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.
Students in the Health Behavior and Health Promotion concentration also choose between the thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option includes 6 credits of thesis coursework and completion of a graduate thesis document that reports original research. The non-thesis option includes 3 elective credits and the completion of a comprehensive examination, typically in the student’s last semester.
Students in the Health Management and Policy emphasis must take the non-thesis option.
The 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 the Graduate Student Handbook 2020-2021 2019-2020 2018-2019.
Requirements (required of all MPH students)
I. Public Health Core Courses (15 credits)
| MPH 5110 | Community and Pyschosocial Aspects of Public Health |
| MPH 5120 | Biostatistical Applications in Public Health |
| MPH 5130 | Epidemiological Approaches to Disease Control and Prevention |
| MPH 5140 | Health Services System: Administration and Organization |
| MPH 5150 | Environmental Public Health Issues |
II: Concentration (18 credits)
Health Behavior and Health Promotion Courses (18 credits)
| MPH 5210 | Foundations & Techniques of Public Health Education |
| MPH 5220 | Techniques of Health Communication/Education |
| MPH 5230 | Community Organization in Public Health |
| MPH 5240 | Health Program Planning |
| MPH 5250 | Evaluative Approaches in Public Health |
| MPH 5260 | Research and Resources in Community Health |
Health Management, Administration and Policy Courses (18 credits)
| MPH 5310 | Principles of Health Program Management |
| MPH 5320 | Health Services Organization and Delivery |
| MPH 5330 | Public Health Finance and Budget Management |
| MPH 5340 | Public Health Law and Ethics |
| MPH 5160 | Public Health Policy Analysis |
| MPH 5250 | Evaluative Approaches in Public Health |
III. Other (9-12 credits)
| MPH 56x | One course from the cultural foundations series numbered 5600-5699 |
| MPH 5998 | Field Experience |
| MPH 5999 | Master’s Thesis (optional; see below) |
| Elective (3 credits) |
Field Experience
The field experience is a required and integral part of the MPH programs in the NMSU Department of Public Health Sciences. The field experience allows students to apply classroom learning to real-world problems and solutions. Placements are made according to the student’s career goals and location preferences. The field experience should occur in your senior year as a BCH student and after the second semester as an MPH student.
Thesis and Non-thesis Options
Thesis. The thesis option is available only to those taking the Health Behavior and Health Promotion concentration. Those electing to complete a thesis must enroll in 6 credits of thesis. For students taking the thesis option, the oral 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 hour period. Additional information on the comprehensive exam can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook 2020-2021 2019-2020 2018-2019.
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 graduation.
