Program Overview

Master of Public Health (MPH) - Generalist Program

The MPH Generalist program prepares students to manage community and healthcare organizations and develop evidence-based strategies to enhance healthcare outputs and promote healthier communities. The program may be completed full-time (in four semesters) or part-time (completion varies) either on-campus or online. The program may be completed in 12-15 months (accelerated program) for qualified students who can handle an intensive course load. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the CPH exam.

About the Program

Students in this program learn about interdisciplinary approaches to tackle complex public health challenges at the community, healthcare, and government sectors using data-based evidence through advanced epidemiological methods. Through the electives, students can further specialize in areas of their interest, including but not limited to:

• Healthcare administration
• Health policy
• Epidemiology
• Health behavior
• Population health informatics Students can enhance their skills through graduate certificates in one of the following areas, or create their own plan in consultation with the academic advisor:
  • Health analytics
  • Population health informatics
  • Health systems leadership
  • Population health

Admission Criteria

The program is suited for students with diverse academic backgrounds and applies their skills in public health policy, program management, and community health, for public health professionals to gain a comprehensive understanding of public health principles and practices, and healthcare workers who want to understand the broader context of health and disease. Admission requirements include:

• Completed SOPHAS application
• An undergraduate degree from an accredited university with a GPA of at least 3.0 preferred
• Personal statement on career interests in healthcare administration (< 500 words)
• CV/Resume
• Two (2) letters of recommendation
• International applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency according to the University of Memphis Graduate School requirements

Deadlines

• International applicants should plan to have their applications by May 15 for Fall Semester and October 15 for Spring Semester
• Fall Semester – August 15
• Spring Semester – January 15

Curriculum

The program requires a total of forty-two (42) credit hours, including:

• 18 credit hours of core courses
• 12 credit hours of concentration courses
• 6 credit hours of elective courses
• 3 credit hours of applied practical experiences
• 3 credit hours of culminating experience

Core Courses (18 credit hours)

• HADM 7105 Health Policy and Organization of Health Services
• PUBH 7120 Environmental Health I
• PUBH 7150 Biostatistical Methods I
• PUBH 7160 Social and Behavioral Sciences Principles
• PUBH 7170 Epidemiology in Public Health I
• PUBH 7180 Foundations of Public Health

Generalist Courses (9 credit hours)

• HADM 7110 Leadership and Organizational Change in Health Care
• PUBH 7004 Interdisciplinary Approaches to Population Health Challenges
• PUBH 7141 Epidemiologic Survey Methods

Electives (6 credit hours)

• Two (2) 3 credit hours graduate level courses in consultation with faculty advisor

Applied Practical Experience (3 credit hours)

• PUBH 7985 Practicum/Field Experience

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)

• PUBH 7992 Master's Project Seminar OR
• PUBH 7996 Master's Thesis

Competencies

Foundational

• Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice
• Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming, and software, as appropriate
• Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy, or practice
• Compare the organization, structure, and function of health care, public health, and regulatory systems across national and international settings
• Discuss means by which structural bias, social inequities, and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community, and societal levels
• Assess population needs, assets, and capacities that affect communities' health
• Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs
• Design a population-based policy, program, project, or intervention
• Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management
• Select methods to evaluate public health programs
• Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence
• Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes
• Advocate for political, social, or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations
• Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity
• Apply principles of leadership, governance, and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration, and guiding decision-making
• Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges
• Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors
• Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation
• Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content
• Perform effectively on interprofessional teams
• Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue

Generalist

• Discuss demographic challenges and policy issues associated with cost, access, and quality of care
• Critically evaluate various leadership theories and apply strategic thinking tools to identify a personal leadership style
• Recommend strategies for risk communication with underserved communities in situations of public health crisis requiring emergency response, such as disasters or outbreaks
• Describe the principles of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and analyze the benefits and limitations of this approach in promoting public health
• Assess the direct and indirect human, ecological, and health effects of major environmental and occupational agents