General MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Cal State Fullerton is an advanced course of study designed to train the next generation of public health professionals committed to meeting society’s collective interest in assuring healthy environments and equitable opportunities that allow people to thrive.

The program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Its innovative core curriculum emphasizes the interconnectedness of the foundational areas of public health practice. Students will become proficient in using evidence-based approaches to advance public health, functioning effectively in public health and health care settings, planning and managing activities that promote health, shaping public health policies, demonstrating leadership, and skillfully communicating with a variety of audiences.

Beginning in Fall 2025, the MPH program will launch its redesigned curriculum focusing on the Titan MPH first-year experience and three updated concentrations: Community Health Promotion, Epidemiology, and Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. For more information click here .

Delivery Modes

The MPH at Cal State Fullerton is a residential program, requiring on-campus presence.

It is structured as a full-time, 21-month degree program. The program can be completed in two years if students enroll in 9 units each semester and 6 units during the summer between the first and second year.

Curriculum Overview

The Master of Public Health requires 42 units of approved graduate work. This includes 30 units of core competency classes (which incorporates a six-unit internship) and an additional 9 to 12 units of electives.

Core Competency Courses (24 units):

• PUBH 500 Issues in Public Health (3)

• PUBH 501 Advanced Methods in Epidemiology (3)

• PUBH 508 Statistical Methods in Kinesiology and Health Science (3)

• PUBH 510 Research Methods in Health Science (3)

• PUBH 515 Advanced Environmental Health (3)

• PUBH 524 Public Health Administration (3)

• PUBH 535 Advanced Study in Program Planning and Evaluation (3)

• PUBH 540 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (3)

Internship (6 units): PUBH 550 Graduate Internship requires 240 hours. Students typically begin the internship in the spring semester of their second year.

Electives (9-12 units): Students select electives to support career objectives. With the Fall 2025 curriculum redesign, these will align with concentrations in Community Health Promotion, Epidemiology, and Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety.

Terminal Requirements (0-3 units): Students complete either PUBH 597 Project (3 units), PUBH 598 Thesis (3 units), or a Comprehensive Examination (0 units). Students choosing the comprehensive examination must complete an additional adviser-approved 3-unit course.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must first meet the minimum California State University (CSU) admission requirements, including:

• A completed four-year college course of study and an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.

• Good academic standing at the last institution attended.

• A grade point average of at least 2.5 in the baccalaureate degree or in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted.

• Proof of English proficiency for international students whose native language is not English.

Additional requirements for acceptance into the MPH program include:

• Official transcript(s) from all college work.

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score (School Code: 4589, Department Code: 0616).

• Two letters of recommendation.

• A statement of purpose (300-500 words) describing how the program relates to professional goals.

• A current resume.

• Completion of 3 units of statistics and/or research methods (e.g., statistics, epidemiology, research methods, calculus) with a grade of B or better.

• Appropriate educational background for the public health program.

• A cumulative GPA of 2.7.

• Paid or volunteer experience in public health, health education, or a related health area.

• An interview upon request.

Career & Practical Experience

The MPH program welcomes students from diverse undergraduate academic backgrounds, as public health is an interdisciplinary field. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for various career objectives in public health and health care settings.

A significant component of practical experience is the PUBH 550 Graduate Internship, which requires 240 hours of fieldwork. This allows students to apply their knowledge in real-world public health settings.

Admission to the program also considers paid or volunteer experience in public health, health education, or related health areas, indicating a commitment to the field.