General MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville provides quality education and leadership to promote health in human populations through interdisciplinary instruction, research, and community service. The program's mission is to empower students pursuing public health careers focused on community health improvement.

The University of Tennessee MPH program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the nationally recognized accrediting body for this discipline. Accreditation was extended for a maximum seven-year term in June 2016, following its initial accreditation in 1969. The program's 2023 CEPH Self-Study Report is available for review.

Delivery Modes

The MPH degree can be earned on-campus, with most classes offered during late afternoons and evenings to accommodate working students. Additionally, a fully online MPH option is available for select concentrations, including Community Health Education and Veterinary Public Health. The program supports both full-time and part-time study.

Curriculum Overview

The MPH curriculum consists of 42 semester credit hours and is a non-thesis professional preparation degree program. All students must complete Foundation Courses and meet Foundational Competencies . Students choose from five available concentrations (details in Student Plans of Study ):

• Community Health Education (CHE) – in person and online

• Epidemiology (EPI) – in person and online, STEM Designated

• Health Policy and Management (HPM) – in person and online

• Public Health Nutrition (NUTR) – in person and online

• Veterinary Public Health (VPH) – in person and online

The program includes an Applied Practice Experience (APE) and an Integrative Learning Experience (ILE), which is a written comprehensive examination offered at the end of each semester.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.

• A GPA of 3.0 for any previously taken graduate-level courses.

• GRE scores are not required for the MPH program.

• Admission to the University of Tennessee Graduate School.

• A fully completed application submitted by the appropriate deadline.

Application Deadlines (Domestic Applicants):

• February 1 — Summer admission

• April 1 — Fall admission

• October 1 — Spring admission (Only new, part-time students are accepted for spring admission. No full-time students will be admitted for spring entry. No spring admission for the Epidemiology concentration.)

International applicants should visit Graduate Admissions for current international deadlines.

Career & Practical Experience

The MPH program prepares graduates for careers focused on community health improvement. A key component is the Applied Practice Experience (APE) , which provides students with hands-on experience in a public health setting. The Integrative Learning Experience (ILE), a comprehensive exam, further ensures students can integrate acquired knowledge and skills for real-world application.

The Department of Public Health fosters partnerships to bridge academia and practice, notably through Tennessee’s first Academic Health Department (AHD) established with the Knox County Health Department. More information about the UT-Knox County AHD can be found here .