General MPH Program

Program Highlights

The Master of Science in Health, Community and Policy (MS-HCP) program at The University of Texas at San Antonio, offered by the Department of Public Health, provides a unique interdisciplinary experience. It capitalizes on the strengths of the Department of Public Health and the other departments within the College for Health, Community and Policy. The program offers students a solid foundation in community health practices and an introduction to health policy, aiming to equip them with specialized skills for emerging careers in community health, population health, and health policy-related fields.

Delivery Modes

Courses for the MS-HCP program are offered in a mix of formats, including in-person, hybrid, and internet-based options, providing flexibility for students.

Curriculum Overview

The MS-HCP program requires the completion of 30 semester credit hours (SCH). The curriculum is structured with core courses, specialization coursework, and a culminating experience:

• 12 SCH of required core courses covering areas such as program planning and implementation, health policy, research methods, and data management.

• 9 SCH of specialization coursework selected from one of four areas: Health Promotion; Health Data Analytics and Population Health; Policy; or Society, Community, and Health.

• 9 SCH for a culminating experience, which includes a Thesis Option (3 SCH statistics course and 6 SCH thesis hours) or a Non-Thesis Option (3 SCH Capstone course and 6 SCH of free electives).

Students work with an advisor to determine whether the Thesis Option, for those preferring significant research experience, or the Non-Thesis Capstone project, integrating students across specializations, best fits their interests and career goals. The Capstone Course satisfies the comprehensive exam requirement.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the MS-HCP program must submit the following:

1. A completed UTSA Graduate Admissions application.

2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university.

3. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

4. An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

5. A statement of purpose.

6. A résumé.

7. Two letters of recommendation.

8. Applicants whose native language is not English must have a score of at least 79 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT or a score of 6.5 on the IELTS.

Career and Practical Experience

The MS-HCP program is designed to equip students with specialized skills in interdisciplinary areas to enter emerging careers in community health, population health, and health policy-related fields. The culminating experience, whether a thesis or a capstone project, provides students with significant research and/or community work experience. The Capstone Course is a project-based course involving research and/or community work from students across specializations.