Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice and Policy

The Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice and Policy, Online (PHPP) is offered through the Department of Health Policy and Management in the School of Public Health. The program prepares working professionals to advance their careers by leading initiatives that address regional, national and global public health issues in the 21st century.

Mentoring and advising are an essential part of the program. Students meet with faculty and the academic program director to ensure that educational goals and career learning and development goals are met. Students with specific academic questions may contact Dr. Negin Fouladi, via email: fouladi@umd.edu. 

Overview

The Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice and Policy, Online (PHPP) provides a broad range of knowledge and skill-based competencies for healthcare professionals to assume leadership roles in addressing important public health practice, and policy issues nationally and globally.

• Increases marketable expertise, professional flexibility and mobility, and career advancement readiness.
• Uses evidence-based approaches to public health, public health and health care systems, planning and management to promote health, policy in public health, leadership, communication, inter-professional practice, and systems thinking, public health management, health policy and services, health law and economics, public health research methods, and foundations of environmental health, with learning how to translate knowledge into effective day-to-day practice. Includes an internship and a capstone project that integrates all course learning and experiences. 
• Prepares graduates with the essential knowledge, tools, and resources in public health management, policy, and practice to successfully address the critical issues facing health care organizations.
• Focus on leadership, policy, and practice focus gives students practical knowledge and professional skills for work in the health industry. 
• Helps build a platform of professional network support, benefiting graduates throughout their careers.
• Can be completed in eighteen months of continuous full-time enrollment. Part-time enrollment is welcome. See Designation of Full-time/Part-time Status. 

Program Features

The MPH in Public Health Practice and Policy, Online has a 45-credit, sixteen-course, multi-disciplinary curriculum that provides current knowledge and skills in the wide range of areas of expertise required of tomorrow’s public health policy and practice leaders. The plan of study includes:

• 14 credits (six courses) in evidence-based approaches to public health that includes public health and health care systems, planning and management to promote health, policy in public health, leadership, communication, and inter-professional practice and systems thinking; 
• 24 credits (eight courses) in public health management, health policy and services, health law and economics, public health research methods, and foundations of environmental health; 
• 4 credits (credits may be spread over multiple semesters) for the internship; and 
• 3 credits (one course) for the capstone project.

Registration Overview

• See the sample plan of study, below. Students should use this as a guide to develop a plan with the academic program director. 
• Actual course offerings are determined by the program and may vary. Students should note if a course has a pre-requisite or co-requisite.
• Specific class meeting information (days and time) is posted on the University of Maryland’s (UMD) interactive web service services, Testudo. Once on that site, select “Schedule of Classes,” then the term/year. Courses are listed by academic unit. 
• The program uses specific section codes for registration that are listed on the sample plan of study.

Sample Plan, Full Time, Fall Admission

Sample Plan, Full Time, Spring Admission

Courses

For a listing of program courses, see the Graduate School Catalog program requirements for PHPP. For course descriptions that includes pre-requisites or co-requisites, see KNES and SPHL.

Overview

• Features online instruction that is supplemented with traditional in-person learning.
• Instruction provided by UMD faculty and professionals in the field.
• Uses the semester academic calendar with classes held during fall and spring semester (16 weeks each) and Summer Session (two 6-week sessions).

Online Learning

• Most courses are offered via 100% online instruction.
• Using advanced audio and video technology, UMD’s online learning environment delivers dynamic and interactive content. 
• Featuring convenience and flexibility, online instruction permits asynchronous or synchronous participation.
• Lectures are video archived. Students who are unable to attend in real time can review the session through asynchronous participation.

In-Person Learning

• The only course with required in-person elements is HLSA772: Healthcare Leadership and Communications.
• This requirement consists of a total of four to five weekend days of residency in the fall semester designed to deepen professional network support.
• Residency classes meet at the UMD College Park campus, offering students the opportunity to engage in a focused, distraction-free learning environment. 
• Students enrolled in a program that features in-person instruction are required to submit the University’s Immunization Record Form prior to the first day of their first semester/term. See Health Requirements. 

Upon successful completion, graduates will have mastered the following competencies:

How will the MPH in Public Health Practice and Policy and its focus on leadership benefit me?
The program offers exceptional learning, leadership development, and networking, increasing your:

• Marketable expertise
• Professional flexibility and mobility
• Executive leadership competencies
• Career advancement readiness
• Lifetime earning potential
• Professional network support
• Ability to contribute to society

Why pursue the MPH in Public Health Practice and Policy at University of Maryland?
The program prepares working professionals to advance their careers by leading initiatives that address regional, national and global public health issues in the 21st century. The program provides you with essential knowledge, tools, and resources in public health management, policy and practice to successfully address the critical issues facing health care organizations.

What is unique about the MPH-Public Health Practice and Policy and its practice and policy concentration?

• Can be completed in 24 months so you don’t have to take leave time from work!
• In addition to convenient online coursework, program requires only four to five in-person weekend days, minimally disrupting your personal life.
• Engage in learning with a cohort of colleagues.
• Intensive leadership training begins on the first day and is woven throughout the two years.
• Stimulating online courses conducted by UMD School of Public Health faculty and experts from leading public health organizations.
• Focus on leadership, policy and practice provides practical knowledge and professional skills to apply to your work in the health industry.
• Internship and capstone project are designed to launch you into the next stage of an upward career path.

What will I learn to advance my career as a leader in public health policy and practice?
The MPH-Public Health Practice and Policy offers a 45-credit rigorous, multi-disciplinary curriculum that provides current knowledge and skills in the wide range of areas of expertise required of tomorrow’s public health policy and practice leaders.

• 14 credits in evidence-based approaches to public health that includes public health and health care systems, planning and management to promote health, policy in public health, leadership, communication, and inter-professional practice and systems thinking; 
• 24 credits in public health management, health policy and services, health law and economics, public health research methods, and foundations of environmental health; 
• 4 credits for the internship; and 
• 3 credits for the capstone project.

How is instruction delivered?
The MPH-Public Health Practice and Policy features online learning with stimulating online instruction and a total of four to five weekend days of at the UMD College Park campus. UMD’s online learning environment delivers online content through easy to use web-based technology that enables learning in an engaging, interactive environment. 

How long will it take to complete the MPH-Public Health Practice and Policy?
Depending on the semester of entry, you may complete the 45-credit program in 24 months of full-time study. You also have the option of spreading out the courses over additional semesters. The choice is yours!

Is the School of Public Health accredited?
The School of Public Health, University of Maryland, is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. MPH-Public Health Practice and Policy students are eligible to take the National Board of Public Health Examiners exam to become Certified in Public Health after completing all the core principles of public health courses.

Who are the faculty?
Instruction is delivered by University of Maryland School of Public Health faculty and experts from leading public health organizations.

I have taken one or more of the required classes. Can I transfer these credits?
No more than six (6) credit hours of graduate work may be transferred from CEPH accredited institutions. Additional requirements apply. Students seeking acceptance of transfer credits are urged to consult with the academic program director to ensure compliance with The Graduate School guidelines.

Whom do I contact if I have questions?
Negin Fouladi, PhD, MPH, MS; Assistant Clinical Professor, Director of Graduate Programs in Public Health Practice: fouladi@umd.edu.