General MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program at San Francisco State University, offered through the Department of Public Health, aims to promote health and health equity at individual, community, and structural levels. It focuses on transformative education, research, scholarship, and service, valuing diversity, engaging communities, and grounding its approach in cultural humility. The program is grounded in systems thinking and community engagement, challenging systemic barriers to health and equipping students with tools for change.

The MPH program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) since 2003, ensuring a curriculum that meets national standards for public health education.

Key features of the program include:

• A cohort learning model fostering collaboration and peer support.

• A faculty advisor assigned to each student for guidance.

• A community-engaged curriculum with a focus on social justice and health equity.

• Emphasis on systems thinking and cultural humility.

Delivery Modes

The program is designed for working professionals and utilizes a hybrid delivery model. For students starting post-Fall 2025, this typically involves one in-person day per week on campus, with remaining courses delivered via Zoom in the evenings. The program can be completed full-time in approximately two years (five semesters, including one summer). More moderately paced, part-time degree completion plans, such as a seven-semester plan, are also available.

Curriculum Overview

The MPH program in Community Health Education requires 43 units. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, collaborative learning, problem-solving, practical experience, social justice, and advocacy. Core areas of study include public health principles, community organizing, theories of social behavioral change, community health assessment, epidemiology, biostatistics, public health planning and administration, health policy, program evaluation, environmental health, and public health inquiry. Students also complete 5 units of electives.

A key component is the culminating experience, PH 890 Master of Public Health Culminating Experience Seminar, where students integrate and apply their acquired competencies. Students also engage in an Applied Practice experience, partnering with a community organization as a consultant. Pre-Fall 2025 cohorts participated in a Public Health Profession Practice (PH 821) involving team-based community projects.

Admissions Requirements

University Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.

• Good academic standing at the last college or university attended.

• A 3.0 GPA in the earned undergraduate degree or in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units completed, or an earned post-baccalaureate degree.

• Minimum English Proficiency Test Requirements for F-1 and Internationally Educated Students.

Department-level Requirements

• Work Experience: A minimum of 3,700 total hours (equivalent to two years full-time) of post-high school health-related work experience (paid or volunteer).

• Prerequisite Courses: A completed college course in Statistics or Calculus (grade B- or higher, within six years of application), Composition, Social Science, and Cultural, Ethnic, or Social Diversity (CESD).

• Commitment to social justice, health equity, and work with populations affected by health inequalities.

Application Components

• Completed Cal State Apply application.

• Documentation of work experiences.

• Program Requirements Contract.

• CV/Resume.

• Personal statement.

• Writing sample (GRE General Test scores are optional and can be submitted as an alternative or in addition).

• Transcripts from every college or university attended.

• Three (3) letters of recommendation.

Career & Practical Experience

Career Outlooks

Graduates are prepared for a variety of roles in public health. Potential career paths include:

• Government Health Departments

• Non Profit Leadership

• Healthcare Administration

• Community Outreach

• Grant Writing

• Social Advocacy

• Teaching

• Research

Practical Experience

Students gain practical experience through an Applied Practice component (for Post-Fall 2025 cohorts), where they partner with a community organization to produce professional products. Pre-Fall 2025 cohorts engaged in Team Practice experiences, collaborating on community health education projects such as community assessments focused on housing and health in partnership with local initiatives.