General MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the University of Connecticut is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The program's distinct concentration is in Interprofessional Public Health Practice, designed to foster collaboration among students from diverse health disciplines including medicine, dental, social work, law, and pharmacy. It emphasizes practical application, system-level strategies, and community engagement to address contemporary public health challenges.

Delivery Modes

The MPH program is offered on-campus with options for both full-time and part-time study. Full-time students can typically complete the program in two years, while part-time students may take up to four years. The program structure suggests flexible class scheduling.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum requires the successful completion of 48 graduate credits, structured as follows:

• Foundational Courses (15 credits): Covering Health Administration (PUBH 5403), Environmental Health (PUBH 5404), Social & Behavioral Foundations of Public Health (PUBH 5405), Epidemiology & Biostatistics I (PUBH 5408), and Epidemiology & Biostatistics II (PUBH 5409).

• Concentration Courses (9 credits): Including Law and Public Health (PUBH 5406), Introduction to Interprofessional Public Health Practice (PUBH 5411), and Public Health Research Methods (PUBH 5431).

• Applied Practice Experience (APE) (6 credits): A two-semester Practicum in Public Health (PUBH 5407), involving 170+ hours of offsite fieldwork under agency supervision.

• Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) (3 credits): Typically a Capstone Project (PUBH 5499). Students desiring a research-focused ILE may petition to substitute a 9-credit Master’s Thesis (GRAD 5950).

• Elective Coursework (15 credits): Students choose electives to build knowledge in specific areas of interest, often organized around the core functions of public health: assessment, assurance, and policy development. Examples include courses in Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Health Education, Social Inequality and Health Disparities, and Health Program Evaluation.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the MPH program is competitive. Prospective students must demonstrate strong undergraduate academic performance in a relevant discipline. Preference is given to applicants with experience and knowledge of the U.S. public health system. A complete application, submitted via the UConn Graduate School, includes:

• A personal statement summarizing career plans and influences.

• Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.

• Three letters of recommendation.

Career & Practical Experience

The program prepares graduates for a variety of roles in public health. Alumni hold positions such as health directors and staff in state and local health departments, managers of community health and social service organizations, managers and scientists in pharmaceutical firms, health insurance companies, and hospital systems, as well as educators, researchers, community-based physicians, and public policy advocates. The Applied Practice Experience (APE) provides students with over 170 hours of offsite field experience, allowing them to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings and develop professional competencies.