General MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

Hofstra University's Master of Public Health (MPH) program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to apply public health theory and research to promote the health and longevity of diverse communities. The interdisciplinary curriculum shapes innovative, equity-minded public health professionals prepared for roles in community, government, and private sectors. It integrates public health with disciplines like business, law, psychology, and public administration, offering a holistic understanding and skill set.

The Hofstra University Master of Public Health program has been accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) for a seven-year term extending through December 31, 2029. CEPH is an independent agency recognized by the United States Department of Education to accredit schools and programs of public health.

Delivery Modes

The MPH program offers flexible learning options. It can be completed full-time in as little as 13 months or on a part-time basis in less than three years, catering to working professionals. The instructional model combines distance learning (online), hybrid courses, and traditional on-campus classroom instruction, with courses offered in the fall, spring, and summer.

Curriculum Overview

The comprehensive 42-semester-hour MPH program includes 36 semester hours of classroom instruction, 3 semester hours for an internship (Applied Practice Experience), and 3 semester hours for a culminating experience (Integrative Learning Experience). The curriculum is built around the five core public health disciplines:

• Biostatistics

• Epidemiology

• Social and Behavioral Sciences

• Environmental Health

• Health Policy and Management

It also integrates seven critical cross-cutting competencies: communication and informatics, diversity and culture, leadership, professionalism, program planning, systems thinking, and public health biology. The required core curriculum consists of ten courses totaling 30 semester hours. Students can also choose 6 semester hours of electives. Up to 12 semester hours from a comparable graduate program may be transferred, subject to approval.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the MPH program typically need to meet the following criteria:

• A completed online application form.

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution (submission of all undergraduate transcripts required; a course in statistics is preferred).

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

• Three letters of recommendation addressing potential for graduate success and in the public health field.

• A written personal statement detailing areas of interest and reasons for pursuing advanced public health training.

• A resume.

• TOEFL scores for international applicants whose first language is not English.

• An interview with the program director may be required if the applicant lacks prior public health or healthcare experience.

The program considers applicants holistically and encourages those not meeting all criteria to provide a rationale in their personal statement.

Career & Practical Experience

Graduates are prepared for careers as public health researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in community, government, and private sector settings. The program emphasizes practical application through the Applied Practice Experience (APE) and the Integrative Learning Experience (ILE).

The APE involves an internship, providing students with experiential learning in diverse settings such as:

• Health institutions

• Governmental health agencies

• Private industry

• Community-based advocacy, education, and service organizations

Examples of internship sites include Community Development Long Island, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Nassau County Department of Health, Northwell Health, and NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. The ILE requires students to synthesize knowledge and apply skills to a research or advocacy project, culminating in a manuscript, presentation, or grant proposal.