Improve Population Health Outcomes
The MPH degree with an emphasis in Public Health Practice and Leadership (PHPL) is focused on examining social and political systems that influence the health status of populations and then learning how to influence and/or design, implement, and manage broad, system-level instruments to improve population health outcomes. These instruments might include programs in public health agencies, not-for-profit organizations, or healthcare provider settings, or policies at the local, state, national, or international governmental levels.
The MPH emphasis in PHPL has a dual emphasis on acquiring both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Thus, this degree is ideal for recent graduates or early- and mid-career public health professionals seeking to develop or advance their careers in a variety of health care settings. Additionally, the professional practice component of the program has been designed to place students in public health settings and apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to address real-world problems.
Upon completion of the MPH degree with an emphasis in PHPL, students will be prepared to continue developing their careers as leaders, managers, public health professionals, policy analysts, program evaluators, advocates, or health program managers in a variety of public health, government, health care, or other professional settings. In addition, our students will be prepared to continue their graduate education at the doctoral level.
Public Health Practice and Leadership Area of Emphasis Competencies
In addition to the standard MPH Foundational Competencies required of all MPH students, our emphasis in Public Health Practice and Leadership also prepares students to meet 5 competencies specific to the emphasis. These include:
- Develop skills to influence the effective production and implementation of health policy.
- Assess structures and processes for effective health services management.
- Employ processes and applications that positively effect both individuals and group goals.
- Develop analytic and statistical skills for application to health service issues.
- Appraise theory and skills in policy, management, and leadership to examine and influence real world health issues.