General MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the University at Albany is designed to equip students with the skills and experience to make a positive impact on the wellness of at-risk populations and help public health organizations achieve their goals. The program provides a strong foundation in primary public health fields and allows for advanced knowledge acquisition in a chosen area of interest. It is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). A key feature of the program is its emphasis on practical experience through professional internships.

Delivery Modes

The MPH program offers flexible study options. The campus-based program can be pursued full-time or part-time. Additionally, a part-time, fully online MPH program with a concentration in Public Health Practice is available, designed for working professionals. Accelerated 4+1 BS/MPH options are also available for eligible UAlbany undergraduate students.

Curriculum Overview

The MPH program requires a total of 51 credit hours, typically completed over two years for full-time students. The curriculum is structured around core courses, professional internships, and concentration-specific coursework.

Core Courses (21 credits):

• Professional Practice in Public Health

• Biological Basis of Public Health

• Introduction to Environmental Health

• Principles and Methods of Epidemiology I

• Principles in Statistical Inference I or Introduction to the Theory of Statistics I

• Health Care Organization Delivery and Financing

• Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health

Professional Internships (9 credits): Students gain 720 hours of professional experience working in public health organizations. Students with significant prior experience may apply to waive up to 6 credits.

Concentration Courses and Electives (21 credits): Required and elective coursework in the chosen area of interest, including a culminating Integrative Learning Experience.

For detailed program requirements, see the Graduate Bulletin .

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university with a GPA of 3.00 or better. The average GPA for accepted students is 3.35. GRE scores are not required for admission. Applications are submitted through SOPHAS.

Prerequisite coursework includes:

• One semester of social sciences (all concentrations).

• One college-level course in mathematics (algebra or pre-calculus) or statistics with a grade of B or higher.

• Epidemiology concentration: an undergraduate statistics course or equivalent.

• Biostatistics concentration: Calculus I, Calculus II, and linear algebra.

• Biomedical Sciences and Environmental Health concentrations: two semesters of biology and two semesters of chemistry.

Required application materials include official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement (2-page limit), and a CV/resume. International students must submit TOEFL (minimum 98), IELTS (minimum 7.0), or Duolingo (minimum 125) scores, and a WES transcript evaluation.

Application deadlines are: Priority - January 15 (for first scholarship consideration); General - March 1 (for second scholarship consideration); Final - Rolling until August 1 on a space-available basis.

Cost & Financial Aid

Information on tuition, fees, scholarships, and financial aid can be found by consulting the university's admissions and financial aid resources, including the Financing Your Degree page. The Public Health Leaders of Tomorrow program offers tuition assistance for eligible public health employees in New York State. SOPHAS application fee waivers may also be available; for more information, visit the SOPHAS Fees and Fee Waivers page.

Career & Practical Experience

The MPH program includes a renowned professional internships component, requiring at least 720 hours of practical experience. Students have ample internship opportunities in state and county health departments, hospitals, community clinics, nonprofits, and NGOs in the Capital Region. The program prepares graduates for careers such as epidemiologist, health policy analyst, program manager, and research scientist in various public health settings. Sample job titles and employers are detailed under each concentration description on the program website.

Students can participate in research projects in various centers, including the Cancer Research Center and Prevention Research Center. Many faculty hold appointments with the NYS Department of Health, facilitating internships at the Wadsworth Center. An MPH/JD dual degree option is available in collaboration with Albany Law School, completable in 3.5 years.