What is the mission of the MPH program at BYU?
The mission of the MPH Program is…to prepare students as globally-oriented health promotion professionals with the knowledge, theory, and skills necessary to identify and assess health needs; plan and implement practical, population-based solutions; and evaluate interventions to improve health among at-risk, underserved or culturally diverse communities in either domestic or international settings.

What is the program’s vision for MPH graduates?
MPH programs are offered at many institutions throughout the world with various specialized tracks. For example, MPH programs are offered in epidemiology, biostatistics, international health, health education, nutrition, administration, etc. BYU's MPH program focuses on global health promotion. Graduates will be involved with promoting health and preventing disease by developing population-based health education strategies.

What is a MPH?
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is the most recognized professional credential in public health practice. It is a practice-based degree where students fulfill core requirements in areas of knowledge basic to public health, with an emphasis in global health promotion and community health education. The MPH program responds to the needs of health professionals who wish to expand their career options in public health.

What is public health?
The mission of public health is to assure conditions in which people can be healthy. It is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through research, interventions, and organized community effort. MPH graduates will be uniquely prepared to work in public health settings and deliver the following ten essential public health services:
1) Monitor health status to identify community health problems;
2) Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community;
3) Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues;
4) Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems;
5) Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts;
6) Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety;
7) Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable;
8) Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce;
9) Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services;
10) Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.

What are the core areas of study in public health?
According to the Association of Schools of Public Health, the core areas of study in public health are: health services administration, biostatistics, epidemiology, behavioral sciences/health education, and environmental sciences.

What is global health?
Global health is a discipline within public health that focuses on preventing and controlling diseases and other health problems and promoting health in developing nations or among underserved populations throughout the globe, including the United States. Because of the globalization of the world economy, global movements of people and commerce, and the increased importation of infectious agents and hazardous contaminants, what occurs in one part of the globe can have far reaching effects throughout the rest of the world.

What are the priority areas of global health?
According to the World Health Organization, some of the priority program areas of global health include: malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, chronic disease (cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc.), tobacco, maternal health, the environment, food safety, mental health, safe blood, and health systems.

What is global health promotion?
The term “global health promotion” involves the development of programs that prevent and control diseases or other health problems and their causes. Curriculum in the MPH program will train students in global and multi-cultural issues to prepare them to work with diverse populations, whether domestically or internationally.

What undergraduate degrees support a MPH?
Applicable undergraduate degrees with relevance to public health are varied and include health education, biologic sciences, environmental science, economics, statistics, food science and nutrition, international studies, political science, psychology, nursing, social work, anthropology, geography, etc.

Are there prerequisites for the MPH?
There are no prerequisite requirements beyond a relevant undergraduate degree. However, depending on an applicant’s stated interests, degree or background, certain courses may be required before starting the program.

How many credits are required in the MPH program?
Students must complete a total of 49 credits: 33 required credits; 7 elective credits; and 9 credits related to the MPH Practicum.

Is a thesis required or an option in the MPH Program?
A thesis is not required in the MPH Program, nor is it an option. Rather, students are required to perform a 6-credit fieldwork experience (300 contact hours) which culminates in the development and defense of a graduate project and peer reviewed paper.

What is the purpose of the fieldwork experience?
The fieldwork experience will be completed between the first and second years of the program under direct supervision of a faculty advisor and a professional mentor. The purpose of this experience is to expose students to a broad array of public health promotion strategies and interventions in multicultural settings, whether domestic or international. It allows the student to apply what has been learned in the classroom. The process will lead to the development of a product that meets the objectives of the student’s graduate project.

Can you tell me more about the graduate project?
An applied project is to be completed during the second year of the program under the direction of the student’s faculty advisor and committee. The project may involve: a research and surveillance study; creation of health promotion media; promotion of public health legislation or policy, development of health promotion curricula as part of an intervention; evaluation of an existing health promotion program or programs, etc. The graduate project must be linked to the fieldwork experience.

When can students begin the program and how long will it take to complete?
Students will begin the program fall semester each year. Students should complete the program within two years. Students must be enrolled in the program on a full-time basis and will not be allowed to complete the program on a part-time basis.

Will the MPH in global health promotion at BYU prepare me for advanced graduate study?
The MPH is considered the terminal practice degree for the public health profession. However, for students interested in specialized careers in research or higher education, doctoral programs and other advanced graduate degrees are usually necessary. The MPH degree offers excellent preparation for advanced graduate study.

Where is the MPH Program Located?
The MPH Program is located in the Department of Health Science in the College of Health and Human Performance. For more information call the MPH Office at 422-3082 or visit the MPH website at: http://www.byu.edu/health/publichealth.html.