The Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Population Health is an individualized concentration designed for professionals working in healthcare-related fields or for students enrolled in one of our coordinated degree programs (e.g., nursing, medicine, physician assistant studies, optometry, etc.). This concentration provides insight into the critical role that public health plays in targeting solutions at the population (rather than patient) level. Students in this concentration will be trained to consider the health of populations in all policies, across all professions, using a systems approach.
Curriculum
Students in this concentration must complete 42 credit hours of public health-related coursework, including the 14-hour MPH core (based on the Evidence-Based Public Health framework), a 3-hour course on multidisciplinary perspectives on Population Health, an Applied Practice Experience (Internship), and an Integrative Learning Experience (Capstone). In addition, students select from all available master’s-level courses to design a curriculum that supports their career goals. This includes courses offered by our five departments (Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Behavior, and Health Care Policy & Organization) as well as in our Global Health program. Courses outside the School of Public Health may also be included in the curriculum if they include sufficient population health content.
Full-time students generally complete this degree in two years or less (four-to-five semesters).
Download Curriculum Planning Sheet (pdf)
Procedures for Designating Population Health Concentration Competencies
All MPH concentrations accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) require that graduates demonstrate at least five competencies in addition to the foundational competencies common to all CEPH-accredited MPH programs. As an individualized concentration, Population Health students have the opportunity to pursue a set of competencies uniquely suited to their particular career goals. Students work with the Population Health program coordinator to select five competencies from a comprehensive list drawn from all approved courses.
Once the competencies are identified, the student and program coordinator agree upon a viable plan of course completion, based on course availability and the student’s other commitments (clinical rotations, practicums, etc.). The program coordinator enters the selected courses into the student’s Plan of Study, a matrix which includes all courses and competencies included in the student’s individualized concentration.
Admission
To apply for this degree, you will submit your initial application packet through the SOPHAS application system (link to SOPHAS provided). Upon acceptance to the program, you will then be prompted by the UAB Graduate School to submit a supplemental application through the UAB Graduate School website.
Applicants to this program must meet the general admission requirements for the Master of Public Health degree program.
Students should note that the Population Health program curriculum has been updated. If a student is submitting to switch from a different degree program or department into a Coordinated Degree or the General MPH in Population Health Degree, the student will be responsible for completing the current Population Health program requirements. Students should meet with the current program manager prior to submitting a petition to switch programs.
Photo by: Arik Sokol, Opus Media Productions
Student Spotlight
I worked as an ER nurse for years and was deeply saddened by the effects of what I felt were preventable illnesses. I began to realize the potential to prevent illness through expanded access to health education. This experience led me to pursue a master's in Public Health with a concentration in Population Health, so that I can be better equipped to educate vulnerable populations.
My goal is to help the public make more informed decisions about their health. I hope that with this degree, I can focus on providing access to health information in rural areas.
- Lucia M. Robertson, RN, MPH (’24)
Contact
For additional information concerning the Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Population Health, contact the School of Public Health at soph@uab.edu.