Master of Public Health – Health Practice and Leadership
School of Public Health
The WVU School of Public Health offers an MPH degree with an emphasis in Public Health Practice and Leadership (PHPL). This program dives deep into the social and political systems that shape population health. You'll learn to design, implement, and manage broad, system-level strategies to improve health outcomes. Whether it's through public health agencies, not-for-profit organizations, healthcare settings, or government policies at any level, you'll be equipped to lead and innovate for a healthier future.
Cost:
$894 / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
18 Courses / 45 Credits
Duration:
Two to four years
Dates:
Next Start: August 20, 2025 Admission Terms: Fall, Spring
Learning Format:
Online asynchronous
Program Overview
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.
Curriculum
Public Health Practice and Leadership Area of Emphasis Competencies
- Develop skills to influence the effective production and implementation of health policy.
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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.
Meet the Faculty
- PUBH 610: Contemporary Foundations of Public Health Practice, 2 credit hours
- PUBH 611: Epidemiology for Public Health Practice, 2 credit hours
- PUBH 612: Research Translation and Evaluation in Public Health Practice, 4 credit hours
- PUBH 613: Public Health Program Evaluation, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 620: Building and Sustaining Public Health Capacity, 2 credit hours
- PUBH 621: Public Health Prevention and Intervention, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 629: MPH Capstone, 1 credit hours
- PUBH 630: MPH Field Practicum, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 640: Health Systems Leadership, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 641: Systems Thinking in Public Health Practice, 2 credit hours
- PUBH 696: Graduate Seminar, 1 credit hours
- General Elective*: Fraud: Criminology/Legal Issues, 3 credit hours
- Public Health Practice and Leadership, 15 credit hours
Admissions Events
Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (preferred)
- WVU requires international students to submit English proficiency scores. Minimum
score requirements are as follows:
Admissions Process and How to Apply
- Submit as soon as possible. Do not wait for SOPHAS to receive transcripts, recommendations, or test scores.
- Allow up to four weeks for SOPHAS to verify and process your application.
- Applications must be complete and verified by SOPHAS by the following deadlines:
- June 15 for Fall admission (April 15th for international applicants)
- November 20 for Spring admission (October 15th for international applicants)
- Upon acceptance from SOPHAS, students will receive correspondence from the WVU School of Public Health regarding their acceptance and instructions to complete the WVU Graduate application.
- All application information submitted to SOPHAS will be transferred directly to WVU Admissions
- Please note: There are both SOPHAS and WVU application fees.
- A statement of purpose and objectives
- Two letters of reference
- A current resume/curriculum vitae
- All university transcripts (SOPHAS requires original transcripts from ALL U.S. institutions attended, even study abroad)
- International students must submit English language proficiency test score(s).
Please note: The GRE requirement has been removed for the current application cycle. However, should you choose to submit your official GRE test scores, use WVU School of Public Health SOPHAS GRE code: 0157
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
- File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
- Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.
Connect with an Admissions Coach
Jessica Carr Online Admissions Coach
(304) 293-6841 jessica.carr1@mail.wvu.edu
Explore Profile Schedule Chat
Careers and Employment
After graduating from the MPH program, you can look forward to a wide range of career opportunities in a growing field that is essential to the well-being of individuals and communities. With their skills and knowledge, they can play an important role in improving health outcomes and addressing some of the most pressing public health challenges of our time.
Some of the emerging areas of public health that MPH graduates may find particularly promising include global health, health equity and social justice, digital health, and environmental health. As society becomes more aware of the importance of public health, the demand for qualified professionals in these areas is likely to increase.
Career Paths
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Epidemiologist: An epidemiologist studies the causes and patterns of disease in populations. They design and conduct studies, collect and analyze data, and communicate findings to policymakers and the public.
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Health Educator: Health educators develop and implement programs that promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease. They work in a variety of settings, including schools, community organizations, and healthcare facilities.
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Public Health Consultant: Public health consultants work with organizations and agencies to develop and implement public health policies and programs. They may provide guidance on disease prevention, health promotion, or emergency preparedness.
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Biostatistician: Biostatisticians use statistical methods to analyze public health data and help researchers and policymakers understand health trends and patterns. They work in a variety of settings, including academic institutions, government agencies, and healthcare organizations.
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Health Policy Analyst: Health policy analysts’ study and analyze health policies and programs to assess their effectiveness and make recommendations for improvement. They may work in government agencies, advocacy organizations, or consulting firms.
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Environmental Health Specialist: Environmental health specialists investigate and evaluate environmental factors that can impact human health, such as air and water quality, food safety, and hazardous waste. They may work in government agencies, consulting firms, or non-profit organizations.
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Global Health Specialist: Global health specialists work to address health issues and diseases that affect populations around the world. They may work for international organizations, government agencies, or non-profit organizations.