Online Master of Public Health

The 45-credit hour MPH includes a common 12 credit hour core curriculum, 9 hours of concentration courses in the generalist or epidemiology tracks, 6 hours of applied coursework and 18 hours of electives tailored to the student's interests.

Core areas of study include:

• Evidence-based approaches to public health practice
• Program planning and evaluation
• Health systems and organizational environments
• Population health and epidemiology
• Public health leadership and decision-making

Students also complete:

Applied Practice Experience (APE)
The APE allows you to lead or coordinate a public health project under the mentorship of a community partner providing hands-on experience applying public health skills in real organizations or community settings.

Integrated Learning Experience (ILE)
A capstone course that allows you to demonstrate your ability to analyze complex public health problems and propose evidence-based solutions.

Required Course Descriptions

SPPH 5301: Evidence Based Approaches to Population Health

This course addresses the core principles of epidemiology and biostatistics. Students will learn to design epidemiological studies, and apply biostatistical methods for data analysis. The course emphasizes mastery of epidemiological measures of disease frequency and association, statistical inference techniques, multivariate analysis, and computational approaches to handling complex health datasets. Students will develop proficiency in interpreting epidemiological findings, and conducting statistical hypothesis testing. By the end, students will be equipped to manage health science data and conduct evidence-based interventions.

SPPH 5302: Working in Systems to Improve Health

This course equips students to understand health from a systems perspective. Students will examine the organization, structure, and functions of healthcare, public health, society, and regulatory systems across national and international contexts. This course addresses the policy making process and nonmedical drivers of health. Students will analyze current health issues to enhance their skills in evaluating and advocating for effective policies and programs that promote health in various populations.

SPPH 5303: Working in Organizations to Improve Health

This course equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in and lead organizations effectively. Students will learn to apply skills related to organizational behavior, including decision-making, leadership, and negotiation. The course emphasizes effective communication strategies tailored to various audiences and promotes interprofessional teamwork. By combining theoretical frameworks with real-world case studies, students will gain practical experience in managing organizations. 

SPPH 5305: Program Planning and Evaluation 

This course focuses on the foundational principles of population health assessment and program planning. Students will learn to apply both qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate community health needs, identify assets, recognize service gaps, and design evidence-based policies, programs, and interventions. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the importance of resource management in effective health programs. This course equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess, design, and implement effective health programs. 

SPPH 5337: The US Healthcare System

This course provides an overview of healthcare in the United States. The historical context as well as trends that could impact the healthcare system is presented. Several aspects of health care systems and services are explored.

SPPH 5316: Responsible Conduct of Research and Communication in Public Health 

This three-credit hour course applies an active, participatory approach to help public health and health care professionals learn about the regulatory environment as well as the normative ethics of conducting public health research as well as how to better communicate more effectively in written and spoken communications. 

SPPH 5350: Public Health Ethics and Law 

This course is intended to introduce students to key concepts of law and ethics as applied to public health. It seeks to demonstrate, with both current and historical examples, constrains in public health decision-making and actions. This course will help students identify and appropriately assess legal and ethical issues that underlie the field of public health.

SPPH 5319: Applied Practice Experience

The Applied Practice Experience is an integral component of professional training in public health, enabling students to observe from professionals in the field. The Applied Practice Experience also allows students to apply theoretical learning toward achievement of practical goals and skills while under the supervision of a preceptor and an Applied Practice Experience advisor. Prerequisites: SPPH 5307, SPPH 5310, SPPH 5311, SPPH 5313, SPPH 5315 and SPPH 5334.

SPPH 5399: Integrated Learning Experience 

The Integrated Learning Experience requires the student to synthesize and integrate knowledge acquired in coursework and other learning experiences and to apply theory and principles in a situation that approximates some aspect of professional practice. The student will choose between either a capstone course or a public health project. Prerequisites: SPPH 5307, SPPH 5310, SPPH 5311, SPPH 5313, SPPH 5315, and SPPH 5334. 

Graduates of the TTUHSC Online MPH program pursue a variety of careers across non-profit, public health, governmental, and healthcare organizations.

Common career paths include:

• Public health program manager
• Health policy analyst
• Epidemiologist
• Community health analyst
• Public health data analyst or data manager
• Clinical research coordinator
• State or federal health agency professional
• Community health educator

Graduates work in settings such as:

• Health departments
• Hospitals and health systems
• State and federal agencies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Research institutions
• Community health organizations

Is the Online MPH fully online?
Yes. The entire program is delivered online, allowing you to complete your degree from anywhere while still balancing work and personal commitments.

How long does the Online MPH take?
Most students complete the program in 15 to 24 months, depending on course load.

Is the Online MPH accredited?
Yes. Our program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Are there scholarships available?
Yes. While the program is affordable, we also provide several competitive and needs-based scholarship opportunities for our students.

Who should pursue an Online MPH?
The program is designed for recent college graduates and professionals in healthcare, research, community organizations, government agencies, and related fields who want to advance their impact in public health.

What skills will I gain in the program?
You will learn skills to help you excel in evidence-based decision-making, program evaluation, public health leadership, policy analysis, and community health improvement.

Is the Online MPH valuable for practicing clinicians?
Yes. Many medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have pursued our Online MPH to broaden their understanding of population health and strengthen their ability to address health challenges beyond the clinical setting. The flexibility of our fully online program allows clinicians to continue practicing while developing skills in public health leadership, program evaluation, and health policy.

How much does the online MPH cost?
A typical in-state student completing the 45-credit-hour MPH in the standard number of semesters will pay approximately $17,335 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students typically see higher costs.

About the Integrated Learning Experience 

The goal of the Master of Public Health Integrated Learning Experience (ILE) is to ensure the student's mastery of and ability to integrate the core public health principles and material learned in the Master of Public Health program as well as to determine if the student can apply this knowledge to issues that the student may confront as a professional. A student must demonstrate competency in all five core areas - biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy and management, environmental health science, and the social and behavioral sciences.

The student will have the choice between three alternative integrated learning experiences.

Capstone Course

The goal of the Capstone Course will be to encourage students to reflect on the competencies they have acquired during their academic program using an evidence - based public health framework that integrates their knowledge gained through coursework and practicum experiences, allowing each student to understand both the overall public health problem - solving approach and the contributions of each discipline to that approach.

The Capstone Course will focus on a group project approach therefore, there must be a minimum of five (5) students that have selected the capstone course option in order for it to be offered. 

Students should submit their choice of integrated learning experience to their graduate advisor within two weeks of completing their applied practice experience using the integrated learning experience choice form.

Public Health Project

The purpose of the project is to provide the student with a integrated learning experience where the student applies the knowledge and skills learned in the MPH program to conduct independent work (under the supervision of the student's advisor) or a project related to a specific public health issue or problem. The final project illustrates the student's understanding of the chosen public health issue or problem as well as the students ability to actively apply this knowledge towards the solution of the issue or problem. Projects are generally very applied in nature and provide some sort of materials, guide, or plan that can be used immediately by the community, agency or group that is facing the public health issue or problem at hand.

The topic of the Project must be relevant to the field of public health. Project topics and scope are mutually agreed upon by the student and the student's project committee. If a student is conducting the project at their workplace, the topic of the project must be outside the framework of regular employment duties and responsibilities.

After selecting a project topic, the student will prepare a written proposal that details what is to be accomplished and how it will be completed. The written proposal must be approved by the student's project committee. The student's project committee should consist of two graduate faculty members from the Department of Public Health or other departments in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center if approved by the Chair of the Department.

Thesis

If choosing the thesis option, The student will need to from a committee of at least 3 faculty. These faculty members should have research interests in common with the student, or should be willing to help the student with the chosen research topic. The student will complete a thesis proposal which will be reviewed by the committee and approved before the project begins.

Students selecting a systematic review or a policy analysis for their thesis should form a committee of at least 3 faculty with expertise in the area of interest. The faculty will guide the student through the research process.

Once the committee has signed off on the thesis, the student should schedule an oral presentation/thesis defense. All faculty and students will be invited to the presentation of the student's research. Students should arrange to have the time and date of the presentation finalized at least six weeks in advance, and the thesis defense announcement template submitted to the SPPH two weeks in advance. Students should refer to the SPPH Academic Calendar for deadlines and additional information.