Dual MPH/MSHA Program

Program Highlights

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) offers a coordinated Master of Public Health (MPH) / Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) dual degree program. This program is designed to provide students with both a strong public health foundation and the management and leadership skills necessary for administrative roles in various health sectors.

The MPH component of this dual degree features a concentration in Population Health. Key elements of the MPH curriculum include:

• Core coursework based on the Evidence-based Public Health framework.

• An Applied Practice Experience (Internship).

• An Integrative Learning Experience (Capstone project).

Students can tailor their MPH studies by selecting from a range of master's-level Public Health courses, such as health economics, strategic planning, and health policy. Specialized advising is provided to assist students in designing their individualized curriculum.

Delivery Modes

The MPH portion of the MPH/MSHA program offers flexibility in its delivery. Students may complete their MPH coursework entirely online, in-class (on-campus), or through a hybrid model that combines both online and in-class experiences.

Curriculum Overview

Normally, 42 credit hours are required for the MPH degree. However, within the coordinated MPH/MSHA program, 12 credit hours from the MSHA curriculum are credited towards the MPH. This structure allows students to earn both degrees in reduced time.

The MPH curriculum includes core courses, an Applied Practice Experience (internship), and an Integrative Learning Experience (capstone). Students also select from master’s-level Public Health elective courses.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the coordinated MPH/MSHA program must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree. Students are required to apply separately to both the MPH program (through the UAB Graduate School) and the MSHA program.

Key admission details for the MPH portion:

• The GRE is not required for MPH applicants.

• The School of Public Health (SOPH) will accept the GMAT in lieu of the GRE for students who wish to strengthen their application by including test scores.

• When applying to the UAB Graduate School for the MPH component of the dual degree, select "Public Health (MPH)" program, then "On-Ground" format, then "Public Health and Health Administration" concentration.

Career & Practical Experience

The coordinated MPH/MSHA program prepares graduates for a broad range of administrative and leadership positions in health services organizations, research, government, international health, and private industry. The dual degree provides students with a richer perspective on population and global health issues, including epidemiology, health behavior, environmental and occupational health impacts, disease management, and policy issues.

Practical experience is gained through the Applied Practice Experience (internship) required for the MPH degree, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. For example, a student highlighted an administrative internship at Massachusetts General Hospital.