General MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

Oakland University's Master of Public Health (MPH) program emphasizes a skills-based, hands-on approach to improving individual and community health. Key features include an innovative teaching model incorporating service-learning opportunities and community-based participatory research throughout the curriculum.

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

Delivery Modes

Courses for the MPH program are offered in the evenings in a hybrid format, combining online and on-campus learning. Students can choose from flexible completion tracks:

• A 2-year accelerated plan (typically 8-12 credits per semester), suitable for full-time students.

• Part-time plans spanning 3 years (4-8 credits per semester), 5 years (4 credits per semester), or 6 years (4 credits per semester) to accommodate working professionals and those with other commitments.

Curriculum Overview

The MPH program requires the completion of 44 credits. The curriculum is designed to equip students with practical skills in:

• Needs assessment

• Program planning, implementation, and evaluation

• Health policy formation

• Health literacy campaigns

Students will engage with CEPH foundational public health knowledge and competencies. Program-specific competencies focus on community-based participatory practices, evaluation plan development, grant proposal writing, primary data collection and analysis in collaboration with community partners, and applying environmental health models.

A practicum experience is part of the program, with requirements such as completing three months of practicum addressing health disparities and health inequities in medically underserved communities.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the MPH program must submit the following:

• The Graduate School application.

• A goal statement (maximum 1000 words) detailing reasons for seeking an MPH, interest in Oakland University's program, relevant public health experiences, long-term professional goals, and an explanation for a low GPA (if applicable).

• Official transcripts indicating a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited undergraduate institution.

• An undergraduate overall GPA of at least 3.0. A minimum grade of B- in an undergraduate statistics course and an undergraduate writing or writing-intensive course is recommended.

• Three recommendation forms and supporting letters from faculty members, supervisors, or professional mentors.

• A current resume.

International applicants must meet additional university standards.

Career & Practical Experience

Graduates of the MPH program are prepared for diverse career opportunities in public and private sectors, including international health organizations, federal government agencies (e.g., CDC, NIH), state and local health departments, voluntary and philanthropic organizations, corporations, hospitals, and non-profit community-based organizations.

The program includes practical experience, such as a practicum component focused on real-world public health challenges. Alumni have found employment at institutions like Oakland County Health Division, Henry Ford Health System, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects significant growth for community health workers and health education specialists.