Master of Public Health
Learn how the Public Health program at USF uses the social justice lens to approach public health interventions.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Our classrooms extend beyond campus borders, into a city famous for its forward-thinking approach to public health advocacy and community outreach
An interprofessional degree for tomorrow's public health leaders. Study public health in classrooms that extend well beyond campus borders, into a city famous for its forward-thinking approach to public health advocacy and community outreach.
The Master of Public Health program prepares future public health leaders to address pressing public health issues at the local, state, national, and global levels. The MPH promotes community engagement, professional collaborations, evidence-based practice, and public health advocacy. Graduates gain the knowledge and skills to improve population health while identifying and assessing the health needs of underserved populations in their communities and around the world, with an emphasis on preventative strategies and practices.
The MPH degree at USF is:
- Authoritative - CEPH-Accredited Program
- Flexible - All classes offered in an evening, blended-learning format. Classes offered in San Francisco, Sacramento or Online
- Interprofessional - Award-Winning and World Renowned Faculty from Public Health, Nursing, Behavioral Health
- Hands-on Practical Experience - up to 300 hours of fieldwork placement in a public health organization
- Top Ranking - Ranked as one of the top MPH programs in the country
What is Public Health?
Public health refers to all organized measures (whether public or private) to prevent disease, promote health, and prolong life among the population as a whole. Beyond just the prevention and eradication of particular diseases, Public Health focuses on the entire spectrum of health by focusing on the political, economic and social conditions - what we call the social determinants - that promote the health of populations.
The Master of Public Health (MPH) Program is an interprofessional degree offered by the School of Nursing and Health Professions through its Department of Population Health Sciences. The MPH is designed for students interested in learning the practical aspects of public health and developing critical leadership skills needed to promote population health and prevention of diseases. The program is particularly well suited for candidates eager to develop practice-oriented skills and competencies to promote population health. Candidates complete coursework in a myriad of fields, including epidemiology, biostatistics, community and behavioral health, environmental health, and public health policy and leadership.
Program Features
Public Health (Generalist) | Locations: San Francisco (Presidio), Online
- The San Francisco Presidio Campus and online MPH program is an interprofessional generalist degree which includes coursework in fields of epidemiology, biostatistics, community and behavioral health, environmental health, and public health policy and management.
- The program is particularly well suited for candidates eager to develop practice-oriented skills and competencies to promote population health, as well as candidates aspiring for entry into doctoral programs in medicine, nursing, and allied fields of health.
- Students obtain rigorous training in quantitative and qualitative methods; advanced coursework in program planning, management, and evaluation: and electives in sexual health, mental health, health economics, maternal and child health, food agriculture and nutrition, global health, among others.
Health Policy Leadership | Location: Sacramento
- The program is particularly suited for aspiring leaders in health administration and public health policy, as well as candidates aspiring for entry into doctoral programs in medicine, nursing, and allied fields of health.
- Students receive core training in U.S. and global health policy and leadership and management with a focus on leading health policy change; coursework is available in population health informatics, grant writing, and advocacy.
Dual Master of Public Health Master of Science in Behavioral Health | Location: San Francisco (Presidio)
- Gain a solid knowledge base in public health with an emphasis in health education and behavioral health.
- Students learn to plan, design, implement and lead evidence-based health care and community programs.
- Designed to prepare practitioners who are committed to eliminating health disparities, working with vulnerable populations, and creating social and physical environments that promote good health for all.
- Earn two degrees MS in Behavioral Health and Master in Public Health with substantial savings in both time and cost.
All programs require up to 300 hours of fieldwork internship in a public health organization is required, and a capstone synthesis that demonstrates mastery of the profession.
Public Health Webinar Series From Our Award-Winning Faculty
- Understanding the T in LGBT with Dr. Stefan Rowniak
- Association Between Self-Rated Mental Health with Dr. Courtney Keeler.
Download Dr. Keeler's paper discussed in the webinar. - Health Behavior Change Interventions Delivered via Mobile Phones with Dr. L'Engle
- Sustainable Food and Public Health with Dr. Barbara Sattler
- Environmental Health and Fracking with Dr. Barbara Sattler
- Global Health with Dr. Alba Diaz and David Schoeller-Diaz, MA
