Public Health, MPH
for the Master of Public Health in Public Health
Public health is an interdisciplinary field rooted in science and social justice that focuses on preventing disease and injury. Public health practitioners identify needs, craft interdisciplinary solutions to problems, and implement meaningful change to impact populations and make a real impact in the lives of others. Our nationally accredited MPH program provides training in the foundational principles of public health with a concentration in Health Behavior and Promotion or Physical Activity and Health. All students in the program gain hands-on experience in real-world public health settings, preparing them for successful careers after graduation.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign undergraduate students who major in Kinesiology, Community Health, or I-Health are eligible to apply for a 5 year joint BS-MPH degree program prior to their final year of undergraduate study. Students accepted to the BS-MPH program begin some MPH coursework in their final year of undergraduate study.
Admission
- Admissions & Requirements for MPH
- Admissions & Requirements for BS-MPH
- MPH Admissions Questions email: mph-admissions@ahs.illinois.edu
Financial Aid
Please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid directly at (217) 333-0100 or finaid@illinois.edu for any questions you may have related to financial aid.
Faculty Interests/Research
For information about specific faculty research interests, current grants, and publications, please visit our Faculty page.
for the Master of Public Health in Public Health
The MPH degree program requires a minimum of 48 hours. The program includes:
- Five required core courses in basic content areas of public health
- Four required courses in the selected concentration, as well as one additional concentration course from an approved list
- An Applied Practice Experience (practicum)
- An Integrative Learning Experience (capstone)
- Seminars and electives
The integrative learning experience must be completed in the last term of study. There is no thesis requirement. The program generally takes 1.5 to 2 years to complete.
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Handbook and the Graduate College Handbook.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core courses | ||
| HK 408 | Environmental Health | 4 |
| HK 410 | Public Health Practice | 4 |
| HK 517 | Principles of Epidemiology | 4 |
| HK 527 | Biostatistics in Public Health | 4 |
| HK 530 | Health Policy: United States | 4 |
| HK 534 | Professionalism in Health Practice | 2 |
| HK 535 | Applied Practice Experience | 4 |
| HK 536 | Integrative Learning Experience | 2 |
| Total hours core courses | 28 | |
| Students must choose a concentration | 20 | |
| Total hours (Minimum Required) | 48 | |
Other Requirements
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 (8 within the unit) |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
for the Master of Public Health in Public Health
The MPH Program is nationally accredited by CEPH, the Council for Education on Public Health. Extensive reporting, assessment, evaluation, and tracking occurs as part of being a nationally accredited program. Very detailed curriculum competency alignment, tracking, and reporting happen each year to ensure the program is meeting the 30+ individual competencies CEPH requires. The MPH Program uses the following learning outcomes as a summary of the CEPH Competencies:
- Content Knowledge: Students will demonstrate an advanced understanding of current and historically significant theories, models, themes, and ideas related to health promotion, the prevention of chronic illnesses, and the reduction of health disparities.
- Critical Thinking and Discovery: Students will demonstrate ethical practices while applying advanced quantitative and/or qualitative methods in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data which could then be disseminated through publications and/or oral presentations.
- Awareness and Understanding: Students will understand and appreciate the diverse environmental, biological, psychological, socioeconomic, sociocultural, philosophical, and historical factors that influence health promotion, chronic illness prevention, and the reduction of health disparities.
- Programming and Assessment: Students will apply best practices in developing, implementing, assessing, and evaluating programs and interventions related to health promotion, chronic illness prevention, and the reduction of health disparities within culturally diverse populations.
- Leadership and Engagement: Students will demonstrate leadership and effective communication skills, while promoting effective public health practices as they develop and sustain productive relationships and work for the common good at local, national, and global levels.
for the Master of Public Health in Public Health
Public Health Program
Department Head: Kim Graber
Director of Graduate Studies: Laura Rice
Director of Program: Pedro Hallal
Public Health website
Department of Health and Kinesiology
Department of Health and Kinesiology website
College of Applied Health Sciences
Applied Health Sciences College catalog page
Applied Health Sciences College website