Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree is a 45-semester credit hour fundamental professional degree. Additional offerings from the School of Public Health, including M.P.H. specializations, doctoral degree programs, and professional certifications, are in the planning stages.

The School of Public Health’s Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program is specifically designed to serve the San Antonio and South Texas communities. Locally relevant public health data are incorporated throughout the curriculum to create a concrete and tangible application of public health concepts and strategies such that students will experience learning that is practical; research that matters to the San Antonio and South Texas region; and service that counts, is valued, and materially impacts the unique communities across the region.

Students will gain skills in meaningful scholarship that discovers, disseminates, and applies evidence-based, equity-driven scalable solutions and policies that can be implemented promptly to advance the health of the planet and its human populations. The curriculum emphasizes educating and training the next generation of diverse public health leaders and professionals in systems thinking, health equity, and precision public health so that they can face the public health threats and opportunities of today and tomorrow. UT SPH SA graduates will receive training directly relevant to the unique public health needs of South Texas, itself a microcosm of the nation's future.

Admissions Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or proof of an equivalent degree from a foreign institution. 
• Official transcripts from each college/university currently and previously attended reflecting completed and in-progress coursework. 
• Transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be submitted in the original language along with an evaluation by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)-approved organization. 
• International applicants whose native language is not English must present evidence of proficiency in English by satisfactorily completing the Test of English as a Foreign Language examination (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 84; English Language Test for Study (IELTS) score of 7.0; or and a Duolingo score of 115. Scores on TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo tests that were taken more than two years before the date of application are not acceptable. A waiver of this requirement may be requested if the individual has graduated from a high school or a higher education degree program (associate’s degree or higher) in the United States or another country where English is the official language.  
• Required immunizations, criminal background and sanction checks, and technical and additional requirements per the School of Public Health and/or UT Health San Antonio regulatory guidelines. 
• Current resume or curriculum vita (CV). 
• Writing sample in response to prompts provided by the SPH admissions committee. 
• Personal statement on the applicants’ approach to working in and with the community, affirmation of social justice, and health equity. The personal statement may be used to highlight areas of particular strength or challenges experienced by the applicant. 
• Two letters of recommendation from professional, academic, or community sources highlighting the applicant’s leadership skills, community service, the potential for success in the M.P.H. Program, and/or the likelihood of contributing to the field of public health. 
• Interview with UT SPH SA’s admissions committee members. 

Prerequisites 

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 undergraduate credit hours. If a graduate degree has been completed, a transcript documenting a GPA of 3.0 or higher may be used in place of the undergraduate GPA requirement. Applicants with lower GPAs may be considered if they possess other qualifications such as having worked in a public health field. 
• Evidence of basic data literacy (e.g., at least one course of higher-level mathematics and/or statistics or related work experience). Applicants without previous statistical coursework may be admitted conditionally, and specific ‘level-setting’ coursework may be required to address areas of limited prior education. The hours of coursework required will be determined on a case-by-case basis jointly by the student and their academic advisor in the Program. 
• Evidence of engagement with the community (e.g., volunteer hours, leadership positions) demonstrated through the applicant’s personal statement, resume, recommendation letters, or other provided documentation. 
• Evidence of communication and critical thinking skills demonstrated through the review of application materials, letters of recommendation, and personal interviews conducted by the admissions committee.  

Degree Requirements

The M.P.H. program curriculum consists of 45 semester credit hours spanning two years of study.  Students must also complete a minimum of 200 hours of applied practical experience obtained from field experiences focused on local and regional public health central problems directly relevant to the public health workforce.