MPH

You will acquire foundational knowledge in the profession and science of public health and factors related to human health.

You will graduate with public health competencies in the areas of quantitative and qualitative data collection, evidence-based approaches, public health and health care systems, planning and management, policy, leadership, communication, interprofessional practice, and systems thinking.

Our MPH program is committed to social justice and prepares professional leaders to improve population health for all through collaborative community-engaged education, ethical practice, research, and service.

On March 13, 2021, our BSPH and MPH programs received news of our accreditation renewal by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) for a seven-year term (through June 2028). CEPH accreditation serves multiple purposes. In general, accreditation attests to the quality of an educational program that prepares for entry into a recognized profession. For the public, CEPH accreditation promotes the health, safety and welfare of a society by assuring competent public health professionals. For prospective students, CEPH accreditation provides assurance that the program has been evaluated and met accepted standards established by and with the public health profession. For a copy of the CEPH letter and the Final Self Study Document please contact our Program Director, Ruth Kafensztok.

Convenient and rigorous, the online program is geared to working professionals, non-traditional students, and individuals who need a more flexible learning format. Loyola University Chicago faculty with expertise in Public Health, Public Health Policy and Management, Environmental Health, Bioethics, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics teach in this program. The vast resources of Loyola's Stritch School of Medicine and Loyola University Health System, along with the combined knowledge and experience of distinguished faculty from medicine, social work, bioethics, health policy and law, will help you take on many opportunities and challenges.

• Determinants of Population Health
• Public Health Practice and Management
• Introduction to Epidemiology
• Public Health Policy: Concepts and Practice
• Biostatistics I
• Public Health in Action

Concentrations (15 credits)

The needs of the public health workforce are diverse and ever-changing. Our students are diverse and enter public health at different points in their careers, from undergraduate through practicing nurses and physicians. To meet these needs, the Department of Public Health Sciences offers six programs:

• Five-Year Bachelor/MPH Degree
  • Environmental Science BA or BS/MPH
  • Health Care Administration BS/MPH
  • Public Health BS/MPH
• Doctor of Medicine/ Master of Public Health (MD/MPH)
• Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH)
• Public Health Certificate
• MS in Clinical Research Methods and Epidemiology (CRME)

Note: Students entering the program may wish to pursue careers that may require licensure (e.g. Registered Environmental Health Specialist) or certification (e.g. Certified in Public Health or Certified Professional in Food Safety) upon or before employment. Loyola University Chicago cannot guarantee that the Master of Public Health will prepare students to meet the unique requirements for licensure or certification in their specific location and/or area of expertise. Students should check with their local licensing or certifying authority to determine what requirements are necessary.

Minimum requirements for application:

1. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

2. Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Transcripts must show completed undergraduate or graduate coursework in math (e.g. algebra or, preferably, calculus or statistics), writing, physical and biological sciences, and social sciences.

• Grade Point Average (GPA)
  • A GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended, but not required, for admission.
  • To be considered for review, an application with a GPA of less than 3.0 must be accompanied by at least one of the following scores: GRE, MCAT, GMAT, or LSAT.

• Graduate entrance exam requirement
  • The GRE or other graduate entrance exam requirement will be waived if the applicant’s cumulative GPA is 3.0 or higher.
  • Applicants with an advanced academic or professional degree (MD, DO, JD, PhD, ScD, etc.) from a U.S. or Canadian institution may request a GRE waiver.
  • Waivers for other advanced degrees (MBA, MPH, MPP, MSW, etc.) will be considered on a case-by-case basis; waivers are generally granted if the degree is from an institution that required the applicant to take a graduate admissions test such as the GRE or MCAT.

3. Statement of purpose

• Must be limited to 500-1,000 words

4. Resume or curriculum vitae

5. At least two letters of recommendation

In addition to the minimum application requirements for domestic students:

1. An official TOEFL, IELTS, OR PTE score report is required for international applicants whose native language is not English.  
2. International applicants must submit official foreign transcripts to an approved foreign transcript evaluation service for a course-by-course U.S. equivalency report from the World Education Services, Inc (WES).
3. Find more information about applying as an international student (Loyola’s Graduate School international application).

Public health is an exciting and growing field of study. During the next decade, public health and the health care market will expand dramatically, creating many opportunities for professionals to confront complex health issues, such as improving access to health care and controlling infectious disease, as well as reducing environmental hazards, violence, and substance abuse. Professionals from varying educational disciplines are needed to address public health issues. These disciplines include: teaching, journalism, research, administration, environmental practice, demographics, social work, scientific research, and public health law.

Formal knowledge in public health policy, health management or epidemiology will enhance your leadership skills and broaden your career prospects. No matter your skill set—whether it is working with people, conducting research, or designing demographic platforms—there is a place for you in public health. Whether you are established in a career or a recent college graduate, public health is ideal for people who gain satisfaction from helping and improving the lives of others.

Public health professionals work in the public and private sectors. Graduates can expect opportunities in local, state, or federal health departments. Since it is often a requirement for managerial or administrative positions in public health, the MPH degree provides the best credentials for individuals who want leadership careers in the diverse and growing field of public health.

You control your timeline. Typically, an MPH degree takes two to three years to complete because it is a professional degree and, in addition to having more credit hours than other master degrees, you will need to complete a practicum (or field experience) and a capstone project. You may take as many as five years or as few as one and a half to complete the degree.

To complete the degree in one and a half years, you will need to complete at least 12 credits each semester and take summer courses.

We generally receive about 200 applications each year, with approximately 40-50 students enrolling.

Parkinson MPH Handbook

Parkinson Undergraduate Student Handbook

Parkinson Graduate and Certificates Handbook 2019-2020

The Loyola MPH program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) as a Public Health Program. The Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health is the home for our accredited program.

Our Epidemiology and Global Health Equity programs are hybrid online and evening classes in the Chicago area. The program in Public Health Policy and Management can be completed completely online.

If you want to keep working, stay where you are, or carefully manage your time because of family or work responsibilities, our online program is a good option. The Loyola University of Chicago MPH programs provide the same level of quality and dedication as our traditional on-campus programs. They are a great way for professionals to advance their career.

You may request a GRE waiver as long as your undergraduate GPA is above 3.0. The GRE is also waived if you completed a graduate degree at an accredited institution. We accept all graduate entrance exams, including the MCAT and DAT.

1792

Loyola University Chicago’s FAFSA School Code is 001710.