Public Health, MPH

Program Description

The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree requires a total of 43 credit hours and consists of core curriculum, concentration area and elective requirements. Students select a concentration in either Rural and Community Health or Health Outcomes and Quality Improvement. The online degree is housed in the Department of Public Health Sciences.

Nationally, mortality rates are higher and life expectancy rates lower for those living in rural areas. Furthermore, the rural south and Appalachia are recognized as having the highest levels of health disparities related to the five leading causes of death (heart disease, cancer, unnatural injuries, chronic obstructive respiratory disease, and stroke), as well as substance abuse and infant mortality.

The goal of the program is to meet the national need of rebuilding the public health infrastructure and to bring increased recognition of the value of public health training. Through the emphasis on rural health, the program trains students in rural outreach and work to build the health extension of Clemson University. The emphasis on outcomes research and applied evaluation allows students to be trained in health services implementation science and quality improvement to better equip them for work in the health services sector.

Summary of Degree Requirements

The Master of Public Health degree requires a total of 43 credit hours as follows:

• Core coursework: 27 credit hours
• Concentration coursework: 10 credit hours
• Cognate/Elective Coursework: 6 credit hours

Coursework

Core Coursework - 27 Credits Minimum

• HLTH 8000 - Introduction to Public Health 3 Credits  
• HLTH 8030 - Theories and Determinants of Health 3 Credits  
• HLTH (MICR) 8090 - Epidemiological Research 3 Credits  
• HLTH 8100 - Health Policy 3 Credits  
• HLTH 8210 - Health Research I: Design and Measurement 3 Credits  
• HLTH 8310 - Quantitative Analysis in Health Research I 3 Credits  
• HLTH 8410 - Foundations of Evaluation in Health 3 Credits  
• HLTH 8800 - Public Health Practicum 1-6 Credits   (Six Credits Required)

Concentration Coursework - 10 Credits Minimum

Rural and Community Health Concentration

• HLTH 8130 - Population Health and Research 2 Credits  
• HLTH 8510 - Foundations in Rural Health 4 Credits  
• HLTH 8520 - Rural Health Community Planning 4 Credits  

Health Outcomes and Quality Improvement Concentration

• HLTH 8020 - Health Economics 3 Credits  
• HLTH 8120 - Clinical and Translational Science 2 Credits  
• HLTH 8140 - Health System Quality Improvement 2 Credits  
• MHA 7320 - Outcomes Assessment and Evaluation in Health Services 3 Credits  

Elective Coursework - Six Credits Minimum

• Students select courses in consultation with their advisor from existing graduate courses offered at Clemson.
   

Outcomes, Learning Objectives, and Graduation Requirements

The Master of Public Health degree program prepares students to work in a variety of public and private settings to advance the public’s health. Graduates of the program go on to work for federal, state, and local government offices, non-profit organizations, and health care systems. To graduate a student must complete the designated core courses, including the practicum, cognate courses, and six credit hours of electives related to their chosen area of study.

Key learning objectives include:

• Demonstrate an integration of the three core functions of public health through the development of a comprehensive portfolio of learning artifacts, summarizing specific experiences, and reflecting on how the practicum is important to the field of public health.
• Critically evaluate best practices in rural health and quality improvement, their experiences through their fieldwork and how that experience contributes to their future professional career in rural public health.
• Evaluate public health needs and identify a public health issue in the context of the community and propose solutions to address this identified need.