Department of Health Science
M.P.H., Master of Public Health
Options: Health Policy and Management, Health PromotionAccredited by the Council on Education for Public Health
Dr. Miguel A. Perez, Department Chair
Dr. Suzanne Kotkin-Jaszi, Graduate Program Director
Program Objectives
The Master of Public Health Program addresses the health needs of the ethnically and socio-economically diverse populations living in the San Joaquin Valley of California and the Southwest. The program accomplishes this through the evaluation of students to be effective practitioners of the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to be effectively conduct public health needs assessments, program planning, implementation and evaluation, and applied research to address the needs of our communities. The program also emphasizes community service with the underserved populations by working closely with local counties and state agencies, as well as to develop professional opportunities for Master of Public Health Program students and graduates.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the MPH program is a two-phase process. First, the candidate must meet the requirements for admission to the university, and second meet those for admission to the MPH program.
For admission to the university, the candidate must have achieved an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on the last 60 units and submit official copies of university transcripts and scores on the GRE.
For admission to the MPH program, candidates will be evaluated and selected based on academic ability as demonstrated by university admission requirements and completion of prerequisites . Candidates will also be evaluated on the basis of three letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.
More specifics on admission requirements are available on the department's Web site: www.csufresno.edu/chhs/depts_programs/health_science/
Program Design
The Master of Public Health is designed around two options. Once admitted to the program, the student will be assigned to a faculty adviser in the option selected, and under the adviser's direction, the student will follow a course of study which can typically be completed in three years. To accommodate our students, most of whom are working professionals, classes are offered in the late afternoon and early evening. The program options and curriculum design are:
- Health Policy and Management is designed to prepare students and health care professionals to fulfill leadership roles in the development, application, institutionalization, and evaluation of public health and healthcare policies and programs.
- Health Promotion is an option available to individuals wishing to improve competencies as public health educators and teachers of health. The major goals of the option are to provide advanced knowledge in the area of education and to provide a leadership and communication foundation for the professional health educator.
In all, the Master of Public Health degree program totals 42 units, 19 of which are in core curriculum classes, and the remaining 23 in specific option courses, electives, field experience, and a final project.
Our Students
The Master of Public Health program, which began its 14th full year in the Fall of 2007, has a graduate population of 100 active students, most of whom are working professionals from many fields. They work as therapists, health educators, hygienists, and administrators for organizations like the American Diabetes Association, Beverly Enterprises, Central Valley Bureau Health, Coalinga Regional Medical Center, Hanford Community Medical Center, Healthpoint, Kaiser Permanente, Orr Safety, St. Agnes Medical Center, United Health Centers, Blue Cross Managed Care Medical, Community Health System (Fresno Community Hospital, University Medical Center, Clovis Community Hospital and related entities), the American Lung Association of the Central Valley, the San Joaquin Valley Health Consortium, the Hospital Council of Central and Northern California, United Health Center, Veterans Medical Center, and government agencies like the County Health Departments of Fresno, Merced, Kings, Madera and Tulare County, and the California Environmental Protection Agency.
Our students' personal commitment to community-wide health concerns has had a tremendous impact on the program. Our community commitment will continue to expand in the years ahead.
The MPH program admits students who demonstrate high academic ability and promise, and have the professional values and ethics appropriate to maintaining professional standards in the field. Applicants are expected to have a high degree of academic and professional preparation for this program and the ability to make significant contributions to the program.
To more adequately assist our students, internships and graduate assistantships have been made available, as well as a number of fellowships and grants through the Division of Graduate Studies (559-278-2448). Students also have access to computer equipment and laboratories to help with instructional needs.
Program Objectives | Admission Requirements | Program Design | Our Students | Faculty | Quick Facts