Public Health, M.P.H.

Master of Public Health Program

The Master of Public Health Degree Program is offered by Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS) and the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport (LSUHSC-S) and includes 48 credit hours. The curriculum is specifically designed to prepare public health graduate students for careers in a public health setting. All students complete a five course core (15 credit hours) that addresses the five areas of core knowledge identified by the Council of Education for Public Health (CEPH) as essential for all MPH students to demonstrate. An additional 21 credit hours in public health related courses are also completed. The last phase of the program consists of a practicum (3 credit hours) which students are required to complete 200 hours of practicum experience and produce a structured report that describes, analyzes; and critiques the experience. Students have the option of completing a MPH Capstone project (3 credit hours) or Master’s thesis (6 credit hours). Students who choose  the MPH Capstone project will complete an additional six credits of electives. Students who choose to complete a thesis may waive one elective. In both the practicum and culminating experiences, students are under the supervision and guidance of faculty and field based practitioners.

Admission Procedures

Students initially apply to LSUS for admission to the program. In addition to the general university requirements for admission to graduate studies, as outlined in the university catalog, an applicant for admission to the Master of Public Health Degree program must meet the following requirements for unconditional admission:

• Have earned a Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited university or college and provide-official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions
• Provide a GRE or MCAT test score taken within last five years (applicants with M.D. or Ph.D. in a health related discipline in the U.S. do not have to take the GRE).
• Students must have a GRE score of at least 153+ for Verbal Reasoning and 144+ for Quantitative Reasoning for the combined verbal and quantitative portions
• Submit three letters of recommendation.
• Submit a typewritten, personal narrative (2-3 pages) that is a professional statement consistent with the mission of the program.
• A personal interview is required; and
• Fall admissions deadline is Jun 30.

Transfer of Credit

A maximum of 12 credit hours may be accepted for transfer into the program by prior approval of the MPH Director. 

Career Opportunities

The MPH prepares students for positions in local, state, federal, and non-governmental health agencies, health services, community health organizations, research institutions, and academic institutions. 

Grade Policy

A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for graduation from the MPH program.  Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program.

Curriculum

• Master of Public Health Curriculum