MPH with Community Health Emphasis/Concentration

Program Highlights & Accreditation

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) offers a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program with a concentration in Community Health. This program is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in a wide range of settings within the public health arena, including non-governmental and governmental agencies at international, national, state, and local levels.

The M.P.H. degree is a two-year program offered through the Department of Health and Human Performance. It provides students with a broad base of public health-related knowledge, training, and skills necessary for career opportunities at various levels. The program accommodates both traditional and non-traditional students through its inherent flexibility, ensuring all graduates demonstrate the core competencies of public health.

MTSU’s M.P.H. program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) , the nationally recognized accrediting body for public health. Prospective students can request a copy of the program’s CEPH Accreditation Report and Final Self-Study Report by emailing [email protected].

Delivery Modes

The M.P.H. program is available in both on-ground (on-campus) and online formats, offering flexibility to meet diverse student needs.

Curriculum Overview

The program offers a Thesis Option (42-45 credit hours) and a Non-thesis Option (42 credit hours). Regardless of the track, all students must complete 6 credit hours of Applied Practical Experience (APE).

Key curriculum components include:

• Public Health Core Requirements (18 credit hours)

• Community Health Concentration (9 credit hours)

• Guided Electives (6 credit hours for thesis option, 9 credit hours for non-thesis option)

• Applied Practical Experience (APE) / Internship (6 credit hours, e.g., HLTH 6880 Internship and Special Projects)

• Thesis Research (3-6 credit hours for thesis option, e.g., HLTH 6640 Thesis Research)

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the M.P.H. program is based on a review of the applicant's capacity, suitability, and preparation for graduate study. Key requirements include:

• An earned bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college.

• A GPA of 3.0 or better.

• Three letters of recommendation addressing academic qualifications and potential for graduate study.

• An updated resume or CV.

• A written personal statement of purpose and objectives (typically 1-2 pages, single-spaced), addressing background, education, career objectives, reasons for pursuing an M.P.H. at MTSU, and relevance of M.P.H. program values (Health Equity, Collaboration, Evidence-based, Right-To-Health) to public health goals.

Application materials are submitted to the College of Graduate Studies. Application due dates vary for Spring, Summer, and Fall entry, with early/priority and late/rolling deadlines. For example, Spring entry priority deadline is September 20, and Fall entry priority deadline is January 20. Summer enrollment deadline is April 15.

Career & Practical Experience

The M.P.H. program prepares graduates for careers in diverse settings. A central component is the Applied Practical Experience (APE), a six-credit internship. This hands-on experience allows students to apply classroom knowledge in a community-based public health setting aligned with their career goals, under the guidance of an Internship Coordinator and an Agency Preceptor.

Previous internship sites include organizations like the Mother’s Milk Bank of Tennessee, Rutherford County Health Department, Tennessee Department of Health programs, and more. The Tennessee Department of Health also offers paid internships.

MTSU’s Career Development Center supports students with resources, job boards like Handshake, and career guidance. The program also highlights a list of potential employers and alumni success stories.