Theories in Public Health *Interventions - Fall/Spring
*PUBHLTH 620 Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System - Fall/Spring
*PUBHLTH 630 Principles of Epidemiology - Fall/Spring
Additional Required Courses (9 credits)
*PUBHLTH 624 Research Methods in Public Health - Fall/Spring
*PUBHLTH 691S Capstone Experience - Fall/Spring
*PUBHLTH 698P Practicum - Fall/Spring/Summer
Elective Courses (Choose 6 courses-18 credits)
PUBHLTH 524 Introduction to Health Politics and Policy - Fall
PUBHLTH 525 Ethical Issues in Public Health - Summer
PUBHLTH 567 Environmental Regulation and Compliance - Fall or Summer
PUBHLTH 580 Comparative Health Care Systems - Summer II
PUBHLTH 590Q Globalization and Health - Summer II
PUBHLTH 614 International Health, Population and Development
PUBHLTH 621 Health Care Organization and Administration - Fall
PUBHLTH 628 Financial Management of Health Institutions - Spring
PUBHLTH 690E Evidence-Based Policy : An Evaluative Scientist's Tool Box
PUBHLTH 690L Leadership in Public Health Systems - TBA
PUBHLTH 690SJ Social Justice and Public Health - Spring
PUBHLTH 704 Health Program Planning - Spring or Fall
PUBHLTH 726 Health Economics and Reimbursement - Summer
PUBHLTH 750 Public Health Emergency Management - Fall or Spring
PUBHLTH 757 Public Health Informatics - Fall or Spring
PUBHLTH 780 Public Health Law - Summer
PUBHLTH 790A Relationship b/w Health, Religion, & Spirituality -Summer I
*Required courses.
Electives are offered on a rotational basis of every other year if offered during the fall or spring semester or summer if offered during the summer sessions.
For more information, check the Public Health Practice program website at: www.umass.edu/sphhs, and click on “Public Health Practice”.
Availability of financial aid varies depending on matriculation and course status. Generally, if you are matriculated in a degree program and are enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits each semester, you may qualify for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens.
Please review our Financial Aid Checklist below.
1. Fill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
2. It is important to list the University of Massachusetts Amherst school code number 002221.
3. For more information please click here.
For the online MPH-PHP program, there are no scholarships, fellowships, grants or assistantships available through the program.
Contact:
For more information please click here.
- "Excellent program! The broad spectrum of courses offered through the MPH-PHP program at UMass was very much in line with my career interests. As a fully accredited program it provided superb reinforcement/review of core skills, yet offered electives to bolster other areas of personal interest. Elective courses in Public Health Emergency Management, Health Care Organization and Administration, Health Care Finance, and Public Health Law each provided me with a very unique and focused look at certain aspects of our public health environment, and prepared me to provide leadership in these arenas."
- David Blake, Surgeon, US Air Force
- "The PHP courses were not only extremely interesting, but by and large, they provided me with new aptitudes that I could immediately apply in my career. "
- Shannon Lacy, Major, US Army Veterinary Corps
- "The benefits of the distance learning program at UMASS were numerous. The education, while firmly rooted in the principles of public health, was skillfully delivered through real world scenarios, experiences, and with a “hands-on” approach. I was able to immediately utilize the tools I received from UMASS into my daily operations."
- Steve Griesenbeck, Environmental Health Officer, Medical Service Corps of the US Navy
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