Curriculum
Studying 100% online gives you total flexibility to balance your goals and responsibilities. Choose the pace that aligns with your life: Full-time students can complete the program within one to two years. Part-time students can take longer, up to 5 years. And while we’re excited to keep you connected to campus and our Vermont community, the program’s culminating project can be completed based on your home location.
The Online Master of Public Health degree requires 42 total credits and includes:
- 18 credits in national competency core courses (6 courses)
- 9 credits in required advanced core courses (3 courses)
- 6 credits of required culminating project experience
- 9 elective course credits (3 courses)
View the Master of Public Health 15 Month Curriculum Plan (PDF)
View the Master of Public Health 3 Year Curriculum Plan (PDF)
View the Master of Public Health 2 Year Curriculum Plan (PDF)
18 Credits in National Competency Core Courses (6 Courses)
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|
| PH 6010 | Public Health & Health Policy | 3 |
| PH 6020 | Epidemiology I | 3 |
| PH 6030 | Biostatistics I: App Rsch in PH | 3 |
| PH 6040 | Environmental Public Health | 3 |
| PH 6170 | Mgmt in Hlth Services & Med Care | 3 |
| PH 6060 | Social & Behavioral Public Hlth | 3 |
9 credits in required advanced core courses (3 courses):
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|
| PH 6070 | Epidemiology 2 | 3 |
| PH 6080 | Environmental Public Health 2 | 3 |
| PH 6100 | Public Health Law and Ethics | 3 |
6 credits of required culminating project experience:
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|
| PH 6920 | Culminating Project Experience | 6 |
9 elective course credits (3 courses) from the approved list, including but not limited to:
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|
| PH 5000 | Controversies in Public Health | 3 |
| PH 6090 | Public Health Biostatistics II | 3 |
| PH 6110 | Global Public Health | 3 |
| PH 6120 | Food Systems & Public Hlth | 3 |
| PH 6140 | Environmental Risk & Risk Comm | 3 |
| PH 6150 | Public Health Surveillance | 3 |
| PH 6160 | Social Determinants of Health | 3 |
| PH 6180 | Improving Health in Population | 3 |
| PH 6190 | Environmental Health Law & Pol | 3 |
| PH 6200 | Public Health Communications | 3 |
| PH 6210 | Controversies in HlthEconomics | 3 |
| PH 6211 | Global Health Leadership | 3 |
| PH 6220 | One Health: Zoonoses | 3 |
| PH 6240 | Public Health Informatics | 3 |
| PH 6250 | Investigating Disease Outbreaks | 3 |
| PH 6260 | Legal Issues in Health Care | 3 |
| PH 6270 | Climate Change and Human Health | 3 |
| PH 6280 | Health in Humanitarian Crises | 3 |
| PH 6300 | Exploring Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| PH 6310 | Climate Change Emergencies | 3 |
| PH 6320 | Maternal and Child Health | 3 |
| PH 6330 | Global Mental Health | 3 |
| PH 6990 | Advanced Special Topics | 3 |
Hands-on health: The Applied Practice Experience
The Applied Practice Experience (APE) is a one-credit, work-based learning experience that students complete at a public health organization in their region. An APE Faculty Coach will guide your organization selection, helping you choose an organization that aligns with your interests and goals. The APE includes 15 hours direct contact with APE Faculty Coach during the semester, 20 or more hours outside the classroom at the student-selected organization during the spring semester, and 10 hours of work on your electronic portfolio products.
Applied Practice Experiences are invaluable opportunities to immerse yourself in the field and learn:
- How to assess population needs, assets, and capacities that affect health
- How to apply awareness of cultural values and practices while designing or implementing public health policies or programs
- How to identify stakeholders and build coalitions to influence public health outcomes
- How to build effective communication strategies for diverse audiences and sectors
- How to collaborate successfully on inter-professional teams
Cultivating Research Excellence: Integrative Learning Experience
The Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) requires students to conduct real-world public health research that culminates in a group manuscript and poster presentation. The ILE is an opportunity to synthesize foundational public health competencies and prepare students for diverse career opportunities.
Course objectives include:
- Preparing students to apply knowledge, skills, and competencies in a project that reflects research and/or practice needs of actual populations
- Preparing students to “hit the ground running” in health care or public health careers or future academic study
The course is taught entirely online and requires active participation in project teams.