Program Overview
In June of 2002, the University of Pennsylvania Trustees approved a Graduate Program in Public Health Studies to offer the Master of Public Health degree under the auspices of the School of Medicine. This is a University-wide program with a primary focus on master's level professional education. The participating schools include: Nursing, Arts and Sciences, Social Work, Veterinary Medicine, Education, Wharton, and Dental Medicine, and the program steering group includes representatives from each of these schools. Faculty from all other Penn schools are welcome to affiliate with the program. We expect that many Penn faculty as well as some other Penn schools will affiliate as the program evolves.
This graduate-level program prepares for leadership by integrating research, education, and service learning in population health problems. We aim to educate professionals from diverse disciplines in the core areas that define public health. During their course of study, students are enabled to embrace and achieve the public health paradigm as an essential component of their future endeavors in prevention, hygiene, education, and policy making. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that Penn students and faculty can have the maximum positive impact upon current and future public health problems. The Penn MPH program is designed to complement other Penn graduate programs and may be particularly attractive to students enrolled in those degree programs who may be interested in a joint degree.
Those interested in joint degrees should contact a representative in the appropriate participating school should see Contact Us.
Why is this program being offered?
Topics related to public health have been taught or researched by faculty in several Penn Schools, but until this program's inception in 2002, there had been no focal point or degree program at the University of Pennsylvania for the comprehensive study of public health issues. The Graduate Program in Public Health Studies focuses Penn faculty and institutional strengths in preparing scholars and practitioners to address national health promotion and disease prevention priorities. Current national public health priorities relate to physical activity, overweight and obesity, tobacco, substance abuse, responsible sexual behavior, mental health, injury and violence, environmental quality, immunizations, and access to health care. Strategies and action plans that address one or more of these indicators are needed to improve both quality of life and years of healthy life and to eliminate health disparities.
For further information see What is Public Health and other Links of Interest
What is included in the Penn Master of Public Health Curriculum?
Public health carries out its mission through organized, interdisciplinary efforts that address the physical, mental, and environmental health concerns of communities and populations at risk for disease and injury. This mission is achieved through the application of health promotion and disease prevention technologies and interventions designed to improve and enhance quality of life. All public health curricula focus on the five core knowledge areas of public health: Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Environmental/Occupational Health, Behavioral Sciences, and Health Care Policy and Management, with electives and internship experiences in line with the student's interest. Penn offers specialized programs within most of these knowledge areas. The public health program unique in its breadth, depth, and integration across these areas using a public health paradigm. Our program is generalist oriented, offering the public health core supplemented by breadth and depth in the student's areas of interest.
For more information see Curriculum, Courses, and Planning for Public Health Study
Is the MPH degree the right career path for me?
If you have a very strong interest or primary interest in the study of one of the core areas of public health study such as biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy, behavioral health or environmental /occupational health, we encourage you to discuss your study plans with representatives of those programs or with the MPH program director before deciding whether to apply to the MPH program.
Where is the MPH program based, and when will admissions decisions made?
The program is administered by the School of Medicine. Governance of the program includes faculty from all participating Penn schools.
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis from January to July. We are currently accepting applications for MPH study to begin in Fall 2008.
Who should apply?
We are seeking students who have leadership potential and outstanding academic credentials. The ideal Penn MPH student will have a well-defined concept of public health and will have already chosen a career path involving a profession that is related to public health, as defined above. Priority will be given to mid-career professionals and potential joint degree candidates from other Penn professional programs.
How long will it take to complete the MPH program?
The program is designed to be a two-year full-time program. However, the time to complete the degree will be extended for those who complete the MPH program part time or in combination with another Penn degree.
How can I get further information?
MPH Program Coordinator
Graduate Program in Public Health Studies
pubhlth@mail.med.upenn.edu
215-573-0917