Dual MPH/PhD Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Population Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is an individualized concentration. It is designed for professionals currently working in healthcare-related fields or for students enrolled in one of UAB's coordinated degree programs (e.g., nursing, medicine, physician assistant studies, optometry, etc.). This concentration aims to provide insight into the critical role public health plays in targeting solutions at the population level, rather than the patient level. Students are trained to consider the health of populations in all policies and across all professions, utilizing a systems approach.

All MPH concentrations at UAB are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). As an individualized concentration, Population Health students work with the program coordinator to select five competencies uniquely suited to their career goals from a comprehensive list drawn from all approved courses. These are in addition to the foundational competencies common to all CEPH-accredited MPH programs.

Delivery Modes

The MPH in Population Health program is offered in both online and in-class (on-campus) formats. Full-time students generally complete this degree in two years or less (four-to-five semesters).

Curriculum Overview

Students in this concentration must complete 42 credit hours of public health-related coursework. The curriculum includes the 14-hour MPH core (based on the Evidence-Based Public Health framework), a 3-hour course on multidisciplinary perspectives on Population Health, an Applied Practice Experience (Internship), and an Integrative Learning Experience (Capstone).

In addition, students select from all available master’s-level courses to design a curriculum that supports their career goals. This includes courses offered by UAB's five departments (Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Behavior, and Health Care Policy & Organization) as well as in the Global Health program. Courses outside the School of Public Health may also be included if they include sufficient population health content.

A Curriculum Planning Sheet (pdf) is available for download.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to this program must meet the general admission requirements for the Master of Public Health degree program. The initial application packet is submitted through the SOPHAS application system (link provided on the UAB admissions page). Upon acceptance to the program, applicants will be prompted by the UAB Graduate School to submit a supplemental application via the UAB Graduate School website.

Students should note that the Population Health program curriculum has been updated. If a student is submitting to switch from a different degree program or department into a Coordinated Degree or the General MPH in Population Health Degree, they will be responsible for completing the current Population Health program requirements. It is advised that students meet with the current program manager prior to submitting a petition to switch programs.

Information on Application Deadlines can be found on the graduate application page.

Career & Practical Experience

The Population Health concentration is particularly suited for professionals working in healthcare-related fields or students enrolled in coordinated degree programs such as nursing, medicine, physician assistant studies, or optometry. The curriculum integrates practical experience through an Applied Practice Experience (Internship) and an Integrative Learning Experience (Capstone).

The program aims to equip graduates to educate vulnerable populations and help the public make more informed health decisions, with potential applications in areas such as improving access to health information in rural areas.