General MPH Program

Program Highlights

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program at California State University-San Marcos prepares students as practitioners of public health and as leaders in public and private sector agencies and organizations. Graduates are well-prepared to succeed in positions as public health professionals in various settings including local community organizations, hospitals, health management organizations, government agencies, the military, academia, and the private sector.

Instructional faculty are leading teachers and researchers in the field of public health, as well as local practitioners in specialized fields. The program’s rich and diverse curriculum provides students with the concrete tools they need to operate competently in the field after graduation.

The MPH Program is committed to the following specific goals for all students:

1. To train public health professionals in the core competencies of public health and in areas of concentration.

2. To engage students and faculty in public health research, scholarship and creative activities that contribute to the prevention, management and resolution of public health challenges.

3. To provide opportunities for students and faculty to engage in professional and community based services for public health leadership and workforce development.

Delivery Modes & Schedule

This is a cohort-based accelerated program requiring 16 months of study (6 units every 8 weeks), including a summer semester. The program is designed to be flexible, admitting students twice a year (Fall and Spring) to maintain small class sizes and promote greater personal attention.

The program is offered in both hybrid and online formats. Courses start every 8 weeks and are conducted two evenings a week. Concentrations in Health Promotion and Health Education and Global Health are available in both face-to-face (on-campus) and online modalities.

Curriculum Overview

The MPH program requires 42 semester units. It includes seven common core courses, with the remaining courses specific to the chosen concentration. Core competencies cover areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, health systems, environmental health, and social behavioral sciences.

View the Program Curriculum for more details.

The Global Health concentration requires courses in research methods and project management. A required global internship provides hands-on experience, and academic coursework culminates with either an independent research or capstone project.

Admissions

The program admits students two times a year, for Fall and Spring starts.

Career Outcomes & Practical Experience

Graduates are prepared for careers as public health professionals in diverse settings such as local community organizations, hospitals, health management organizations, government agencies, the military, academia, and the private sector.

Graduates of the Health Promotion and Education concentration are employable by hospitals, health departments, social service agencies, private sector corporations, other governmental agencies, and universities.

The Global Health concentration includes a required global internship, offering hands-on experience with local or international agencies engaged in global health activities. Coursework culminates with an independent research or capstone project.