Master of Public Health (MPH)
PROMOTING AND PROTECTING EVERYONE’S HEALTH WHERE THEY LIVE, LEARN, WORK AND PLAY
- Be a part of the HPU’s MPH program from anywhere in the world – the program is accelerated (12-16 months) and offered completely online or in a hybrid format.
- Learn on your own schedule with asynchronous coursework – the program is perfect for working professionals.
- Pay less for more – HPU’s MPU is one of the most affordable programs in the country.
- HPU’s fully-online accelerated 12-month asynchronous MPH program is one of the few in the country. And our hybrid delivery option gives you the choice to attend class on-campus at least once per 8-week term.
- Requires only 2-3 courses every 8-week term.
Want to make a difference in your community? Choose HPU’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program - one of the most powerful and employable advanced degrees available. When you study public health, you will be connected to the multi-faceted field that operates in private and public sectors to improve the well-being of individuals, families, communities and nations.
When you graduate, you will be positioned to work from local to international government agencies, non-profit health organizations, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, corporate settings, and community coalitions. You will be prepared for a variety of roles in health promotion and disease prevention, including the development of programs that address the direct and indirect causes of illness and health disparities such as social, economic, environmental, and behavioral determinants of health.
Length of program: 12 - 16 months, 42 credit hours
Full-time students complete this accelerated MPH degree in 12 months at a pace of 2-3 courses every 8 weeks.
Entry terms: Fall/Spring
Program delivery: online, asynchronous
The Master of Public Health (MPH) is one of the most powerful and employable advanced degrees available. Public Health is an interconnected and multi-faceted field that operates in private and public sectors to improve the well-being of individuals, families,
Core courses of the MPH include epidemiology; chronic & communicable diseases; multicultural health; social & environmental determinants; theories of health behavior; quantitative & qualitative research methods; health policy & advocacy; and program planning, implementation, & evaluation. Graduates are prepared to assume many roles in health promotion and disease prevention, including the development of programs that address the direct and indirect causes of illness and health disparities such as social, economic, environmental, and behavioral determinants of health.
Public health is a rewarding field that offers a variety of exciting career opportunities in teaching, research, and service, which often involve traveling around the world, working with diverse individuals and populations, leading life-saving campaigns, and creating innovative solutions to challenging health problems.
Core courses of the MPH include:
- epidemiology
- chronic & communicable diseases
- environmental health
- social determinants of health
- theories of health behavior
- quantitative & qualitative research methods
- health policy & advocacy
- program planning, implementation, & evaluation
What types of jobs are available after completing the program?
- Social/Human Services Manager
- Community Health Worker
- Health Educator/Coach
- Healthcare Administrator
- Epidemiologist
Nationally Accredited
HPU is proud to be the only university in the State of Hawai‘i that offers a fully-online Master of Public Health (MPH) program that is nationally accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Accelerated Program: Offered Fully-Online or Hybrid
HPU’s MPH is a flexible and accelerated 12- to 16-Month program that can be completed either:
- Fully-Online (without in-person class meetings), or
- Hybrid (requires 1 in-person class meeting per 8-week term; ideal for students with face-to-face requirements such as those using military/veterans benefits).
Program & Course Setup
- Every 8-week term, students will complete only 2 to 3 courses. See the sample 12-month degree plan below.
- Using Blackboard's online learning environment, courses are usually delivered in weekly modules and are asynchronous (i.e., students set their own study schedule, but assignments may be due weekly).
- MPH students culminate with 16 weeks (240 hours) of Field Training, mentored by experienced public health professionals, located anywhere in the world. We make every effort to place our students into work settings and locations that match their interests and career goals.
- Executive Option: For students with at least 2 years of public health work experience, they may apply for the Executive Option which waives the required 240 hours of Field Training.
- Our MPH requires 10 public health core courses + 2 elective courses (42 credits total), and we offer various scholarships, grants, and paid graduate assistant positions to help our students reduce their tuition costs.
- Upon completion of the MPH, graduates quickly and easily secure jobs and careers in various workplace settings, including government agencies, community health organizations, research institutions, corporate/private facilities, and school systems--locally, nationally, and internationally.
International network & Opportunities
Located at the "cross-road of the Pacific," HPU’s MPH program offers course content and field training placements that specialize in public health issues in the Pacific region, nationally across the US, as well as internationally. Because of our online program and international network, our MPH students have many opportunities to travel across the globe to study abroad, attend conferences, for field training experiences, and for long-term careers. HPU's accredited MPH degree is recognized and accepted thoughout the world.
BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS SURROUNDED BY VARIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH ORGS
Our offices and classrooms at HPU's Waterfront Plaza Campus are beautifully located at the heart of downtown Honolulu, surrounded by the offices of the Hawai‘i State Capitol, Hawai‘i Department of Health, Hawai‘i Department of Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, numerous non-profit health organizations, research institutions, hospitals, schools, and community centers where most of our students work as volunteers, interns, or employees.
AWARD-WINNING & INTERNATIONALLY-RENOWNED FACULTY
Our diverse public health faculty come from all over the world, and continue to work with international partners in teaching, research, and service. Through our international network, students also have opportunities to study abroad, attend conferences, and participate in cultural exchange activities. Our faculty have decades of experiences across the wide range of public health fields, and their expertise is recognized by numerous local, national, and international awards. However, despite the breadth and depth of their work, our public health faculty prioritize our students and dedicate up to 80% of their time to teaching, advising, and mentoring. Visit this link to view our faculty roster.
HAWAI‘I IS THE best in public health IN THE COUNTRY
Hawai‘i is consistedly ranked as the healthiest state (Gallup, 2019) and one of the most progressive in public health policies in the United States. For example, in 2015, Hawai‘i became the first state in the country to raise the minimum tobacco smoking age from 18 to 21 years (Reuters), and our public health students have been at the forefront of this historic movement as well as others.
Study with us at Hawai‘i Pacific University and learn how we continue to be among the healthiest people in the world!
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Total Credits Required: 42 Credits
Conditional Pre-requisites
- MATH 1123 Statistics (required for students who lack previous education or experience in undergraduate-level statistics)
- PH 6100 Foundations of Public Health (required for students who lack previous education or experience in undergraduate-level public health)
Program Requirements
- PH 6140 Epidemiology (3 credits)
- PH 6160 Social Determinants of Health (3)
- PH 6200 Human Diseases & Conditions (3)
- PH 6220 Health Behavior Change Theory (3)
- PH 6260 Environmental Health (3)
- PH 6300 Public Health Research Methods (3)
- PH 6400 Health Policy, Law, & Advocacy (3)
- PH 6460 Public Health Program Planning (3)
- PH 6500 Public Health Field Training (6)
- PH 7000 Public Health Capstone (6)
Elective Courses
- Students must also earn 6 credits from elective courses, which can be completed anytime during the program.
- Click here to view the list of pre-approved elective courses.
Below is a sample 12-month plan for full-time MPH students who begin during the Fall term (August). Students who begin during the Spring term (January) will follow a 16-month plan. Part-time studies are also available.
- Application
- Transcripts
- Baccalaureate Degree
- Personal Statement
- 2 Letters of Reference
- Current CV/Resumé
- TOEFL or IELTS (non-native English speakers only)
MISSION: The Public Health Club works to spread awareness, knowledge, and enthusiasm about healthy living in the community. Our club plans to participate in employer networking, allowing our members to acquaint themselves with several employers around the island, and better familiarize themselves with qualities, skills, and experience necessary to be viable applicants for a job after graduating.
PURPOSE: The purpose of our club is to improve the quality of life for ourselves and the community we live in, by spreading awareness and also creating easy and fun ways for the community to participate in healthy living choices that will benefit everyone. We plan to help the community around us and to create an environment where students can thrive academically and professionally.
Email phc.hpu@my.hpu.edu for more information.
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The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) and Master of Public Health (MPH) programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.