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MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH (MPH)
The Master of Public Health in Public Health degree program (MPH Program) is currently accepting applications for Fall 2024 (the inaugural cohort). This program is provided by NSU as a partner in the ODU-NSU-EVMS School of Public Health (Joint School), which is under development.
CONTACT US
Stephen Amankra, Ph.D.
MPH Program Director
snamankra @nsu.edu
CEPH Accreditation Statements
For the Joint School Initiative
The ODU-NSU-EVMS School of Public Health is an applicant for accreditation in the school of public health category of CEPH accreditation. Entry into the process and acceptance of an application are not a guarantee of accreditation.
For the NSU MPH Program
Norfolk State University intends to develop a School of Public Health in partnership with Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School. Currently, Norfolk State's Master of Public Health Program is not accredited by CEPH and will not be considered accredited until the multi-partner school receives a positive accreditation decision. NSU may also earn a separate, positive accreditation decision for the MPH Program located at NSU.
Additional Approvals
The MPH Program is approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Master of Public Health degree program (MPH Program) is administered by the Department of Nursing and Allied Health in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology in partnership with the ODU-NSU-EVMS School of Public Health (under development).
The purpose of the MPH Program is to educate students to apply evidence-based public health approaches that prevent injury and disease to support the delivery of health services. The program provides students with an understanding of public health and health equity in relation to analysis and interventions aimed at protecting and improving the health of all individuals and communities. Students learn how to formulate research questions based on social and behavioral models, design studies, and collect data. Students learn to analyze and interpret health data and information (e.g., reports, academic research, and the design of health promotion activities) for public health officers and managers to improve programs, policies, and services.
The MPH program provides students with knowledge and skills that address public health challenges (e.g., health disparities among specific segments of the population and high prevalence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes). The program produces graduates who possess the appropriate foundational knowledge and skills to apply principles and concepts of public health and health equity to analysis and interventions of health outcomes.
Norfolk State University is fully committed to offering the MPH in Program to ensure that culturally competent professionals are prepared to join an advanced public health workforce dedicated to improving and sustaining health for all individuals and communities.
PROGRAM MISSION
The MPH Program aligns with the mission of Norfolk State University. “Through exemplary teaching, research, and services,” the program educates students about the tools, techniques, and processes used in the field of public health. NSU provides a rigorous MPH Program that “empowers” students to pursue “their aspirations” to become public health practitioners. Students are educated to become “leaders” who address current and future challenges in the field of public health with an emphasis on health equity.
DELIVERY FORMAT
The MPH Program is offered only on campus. The method for course delivery will be the Blackboard (Bb) Learning Management System.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRICULUM
The MPH Program requires 43 credit hours. A practicum is required.
The curriculum for the degree program was designed to meet the requirements of the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Core courses for the degree program will meet the professional standards of CEPH.
The curriculum provides a solid, educational foundation in approaches of analysis and interventions to prevent illness and injury and promote health. Through the core curriculum, students become knowledgeable about the U.S. health system to design public health interventions and policies. Required coursework trains students to identify problems (e.g., infant mortality rates, lack of access to affordable care, or chronic illnesses) that face population groups and communities. The curriculum provides students with the opportunity to learn how to conduct research that synthesizes contemporary social inequalities in health data related to race, social class, and gender to ensure the validity and reliability of health data.
In addition to core courses, students are required to take coursework in health equity to gain knowledge, skills, and abilities to develop and implement community needs assessments aimed at improving health disparities. Coursework in health equity focuses on examining socio-economic determinants of health and conducting research and analysis on inequities to define and devise community-engaged solutions. Students learn to use population-level data to conduct comparative analysis to influence public health programs and policies. The required coursework educates students in strategic planning and strategies to prepare for public health crises such as disease outbreaks and national environmental disasters in communities with vulnerable populations.
The required practicum provides an experiential learning experience to enhance the student’s knowledge and skills while working with health professionals (e.g., physicians and nurses), community leaders, and other professionals in a variety of public and private sector organizations. Since students in the degree program are practicing skills learned in the program, prior experience cannot be applied toward the practicum requirement.
The practicum includes a field-based experience in an approved public health organization under the direction of a preceptor and a faculty advisor. The practicum allows students to develop practical skills and competencies required of public health practitioners. The practicum requires a minimum of 200 clock hours per student that is focused on academic progress. Students are required to enroll in the practicum course in the spring semester of their second academic year in the program.
Student Funding
Enrollment in the MPH Program is anticipated to be competitive. It is likely that there will be more applicants than available slots. We encourage students to seek funds early to pay for tuition and fees.
Time to Degree
The MPH Program uses a cohort model. In the first fall semester of the program, all students will enroll full-time and take 10 credit hours. In the first spring semester, all students will be full-time and take nine credit hours. In the summer, all students will enroll part-time and take six credit hours. Students will complete the program in two academic years (4 semesters). Summer enrollment is required.
Students unable to complete a course or a semester with their cohort will work with the MPH Graduate Program Director to plan for re-entering the program.
Per university policy, all requirements for the proposed MPH Program must be completed within four (4) years from the date of admission to the degree program.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission to the Master of Public Health in Public Health degree program is accomplished by completion of an online application (https://catalog.nsu.edu/graduate/science-engineering-technology/ nursing-allied-health/mph-public-health/www.nsu.edu/applyonline/). All application materials must be submitted electronically via the application portal.
If accepted for admission, prior to enrollment, official transcripts must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies. When an applicant’s file is complete, the admissions committee will review the application, make a decision regarding admission, and the School of Graduate Studies will convey the decision in writing to the applicant.
Specific requirements include:
- Completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
- An unofficial transcript will be accepted for review.
- A minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale for conferred degree(s).
- No GRE required.
If admitted, official transcripts are required by the deadlines established in the catalog. Official transcripts can be submitted electronically or mailed from the granting institution to:
School of Graduate Studies and Research 700 Park Ave
MCAR, Suite 602
Norfolk, VA 23504
International students who attended undergraduate school at a non-U.S. institution must submit an official, evaluated transcript from an approved agency such as the WorldEducation Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). All foreign applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate the necessary level of proficiency in English Language by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
To ensure adequate time for processing prior to enrollment, the Graduate School must receive an application, transcript(s), and resume by May 1 for fall semester enrollment.
CONTACT US
Stephen Amankra, Ph.D.
MPH Program Director
snamankra @nsu.edu