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Master of
Public Health

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Summary Courses Careers Costs and Aid

Increase your knowledge and skills in the areas of systems thinking, evidence-based public health, leadership, program management, public health systems, communication, and interprofessional practice. Prepare for a wide variety of in-demand and rewarding careers in the global health industry.

Apply by February 15 to start August 26

42 Credits $1,017 per credit

CEPH Accredited

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Gain Skills to Become an Authority in Global Health

  • Analyze and address a public health practice challenge and propose solutions to real-world global health problems.

  • Apply social justice and human rights principles to public health policies and programs.

  • Communicate to culturally diverse audiences to explain the roles and relationships of the entities influencing global health.

  • Identify the relationships among patterns of morbidity, mortality, and disability with demographic and other factors shaping the circumstances of a population.

Your public health online course work, capstone project, and internship can provide experience that you can apply to real-world public health settings and real-time public health issues.

Your studies will focus on: 

  • global health promotion
  • global disease and prevention 
  • major contemporary global health issues and initiatives 
  • political, social, economic, cultural, and environmental determinants of health 
  • the role of global health players and how they interact to improve health

In the MPH global health track, your 42 credits of course work will include:

  • 18 credits of public health sciences core courses
  • 3-credit internship course
  • 9 credits of global health track courses
  • 3-credit culminating capstone course
  • 9 credits of electives

Required Courses (18 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Evaluation of intervention strategies from a biobehavioral health context; theories of change processes in health.

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to the application of techniques and interpretation of results that are commonly used to plan, analyze, and report clinical and health services research.

  • 3
    credits

    Presents assumptions, techniques, and practical aspects of conducting qualitative health research. Students will develop a good research question, interviewing techniques and guides, codes and coding dictionaries, and an analysis plan for qualitative research. Students will critique qualitative articles and learn what constitutes a rigorous methodological and analytic approach to this type of public health research.

  • 3
    credits

    Students will learn to utilize basic epidemiological methods, i.e., design, calculate, analyze, interpret, report, in the examination of public health problems or programs. Topics include measurements, surveillance, outbreak investigation, bias, and study design.

  • 3
    credits

    Examination of health systems, organization, financing, and evaluation; trends, problems, and issues.

  • 3
    credits

    Provides students with a foundation in public health principles and practice. Students will examine public health models and frameworks, determinants of health, indicators of health, and the etiology of disease. Students will learn about public health milestones and innovations, measures of health and well-being, issues surrounding health disparities, ethical issues in public health practice and research, and the role of state and county health departments in disease control and prevention. Students will examine today's priority health concerns using a public health framework.

Required Internship Experience (3 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Provides Master of Public Health (MPH) degree students with hands-on, real-world experience in the practice of public health.

Global Health Track (9 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Provides an overview of the major issues and initiatives in contemporary global health. Throughout the course, we will explore the political, social, economic, cultural, and environmental determinants of health. We will review the role of global health players such as the World Health Organization, UN agencies, and governmental and nongovernmental organizations, as well as how they interact with health systems to improve health. This course will also discuss the major health issues worldwide and key factors associated with health inequalities.

  • 3
    credits

    Engage in case studies of global health programs and initiatives. A systems-thinking framework will be applied to the cases, and students will use the framework to anticipate unintended consequences related to international field work and to propose possible solutions. Cases will illustrate the complexity of global health work and the importance and implications related to the interconnectedness and complementary roles of critical public health systems. The cases used in this course will include a spectrum of small- to large-scale programs and short-term to long-term response efforts. Cases will cover the major topics of the public health system, biosocial context, chronic disease, infectious disease, and systems failures.

  • 3
    credits

    Provide an understanding of the global and local perspectives of infectious disease. This course will provide a fundamental knowledge of several different infections, including virus, bacterial, and parasitic types. The course will then expand on this knowledge and discuss the impact of these infectious diseases on the global community, then discuss, analyze, and design methods for prevention and control. Diseases of global importance will include malaria, HIV, hepatitis, dengue, emerging viral hemorrhagic fevers, causes of diarrheal illness, tuberculosis, polio, smallpox, cholera, syphilis, select parasitic diseases, and other diseases as necessitated by current global disease trends.

Culminating Experiences (3 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    A culminating experience in which students create and present a scholarly project based on the competencies gained in previous courses.

    • Prerequisites

      PHS 501, PHS 520, PHS 550, and PHS 571

Electives (select 9 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    The impact of inequality and discrimination on individual and group identity among various racial and ethnic groups.

  • 3
    credits

    This course will cover the way stress response occurs in humans and how those responses can affect other aspects of physical, psychological, behavioral, and cognitive functioning.

    • Prerequisite

      (BBH 101 or BBH 101H) and (BIOL 141 or BIOL 161)

  • 3
    credits

    Biological and behavioral aspects of therapeutic and recreational drug use and misuse, and their relationships to health.

    • Prerequisite

      BBH 101 and PSYCH 100 and (BIOL 141 or BIOL 161)

  • 3
    credits

    Understanding theories, concepts, and frameworks of community and economic development and community decision-making models in application to community development practice and issues.

  • 3
    credits

    Exploration, understanding, and application of leadership roles, strategies, and principles in group and community settings.

  • 3
    credits

    Understanding and applying methods and hands-on experience with techniques used in community and economic development.

  • 3
    credits

    This course provides a survey of the basic legal principles, regimes, and issues related to environmental protection and natural resource management. It gives students an overview of the fundamentals of environmental law and policy, including how the U.S. legal system works, as well as relevant principles of constitutional and common law.

  • 3
    credits

    The role of geographic information systems in understanding disease, including relevant spatial analysis and cartographic visualization techniques.

    • Prerequisite

      GEOG 482, GEOG 483, and GEOG 484, or permission of the program

  • 3
    credits

    A systematic application of the principles of organizational behavior to understanding professional roles in health services organizations.

  • 3
    credits

    Development of basic concepts and issues in public administration; administrative theory and public policy processes.

  • 3
    credits

    Nature, function, and technique of governmental budgeting viewed as mechanism for allocating resources among alternative public uses.

  • 3
    credits

    Conduct independent research in policy analysis, program evaluation, and public management.

  • 3
    credits

    Concepts and approaches contributing to effective use of human resources in public and nonprofit organizations; legal issues and requirements.

  • 3
    credits

    The design, implementation, and purpose of computerized management information systems in public and nonprofit organizations.

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to the analysis of public policy within its organizational and political contexts, including an emphasis on an economic perspective.

  • 3
    credits

    Examination of concepts of human behavior in formal organizations, systems analysis, conceptual models, and decision processes.

  • 3
    credits

    A survey of strategic planning purposes, approaches and methods, and expected outcomes in small and large organizations.

  • 3
    credits

    A study of the theoretical and practical issues involved in management and leadership of nonprofit organizations.

  • 3
    credits

    This course will examine theory, strategies, and practices for securing and managing resources for a nonprofit organization. The course will be offered every third semester.

  • 3
    credits

    Development of basic concepts and issues in public administration; administrative theory and public policy processes.

  • 3
    credits

    Analyzes the history of terrorism and explores the preparation and response to specific terrorist threats, natural disasters, and conventional catastrophes.

  • 3
    credits

    A public health perspective on the preparation necessary to develop a coordinated response to a disaster or terrorist emergency.

  • 3
    credits

    A survey of strategic planning purposes, approaches and methods, and expected outcomes in small and large organizations.

  • 3
    credits

    A study of the theoretical and practical issues involved in management and leadership of nonprofit organizations.

  • 3
    credits

    This course will examine theory, strategies, and practices for securing and managing resources for a nonprofit organization. The course will be offered every third semester.

  • 3
    credits

    Development of basic concepts and issues in public administration; administrative theory and public policy processes.

  • 3
    credits

    Analyzes the history of terrorism and explores the preparation and response to specific terrorist threats, natural disasters, and conventional catastrophes.

  • 3
    credits

    A public health perspective on the preparation necessary to develop a coordinated response to a disaster or terrorist emergency.

  • 3
    credits

    Introduces students to the design of exposure assessment and health effect studies applicable to disasters and terrorism.

  • 3
    credits

    This course will enable students to study obstacles outside of traditional pharmaceutical interventions that have major influences on the success or failure of public health responses.

  • 3
    credits

    Investigates the impact that terrorist incidents may have on health care facilities or their ability to deliver health care services.

  • 3
    credits

    Teaches fundamentals of emergency preparedness exercises (i.e., orientation, tabletop, drill, functional, and full-scale exercises).

  • 3
    credits

    This course covers the principles, methods, and competencies for developing, improving, and evaluating a biorisk management system.

  • 3
    credits

    The study of social influence, leadership and status, and social cohesion and commitment processes in small groups.

  • 3
    credits

    The impact of inequality and discrimination on individual and group identity among various racial and ethnic groups.

  • 3
    credits

    Models and measures of vital processes (fertility, mortality, migration) and their effects on growth and age structure of human populations.

  • 1
    credit

    Selection and evaluation of statistical computer packages.

    • Prerequisite

      3 credits in statistics

  • 1
    credit

    Intermediate SAS for data management.

    • Prerequisite

      STAT 480

  • 1
    credit

    This course covers advanced statistical procedures in SAS, including ANOVA, GIM, CORR, REG, MANOVA, FACTOR, DISCRIM, LOGISTIC, MIXED, GRAPH, EXPORT, and SQL.

    • Prerequisite

      STAT 480 and STAT 481

  • 1
    credit

    Builds an understanding of the basic syntax and structure of the R language for statistical analysis and graphics.

  • 1
    credit

    Builds an understanding of the basic syntax and structure of the R language for statistical analysis and graphics. R is a popular tool for statistical analysis and research used by a growing number of data analysts inside corporations and academia.

    • Enforced Concurrent at Enrollment

      STAT 484

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.

Job Titles Related to This Degree

The following roles are often held by people with this type of degree:

  • Clinical Director
  • Community Health Program Director
  • Public Health Advisor
  • Public Health Educator
  • Public Health Policy Analyst

Employment Outlook for Occupational Fields Related to This Degree

Estimates of employment growth and total employment are provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are subject to change. While these occupations are often pursued by graduates with this degree, individual outcomes may vary depending on a variety of factors. Penn State World Campus cannot guarantee employment in a given occupation.

Medical and Health Services Managers

28.3%
employment growth (10 years)
476,750
total employment

Community Health Workers

15.9%
employment growth (10 years)
61,300
total employment

Health Education Specialists

7.6%
employment growth (10 years)
56,190
total employment

Excel within Your Field

As a graduate of the Penn State MPH with a global health track, you should be able to propose evidence-based solutions to global health problems while thinking critically to explain the global influences on determinants of health.

By building upon your knowledge and skills in the areas of systems thinking, evidence-based public health, leadership, program management, public health systems, communication, and interprofessional practice, Penn State’s MPH degree can lead to careers in a wide variety of settings, including:

  • local, state, and federal government agencies
  • health care settings
  • health insurance industry
  • health services networks
  • nonprofit organizations
  • pharmaceutical industry

Career Services to Set You Up for Success

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From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

  • Opportunities to connect with employers
  • Career counselor/coach support
  • Occupation and salary information
  • Internships
  • Graduate school resources 

Ready to Learn More?

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State master's degree?

Apply by February 15 to start August 26. How to Apply

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2023–24 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2023, spring 2024, and summer 2024 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester? Cost
11 or fewer $1,017 per credit
12 or more $12,203 per semester

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester? Cost
11 or fewer $1,027 per credit
12 or more $12,325 per semester

Financial Aid and Military Benefits

Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

Be a Part of a Nationally Recognized Program of Study

CEPH Accredited Master's Degree badge

The MPH program with a global health track is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

This master’s degree is part of an Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate program (IUG) that provides undergraduate biobehavioral health, health policy and administration, kinesiology, and nutritional sciences students the opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in approximately five years.

Academically strong students pursuing their B.S. in Biobehavioral Health (BBH), Health Policy and Administration (HPA), Kinesiology (KINES), or Nutritional Sciences (NUTR) and Schreyer Scholars would typically apply to the online graduate program during their third year, after completing 60 credits. Students who want to be considered for the IUG program will need to apply and be accepted to both the Graduate School and IUG program. Please view the Penn State Graduate Bulletin listing to better understand the special admissions requirements associated with the program.

Current undergraduate students interested in the IUG pathway can review the MPH IUG website and email [email protected] for more details.

The internship and the capstone experience provide students with opportunities for growth as public health professionals.

As a student in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program, you will be required to complete a 3-credit internship experience as well as a capstone project.

Internship

This internship experience provides you with the opportunity to gain professional experience and apply the knowledge and skills you learn in the classroom to real-world public health settings that are dealing with real-time public health issues.

You can complete this applied-practice experience at various domestic and international sites. This will give you the opportunity to work on substantive projects that both contribute to your growth as a public health professional and help advance the mission of the site at which you are placed.

Capstone

During your final semester, you will complete the 3-credit capstone course in which you will use the information acquired from all your previous semesters to design, carry out, and present a scholarly project.

Adult student doing course work online while a child plays nearby

Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.

Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser. 

To Finish Your Degree in One to Two Years

  • Take 3–4 courses each semester

To Finish Your Degree in Two to Three Years

  • Take 2–3 courses each semester 

To Finish Your Degree in Three to Four Years

  • Take 1 course each semester

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

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Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

Information for Military and Veterans

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Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.

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Apply by February 15 to start August 26

Application Instructions

Deadlines and Important Dates

Your SOPHAS application must be submitted by the following deadlines:

  • Fall Deadline

    Apply by February 15 to start August 26

  • Spring Deadline

    Apply by October 15, 2024, to start January 13, 2025

Steps to Apply

  1. For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

  2. Please note that you must complete a Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) application before applying to Penn State. If you are offered admission to the program, you will receive further instructions on how to apply for the online Master of Public Health program. If you have questions about the SOPHAS application, contact us at 717-531-1502 or [email protected].

  3. 3. Complete the application.

    SOPHAS Application

Admissions Help

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

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Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

To learn more about the Master of Public Health, please contact:

World Campus Admissions Counselors 
Phone: 814-863-5386 
[email protected]

MPH Program 
Phone: 717-531-1502
[email protected]

The MPH program with a global health track is conveniently offered online through Penn State World Campus in partnership with the Penn State College of Medicine.

Faculty

  • Djibril M. Ba

    • B.S., Public Health, Temple University
    • MPH, Public Health, Penn State
    • Ph.D., Epidemiology, Penn State

    Dr. Djibril M. Ba is an assistant professor of public health sciences. His research interests include investigating the potential health benefits of mushrooms and major chronic diseases such as cancer. He has been involved in global health research projects to improve the nutritional status of women of childbearing age and children in low- and middle-income countries including Sub-Saharan Africa.

  • Wenke Hwang

    • Ph.D., University of Maryland, Baltimore
    • M.A., National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei Taiwan
    • B.A., National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei Taiwan

    Dr. Wenke Hwang is an associate professor and the director of the Master of Public Health program. He has taught graduate or medical school courses in health systems, quality of care, and social influence on health. Trained in health economics and health service research, his research focuses on health policies and systems factors that affect quality of care, patient outcomes, and health care costs. He co-leads the Informatics Core in the Penn State Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute.

  • Michelle LaClair

    MPH, Penn State

    Michelle LaClair is an instructor of public health sciences. She has conducted research in health policy
    and health systems and has a strong interest in health education. She teaches PHS 809: Principles of
    Public Health and PHS 894: Capstone Experience for the Penn State MPH program.

  • Carol LaRegina

    • B.S., Environmental Biology, Millersville University
    • M.S., Environmental Health, West Chester University

    Carol LaRegina is the associate director of the MPH program and a senior instructor in public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine. As associate director, Carol oversees the operations of the MPH program and provides support for the program's accrediting process. In her academic role, Carol facilitates instruction for the MPH practicum, Principles of Public Health, and independent study courses. She also advises students and serves on the MPH Recruitment Committee. She was an environmental consultant for 20 years, conducting and overseeing hazardous waste site investigations.

  • Julie Lentes

    MPA, Penn State

    Julie Lentes is global health program manager in public health sciences at the Penn State College of Medicine. She has directed Penn State’s immersive Global Health Exchange Program (GHEP) and mentors the student interprofessional Global Health Case Competition team. Her research interests include global health, adult education, and health equity. Julie co-teaches the MPH practicum course, which provides students with hands-on, real-world experience in the practice of public and global health.

  • Omrana Pasha-Razzak

    • MPH, Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
    • MBBS, Medicine, Aga Khan University Medical College

    Dr. Omrana Pasha-Razzak, professor of medicine and public health sciences, conducts research on women's health with a focus on pregnancy and reproductive health. She is a practicing hospitalist, one of the master educators of the Internal Medicine Residency training program, and co-director of the Junior Faculty Development Program at the Penn State College of Medicine. She is a member of the Society of Hospital Medicine, the American College of Physicians, and the American Public Health Association.

  • Casey Pinto

    • Ph.D., Nursing, Penn State
    • MPH, Public Health, Penn State
    • M.S., Nursing, Penn State
    • B.S., Nursing, Penn State

    Dr. Casey Pinto is an assistant professor at Penn State and a nurse practitioner in infectious disease. Her research focuses on rural/urban disparities in the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) among adolescents. She is specifically interested in the behavioral and/or social environmental factors that are associated with STI prevalence and how these vary between rural/urban populations. Dr. Pinto uses her experience from her research and clinical practice to teach courses related to infectious diseases and public health practice.

  • Heather L. Stuckey

    • M.Ed., Adult Education/Systems Dynamics, Temple University
    • D.Ed., Adult Education/Behavioral Science, Penn State
    • Postdoctoral Fellow, Public Health and Endocrinology, Penn State

    Dr. Heather Stuckey, associate professor of medicine, humanities, and public health sciences, focuses her work on qualitative research in diabetes and psychosocial aspects of chronic disease. She is co-director of the Penn State College of Medicine's Qualitative and Mixed Methods Core and teaches in qualitative research. Her research interests also include evaluation of arts and the medical humanities and transformative learning in adults.

  • Kristin K. Sznajder

    • Ph.D., Epidemiology, University of Michigan
    • MPH, Global Health, Emory University
    • B.S., Psychology and Neuroscience, Penn State

    Dr. Kristin K. Sznajder is an assistant professor of public health sciences. She has worked as a field epidemiologist for the United States Army and has worked in global health research in many countries across Africa and Asia. Her research interests include maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, gender disparities, and social determinants of health.

  • Abebayehu N. Yilma

    • Ph.D., Microbiology, Alabama State University
    • MPH, Global Health, New York University

    Dr. Abebayehu N. Yilma is an adjunct assistant professor in public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine. His research interest focuses on infectious diseases and behavioral epidemiology dynamics. Currently, he teaches courses related to global infectious disease and public health practice. He is also involved with the Penn State Global Health Exchange Program. Previously, he has taught foundational public health courses, including principles of global health and epidemiology, and mentored MPH students. He has also worked on an infectious disease research project in Africa.

  • Junjia (Jay) Zhu

    • Ph.D., Statistics, Penn State
    • M.S., Statistics, University of Idaho
    • B.S., Industrial Foreign Trade, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China

    Dr. Junjia (Jay) Zhu is an associate professor of biostatistics in the Department of Public Health Sciences in the Penn State College of Medicine. He is a faculty member of the biostatistics core at the Penn State Cancer Institute. His main research interests include the applications of statistics and biostatistics in the areas of cancer-related clinical trials, smoking studies, and maternal health studies. He is a member of the American Statistical Association.

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State master's degree?

Apply by February 15 to start August 26. How to Apply

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