Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Public Health Program

The University of Texas School of Public Health San Antonio has introduced a new Master of Public Health degree program, focusing on Public Health Practice and Administration. This program is designed to be community-driven, with a mission to improve the health of the community through education, research, and service.

Program Overview

The Master of Public Health program is built around seven unique attributes:

• Community-Led: The program emphasizes the importance of community involvement and partnership in public health initiatives.
• Service-Focused: The curriculum is designed to engage students in coursework related to public health practice and administration, with a focus on service that meaningfully impacts the community.
• Story-Driven: The program incorporates qualitative and quantitative methods to understand public health issues and develop effective interventions.
• Evidence-Based: The curriculum is guided by the Council on Education for Public Health and includes a capstone learning experience or discovery-based paper.
• Partnership-Aligned: The program focuses on building partnerships with community-based organizations, government agencies, and healthcare organizations to advance public health.
• Society-Centric: The program considers the broader social determinants of health and aims to help people have healthier lives through community-based initiatives.
• Policy-Oriented: The program emphasizes the importance of policy development in public health, including assessment, assurance, and policy development.

Program Details

The Master of Public Health program includes:

Curriculum

• Foundational competencies in all areas of public health
• Specialization in a chosen area of public health
• Applied practical experiences working with local organizations
• A capstone learning experience or discovery-based paper

Research Areas

• Environmental health
• Occupational health
• Health policy and health services administration
• Health, behavior, and society

Program Goals

• To improve population health outcomes through community-based initiatives
• To address health disparities and promote health equity
• To strengthen the region's capacity to respond to public health emergencies

Future Programming

In addition to the inaugural Master of Public Health program, a second dual degree program is scheduled to begin in summer 2025, offering a joint Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health in Health Systems. A doctoral program will follow within several years.