M.S.P.H. Master of Science in Public Health

Overview

The Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) is an academic research degree designed for students who wish to prepare for further study at the doctoral level, or to prepare for research or technical positions in government, industry, academia, or private institutions. Studies will include many of the core disciplines included in the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with an additional emphasis on advanced research methods and quantitative, computational analysis skills. The MSPH program is a 45 credit hour program that is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. 

Full-time students can expect to complete the MSPH degree requirements within 2 years. An elective credit waiver may be available for students who enter the MSPH degree program with an earned advanced degree (e.g., MD, DDS, DVM, JD).

4+1 BSPH and MSPH 

The University of Miami’s School of Nursing and Health Studies (SONHS) and the Department of Public Health Sciences (DPHS) offer a 4+1 program that combines a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) and a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH). See the 4+1 program description within the Bulletin, Public Health pages for more details.

SONHS academically-qualified juniors are eligible to apply to the MSPH program. Applicants must be enrolled in the BSPH program with the SONHS and apply separately into the 4+1 BSPH/MSPH. Applicants must be in good academic standing as defined by the School of Nursing at the time of submission. Acceptance into the BSPH program does not in any way indicate or guarantee acceptance to the MSPH degree program. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) admissions requirement is waived for the BSPH students. If accepted, students complete the combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in 5 years. Accepted students take 12 credits of graduate level public health courses during their undergraduate senior year, then 3 to 6 graduate level credits the summer after completing the bachelors and the rest of graduate courses in the subsequent fall and spring semesters to complete the 45 credit MSPH degree.

BSPH students must apply through SOPHAS during the undergraduate junior year by March 1 to start the program in the fall. Admission decisions regarding the entry of BSPH students into the MSPH program are made solely by the Admissions Committee of the Department of Public Health Sciences.   

BSPH students interested in pursuing the 4+1 program must meet with their undergraduate advisor to develop an academic plan. The advisor will also explain the policies and procedures of the program and link the student with the graduate program advisor.

Admission Requirements

·       Application - Applicants must submit their application online through SOPHAS, the centralized application service of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). All application materials, including transcripts, test scores, statement of purpose/personal statement, resume/CV, and letters of recommendations, must be submitted directly through SOPHAS. 

·       Transcripts – Applicants must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. All foreign transcripts must be official and submitted in the original language. If the original language is not English, an official translation must be submitted along with the transcript. All non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES) using ICAP course-by-course evaluation service.

·       Standardized Test Scores - The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for the MSPH program.

·       English Proficiency Exam - International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). If English is not a student’s native language, the TOEFL/IELTS requirement may be waived if the applicant holds an undergraduate or graduate degree from an academic institution within the United States or If English is not a student’s native language, the TOEFL/IELTS requirement may be waived if the applicant holds an undergraduate or graduate degree from an academic institution within the United States or from select English-speaking countries.

·       Resume/Curriculum Vitae – Applicants must include a detailed resume including employment, public health experiences, community service, research, and academic or professional honors. Prior public health experience is not required in order to be considered for admission.

·       Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement – Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose that details their academic interest in the program. The statement should discuss any experiences in public health including field experience, research, training, education or other related qualifications. Applicants should discuss how earning the degree will contribute to their future professional and career goals, as well as to the future of public health. Applicants should also address any academic deficiencies, if applicable.

·       Letters of Recommendation– Applicants must provide three letters of recommendation from individuals who are best able to assess their ability to be successful in a graduate degree program. Ideally, recommenders are recent professors, researchers or employers in a related field. Letters should be signed and on letterhead. Applicants will be asked to include the contact information of their recommenders on the SOPHAS application and recommenders will be sent an online form to complete via email.

For more information about our application process, please click here. To obtain detailed curricula on all our program offerings, please visit our website.

For further information, please contact:

Ginelle Solis, EdD, MPA
Director of Admissions and Recruitment
Department of Public Health Sciences
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
1120 N.W. 14 Street, Room 905 (R-669)
Miami, Florida 33136
Tel: 305-243-7246
Email: publichealthadmissions@miami.edu

Curriculum Requirements

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List of approved Method Courses. Select 2 courses from this list: BST 605, BST 625, BST 630, BST 692, EPH 604, EPH 644, EPH 647, EPH 651, EPH 656, EPH 664, EPH 703, EPH 705, EPH 727, EPH 751, EPH 752, EPH 772, EPH 774, EPH 776

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After completion of the core courses, the student may select courses to fit his/her own area of interest. This allows for personal tailoring of the academic program to fit the student’s individual needs and career goals.

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 The MSPH Thesis project requires an individual investigation of a current public health problem and allows the student to demonstrate competency in the development and implementation of a research question. Students will work closely with a faculty advisor and the thesis committee during their investigation.  Formal MSPH thesis project presentation is required. The MSPH thesis process, format and deadlines follows the Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) requirements of the Graduate School.

Sample MSPH Study Plan to complete in 2 years

This is a sample Plan of Study for the MSPH. Your actual course sequence may vary depending on your previous academic experience, your area of interest, and the current course offerings.

Students should meet with their academic advisor each semester through an advising session to determine the appropriate course selection for upcoming semesters. 

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Methods Courses: Must be selected from the approved method course listed in the "Curriculum" tab

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Thesis courses:  EPH 810 section 01, Proposal must be completed prior to enrolling in EPH 810 section DEF, Defense. The 810 Master Thesis follows the ETD requirements from Graduate School.

Mission

The mission of the Graduate Programs in Public Health is to develop leaders who can generate and translate knowledge into policy and practice to promote health and prevent disease in human populations.

Goals

Upon completion of the Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) degree, all graduates will be able to:

• Apply epidemiologic methods to the measurement and study of population health and the prevention of infectious and chronic disease
• Explain the role of multi-level occupational and environmental conditions which directly or indirectly impact the health of individuals, communities and populations
• Examine the main components and issues of the organization, financing, and delivery of health services and public health systems
• Apply statistical reasoning and quantitative methods for the purpose of analyzing public health data in population-based research
• Identify social and behavioral concepts, models and theories that form the foundation of health promotion and disease prevention
• Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods in relation to their strengths, limitations and appropriate uses
• Identify public health research questions and hypotheses, analyze data and communicate research findings and conclusions in a clear and concise manner
• Assess the strengths and limitations of various research designs in collecting, analyzing and interpreting information from public health studies

The MSPH degree is an academic research degree designed for students who wish to prepare for further study at the doctoral level, or to prepare for research or technical positions in government, industry, academia or private institutions. Studies will include the core disciplines included in the MPH degree with an additional emphasis on advanced research methods and quantitative, computational analysis skills.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will develop and demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills in the presentation of public health information to a diverse audience.
• Students will develop and demonstrate the ability to make scholarly contributions to the field.
• Students will demonstrate mastery of research competencies.