General MPH Program

Program Highlights

The mission of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at DePaul University is to prepare dynamic public health leaders to work collaboratively with diverse communities to prioritize and investigate health concerns to achieve lasting social change, and foster health equity to promote the health and well-being of all people. The program provides a collaborative, applied approach to public health education, focusing on health promotion and disease prevention with individuals, families, communities, and organizations. The objective is to provide students with the professional knowledge and practical skills needed to identify and address community health needs as working public health practitioners.

Students choose from two concentrations: Community Health Practice, which focuses on community health assessment, program design, and evaluation; or Social Epidemiology, which uses biostatistics and epidemiology to investigate and reduce health inequalities, focusing on social determinants of health.

Delivery Modes

All MPH courses are offered on weekday evenings at DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus. The program uses a cohort-based model, admitting students once per academic year who progress through courses together. Students can complete their degree in two (full-time), three, or four years (part-time). Full-time study is defined as at least eight quarter hours plus practicum during the final year.

Curriculum Overview

Students must complete a total of 58 quarter hours, consisting of:

• 7 required core courses (22 credit hours)

• 7 required concentration-specific courses (28 credit hours)

• 2 elective courses (8 credit hours)

The practicum field experience and capstone course sequence are completed in the student's last year. The practicum requires a minimum of 250 hours over a nine-month placement. The capstone thesis is developed over a three-course sequence concurrent with the practicum.

The MPH degree may also be combined with select graduate certificate programs. Interested students should consult their academic advisor. Available combined programs include:

• Community Development Certificate

• Critical Ethnic Studies Certificate

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certificate

• Global Health Certificate

• Health Care Administration Certificate

• Metro Planning and Development Certificate

• Social Research Certificate

• Sustainable Urban Food Systems Certificate

• Women's and Gender Studies Certificate

Admissions Requirements

Applications are submitted through SOPHAS , the centralized application service for public health programs. The priority deadline is annually March 1st for fall admission. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis after the priority deadline until the cohort is filled. Required materials include an online application, official transcripts, a résumé/CV, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. For detailed information, please see the admission requirements page or the program webpage .

Career & Practical Experience

During the final year, students gain practical experience through a required nine-month practicum (minimum 250 hours). This structured experience allows for the application of coursework in real-world settings. Practicum sites are available in various settings and cover diverse public health topics.

Example practicum settings include:

• Governmental agencies

• Community-based organizations

• Health care delivery systems

Students work on a project addressing a need at their practicum site, receiving mentorship from site supervisors and faculty advisors. 90% of MPH graduates were employed, continuing their education, or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation. Alumni work in public, private, and nonprofit sectors at organizations like Howard Brown Health, Rush University Medical Center, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.