Master of Public Health (MPH)

Admission Requirements

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

Please note: International students on an F-1 or J-1 visa will be eligible to apply for this program in 2019.

• Graduate application for admission
• $45 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study
  
  An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university. A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.
• Written statement of educational and professional goals, also known as the letter to the dean (two pages in length)
• Current résumé, including the following:
• Employment and educational experience
• Professional or academic honors
• Volunteer activities
• Two recommendations from professional references who have the ability to evaluate your performance (e.g., managers, supervisors, and academic faculty; not coworkers)

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

Delivering high-quality graduate programs takes a comprehensive support system. Your investment in an advanced degree includes those services and personnel that partner with you in pursuit of higher education. Below is a detailed breakdown of the tuition and fees associated with the benefits and services included in your degree program.

Department of Public Health

Some courses may require additional fees. View a complete list of university fees.

Financial Aid

Several types of financial aid are available to graduate students. The resources range from federal loans and state grants to, for some graduate programs, fellowships and scholarships. For details about financial aid available for your program, please contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military Benefits

Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for financial assistance covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.

Program-Specific Aid

For more details on these scholarships and funding opportunities, as well as other possible resources, contact the School of Health Sciences at (626) 815-6000, Ext. 5518.

HRSA Public Health Scholarship Program

What is the HRSA Public Health Scholarship Program (PHSP)?

• Goal: To increase capacity in public health systems in order to meet core public health functions (the Ten Essential Public Health Services) and decrease public health inequities and health disparities.
• Purpose: To strengthen the public health workforce by providing support to organizations to develop scholarship programs that incentivize training and careers in public health.

Who is eligible?

All current MPH applicants are all eligible to apply. Returning MPH students are also eligible to apply, though preference will be given to students starting the MPH program, as the scholarship program has several outcomes needing multiple semesters to complete. Time to graduation will be taken into account when the scholarship committee meets to review applications.

How much is the scholarship for?

Scholarship amount will range from $10,500 to $21,000 depending on when a student begins the MPH program and/or whether they are part time or full time.

If awarded, what is expected of the student?

Students will be expected to attend a mandatory orientation and a postexit interview and survey; meet with their respective HRSA scholarship contacts and mentor; participate in required workshops, trainings, and interprofessional experiences; and work toward securing and completing the required 135-hour internship. They will also participate in career counseling and mentorship programming provided through this HRSA Public Health Scholarship Program. Students will be required to submit a research project and will have the opportunity to participate in APU’s Nursing Research Symposium if their research poster or presentation is selected, as this is often associated with the timing of one’s capstone course.

Deadlines

• Spring 2023: December 30, 2022
• Summer 2023: April 30, 2023
• Fall 2023: August 15, 2023

Questions? Contact Marissa Brash, DrPH, EdD, MPH, CPH, at (626) 815-6000, Ext. 6186, or publichealth@apu.edu.

Application Process

1. Go to the HRSA Public Health Scholarship Program Application
2. Gather the following:
3. Transcripts. For new applicants (prospective MPH students), official transcripts are required. New applicants who submit the MPH admissions application with the HRSA PHSP application at the same time can use the same official transcript submitted with their admissions application. For returning MPH students, the student’s APU graduate transcript record will be reviewed and unofficial transcripts can be submitted.
4. Essay/personal goal(s) statement (250-500 words) addressed to the PHSP committee.
5. Letter(s) of recommendation (one letter is required, but multiple letters are allowed)
6. Email publichealth@apu.edu with the unofficial transcript (if a returning student), essay, and letter(s) of recommendation to complete your application, which will then be reviewed.

To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

Program Requirements

As part of the Master of Public Health program, choose a 9-unit elective group to focus your studies around your career goals and interests. You may view elective group coursework in the university catalog by selecting the Program Requirements button below.

To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

Program Requirements

Biostatistics and Epidemiology

Develop the skills to work in private, pharmaceutical companies or with government agencies or academic institutions in areas such as: evaluating new medical therapies, epidemiological study of disease, environmental monitoring, and more. Learn to design research studies and gather, process, and analyze data to drive change.

Career opportunities include: biostatistician, data analyst, research scientist, environmental researcher, pharmaceutical researcher, public health coordinator, academic researcher

Disaster Health and Emergency Preparedness

Build the capacity to prevent and detect threats associated with natural disasters, focusing on preparation, response, and recovery. Deepen your knowledge of the implications of disaster response, learning to evaluate systems and understand the structure and models unique to different situations.

Career opportunities include: FEMA emergency management director, emergency preparedness manager, environmental protection specialist, logistics management specialist, recovery audit coordinator, disaster relief specialist, emergency response team member

Environmental Health

Gain a deeper understanding of the connection between the environment and human health, from gathering field data and monitoring environmental conditions, to advising policymakers and working with industries to reduce waste.

Career opportunities include: built environment specialist, environmental health advocate, environmental health practitioner, food safety specialist, occupational health and safety expert, air pollution analyst

Public Health Policy

Use health policy to prevent disease and improve health. Public health policy focuses on keeping people safe and healthy through laws and policies at the local, state, territorial, and federal level. Evidence-based health policies can help prevent disease and promote health. Establishing informed policies is key to improving health nationwide.

Careers include Health Policy Analyst, Health Policy Manager, Advocacy Director, Health Insurance Specialist, Health Legislative Aide, Political Coordinator

Healthcare Administration

Prepare to lead improvements in the delivery of healthcare systems and services in public and private sectors, including roles in population health management and hospital administration. This elective group is designed for individuals looking to advance their roles in healthcare administration or management.

Career opportunities include: healthcare administrator, health services manager, public health researcher.

Health Promotion and Education

For people interested in influencing change through education, this elective group allows you to focus on improving community health outcomes by developing and implementing public health programs. Discover how to gather and analyze data to shape and adapt programs for diverse populations.

Career opportunities include: outreach specialist, program manager, director of family health services, academic policy advisor, health educator, program analyst

International Health

Gain a strong health science foundation as you learn to recognize, analyze, and solve global health issues. Concentrate on developing an understanding of methods used in addressing global diseases and finding innovative solutions to prevent international health crises.

Career opportunities include: community health worker, international aid specialist, researcher, project manager, development officer, epidemiologist, global health educator, communication specialist

Social and Behavioral Science

Understand the connection between psychological, behavioral, social, and cultural factors in addressing health problems and eliminating health disparities and inequalities. Gain skills to help provide creative solutions through community assessment, program development and evaluation, and research.

Career opportunities include: research roles at NIH and the CDC, program director with the County Health Department or Public Health coalition, interventions researcher, addiction treatment program developer.

If you have questions, we’re here to help! Connect with a representative who can walk you through the program details and application process.

Contact Your Admissions Representative

Additional Program Contacts

• Marissa Brash, DrPH, Department Chair, mbrash@apu.edu, (626) 815-6186
• Belen McDaniel, Program Manager, bmcdaniel@apu.edu, (626) 815-6179
• APU Department of Public Health, publichealth@apu.edu

Student Services Center

Contact (626) 812-3016 or admissions@apu.edu, and visit apu.edu/ssc for details on the admissions process, financial aid, and class registration.

International Services

International students should contact +1-626-812-3055 or international@apu.edu, and visit apu.edu/international/.

Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

APU is an applicant for accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health. The accreditation review will address the Master of Public Health included in the accreditation unit, as defined in the Council’s letter accepting the application.

Other degrees and areas of study offered by this institution will not be included in the unit of accreditation review.