Public Health

Overview

The Graduate Programs in Public Health are generalist track programs designed to provide foundational skills desirable for professionals engaging in the practice, education, and research of public health.  The MPH program competencies align with the competencies outlined by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) in 2016.  Required and elective courses in the MPH program help students attain these competencies that are at the center of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by emerging leaders in public health.

Major Description

The College of Graduate and Professional Studies offers a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree and a Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GCPH). These programs provide a graduate education to individuals currently working in the public health field, allied health professionals, clinicians, and individuals in the beginning stages of a career in public health. The curriculum is delivered in an online format, with full- and part-time options, and is intentionally flexible and readily applicable to students regardless of where they live.

The Master of Public Health is a 46-credit hour curriculum that develops and enhances skills in a variety of professional areas, including social and behavioral health, program development and evaluation, and public health practice and management. This degree culminates in a practicum, which includes a public health practical experience and capstone research project.

The Graduate Certificate in Public Health is an 18-credit hour program that provides students with the core public health courses they need to broaden and enhance their professional knowledge. All courses in the Graduate Certificate in Public Health are also transferable to the MPH degree program.

Program Mission:

The Graduate Programs in Public Health are globally accessible programs that are committed to improving the health and well-being of communities through education, research, and service using a scholar-practitioner model.

Program Goals:

Education

1. Enroll and support qualified, diverse, and dedicated students who demonstrate a passion for improving public health.
2. Cultivate a learning environment that values communication, collaboration, and diversity.
3. Ensure all graduates possess the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to become successful public health practitioners.
4. Recruit, retain, and support qualified instructors.

Research

1. Sustain a dynamic research agenda driven by emerging public health priorities and identified needs of the workforce.
2. Encourage scientific inquiry among students and provide practical learning opportunities that allow the honing of research skills and generation of new knowledge.
3. Support a collaborative learning environment for students and faculty that allows engagement with public health practitioners, community partners, and each other to develop new endeavors.

Service

1. Encourage and facilitate meaningful community service activities with a public health focus by students and faculty.
2. Maintain a cadre of competent public health professionals with the mindset of activism who collaborate to improve the wellbeing of their local and global communities.

The Master of Public Health degree program is accredited by the Council of Education for Public Health (CEPH). The Master of Public Health and the Graduate Certificate in Public Health are programs approved by the Maine State Board of Education and accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

The Graduate Certificate in Public Health includes the following required courses (18 credits):

GPH 702 Public Health Policy and Management	3 credits
GPH 712 Principles of Epidemiology	3 credits
GPH 714 Principles of Public Health	3 credits
GPH 716 Biostatistics	3 credits
GPH 722 Introduction to Environmental Health	3 credits
GPH 726 Social and Behavioral Health	3 credits

The Master of Public Health program includes the following courses (46 credits):

The following five core courses (15 credits):

GPH 702 Public Health Policy and Management	3 credits
GPH 712 Principles of Epidemiology	3 credits
GPH 716 Biostatistics	3 credits
GPH 722 Introduction to Environmental Health	3 credits
GPH 726 Social and Behavioral Health	3 credits

The following three required courses (10 credits):

GPH 714 Principles of Public Health	3 credits
GPH 719 Research Methods	3 credits
GPH 747 Integrated Public Health Practicum	4 credits

Selection of Electives: The MPH program at UNE CGPS is a generalist program; as such, students are required to demonstrate attainment of a broad range of relevant public health competencies.  Available elective courses are grouped into five (5) categories based on the competencies that they help achieve.  Students must successfully complete at least one elective course from each category in order to graduate with an MPH degree.

7 of the following 16 electives (21 credits):

GPH 704 Public Health Law and Ethics	3 credits
GPH 705 Community-Based Participatory Research	3 credits
GPH 706 Public Health Administration	3 credits
GPH 709 Public Health Emergency Preparedness	3 credits
GPH 713 Infectious Disease Epidemiology	3 credits
GPH 717 Applied Epidemiology	3 credits
GPH 721 Foundations of Maternal and Child Health	3 credits
GPH 724 Occupational Health	3 credits
GPH 725 Public Health Financial Management	3 credits
GPH 728 Health Literacy and Plain Language	3 credits
GPH 730 Health Care Economics	3 credits
GPH 732 Community Assessment	3 credits
GPH 733 Health Informatics	3 credits
GPH 734 The Obesity Epidemic: A Public Health Perspective	3 credits
GPH 738 Program Planning and Evaluation	3 credits
GPH 740 Global Health	3 credits

Integrated Public Health Practicum

GPH 747 Integrated Public Health Practicum (4 credits)

This course is a combination of the practical experience and capstone project.  It involves a comprehensive review of a public health issue and potential or real solutions in the form of an extensive term paper or "thesis".  The course also provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom learning in a public health environment and to work with experienced public health professionals.

Competencies

The Graduate Programs in Public Health adopted programmatic competencies that align with the competencies outlined by the Council of Education for Public Health (CEPH) in 2016.  Relevant competencies are listed on each course syllabus. 

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for completion of and receive the Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GCPH) students must:

• Satisfactorily complete 18 credits of specified course work within three consecutive years.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Have no outstanding financial obligations to the University.

To qualify for completion of and receive the Master of Public Health (MPH) students must:

• Satisfactorily complete 46 credits of specified course work within six 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 must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Students receiving a grade of F in any course will be immediately placed on academic probation.  Any student who receives a grade of F in two courses is dismissed from the program.

Graduation

Candidates must fulfill all program requirements and are required to earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to graduate. All students must file an Application to Graduate with the registrar’s office via U-Online.  Please access the following link for complete instructions and the answers to frequently asked questions:

www.une.edu/registrar/graduation

Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

The last day permissible for matriculating graduate students to add or drop a course without financial penalty is the second day of class.

Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing and will receive a “W” on their transcript indicating withdrawal. Students will receive a partial refund if they withdraw from a course within the first or second week. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course. Students who have not participated in the course by the end of the second week will be administratively withdrawn from the course and will not receive a tuition refund.

Email requests for withdrawals must be submitted from a student’s UNE e-mail to be considered.

Matriculating students who withdraw after completing more than 2/3 of a course will receive a grade of “WF” (withdrawn failing) or “WP” (withdrawn passing), based on the instructor’s assessment of the student’s current standing in the course. A “WF” is calculated as an “F” in the student’s GPA. Upon successful completion of the course, the new grade will be used to calculate the GPA. Students will be dismissed from their program after two failing grades (including a “WF”).

University Withdrawal

All matriculated students who wish to withdraw from the University must complete notification documentation available from Registration Services. Documentation must be signed by designated academic and administrative authorities.

Leave of Absence

Matriculated students must enroll and successfully complete at least one course per term. A leave of absence (LOA) for a specified period of time, not to exceed one academic year, may be granted to a matriculated student with the authorization of the Dean and the Program Manager or designee. If not enrolled for one full term, students must contact their Student Support Specialist and complete the required Request for Leave of Absence form available from Registration Services. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned. However, the student who does not return at the specified time will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures.

The LOA period is considered as part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the office of the Program Manager to indicate a change of plans.

Medical Leave of Absence

In the event that a leave of absence is taken due to medical reasons, a doctor’s note may be required in order to return to active standing within the program.

Audit Policy

A student may, with prior consent of the Program Manager or designee, enroll in a course for an audit grade (AU). This must be requested at the time of registration for the course and must be accompanied by signed approval of the instructor and Program Manager or designee. This applies to both matriculated and non-matriculated students. Reversal or change of an audit grade is not possible. Once enrolled for AU the grade becomes permanent on a student's academic record. The student who wishes later to be graded for such a course must re-enroll in and pay for graded credit. In auditing a course, the student is expected to complete all lectures and discussion boards, but is not permitted to submit course work for evaluation, take examinations, receive grades, or earn credit. Auditing a course does not count toward enrollment status (i.e. part-time, full-time, etc.) and therefore cannot be considered for financial aid purposes, veteran's benefits, etc.

Academic Integrity Policy

The University of New England 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:

1.      Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.

2.      Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.

3.      Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.

4.      Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.

5.      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 Manager. 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.  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 Graduate and Professional Studies Student Handbook.

Office for Students with Disabilities

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 UNE is 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.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is highly valued by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.  Many courses within the College feature experiential-learning components.  However, at this time, no credit will be awarded to students for purely experiential learning experiences undertaken in lieu of coursework.

Transfer Credit

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three 3-credit courses (maximum of nine credits) into the Master of Public Health program or up to two 3-credit courses (maximum of six credits) into the Graduate Certificate of Public Health 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 Graduate and Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to, and will be granted at the discretion of, the Program Manager.

Transfer courses must

• Be classified as graduate level
• Be from a CEPH accredited institution
• Have been taken within five years of application 
• Have been completed with a grade of “B” or better
• Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education
• Not have been applied toward any other degree. 

Individuals who earned a Graduate Certificate in Public Health from the University of New England within the last five years may apply for admission to the MPH program and request that all courses be accepted.  Current GCPH students, who are in good standing, may apply to the MPH program at any time during the certificate program by requesting a "change of major" with their Student Support Specialist.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See International Admissions for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Completion of a college-level math course and a college-level biological science course. 
  Please note: In lieu of college-level courses in either, students may submit GRE subject test scores in mathematics or science, or the GRE quantitative ability score.
• Sufficient computer skills to navigate the worldwide web and effectively participate in an on-line program.
• Own or have regular access to a computer with internet connection and with appropriate hardware and software requirements.

Application Process

• Completed online application: http://go.une.edu/apply
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Goal Statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.  All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

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 not eligible for waiver.​

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for admission are accepted through UNE’s online application only. 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 Graduate and Professional Studies, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Students are admitted to the GPH program three (3) times a year:  Summer A, Fall A, Spring A.
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration.  Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• 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 UNE must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university.  UNE accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Admissions.  
• If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application. 

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the Graduate Programs in Public Health website

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

The Graduate Programs in Public Health and the GPPH Admissions Committee 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.