Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health (MPH) is an interdisciplinary graduate program that equips students with the knowledge and skills to address public health challenges. Core coursework includes epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, environmental health, and social sciences.

The program emphasizes experiential learning through internships, fieldwork, and community-based research projects. These experiences enable students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, preparing them for careers in public health practice, research, policy, and community health improvement.

Ideal Students

Ideal students may come from a wide range of undergraduate majors, including:

• Public Health
• Biomedical Sciences
• Biology or Chemistry
• Nursing or Allied Health
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Social Work
• Political Science
• Statistics or Mathematics
• Health Administration

Strong applicants should have:

• Foundational coursework in statistics or research methods
• Introductory biology or health sciences coursework
• Strong written and analytical skills
• A clinical background is not required, but previous exposure to a healthcare setting is valuable

Program Highlights

• Addresses public health disparities unique to Lower Alabama (including chronic disease challenges such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension)
• Aligns with healthcare priorities at USA Health, the only academic medical center in the region
• Supports rural health initiatives through community-based interventions and policies
• Provides training grounded in real-world Gulf Coast public health challenges
• Emphasizes health equity, data-driven decision-making, and systems leadership

Program Format

Delivery format is a combination of online, Hy-Flex, and in-person. All courses will be obtainable through Hy-Flex or online, providing maximum flexibility for students. Full-time and part-time options are available.

• 42 credit hours
• Typically 4 to 5 semesters depending on course load (full-time)
• Start term: Fall (current plan)

Deadlines (Fall 2026)

• Fall 2026 application deadline: July 15
• Applications are reviewed as received within an approximately 3-week period
• Final decision deadline: August 1, 2026

Admissions Requirements

Each applicant must be qualified for admission to the University of South Alabama Graduate School with a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Additional requirements also include:

• An undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for regular admission. Conditional admission may be granted in certain cases for lower GPAs.
• An appropriate advanced degree may be used in lieu of other requirements for Regular Standing.
• Completion of an undergraduate or graduate-level statistics course with a B or higher is preferred.
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended.
• Two letters of recommendation attesting to the prospective student's scholarship and potential for success in a graduate program. At least one letter should come from an academic reference.
• A Statement of Purpose that reflects the rationale for the chosen graduate program and includes examples of personal and professional experience relevant to the program.

Option Areas (as currently proposed):

• Health Inequities
• Social and Behavioral Health Sciences
• Gerontology
• Applied Statistics

Outcomes

Graduates of the MPH program are prepared to lead, analyze, and innovate across healthcare systems, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and related settings.

Where graduates can work:

• Local and state health departments
• USA Health and integrated healthcare systems
• Nonprofit and community-based organizations
• Federal agencies (CDC, HRSA, EPA, FEMA)
• Research institutions and universities
• Global and humanitarian health organizations
• Emergency management and disaster response agencies
• Private sector healthcare analytics and consulting firms

Types of positions:

• Community-Based Research Coordinator
• Policy Analyst (access, rural health, maternal health)
• Health Promotion Specialist
• Biostatistician
• Public Health Data Analyst
• Epidemiologist
• Clinical Trials Data Manager
• Climate and Health Resilience Planner
• Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Coordinator
• Environmental Health Risk Analyst
• Heat Illness Surveillance Analyst
• Community Health Program Manager
• Public Health Communication Strategist
• Substance Use Prevention Coordinator
• Program Evaluation Specialist

Contact Information

For more information contact:
Dr. Nancy Rice
Program Director
nrice@southalabama.edu

Mrs. Reaghan Townsend
Graduate Program Assistant
rtownsend@southalabama.edu
251-445-9256

Email the Dept. of Biomedical Science Masters Program
Call at 251-445-9256