Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice

The Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice is a college-wide interdisciplinary program designed to prepare experienced health professionals to assume leadership roles as members of multidisciplinary teams so that they are able to effectively develop, implement, and evaluate programs that have an impact on the health of the public. The Public Health Practice MPH provides a broad spectrum of skills and knowledge important for effective health professionals working in public health settings. Students in the program will gain skills related to: public health practice; epidemiology; program analysis and inference from data; development of programs that take into account cultural, social, economic, ethical and legal factors; community-based health policy and program planning; and budgeting and management.

The MPH in Public Health Practice is offered in two formats: Online MPH via distance learning and Executive MPH program. The Online MPH via distance learning is primarily intended for off-campus students who are unable to come to campus for their education. The Executive MPH program is a unique and customized program to serve the needs of the busy health care practitioner. Classes in this format are offered one weekend a month for a total of 18 months. A brief description and link to detail on each of these programs are listed below. Each program has specialized staff to assist students.

Online MPH via Distance Learning

The Online MPH via Distance Learning offers a convenient and affordable avenue for off-campus health care professionals to earn a Masters degree through distance learning. The courses in the Online MPH in Public Health Practice are delivered using web-based technologies. With the help of skilled instructional designers, faculty create course content that is delivered using multimedia technologies such as the Internet, DVDs, CDs, videotape, streaming media, web-based tutorials, and so on. Faculty within these courses utilize email, web conferencing, discussion forums and virtual chat features to enhance instruction.  Students can complete almost all degree requirements for the online MPH with minimal on-campus requirements of no more than one calendar week. Courses are available in the online format in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. The time required to complete the online MPH program ranges from approximately 2.5 to 5 years, depending on time of entry into the program, course sequence and availability, as well as student circumstances and academic status. In addition, courses offered in this program may apply toward other MPH concentrations. Students must meet certain technology requirements and are required to pay a technology fee to participate in all online courses. For more information about the Online MPH program, go to http://publichealth.usf.edu/php/onlinemph. Contact the Public Health Practice Program office by email at distance@health.usf.edu or call (813)974-6606 (SunCom 574-6606) or toll free (888)USF-COPH (press 5).

Executive MPH

The Executive Weekend MPH program is a unique and customized program to serve the needs of the busy health care practitioner. Past and current students have represented many health care fields and specialties including physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, occupational therapists and many more.  This diversity provides students with the opportunity to meet and collaborate with colleagues from other specialties and geographic areas while enhancing the student’s ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams. Students gain strategic vision while participating on diverse teams with other students averaging three to 33 years of work experience in public health.  Courses in this format are intensive, in-depth and offered one weekend a month on the Tampa campus.  Small class sizes guarantee students individual attention and rich face to face interactions with experienced peers and faculty. Due to the customized nature of this program, additional fees are assessed and enrollment is limited. For more information, visit: http://publichealth.usf.edu/php/home.html.

Visit the Public Health Practice department website >>