MPH Program

Degrees and Programs Offered

The Master of Public Health program at the Medical College of Wisconsin offers a variety of programs for students interested in studying public health.  All courses are offered online, and students in different programs enroll in coursework together.

Quick Links to Programs:
Master of Public Health
Graduate Certificate in Public Health
Non-Degree Seeking
Dual Degree Program - Baccalaureate / MPH with Mount Mary College

Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program consists of 42 credits and can be completed in two to five years.  Students graduating from the program hold a master’s degree and are eligible for advanced work in the field of public health.  The MPH program curriculum incorporates the following:

5 Core Courses:

• 18200 Environmental Health
• 18201 Principles of Epidemiology
• 18203 Public Health Administration
• 18204 Introduction to Biostatistics
• 18212 Behavioral Science and Public Health

Required Community Health Courses:

• 18209 Community Health Assessment and Improvement
• 18230 Community Health Program Planning
• 18260 Community Health Program Evaluation

Required Ethics Course:

• 18250 Balancing Harms and Individual and Community Interests:  Ethical Issues in Public Health

Required Culminating Experiences:

• 18279 MPH Field Placement Preparation
• 18280 MPH Field Placement
• 18297 MPH Capstone Project

Elective Courses:

• To total 42 credits – typically 3 courses (9 credits)

For more information about courses, including scheduling and descriptions, visit the Courses and Curriculum webpage.

Graduate Certificate in Public Health

The Graduate Certificate in Public Health program consists of 15 credits and can be completed in one or two years.  Students graduating from the program will earn a certificate indicating the completion of graduate-level coursework but do not earn a graduate-level degree.  The certificate program curriculum incorporates the five core courses in public health:

• 18200 Environmental Health
• 18201 Principles of Epidemiology
• 18203 Public Health Administration
• 18204 Introduction to Biostatistics
• 18212 Behavioral Science and Public Health

Transferring to the MPH Program

Many students elect to begin their public health coursework in the certificate program and then transfer to the MPH program.  Students completing the certificate program are eligible to transfer all 15 credits into the MPH program if the student has earned a B or better in each course.

Why start in the certificate program and then transfer to the MPH program?

Students begin coursework in the certificate program for a number of reasons.  Some students want to verify they’ll succeed in the MPH program before committing to the master’s program.  The certificate program allows them to:

• Ensure public health is their desired field.
• Gain experience with online learning (if they’ve never taken a course online before).
• Remember study skills (if they’ve been out of school for quite some time).

Others have a more specific concern:

• Want to avoid the GRE.  (If certificate students successfully complete all five courses in the certificate program, we can waive the admission requirement to submit GRE scores when they apply to the MPH program.)

Who should not start in the certificate program and then transfer to the MPH program?

Transferring from the certificate program to the MPH program is not appropriate for all individuals, including those who:

• Require financial aid.  (There is no federal financial aid for students enrolled in the certificate program.  Financial aid is available for qualified students enrolled at least half-time in the MPH program.)
• Want to move quickly through the program.  (If students wish to enroll in more than two courses per semester, they cannot enroll in the certificate program.)

Non-Degree Seeking Student

Enrolling as a non-degree seeking student allows a student to participate in public health coursework without committing to a certificate or master’s program.  This option is particularly useful if a student is only interested in completing a few courses and not a full program.

Comparing and Contrasting the Different Programs

Dual Degree Program

Baccalaureate / MPH with Mount Mary College

The Medical College of Wisconsin is pleased to offer a new dual degree program with Mount Mary College.  In five years, students earn a baccalaureate degree from Mount Mary College and a Master of Public Health degree from MCW.  Up to 15 credits of graduate coursework may count towards both the undergraduate and graduate degrees, allowing students to complete both degrees in a four plus one (4:1) configuration. 

Mount Mary students majoring in any discipline may apply for this dual degree program in the spring semester of their junior year. For admissions information, please visit our Application webpage.  For more information about this dual degree program, please visit the Mount Mary College Dual Degree Programs webpage.