Public Health, M.P.H.

Department Overview of Programs

Department Overview of Programs

The Department of Public Health and Health Information Administration (HIA) offers a fully online four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health (BSPH), and a fully online and a traditional face-to-face 42-credit-hour Master of Public Health (MPH) degree.  The Department of Public Health also offers 3 advanced post-baccalaureate certificates that are 12 credit hours each, meant for people who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in public health and are seeking advanced experience in the following areas: 

1.      Advanced Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Data Analytics and Epidemiology, 

2.      Advanced Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Health Policy and Management 

3.      Advanced Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Health Promotion and Education 

Additionally, the Department of Public Health and Health Information Administration (HIA) offers a post-baccalaureate certificate that is 15 credit hours and is meant for people with a degree in any other field outside of public health who are seeking to expand their knowledge and skills into a new discipline. This certification is in the general area of: 

1. Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Public Health

Lastly, the Public Health and Health Information Administration department also offer Concurrent and Joint degrees.

1. Master of Public Health (MPH) to PharmD degree
2. PharmD Master of Public Health (MPH) Joint Degree

Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Public Health (MPH) Degrees, PharmD to MPH Pathway, and Certificates

The Bachelor’s, Master’s, Joint and Certificate Programs in Public Health draw heavily from a sound knowledge of liberal arts, the medical sciences, communications, social determinants of health, and the core disciplines of public health (biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental and occupational health, health policy and administration, and social and behavioral sciences). The curriculum is a model of interdisciplinary education because it entails courses that include aspects from various departments within and outside of the College of Health Sciences. The program focuses on general and urban health, emphasizing social determinants of health, health inequities, health promotion, education, data analytics, and health policy and management.

Public Health and Health Information Administration Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Public Health and Health Information Administration (HIA) at Chicago State University (CSU) mission is to deliver accessible, competency-based, high-quality education and experiences that prepares a culturally diverse student body to:

• Advance population health and equity through evidence-informed public health practice.
• Innovate and lead within ever-evolving health information management and technology systems.
• Uphold the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality, ethical stewardship of health data which drives our curricula, experiential learning, community engagement, and scholarship, ensuring graduates are ready to improve health outcomes and information governance locally and globally.

Public Health and Health Information Administration Vision Statement

The Department of Public Health and Health Information Administration (HIA) at CSU aspire to be a model of excellence, recognized for pioneering interdisciplinary education that:

• Empowers graduates to shape healthier, more equitable communities through leadership in public health and health information sciences.
• Translates robust data and analytics into policies and practices that enhance individual and population well-being.
• Fosters innovation in curriculum and technology to anticipate the needs of tomorrow’s health workforce.
• By 2030, our programs will serve as catalyst for transformative change in both fields, locally and around the world.

Public Health and Health Administration Values

The values of the Department of Public Health and Health Information and Administration (HIA) align with those of the University and the College of Health Sciences, to include:

• Equity & Social Justice
• Integrity & Confidentiality
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Lifelong learning & Innovation
• Collaboration & Leadership

MPH Program Goals 

1. Engage with community organizations and public health associations to provide students and faculty the opportunity to participate in service learning at the local, state, national, and international levels.  
2. Provide an accessible, competency-based, high-quality education offered by qualified and experienced public health professionals and determined by the communities and students served. 
3. Create a supporting environment for faculty and students to engage in scholarship to advance the field of public health.  

Public Health Opportunities in the Community

Graduates of the public health program are educated to enter the job market as health educators, fitness consultants, health administrators, project managers, consumer information directors, and community outreach coordinators who are trained to promote healthy lifestyles through behavior modification, physical activity, and proper nutrition to prevent chronic and infectious diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, cancer, HIV, or heart disease. Our graduates are also able to serve as advocates for improving health policies that can address such issues as violence, substance abuse, and access to health care.

Admissions Requirements

Master Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in the last 60 semester hours completed. Evidence that the baccalaureate degree has been conferred is required before enrollment. Applicants who attended an accelerated degree program that bypassed the baccalaureate must have evidence that the accelerated degree has been conferred or the equivalent of a baccalaureate has been attained.
2. A curriculum vitae/resume.
3. A personal statement describing past education, experience, and current professional career objectives.
4. Two letters of recommendation from people qualified to assess the candidate’s academic work, clinical, public health, professional experiences, or leadership potential in public health are required.

Courses taken before admission to the MPH program must be approved at the time of admission if they are to be counted towards the degree. These courses must have a grade of B or better. Both the department and the Office of Graduate Admissions must approve. To gain approval, an extra original transcript must accompany the application and be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Upon admission into the program, a faculty advisor will be assigned to each student based on his or her specialty. The advisor will monitor the students’ performance each semester. Attention will be given to course grades and related measures of achievement.

Students seeking admission must apply through the Graduate Admissions Office. International and Transfer students must complete the same procedures through the Admissions Office. Start your admissions application through this link.  

https://www.csu.edu/graduateschool/application_information.htm   

Prospective students seeking admission to the MPH program must meet the standards of academic ability and work experience. The Admission Committee will place emphasis on the qualifications and credentials of the students to succeed in public health education and practice. A holistic review of each applicant will be used in evaluating the admission requirements.

Applications to the MPH program must be made through the University Office of Graduate Admissions, including paying the application fee and submitting original transcripts of the candidate’s undergraduate and graduate course work.

Application materials are received twice. For a fall admission application, materials must be received by the second Friday in July, or for a spring admission application, materials must be received by the second Friday in December.  Admission is only available for students entering in the fall or Spring semesters, as we do not admit over the summer. Early application submission is encouraged, and applicants may apply to the program up to 12 months before the desired start date.

Minimum Admission Requirements for the MPH program:

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in the last 60 semester hours completed. Evidence that the baccalaureate degree has been conferred is required before enrollment. Applicants who attended an accelerated degree program that bypassed the baccalaureate must have evidence that the accelerated degree has been conferred or the equivalent of a baccalaureate has been attained.
2. A curriculum vitae/resume.
3. A personal statement describing past education, experience, and current professional career objectives.
4. Two letters of recommendation from people qualified to assess the candidate’s academic work, clinical, public health, and professional experiences or leadership potential in public health are required.

Courses taken before admission to the MPH program must be approved at the time of admission if they are to be counted towards the degree. These courses must have a grade of B or better. Both the department and the Office of Graduate Admissions must approve. To gain approval, an extra original transcript must accompany the application and be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Upon admission into the program, a faculty advisor will be assigned to each student based on his or her specialty. The advisor will monitor the students’ performance each semester. Attention will be given to course grades and related measures of achievement.

PharmD/ MPH Pathway Admission Requirements

*PharmD students only- Refer to the School of Pharmacy 

The Department of Public Health and Health Information Administration (HIA) and Pharmacy department has collaborated to offer the joint PharmD/MPH degree for recent graduates or soon-to-be graduates eager to blend pharmacy and public health from day one, minimizing time and cost committed to roles such as community health pharmacy, immunization program leadership, or pharmacoepidemiology. These students would require the following steps:

1. MPH courses are in the evening / remote and accommodate the PharmD schedule.
2. This proposal formalizes that credit from courses would apply to both degrees
3. If students complete the Public Health Concentration, they only have 30 credit hours remaining to complete the MBA
4. Students matriculate into the MPH program after completion of the PharmD program (i.e., not enrolled in more than one graduate program at a time)
5. Students apply to MPH program during their P4 year.
6. PHAR 6123 (Research Methods and Pharmacoepidemiology) is used in place of PUBH 5117 (Research Methods in Health Sciences).

Post Baccalaureate Certificate Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission into the advanced certificate in public health must have: 

1. Earned a bachelor’s degree:

• In Public Health for the Advanced Post Baccalaureate Certificates in Data Analytics and Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management, and Health Promotion and Education
• In any field outside of Public Health for the Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Public Health.
• From an accredited institution 

2.      GPA Minimum 

• 2.75 on a 4.0 scale 

3.      Transcripts 

• Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions 

4.        Resume/CV 

1. Highlighting educational background and relevant experience. 
2. English Proficiency Test (for international students) 

5.        TOEFL or IELTS scores if applicable

Requirements

1. Completion of all coursework with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.  
2. Completion of all program requirements within 2 years. 

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded an MPH degree, students must complete all academic work by the semester they wish to graduate. Capstone fieldwork experience or a thesis must also be completed. Specific requirements to be fulfilled by the graduating students include:

• Academic Performance: Cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale in all required and elective courses.
• Practicum: Three credits for students who elect the practicum option aimed at developing the skills and competencies through service experience in a health profession or health-related organization, and to apply concepts and theories learned in the classroom.  The practicum will be arranged in one block spanning over one semester (a minimum of 150 hours) and must be completed. Before the experience, the practicum coordinator will discuss with each student their career interest, needs, and geographic constraints to determine the placement site.
• Research or Thesis Proposal and Defense: Students who select the research option will submit their thesis to the faculty mentor, and a copy must be submitted to the chairperson two weeks before the defense date. The student must successfully defend the thesis.  Students who select the research/thesis option must complete a Research Paper to include an introduction, literature review, methodology/results, and conclusion, a minimum of 5 competencies integrated into 15-20 pages.
• Project Presentation: Each student must complete their capstone fieldwork experience and/or thesis and present it at the public forum.
• Grade Format: Letter (A-F) grades are awarded in theory courses. “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory” grades are awarded only for the capstone, thesis, and practicum experiences.

Progression and Probation Policy

Progression and Probation Policy

The following academic progress and probation policy will be enforced in the MPH program:

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress and good academic standing. A student is placed on probation if the cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 for any term. After being placed on probation, a student must attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 within the next two terms or be dismissed from the graduate program.

No more than two grades of C can be earned in any of the MPH courses. More than two grades of Care grounds for dismissal. A course in which a D was obtained must be repeated to obtain a grade of C or better.

Students cannot obtain more than six credit hours of course work with a grade of D or F, whether the grade is part of the MPH program or not. More than 6 credit hours with grades of D or F will result in dismissal from the program. Where a student has two or more grades of Incomplete outstanding, the student should be reviewed for probationary status.

Public Health Generalist Degree- 42 Credit Hours

Total Program Credit Hours: 42