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Overview

The Graduate Programs in Public Health are designed to provide foundational skills desirable for professionals engaging in the practice, education, and research of public health. The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program competencies align with the competencies outlined by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) in 2018 and revised in 2024. Required and elective courses in the M.P.H. program help students attain these competencies that are at the center of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by public health professionals.

Major Description

The College of Professional Studies (CPS) offers a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree and a Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GCPH). These programs provide graduate education to individuals currently working in the field of public health, allied health professionals, clinicians, recent graduates, and those making a career change to the field of public health. All curricula are delivered in an online, asynchronous format, making content accessible to students regardless of where they live. The programs offer full- and part-time options.

The Master of Public Health is a forty-two (42)-credit-hour curriculum that develops and enhances skills in a variety of professional areas, including epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioral health, program development and evaluation, and public health policy, administration, and management. Applied Practice Experience (APE) and Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) are required components of the M.P.H. program.

Concentrations

M.P.H. students can select from four (4) concentrations: M.P.H. in Epidemiology, M.P.H. in Public Health Education and Communication, M.P.H. in Global Health, or a Generalist Concentration where you can customize your M.P.H. degree. Students must declare a concentration before taking their first elective.

Program Vision

Our graduates will build healthier global communities through informed and collaborative public health practice.

Program Mission

The Graduate Programs in Public Health are globally accessible programs committed to promoting health equity in communities through education, research, and service using a scholar-practitioner model.

Program Goals

Education

• Enroll and support qualified and diverse students.
• Cultivate a learning environment that values diversity and cultural competence.
• Ensure all graduates possess the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for public health practice.
• Align curricula with public health workforce needs.
• Recruit, retain, and support qualified and diverse faculty.

Research

• Sustain a scholarly research agenda to advance the field of public health.
• Support scientific inquiry among students.
• Support a collaborative scholarly environment for students and faculty.

Service

• Facilitate student and faculty participation in service activities with a public health focus.
• Identify service opportunities that foster networking and align with career goals.

Program Values

At GPPH, we value and encourage:

• Accessibility
• Advocacy
• Collaboration
• Cultural Humility
• Diversity
• Equity
• Integrity
• Service

The Master of Public Health degree program and the Graduate Certificate in Public Health are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). 

master of public health program requirements

M.P.H. CONCENTRATION-SPECIFIC ELECTIVES

After completing the Program Required Courses, M.P.H. students complete three (3) electives specific to their concentration for a total of nine (9) additional credits.

Electives for the M.P.H. – Generalist Concentration

Students in the Generalist Concentration select three (3) courses from the list of electives (see above) to customize their M.P.H. degree.

Electives for the M.P.H. in Epidemiology Concentration

Electives for the M.P.H. in Public Health Education and Communication Concentration

Electives for the M.P.H. in Global Health Concentration

Competencies

The Graduate Programs in Public Health adopted the latest foundational competencies that align with the competencies outlined by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) in 2024. Relevant competencies are listed on each course syllabus.

In addition, the program has the following program competencies for each M.P.H. concentration:

M.P.H. – Generalist Concentration

Students customize their degree in the M.P.H. Generalist Concentration. The program competencies completed are determined by the three (3) elective courses selected.

M.P.H. in Epidemiology

1. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of public health research and programs to determine potential threats to the validity of study findings.
2. Evaluate the appropriateness of study designs relative to the needs of priority populations.
3. Evaluate the potential impact of public health programs on specific populations based on the interpretation of data analysis results.
4. Utilize epidemiology practices and principles to investigate, analyze, and address the factors influencing the distribution of health and disease within diverse populations.
5. Demonstrate the ability to integrate key components of disease surveillance and screening into public health practice.

M.P.H. in Public Health Education and Communication

1. Describe how societal, organizational, and individual factors influence and are influenced by public health communication and learning processes across diverse communities.
2. Apply theory and strategy-based communication principles across different settings and audiences to prioritize health education and promotion needs.
3. Collaborate with priority populations and partners to develop and adapt public health education interventions.
4. Examine evidence-informed findings related to identified health issues and desired changes.
5. Develop and deliver culturally appropriate evidence-based and timely information across diverse priority audiences.

M.P.H. in Global Health

1. Explore health challenges and opportunities with an emphasis on advancing health equity and implementing strength-based approaches in diverse global contexts.
2. Implement culturally responsive public health practice addressing the root causes of health disparities.
3. Utilize interdisciplinary approaches to explore realistic ways to mitigate adverse health outcomes while leveraging existing population strengths.
4. Apply principles found in emerging disciplines and/or technologies to investigate the interrelationship between humans, animals, and the changing environment.
5. Propose opportunities to address global health issues through collaboration, innovation, and strength-based approaches.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for completion of and receive the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), students must:

• Satisfactorily complete forty-two (42) credits of specified coursework, including a concentration within six (6) consecutive years.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Have no outstanding financial obligations to the University.

Minimum Grade Point Average

Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course and will not earn credits. Any student receiving a grade below B- in a required course must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Any student who receives a grade of F in two courses is dismissed from the program.

Graduation

Candidates must fulfill all program requirements and earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to graduate. All students must complete an Application to Graduate with the Registrar’s Office via 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵCompass. Please access the following link for complete instructions and the answers to frequently asked questions: www.une.edu/registrar/graduation.

Attendance policy

Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 p.m. ET of the first week of the A term and B term and Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the AB term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean’s Office.

Course withdrawal policy

Add/Drop Period

A student may add or drop a course during the time frames published on the 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵAcademic Calendar. Courses dropped during the add/drop period will not appear on a student’s official transcript.

University Withdrawal

Matriculated students intending to withdraw from the University must complete the University Withdrawal and LOA Request form available online or at the University Registrar’s Office. The form requires signatures from designated academic and administrative personnel.

Academic Integrity Policy

The 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵ values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
• Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
• Action that destroys or alters the work of another student.
• Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
• Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. The appeal of a decision may be made to the dean, whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the College of Professional Studies Student Handbook.

Student Access Center

The Student Access Center works to ensure that the University promotes respect for individual differences and that no person who meets the academic and technical standards needed for admission and continued enrollment at 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵis denied benefits or subjected to discrimination due to a disability. Toward this end, and in conjunction with federal and state laws, the University provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students.

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three (3) courses (maximum of nine (9) credits) into the M.P.H. program.

To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of The College of Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to the Program Director and will be granted per their discretion.

Transfer courses must:

• Be classified as graduate level.
• Be from a CEPH-accredited institution.
• Have been taken within five (5) years of the application.
• Have been completed with a grade of B or better.
• Be worth three (3) credits.
• Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education.

Individuals who earned a Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GCPH) from the 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵ within the last five (5) years may apply for admission to the M.P.H. program and request that all courses be accepted. Current GCPH students, who are in good standing, may apply to the M.P.H. program at any time during the certificate program by requesting a Change of Major with their Enrollment and Retention Counselor.

Experiential Learning

The MPH program does not grant academic credit for life experiences or previous work experience.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or above from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See International Admissions for details regarding the evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
• Applications are reviewed holistically as a determination of academic readiness. The admissions committee values previous academic performance as indicated on transcripts and considers it as part of the review process.
• Computer with Internet connection, including the hardware and software requirements described on the  page. Must also possess sufficient computer skills to navigate the Internet as all classes are accessed 100% online.

Application Process

• Completed online application: .
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
• Goal Statement.
• Names of two (2) professional/academic references.
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a bachelor’s degree or above from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent.

Note: Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought. The program admissions committee defines all coursework as not eligible for waiver.​

Procedures and Policies

• Applications for admission are accepted through UNE’s online application. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Professional Studies, either electronically or sent to 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution. See International Admissions.
• All applicants to 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵmust be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university. 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵaccepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Admissions.
• If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the  are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application.
• All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵand will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the website.

Policy Exceptions

The Graduate Programs in Public Health and the GPPH Admissions Committee in collaboration with the College of Professional Studies reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case-by-case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include course textbooks. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available upon request from the Financial Aid Office. Call (207) 602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.