The MPH Program includes a minimum of 42 credits. All student are required to take 15 core credits; 18 concentration credits; 3 cultural foundation credits, and 3 field experience credits.
In addition, students in the Community Health Education emphasis can elect to take either the thesis or the non-thesis option requirements. The thesis option includes 6 credits of thesis coursework and completion of a graduate thesis document. The non-thesis option includes 3 elective credits and the completion of a comprehensive examination, typically in the third or fourth semester.
Students in the Health Management and Policy emphasis must take the non-thesis option.
Final examination for the thesis option consists of an oral defense of the thesis and related course work; final examination for the non- thesis option includes a comprehensive exam with both oral and written questions pertaining to the student’s graduate course work. Additional information on these options is contained in the Graduate Catalog and MPH Graduate Handbook.
Requirements (required of all MPH students)
I. Public Health Core Courses (15 credits)
| MPH 510 | Community and Pyschosocial Aspects of Public Health |
| MPH 520 | Biostatistical Applications in Public Health |
| MPH 530 | Epidemiological Approaches to Disease Control and Prevention |
| MPH 540 | Health Services System: Administration and Organization |
| MPH 550 | Environmental Public Health Issues |
II: Concentration (18 credits)
Community Health Education Courses (18 credits)
| MPH 570 | Foundations of Public Health Education |
| MPH 572 | Techniques of Health Communication/Education |
| MPH 573 | Community Organization in Public Health |
| MPH 574 | Health Program Planning |
| MPH 578 | Evaluative Approaches in Public Health |
| MPH 579 | Research and Resources in Community Health |
Health Management, Administration and Policy Courses (18 credits)
| MPH 541 | Principles of Health Program Management |
| MPH 545 | Health Services Organization and Delivery |
| MPH 546 | Public Health Finance and Budget Management |
| MPH 547 | Public Health Law and Ethics |
| MPH 558 | Public Health Policy Analysis |
| MPH 578 | Evaluative Approaches in Public Health |
III. Other (9-12 credits)
| MPH 56x | One course from the cultural foundations series numbered 560-569 |
| MPH 596 | Field Experience |
| MPH 599 | Master’s Thesis (optional; see below) |
| Elective (3 credits) |
Field Experience
The field experience is a required and integral part of the Bachelor of Community Health (BCH) and Master of Public Health (MPH) degree programs in the NMSU Department of Public Health Sciences. A field experience allows you, the student, the opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world problems and solutions. Placements are made according to your career goals and location preferences. The field experience should occur in your senior year as a BCH student and after the second semester as a MPH student.
Thesis and Non-thesis Options
Thesis. The thesis option is available only to those taking the Community Health Education concentration. Those taking thesis need to enroll in 6 credits of thesis. For students taking the thesis option, the final defense of the thesis project before a committee serves as the student’s final examination
Non-thesis Option. The non-thesis option is available to all students and includes three credits of electives. Elective courses may include other MPH courses or 500-level courses from other departments. Students taking the non-thesis option are required to complete a comprehensive examination consisting of written and oral components. The exam includes three essay questions (5-7 pp. each) completed over a 72 our period.
Minors
Students may also elect to complete one of the Department’s two minors:
Course Sequencing
Because we offer a wide range of courses, many in both on-campus and online formats, we require students to adhere to a strict sequencing of courses to ensure timely degree completion. Students should work with their faculty advisors to ensure that they are taking the correct courses in the correct sequence in order to ensure on-time gradation.
Sequence of Courses (CHE, HMAP, PH Certificate)