Public Health (Graduate)

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Faculty

Monique Ahinee Amamoo, Interim Chair, Professor; Director, Graduate Program
Melissa Galvin Lumpkin, Professor
Rachel Casiday, Associate Professor; Director, Experiential Learning
Kimberly Davey, Associate Professor; Director, Undergraduate Program 

Graduate Programs and Requirements

Degree/Major
Master of Public Health
     Public Health (M.P.H.)  

Accelerated Bachelor-to-Graduate Pathway Program
Fast-Track Master of Public Health (B.S./M.P.H.)

Joint Degree Pathway Programs
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)/Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) 
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)/Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)  

Older Programs*
Public Health (M.P.H.) w/a Concentration in Community Public Health
Public Health (M.P.H.) w/a Concentration in Nutrition 
Public Health (M.P.H.) w/a Concentration in Public Health Management 
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*These concentrations are being phased out and are closed to new admits.
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The Department of Public Health offers the online master of public health degree (M.P.H.). The department also offers a fast-track version that allows students to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in their selected major and an M.P.H. See the Samford University Undergraduate Catalog for more information.

The department also offers two joint degree pathway programs: one in cooperation with the Department of Social Work, leading to both a master of public health (M.P.H.) and a master of social work (M.S.W.); and one in cooperation with the McWhorter School of Pharmacy, leading to both an M.P.H. and a doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.). Some credit sharing is allowed and overall credits of the combined programs are reduced.

Additionally, the department offers a coordinated degree option in cooperation with the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics for an M.P.H. with a Dietetic Internship Certificate (CRH-DIET). This degree/certificate combination does not share credits.

The department also offers a doctor of public health degree (DrPH). This 45-credit online degree is an interdisciplinary program drawing from all departments within the School of Public Health. Students will choose one of two concentrations: health management and policy or population health analytics and decision-making. For more information, see the Public Health Doctoral Programs and Requirements section.

Admission Requirements

1. Possess a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited college or university (degree in any field).
2. Obtain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. If the applicant’s GPA is below a 3.00, a GRE or MAT score may be submitted for possible conditional admission (Minimum scores: Verbal: 153; Quantitative: 14; Analytical: 4.0).
3. Achieve a B or better in all “major” courses.
4. Submit three letters of reference through the application system. The three required references should be from a) current or previous professor, b) work supervisor, and c) professional colleague.
5. International applicants or American citizens who learned English as a second language must score at least 550 (paper), 213 (computer) or 80 (internet) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
6. Upon acceptance, a non-refundable fee of $500 is required to secure admission into the program. This fee is applied to the first semester’s tuition.
7. Exceptions to any of the admission requirements may be considered on an individual basis.

Academic Policies

Students in the M.P.H. program must maintain an overall 3.00 GPA in all graduate work. Graduate students who receive a grade below a B in any required course or whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.00 will be placed on academic probation.

Transfer Credit

Up to 12 semester credit hours of appropriate and approved graduate coursework completed at another accredited university may be substituted for program course requirements. Coursework requested to be transferred must have been completed with a grade of at least a B in each course.

M.P.H. Program Outcomes

Students who have completed the M.P.H. degree will be able to demonstrate broad knowledge and skills based in the core areas of public health and will be able to:

• Apply epidemiologic methods to the measurement of disease rates, prevention of infectious diseases, and the development and evaluation of health programs and policies.
• Apply statistical methods of estimation and hypothesis testing and explain the basics of correlation and regression for the purpose of analyzing the health of populations.
• Analyze how environmental contaminants (chemical, physical, and other exposures) interact with biological systems and their effect on human populations for the purpose of evaluating risk reduction strategies.
• Assess the impact on health policy options of social, political, technological, economic, and cultural forces, and apply basic management techniques to address organizational challenges to providing health care.
• Examine public health issues and responses from a social and behavioral sciences perspective and explain social, cultural, political, economic, and behavioral determinants of disparities in health status.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills for effective practice in selected field of study.

Time Limit

All students must complete the M.P.H. within a period of five years from the academic session of first admission.

Joint Degree Pathway Programs 

Master of Public Health/Master of Social Work (M.P.H./M.S.W.);
Master of Public Health/Doctor of Pharmacy (M.P.H./Pharm.D.)

The Samford University Department of Public Health is dedicated to nurturing highly skilled public health professionals through its master of public health (M.P.H.) program. This program is distinctive for its faith-infused academic rigor and extensive community engagement, offering a solid foundation in evidence-based approaches to public health, leadership, and management skills for practitioners, healthcare systems and policy, as well as cross-cultural communication skills to promote health within local and global communities. By integrating cutting-edge scientific research with diverse cultural and faith perspectives, and an understanding of both global and local health systems, our online

M.P.H. program is designed to address critical public health challenges comprehensively and utilizing and interdisciplinary approach.

In addition to the foundational M.P.H., the department facilitates accelerated academic progression through a fast-track option that allows students to earn both a bachelor’s degree in their selected major and an M.P.H., detailed in the Samford University Undergraduate Catalog. Further enhancing our offerings, two joint degree pathway programs are available: one in partnership with the Department of Social Work, leading to concurrent degrees in M.P.H. and a master of social work (M.S.W.), and another with the McWhorter School of Pharmacy, culminating in both an M.P.H. and a doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.). These innovative programs allow for some credit sharing, reducing overall credits and streamlining the educational journey.

Beyond the master’s level, the department offers a doctor of public health (DrPH) degree. This 45-credit online interdisciplinary program leverages the strengths of all departments within the School of Public Health. Students can specialize in one of two concentrations: health management and policy or population health analytics and decision-making, preparing them to lead and make informed decisions in tackling public health challenges.

Our graduates emerge from these programs ready to serve and significantly contribute to their communities, both locally and globally. They are equipped with a comprehensive education that blends academic excellence with real-world application, poised to promote and protect the health of populations through innovative solutions and leadership in public health.

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)/Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)  

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)/Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)   

Programs

• Public Health (M.P.H.) w/a Concentration in Nutrition
• Public Health (M.P.H.) w/a Concentration in Public Health Management

Courses

NOTE: See the Public Health (Doctoral)  section or the MPH program tables for links to additional courses required for the master of public health.

• PHLT 500 - Health Systems, Organizations, and Policy (3)
• PHLT 501 - Introduction to Epidemiology (3)
• PHLT 502 - Public Health Foundations (3)
• PHLT 503 - Environmental Health (3)
• PHLT 504 - Biostatistics for Public Health Professionals (3)
• PHLT 506 - Planning and Management of Public Health Programs (3)
• PHLT 509 - Cultural Dimensions of Health (3)
• PHLT 520 - Introduction to the Health Care Delivery System (3)
• PHLT 533 - Communication Skills for the Health Professional (3)
• PHLT 600 - Patient Safety and Quality Improvement (3)
• PHLT 601 - Global Health Systems (3)
• PHLT 602 - Management of Global Health Programs (3)
• PHLT 603 - The Burden of Disease in Developing Countries (3)
• PHLT 605 - International Health Field Study (3)
• PHLT 608 - Leadership for Health Professionals (3)
• PHLT 610 - Strategic Management of Healthcare (3)
• PHLT 638 - Public Health and Aging (3)
• PHLT 695 - Public Health Internship (3)
• PHLT 699 - Public Health Capstone (3)

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