University General Course Catalog 2023-2024 
    
    Oct 31, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2023-2024 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Public Health (Health Administration and Policy), M.P.H.


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The School of Public Health offers a graduate degree program leading to a master of public health (MPH). Emphases in the MPH program include Epidemiology, Health Administration and Policy, Public Health Practice and Social and Behavioral Health. A MD/MPH dual degree program and an accelerated BS/MPH program are also offered.

The goal of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program is to prepare students to be effective public health professionals. Public health professionals work in a variety of organizations and agencies to contribute to the common aim of promoting and protecting health in human populations through innovative research, policy analysis, and education that draws upon multidisciplinary expertise. The school serves local, national, and international communities with its knowledge through practicum experience.

Students are admitted to the MPH degree program on a competitive basis. They must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university to be accepted to the graduate program. No specific undergraduate major is required; however, students who do not have an undergraduate degree from an accredited public health program must take an overview of public health course (0 credits) before graduating from the MPH program.

Contact Information


School of Public Health
203 Lombardi
(775) 784-1857

Dr. Kristen Clements-Nolle, Director of Graduate Studies,
School of Public Health
(775) 682-7097
clements@unr.edu

Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes


The goal of the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program is to prepare students to be effective public health professionals. Public health professionals work in a variety of organizations and agencies to contribute to the common aim of promoting and protecting health in human populations.

Admissions Requirements


Admissions Deadline

The application deadline for the MPH program is June 1. However, to receive full consideration for graduate scholarship funding, applicants are encouraged to submit their application by February 1. MPH applications are accepted once per year (fall admission). If you miss the deadline and would like to discuss enrolling in graduate special coursework that could be applied to the MPH program, please contact Dr. Kristen Clements-Nolle, Director of Graduate Studies, at clements@unr.edu. Students interested in the accelerated BS/MPH program may be admitted at different times of the year and should contact Kristen Clements-Nolle for more information.

Admissions Requirements

The Admissions Committee places emphasis on the diversity of our graduate students who have the qualifications and credentials to succeed in public health practice. The multi-faceted nature of the public health profession now demands students from diverse educational as well as professional backgrounds. We welcome inquiries and applications from anyone who has a passion for improving the health of our communities. Therefore, while we seek students who meet BOTH University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and School of Public Health (SPH) public health requirements for graduate status, we also consider other important attributes such as volunteer and professional experiences, career objectives, and potential to contribute to the public health profession.

  1. Regular fall admission: The application deadline for the MPH program is June 1. However, to receive full consideration for Graduate Assistantships, Fellowships, and Merit graduate student awards, applicants are encouraged to submit their application by February 1. Only one MPH cohort is admitted each year. If you miss the deadline and would like to discuss enrolling in graduate special coursework that could be applied to the MPH program, please contact Dr. Kristen-Clements-Nolle, Director of Graduate Studies, at clements@unr.edu.
  2. Baccalaureate degree: A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, with an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale. If your undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 but higher than 2.75 your application will be considered if your GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework is 3.0 or higher. If you graduated from an international college or university, please contact the Graduate School for approval of your undergraduate degree for graduate studies at UNR.
  3. TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo Test Scores (required if education history is from a non-English Speaking Country).  OFFICIAL TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test scores are required if your educational history is from a non-English speaking country.  Minimum scores: TOEFL: 550 (paper) or 79 (internet); IELTS: 6.5 (academic version); Duolingo: 105.
  4. Three letters of recommendation: Letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s motivation, academic capability, scholarship potential, and personal goals for graduate study.
  5. Statement of Purpose. The essay should be at least 500 words in length, outlining the student’s interest in graduate study in public health, potential research interests, career objectives, and specifying the chosen MPH specialization of interest (Epidemiology, Social Behavioral Health, Health Administration and Policy).
  6. Resume or CV: Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) that demonstrates evidence of professional and/or educational health-related experience.  

Prerequisite Coursework

Completion of an undergraduate or graduate course in statistics is required. The statistics requirement must be met prior to taking CHS 712  and CHS 780 .

Application Process

Two separate applications are REQUIRED for admission to the in-person MPH program: 1) one application package is submitted directly to SOPHAS and 2) another application package is submitted directly to the Graduate School of the University of Nevada, Reno. Applicants will not be reviewed for admission until both applications are submitted. Before applying for admission, please note the admission requirements.

Application 1:

  1. The following materials should be sent directly to SOPHAS at: http://sophas.org/
  2. Transcripts: One official copy of transcripts from ALL undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
  3. GRE Scores (optional): The GRE is NOT required for the MPH program, but may be submitted if the applicant believes it will strengthen their application . Submit OFFICIAL GRE scores by using the University of Nevada, Reno SOPHAS code 7828.
  4. TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo Test Scores (required if education history is from a non-English Speaking Country).  TOEFL scores can be submitted using the University of Nevada, Reno SOPHAS code 5688.
  5. Three letters of recommendation.
  6. Statement of purpose.
  7. Resume or CV.

Application 2:

The following materials should be sent directly to the Graduate School of the University of Nevada, Reno at: https://unr.force.com/TX_SiteLogin?startURL=%2FTargetX_Portal__PB

  1. UNR online application form

I. Program Requirements


The MPH degree with an emphasis in Health Administration and Policy is a 42 unit minimum program that includes a core curriculum of 21 units in research methods, biostatistics, social/behavioral health, epidemiology, environmental health, and health administration. In addition, all MPH students must complete a 3-unit practicum and 3 units in a MPH capstone course. Students must also complete all required Health Administration and Policy specialization courses and electives.

B. Culminating Experience (3 units)


C. Practicum Requirement (3 units)


The practicum is an important element of the MPH curriculum through which the student obtains experience in a practice setting appropriate to the development of professional practice skills.

D. Health Administration and Policy Emphasis (15 units)


The Health Administration and Policy emphasis is designed for students interested in pursuing leadership and administrative positions in a range of public health and health services organizations. The curriculum centers on management principles, information management, policy development and understanding, systems approaches, and other methods to advance the health of communities. Graduates are prepared for a full range of careers in public health and health care administration, including management, consulting, planning, and marketing positions in a variety of health-related settings (such as hospitals, government agencies, health systems, nonprofits, ambulatory care facilities, insurers, and managed care organizations).

A. Health Administration and Policy Core (12 units)


II. Total MPH Units (42 units)


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