MPH in Global Health

The master of public health (MPH) degree in global health provides students with applied public health training in a global context.

Skills

Develop skills in areas like program management, research, and communication while specializing in one of four concentrations.

Jobs

MPH graduates in the traditional track have gone on to find jobs in a range of settings including federal and local health departments, the Peace Corps, non-government organizations, nonprofits, research settings, and more.

Click the pie chart to see careers of alumni, by sector.

Global health MPH students choose from four concentration areas:

Infectious Disease

The infectious disease concentration is designed to prepare students to assume appropriate, responsible, challenging positions to address significant global infectious disease problems. Students will acquire the necessary skills to provide leadership, research, and service and to work as members of teams committed to the prevention and control of infectious diseases throughout the world.

In addition to the department requirements outlined here, this concentration requires:

Two infectious disease courses (5 total credits) + concentration electives

Community Health and Development

The community health and development concentration prepares professionals to work at community, district, and national levels to strengthen indigenous capacity to address their priorities, improve health, and move toward well-being.

Graduates of this concentration will have the capacity to work with grassroots organizations, private voluntary groups, governmental agencies, and other sector providers to design, implement, manage, and evaluate community-based public health initiatives. Emphasis will be given to the development of public health skills, the acquisition of knowledge about working within local communities in different cultural settings and development contexts, and promoting social and behavioral change for healthier communities.

In addition to the department requirements outlined here, this concentration requires:

Three community health and development courses + concentration electives

Public Health Nutrition

The public health nutrition concentration takes a broad perspective with respect to both content and methodological approaches to equip students for careers in public health nutrition. Graduates can use these skills to serve government agencies, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, applied research institutions, and universities in the U.S. and globally.

In addition to the department requirements outlined here, this concentration requires:

Three public nutrition courses + concentration electives

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Population Studies

The concentration in sexual and reproductive health and population studies addresses current domestic and global issues in these domains using anthropological, demographic, epidemiological, ethnographic, and applied behavioral methods.

The concentration prepares students for programmatic or research work in the fields of reproductive health, sexual health, and population studies, according to their personal career objectives.

In addition to the department requirements outlined here, this concentration requires:

Three sexual and reproductive health and population studies courses + concentration electives

The traditional format requires four semesters in residence. We also offer the MPH in an accelerated, three-semester format.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the SOPHAS application, all applicants will need to submit the following materials when applying to Rollins:

College transcripts
GRE scores
Two letters of recommendation
Personal statement
Resume (optional)

Cohort Size: 90

Average GPA: 3.5

Detailed information about each of these admission requirements can be found in Admissions.

We do not have specific GPA or GRE score requirements. However, due to the strength of our applicant pool, admission is very unlikely if the score on any of the three portions of the GRE is below the 60th percentile.

Department Requirements

Preference is given to students who have advanced training and applied experience in the global arena. This might include working with underserved populations, volunteer or mission experience, or Peace Corps or AmeriCorps service.

Degree Requirements

42 credit hours: Includes a thesis and a practicum.

Methods Requirements (6+ credits)

Students are required to complete six credits in approved skill-based methods courses that will teach them how to plan, implement, monitor, evaluate, present, or analyze data. Current students can access the complete list of approved methods courses in Blackboard. Students can receive guidance on which methods courses to take from Faculty and Academic Advisors. Our departmental Associate Directors of Academic Programs can also help answer course-related questions.

Core Requirements

I. RSPH core (14 credits)

Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
BIOS 500	Statistical Methods I with Lab	4
BSHE 500	Behavioral and Social Sciences in Public Health	2
EPI 530	Epidemiologic Methods I with Lab	4
EH 500	Perspectives in Environmental Health	2
HPM 500	Intro to US Health Care System	2

II. Department core (6 credits)

Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
GH 501	Evidence Based Global Health Policies Programs and Research	3
GH XXX	Practicum Methods Courses Choose one course of the group below: GH 502 Survey Research Methods, GH 522 Qualitative Research Methods, GH 555 Proposal Development, GH 560 Monitoring & Evaluation*	2-3
GH 599R/598R	Thesis/Special Study Project	4
GH 595R	Practicum	0

III. Methods Requirements (6 credits)

Students are required to complete 6 credits in approved methods courses from which you might select from a list of approved methods courses. Students receive advise on methods course selection from their Faculty and Academic Advisors.

IV. Concentration Requirements (5-7 credits)

Courses and credit requirements vary by concentration. Please click on the links below for more information:

Traditional Sample Schedules

First Fall Semester (13-15 Credit Hours)
BIOS 500	Statistical Methods I w/lab (4 credit hours)
EPI 530	EPI Methods I w/lab (4 credit hours)
GH 501	Evidence Based Global Health Policies Programs and Research (3 credit hours)
Additional Core Course (HPM 500, BSHE 500 or EH 500)	(2 credit hours)
Optional Electives	(2 credit hours)
Concentration Courses	(2 + credit hours)

First Spring Semester (13-16 Credit Hours)
Practicum Methods Course	(3 credit hours)
Methods Courses	(3+ credit hours) See ADAP and Faculty Advisor for guidance on methods selection
Concentration Courses	(2 credit hours)
OR
Additional Core Course (HPM 500, BSHE 500 or EH 500)	(2 credit hours)

Second Fall Semester (12-15 Credit Hours)
Additional Core Course (HPM 500, BSHE 500 or EH 500)	2 credit hours
Methods Courses	(3+ credit hours) Strongly Suggested: BIOS 550, GH 525, GH 560
GH 595	Register for Practicum (0 credits)
Concentration Courses	(3 credit hours)
OR
Electives	(3 credit hours)

Second Spring Semester 10-12 Credits
GH 598/GH 599	Thesis/ Special Study Project (4 credit hours total)
Additional Core Course (HPM 500, BSHE 500 or EH 500)	(2 credit hours)
Concentration Courses	(2 + credit hours)
Electives	(2 credit hours)

Culminating Experiences

Practicum

All Rollins MPH and MSPH students are required to complete a 200-400 hour practicum. This practical experience is designed to enhance the student’s understanding and application of knowledge and research findings to public health settings by providing an opportunity to gain practical experience. Public health work environments include nonprofit organizations, hospitals, local health departments, and for-profit firms.

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