Hybrid Program for Master of Public Health, M.P.H.
Grand Valley State University's Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, offered by the School of Interdisciplinary Health, prepares students by enhancing career opportunities through the acquisition of quantitative and qualitative problem solving research skills, service, and experiential learning. Public health professionals promote good health and prevent disease within communities. Our MPH Traditional and Hybrid programs provide graduate and community-based education and research grounded in social justice to help meet these goals.
Join one of our Online (webinar) MPH Information Sessions or an MPH Open House to learn more about the MPH Hybrid Program and our Traditional Program.
MPH Online/Hybrid Program
The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) Hybrid Program at Grand Valley State University is available to students interested in pursuing the Epidemiology or Health Promotion emphasis.
The MPH Hybrid Program is the same high-quality, fully-accredited, MPH curriculum used in our traditional in-seat program, but with greater flexibility and convenience. Classes for students in the hybrid cohort meet only one weekend each semester - either on a Saturday (between 8:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.) or a Friday evening and the following Saturday - at Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall on GVSU's Health Campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The in-seat meeting will include class lectures and activities, plus community engagement and service learning opportunities. *Times may vary by semester, and some semesters may require a Friday evening meeting.
Undergraduate students, eligible to apply for the Allied Health Science B.S. - Master of Public Health M.P.H. Combined Degree program or the Exercise Science B.S. - Master of Public Health M.P.H. Combined Degree, may apply for either the Traditional or Hybrid MPH programs.
Related Pages
Hybrid students traveling to Grand Rapids (MI) each semester will find several lodging, restaurant, and free or inexpensive transportation options convenient to our GVSU Health Campus location. Grand Rapids is within a few hours drive from several cities, including Detroit, Toledo, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Chicago. Grand Rapids is also easily accessible via air service to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Amtrak rail service, and the Greyhound bus. Learn more about traveling to Grand Rapids. Many area hotels offer discounted rates are to GVSU students who are commuting.
Why Should I Select the Hybrid Option?
There are many reasons our online hybrid option might work best for you:
- adult learner or nontraditional student
- prefer the flexibility and convenience of online learning
- family and/or job commitments conflict with traditional in-seat program meetings
- unable to relocate to Grand Rapids - commuting only once a semester puts less demand on your finances and possibly your vehicle
- financial: out-of-state students may find GVSU's program-based tuition rate more affordable than in-state tuition at home
About Hybrid Learning
Students in the MPH Hybrid Program should expect to spend as much time in study and preparation, or perhaps more, as a completely classroom-based course. Students are managing their own learning using the information and resources located in Blackboard.
This requires that the student be self-disciplined, motivated, and have some skills using a networked computer and a Web browser. At a minimum, the student should have experience using email, sending email attachments, and browsing the internet. The content and rigor of an online course offered by GVSU is equivalent to the on-campus, in-class version of the same course.
If you are considering the MPH Hybrid Program you might want to explore GVSU's Online Education website. This site will help to prepare you for what is involved in being an online/hybrid student. You will learn the features of Blackboard, determine if your computer meets the technical requirements, and hopefully get a sense whether learning online is right for you! We also recommend you check out The Graduate School's Online Learning Guide for valuable tips.
Each student will be given a Username and a Password for Blackboard before the first day of the MPH Hybrid Program. If you need assistance with your Username and Password, please contact the Information Technology department at (616) 331-2101.
Technology Requirements for Online/Hybrid Courses
Technology Proficiency and Computer Requirements
All online courses require access to the Internet. Unless you will be traveling to a campus computer lab, you will need to have access to your own computer and a high-speed Internet Service Provider. A webcam and a headset or microphone for your computer is recommended and may be required.
You should be proficient in the following:
- basic computer skills
- sending/receiving email
- sending and receiving attachments via email
- using a web browser
- finding resources through search engines
- downloading and installing software
- familiarity with using browser plug-ins (e.g. PDF reader, video, audio)
- using a word processing, presentation software, or other productivity applications
- experience/familiarity with a variety of file formats such as: .pdf "Portable Document Format", .rtf "Rich Text Format", .doc or .docx "Microsoft Word Document", and .txt "Text document"
- familiarity with using document scanners or document scanning apps to convert handwritten work to a PDF file (How to create PDF files and submit them on Blackboard)
- the ability to be self-directed in learning new technology skills (e.g. following a handout, a step-by-step tutorial, online video help, or access to support to learn necessary skills)