The Public Health, M.P.H. requires a minimum of 42 credit hours over 5 semesters. Students will complete core curriculum courses, and choose one emphasis (Epidemiology or Health Promotion) to concentrate in. 

Upon completion of the M.P.H. program, graduates will be qualified to earn voluntary professional certification by taking the National Board of Public Health Examiners Certified in Public Health (CPH) Exam.

Full-time students taking the following credit loads will complete their degree in 20 months:

• Fall (1st year) - 9 credits
• Winter (1st year) - 9 credits
• Summer - 6 credits; this semester also requires students attend a 2-day in-person Public Health Intensive
• Fall (2nd year) - 10 or 12 credits (based on choice of Master's Project or Thesis)
• Winter (2nd year) - 8 or 9 credits (based on choice of Master's Project or Thesis)

Undergraduate students in the Allied Health Science B.S. General Emphasis + M.P.H., or the Exercise Science B.S. Health Fitness Instruction Emphasis + M.P.H. Combined Degree programs will complete both degrees in 5 years :

• AHS/MPH Epidemiology Emphasis
• AHS/MPH Health Promotion Emphasis
• EXS/MPH Epidemiology Emphasis
• EXS/MPH Health Promotion Emphasis

Core Courses, 18 Credits

All M.P.H. students are required to complete the following courses, regardless of emphasis:

• PH 500 - Introduction to Public Health Credits: 3
• PH 505 - Social and Behavioral Public Health Credits: 3
• PH 510 - Public Health Epidemiology Credits: 3
• PH 520 - Environmental and Occupational Health Credits: 3
• PH 525 - Quantitative Research Methods in Public Health Credits: 3
• PH 530 - Qualitative Research Methods in Public Health Credits: 3

Emphasis Options

M.P.H. students will choose one of two available emphasis options to compliment the core curriculum courses. Please note: some electives may not be offered within a student's planned time to degree.

Epidemiology: (18 credits)

CORE courses (12 credits):

• PH 600 - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods in Public Health Credits: 3
• PH 602 - Chronic Disease Epidemiology Credits: 3
• PH 608 - Infectious Disease Epidemiology Credits: 3
• PH 610 - Cancer Epidemiology Credits: 3

ELECTIVE courses* (6 credits):

• PH 603 - Epidemiology of Aging Credits: 3
• PH 604 - Women's and Children's Epidemiology Credits: 3
• PH 605 - Pharmacoepidemiology Credits: 3
• PH 606 - Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology Credits: 3
• PH 612 - Public Health Genetics Credits: 3
• PH 613 - Psychiatric Epidemiology Credits: 3
• PH 633 - Public Health and Environmental Impact Assessment Credits: 3
• PH 660 - Public Health in a Global Setting Credits: 3

* Please note: some electives may not be offered within a student's planned time to degree.

Health Promotion: (18 credits)

CORE courses (12 credits):

• PH 620 - Health Education Credits: 3
• PH 622 - Health Behavior and Promotion Credits: 3
• PH 628 - Health Program Evaluation Credits: 3
• PH 632 - Public Health Social Campaigning and Distribution Credits: 3

ELECTIVE courses* (6 credits):

• COM 624 - Public Health Communication Credits: 3
• PH 621 - Introduction to Urban Health Studies Credits: 3
• PH 623 - Food, Health, and Justice Credits: 3
• PH 625 - Urban Health Field Studies Credits: 3
• PH 626 - Health Advocacy and Literacy Credits: 3
• PH 627 - Public Health Interest Groups Credits: 3
• PH 629 - Advocacy Strategies in Public Health Credits: 3
• PH 631 - Critical Issues in Public Health Advocacy and Policy Credits: 3
• PH 633 - Public Health and Environmental Impact Assessment Credits: 3
• PH 645 - Global Environmental and Occupational Health Credits: 3
• PH 660 - Public Health in a Global Setting Credits: 3

* Please note: some electives may not be offered within a student's planned time to degree.

Additional Course Requirements for All Emphases: (6-9 credits)

• PH 688 - Public Health Practicum Credits: 3 OR PH 689 - Public Health Practicum in a Global Setting (3 credits)
• PH 693 - Public Health Master's Project Credits: 3 OR PH 695 - Public Health Master's Thesis (3 credits)
• PH 696 - Continuation of Master's Project or Thesis Research Credits: 1 (if needed for extended time)

Grand Valley's Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program offers a comprehensive and collaborative approach to improving population health and healthcare. The curriculum emphasizes community-based education and research, preparing students to become leaders in public health practice and promoting social justice and excellence.

The M.P.H. covers a wide range of course topics, allowing students to choose between two emphasis areas: epidemiology and health promotion. Electives are available in policy, environmental health, and health disparities. The program spans five semesters, requiring 42-45 credit hours to complete. Graduates are eligible to take the National Board of Public Health Examiners Certified in Public Health (CPH) and/or the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exams, enhancing their professional credentials.

Students gain valuable field experience through:

• Practicum placements.
• Optional global learning opportunities.
• Didactic learning.
• Community-based experiences.
• Complex public health challenges.

The program's online format and dual campus locations cater to working professionals across the state of Michigan, and beyond. Additionally, Grand Valley provides the same graduate tuition rate for in-state and out-of-state students, making it an accessible choice for many.

The Public Health program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. Visit CEPH's website to learn more: ceph.org

For more information on tuition and fees, please visit the costs portion of the GVSU Financial Aid website. 

GVSU undergraduate students save time and money when enrolling in a Combined Degree program, such as AHS (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.), EXS (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.), or Student Initiated Combined Degree program! 

Combined degree students:

1. Pay undergraduate tuition rate for up to 18 credits of graduate-level courses 
2. Complete the degree one year early for additional tuition savings
    

For financial support, scholarship search, and filing for FAFSA, please visit the GVSU Financial Support website.

M.P.H. students regularly hold graduate assistantships with various GVSU departments and centers. Public Health typically employs one M.P.H. student as a full-time graduate assistant.

Note: Grand Valley does not charge a higher tuition rate based on residency. Tuition is based on the program in which you chose to enroll.