Public Health (MPH) Master of Public Health

About us

The Master of Public Health (MPH) is the core professional degree recognized throughout the world for public health practice, both in the public sector and in emerging private sector careers related to population health.

At Ohio State, the MPH is offered in two formats: a traditional weekday format and a more flexible online format for experienced professionals. The curriculum for the MPH consists of a minimum of 42-45 credit hours organized into five curricular domains:

  1. Foundation courses in areas of knowledge basic to public health 
  2. Courses required for a specialization
  3. Elective courses approved for the specialization
  4. Applied Practice Experience
  5. Integrated Learning Experience

Applied Practice Experience

The College requires two semester hours of formal applied practice experience for all students in the MPH degree program. Students should be active participants in the arrangement for the applied practice experience. The Office of Academic Programs and Student Services supports students in their search for an appropriate field site and provides support throughout the experience.  Complete details on the process for seeking and confirming the experience, as well as the expectations for the applied practice experience, are found on the College of Public Health Applied Practice Experience webpage.

Integrative Learning Experience

The integrative learning experience is intended to provide the opportunity for students to address a public health question or issue of their interest that draws from their academic experience. It provides students with the opportunity to apply, integrate, and synthesize knowledge and experience obtained during their academic course of study to a question or problem of public health relevance. In some cases the integrated learning experience idea or opportunity may evolve from the student’s applied practice experience.

Specializations

- Biomedical Informatics
- Biostatistics
- Clinical Translational Science
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Behavior and Health Promotion
- Veterinary Public Health

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

International graduates of this major's Biostatistics, Environmental Health and Epidemiology specializations, are approved by the Department of Homeland Security for three (3) years of work permission in the United States after graduation. Visit the Office of International Affairs website for more information.