MPP/MPH Joint Degree
The Public Policy and Public Health (MPP/MPH) dual degree program is designed for students seeking to advance their training in the quantitative and qualitative methods of policy analysis as well as expand their knowledge of public health issues and health policies.
Health issues are an area of priority within the public arena. One of the primary ways health issues are dealt with is through public policy. Approaches to health issues range from government contracting for services to setting regulations that promote population-level health (e.g., childhood vaccination policies). Students who pursue a joint MPP/MPH degree will acquire the skills needed to conduct effective health policy analysis, understand organizational processes within the health domain, develop policy-based approaches to important issues of public health, and translate complex health policies for a lay audience. Graduates will also learn about working across public, non-profit, and private sectors to produce policy-based approaches for improving and protecting the public’s health. Through this joint degree program, graduates will gain the education needed to be effective in professional roles involving health policy development, administration, and evaluation.
Students graduating with a MPP/MPH degree will be qualified for many positions in the public health policy arena, including: health policy analyst, research associate, program planner/evaluator, risk analyst, and policy assistant. Graduates of the program may pursue research and policy analysis positions in federal and state governmental agencies, consulting organizations, health advocacy groups, and health care associations.
For more information please contact either Gabriella Blanchard in Public Policy or Josué Martinez in Public Health.
Why Combine?
The Master of Public Policy Program and the Master of Public Health Program provide
individual attention to help you realize your professional goals. The Public Health
Program combines public health training, leadership, and service; while the Master
of Public Policy program provides analytical training with opportunities to participate
in the policy process beyond the classroom. Both programs are small, and provide
opportunities to study issues you care about in real world settings.
Students can earn both the MPP and MPH in a three-year period. Individuals considering
a career in policymaking with government, nonprofits, and the private sector requiring
professional training in public health and policy analysis are encouraged to apply.
Admissions
To apply for the joint degree program, students must submit separate applications to the MPP and MPH programs. Admission to one program does not guarantee admission to the other. Students are encouraged to apply to both programs at the same time.
Master of Public Health Admissions Requirements – Apply Now
Master of Public Policy Admissions Requirements– Apply Now
Degree Requirements
Upon acceptance and enrollment into the programs, students may then apply up to nine credit hours of MPH class work towards the 40 credit-hour requirement for the MPP degree. Likewise, students may count up to 12 credit hours of MPP class work towards fulfilling the 45 credit-hour requirement of the MPH degree. This option eliminates up to 21 credit hours that would be required to complete the two programs separately. Due to this reduction in credit requirements for both degrees, a student enrolled in the joint MPP/MPH degree program can expect to complete the two degrees in approximately six-to-seven semesters of full-time study. A student enrolled in the joint degree program must complete all MPH and all MPP requirements before either degree will be awarded.
Upon completion of both programs, the student earns two separate degrees: a MPP degree awarded by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and a MPH degree awarded by the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine.
Students will pay the public health tuition rate (resident or nonresident) for public health (FPMD) school courses and regular graduate tuition (resident or nonresident) for public policy courses.