Public Health

Program Description

Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work, and play. It is both an art and a science and is practiced by multidisciplinary teams of professionals whose training spans a wide array of social, biological, and clinical sciences. Public health professionals conduct research to identify the causes of disease and disability, address social determinants of health through programs and policy, monitor the spread of disease, promote healthy lifestyles through education and community engagement, and implement clinical practice or health and social policy change.

Our program offers specializations in Community Health Sciences and Epidemiology as well as focused courses in maternal and child health and management of infectious diseases. The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree consists of 42 credits and can be completed in two years as a full-time graduate student. In addition, there are options for accelerated bachelor's to master's plans of study for NDSU undergraduate students in Animal Sciences, Dietetics, Emergency Management, Health Services, Microbiological Sciences, and Psychology. Dual degree options and a variety of graduate certificates are also available.

All applicants to the Master of Public Health program must demonstrate adequate preparation in a field related to public health and show potential to undertake advanced study, research, and practical training, as evidenced by previous academic accomplishment and experience.

All admission decisions are based upon full review of all information in the application in order to ensure fairness and to balance the limitations of any single element of the application, including practical experience in the field of public health.

Minimum Program Admission Requirements

1. Completion of both the SOPHAS application AND NDSU Graduate School application.
2. A baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university (for U.S. degrees, accreditation by one of the six regional accrediting associations: MSA, NASC, NCA, NEASC-CIHE, SACS-CC or WACS-Sr.).
3. An undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00. Undergraduate coursework in fields related to public health should generally exceed a GPA of 3.00.
4. No entrance exam is required (e.g., GRE). It is an optional item you can submit if you choose.
5. All graduate applicants must demonstrate academic-level proficiency with the English language before they will be considered for admission. 

This requirement must be met by all applicants, regardless of citizenship, residency, or nation of birth. No applicants will be considered for admission until the English Language Proficiency Requirement has been met. The English Proficiency Requirement will not be waived for any reason. This requirement may be satisfied in any of the following ways:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher from a recognized institution in the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand, or English Speaking Canada;
• An overall minimum band score of 6.5 on the Academic Module IELTS;
• A satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).The expected minimum score is 233 for the computer-based test, 90 for the Internet-based test, and 577 for the paper-based test.
• Successful completion of English Language Service (ELS) Language Center’s Intensive Level 112.

6. Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation

• Written Statement of Purpose and Goals - Submit a two-page statement describing your reasons for pursuing an MPH, your public health interest areas, and your career goals. Describe any education, skills, or relevant experience that has prepared you for graduate education in public health. In addition, highlight any personal qualities, characteristics, or abilities that will enable you to be successful in achieving your career goals.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Official post-secondary academic transcripts from all institutions attended (transcripts must be sent directly from the institutions to NDSU)
• Admissions Tests (as applicable) – scores must be sent by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) directly to NDSU. The institution code for the GRE and TOEFL for North Dakota State University is 6474 and Centralized Application Service for Public Health Programs (SOPHAS) Code 4770.
• Two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who the applicant feels are most qualified to evaluate their academic achievement; clinical, public health or other professional experiences; or leadership potential in public health.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis for admission to fall, spring, or summer terms. Deadlines for domestic and international applicants can be found here:  https://www.ndsu.edu/publichealth/degrees_and_programs/admission/. 

 M.P.H. in Community Health Sciences

Community Health Sciences OPTION

NOTE: For PH 794 Applied Practice Experience, students cannot receive credit for past work experience.

NOTE: For more information about MPH options, please visit the website. 

M.P.H. in Epidemiology

NOTE: For PH 794 Applied Practice Experience, students cannot receive credit for past work experience.

NOTE: For more information about MPH options, please visit the website. 

Faculty

Akshaya Bhagavathula, Ph.D.

Andrea Huseth, Ph.D., CPH

Bong-Jin Choi, Ph.D.

Mark Strand, Ph.D., CPH

Mary Larson, Ph.D., MPH, RD, CDE, CHES

Pamela Jo Johnson, MPH, Ph.D., FACE

Paul Carson, MD, FACP

Ramona Danielson, Ph.D.

Tracie Newman, MD, MPH, FAAP

Tracy Miller, Ph.D., MPH