Curriculum

Developed in collaboration with the Larner College of Medicine, UVM’s 42-credit online Master of Public Health (MPH) degree prepares you for success in diverse Public Health career settings. Designed as a generalist program, students will explore timely public health and policy issues to build a strong foundation in population health sciences.

Our program leads to a generalist MPH degree focused on excellence in Behavioral Sciences, Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, and Health Services Administration, giving graduates the flexibility to pursue the area of Public Health that interests them most.

Choose the pace that aligns with your goals

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)

9 credits in required advanced core courses (3 courses):

6 credits of required culminating project experience:

9 elective course credits (3 courses) including but not limited to those in the course catalogue:

Public Health Course Catalogue

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.

Curriculum

The University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine 42-credit online Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with a Concentration in Global Health Leadership prepares skilled and versatile graduates dedicated to improving public health through practice, research, education, and leadership.

The MPH curriculum is focused on excellence in Behavioral Sciences, Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, and Health Services Administration. In addition, students will gain a strong foundation in population health sciences in diverse Public Health settings, with further emphasis on broader global issues including climate change and human health; international collaborations, systems, and structures; and public health leadership in a global environment.

Choose the pace that aligns with your goals

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 credits in global health leadership (3 courses)

View the MPH Global Health Leadership 15-Month Curriculum Plan (PDF)

View the MPH Global Health Leadership 2-Year Curriculum Plan (PDF)

View the MPH Global Health Leadership 3-Year Curriculum Plan (PDF)

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 credits of Global Health Leadership courses (3 courses)

Hands-on health: The Applied Practice Experience

The Applied Practice Experience (APE) is a one-credit, work-based learning experience that students complete with an organization involved with global public health. 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 global public 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 global 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 in global health leadership.

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.

Curriculum

Each student is encouraged to choose their initial courses based on personal interest and current academic concentration. For example, students from a mathematics or physical science background may select courses first in biostatistics and epidemiology, whereas students in anthropology or sociology may prefer to begin with social and behavioral foundations of public health, public health and health policy, or global public health. Similarly, students with an environmental science background may prefer to begin with environmental public health.

UVM Undergraduate Students

UVM undergraduate students who are accepted into the Graduate College will complete six public health graduate credits during their senior year which apply toward both an undergraduate degree and the Accelerated MPH. Seniors have the option to apply an additional three public health credits toward the MPH, though it is not required. During the fifth year of study, students complete the remaining required credits, including during summer session.

UVM Undergraduate Curriculum Map (PDF)