The Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Public Health, Master of Medical Science
in Public Health and the Doctor of Public Health are multi-disciplinary professional
degrees awarded for studies in areas related to public health.
The MPH degree focuses on public health practice, as opposed to research or teaching.
Master of Public Health programs are available throughout the world in Programs in Public
Health, Medical Schools, Schools of Public Health, and Schools of Public Affairs.
General Masters degrees
In some countries the MPH program is only available for physician graduates.
In those countries, individuals without a medical degree may enter a Master of Science
in Public Health or Master of Medical Science in Public Health programs.
Doctorate degrees The DrPH degree is for those who intend to
pursue or advance a professional practice career in public health and for leaders and
future leaders in public health practice.
They face the particular challenge of understanding and adapting scientific knowledge in order
to achieve health gain and results.
This degree leads to a career in high-level administration, teaching, or practice, where
advanced analytical and conceptual capabilities are required.
The usual requirement for entry into this program is a Masters degree in Public Health.
The DrPH program develops in its candidates all competencies included in MPH programs,
with increased emphasis on high level skills in problem-solving and the application of
public health concepts.
Individual Countries United States
In the United States, any person with an accredited undergraduate degree may pursue an MPH or
MSPH.
Based on the accreditation of the Council on Education for Public Health, an MPH or
MSPH is not a clinical degree.
However, some states in the United States recognize MPH holders as ancillary clinical
professionals especially with regard to preventive medicine, health education, and other functions
in the clinical and hospital environments.
In fact, most hospital systems have MPH public health staff to study disease trends and help
to combat hospital-acquired infections and immediately determine epidemiologic trends.
Core disciplines The traditional MPH degree is designed to
expose candidates to 5 core discipline areas of public health:
Biostatistics Epidemiology
Environmental Health Health Policy and Health Administration
Social and behavioral sciences Council on Education for Public Health
In the United States the Council on Education for Public Health accredits schools of public
health and programs of public health through a formal review process.
List of Schools & Programs of Public Health Accredited by the CEPH
Certified in Public Health Exam In 2008, the National Board of Public Health
Examiners, an organization established in the United States, began offering a certification
exam designed to test mastery of the core competencies of the MPH degree.
After a candidate passes this examination, they must maintain the certification with
50 CPH recertification credits approved by the NBPHE.
The NBPHE's Board of Directors primarily represents five key collaborating organizations: the
American Public Health Association, the Association of Prevention Teaching and Research, the Association
of Schools of Public Health, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials,
and the National Association of County and City Health Officials.
The board is dedicated to increasing recognition of the public health profession, raising the
visibility of public health, and measuring and improving the competency of public health
workers across the nation and around the world.
Council of Graduate Programs in Public Health The Council of Graduate Programs in Public
Health represents the accredited and emerging graduate programs across the U.S. that grant
public health degrees and therefore prepare students for professional careers in public
health.
The Council encourages, promotes and supports universities, schools and colleges in developing,
maintaining, and advancing graduate programs in the disciplines of preventive medicine,
social medicine, community health and public health.
The Council is sponsored by the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research.
United Kingdom In the United Kingdom the MPH or MSc in Public
Health is usually a one year full-time program.
Taught modules typically account for two thirds of the MPH and a project one third.
Students may be medical or non-medical graduates.
Degrees vary in their content, but most cover similar areas of public health.
Because of the key role played by public health practitioners in the NHS a UK MPH also often
includes Health economics.
Degrees that include a substantial epidemiological component are more selective and some require
applicants to demonstrate ability before applying, by completion of an online test MPH Selection
Test [1] Faculty of Public Health
In the UK specialist accreditation in public health is provided by the Faculty of Public
Health [2].
Specialist accreditation is through participation in a four-year program analogous to specialist
training for doctors.
Specialist trainees must pass an examination, demonstrably achieve certain skills and submit
a portfolio of work.
However specialist training in public health is also open to non-doctors.
References
External links Council of Graduate Programs in Public Health
Society for Public Health Education Association of Schools of Public Health
Council on Education for Public Health Master list of CEPH accredited Schools & Programs
of Public Health as of March 11, 2011 National Board of Public Health Examiners
The Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region