The University of Vermont has announced a new Master of Public Health program, a collaborative graduate program between the College of Medicine, the Graduate College at UVM, and Continuing and Distance Education. The new 42-credit online master’s degree program, the first graduate public health program in Vermont, was approved by the UVM Board of Trustees in February and is now open for fall 2014 admission.
“UVM’s leadership in interdisciplinary and health care education, along with our close affiliation with Fletcher Allen Health Care, make the university a strong choice for public health students,” said Jan K. Carney, MD, MPH, associate dean for public health at the College of Medicine and program director for public health graduate programs. “Our faculty have depth of knowledge and experience in public health, and this new graduate program offered online will appeal to a diverse cohort of public health students from around the globe – including medical and nursing students, researchers and health care professionals.”
Graduate students accepted into the program, which will start this fall, will have the opportunity to explore current public health and health policy issues while gaining a strong foundation in population health sciences. The study of public health – including the implementation of prevention measures, the promotion of healthy behaviors, and research into global and community health – spans a variety of academic disciplines and professions, from epidemiology and biostatistics to environmental public health and health policy.  
“UVM is committed to providing innovative, high-quality programming to engage students both here in Vermont and from national and international markets,” said Cynthia Belliveau, EdD, MPA, dean of Continuing and Distance Education. “The Master of Public Health is a perfect fit with our expertise and the increasing need for public health professionals around the world. Offering this degree in an online format will appeal to prospective students who are seeking an academically rigorous program that is also flexible.”
Students in the Master of Public Health program can complete the degree requirements within two years as a full-time student, and five years as a part-time student. The program is designed for medical and graduate students, health professionals in all disciplines, public health professionals, researchers, and others who wish to increase their knowledge in public health. In addition to enhancing careers in public health practice and health professions, the program also prepares graduates for advanced study at the doctoral level.
The new Master of Public Health is the first public health graduate program in the state of Vermont. UVM currently offers an online Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health. Students from the certificate program may transfer their credits upon acceptance into the master’s program.
The UVM Master of Public Health program is now open for fall 2014 admission. Courses are available this summer and may be transferred into the MPH program in the fall. For more information, visit www.uvm.edu/medicine/publichealthmph.