Master of Public Health

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.

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 competency
• 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. Analyze the potential impact of public health programs on specific populations based on the interpretation of data analysis results.
4. Apply epidemiologic research methods and interpretation of findings to the practice of public health.
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, partners, and stakeholders to develop and adapt public health education interventions to achieve desired outcomes.
4. Examine evidence-informed findings related to identified health issues and desired changes.
5. Design and deliver culturally appropriate evidence-based and timely information across diverse priority populations.

M.P.H. in Global Health

1. Demonstrate the global interconnectedness of public health.
2. Perform public health practice through a culturally appropriate understanding of the root causes of health disparities and protective factors among diverse populations.
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 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 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 U-Online. 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. of the first week of the 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 UNE Academic Calendar. Courses dropped during the add/drop period will not appear on a student’s official transcript.

Course Withdrawal Period

A student may withdraw from a course after the add/drop period has ended through the designated withdrawal deadline, which is approximately at the 60% point of the course's length. The withdrawal period for each semester and session is published on the UNE Academic Calendar.

Grade for the Course Withdrawal

A course withdrawal during the withdrawal period results in a grade of W, which will appear on a student’s official transcript. The grade of W is awarded only if a student has submitted a completed Course Withdrawal Form to the Registrar’s Office by the deadline. A W grade does not impact the term or cumulative GPA.

Consultation Before a Course Withdrawal

Before deciding to withdraw from a course, students must consult their Program/Academic Director and are encouraged to discuss the situation with the instructor. 

International students must obtain the approval of the Office of Global Education, as withdrawals may affect visa status.

Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits. 

Course Withdrawal Process

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must submit a Course Withdrawal Form, signed by their Program/Academic Director and Office of Global Education (if applicable), to the Registrar’s Office before the Course Withdrawal deadline.

Ceasing to attend classes or notifying the instructor does not constitute an official withdrawal.

Late Withdrawal

Requests to withdraw from a course after the withdrawal period will only be considered in extreme circumstances. To request a late withdrawal, a student must consult with their Program/Academic Director and submit a completed Academic Petition stating the extenuating circumstances and a letter of support from an advisor, faculty member, or Program/Academic Director to the College’s Dean’s Office offering the course for consideration. 

If approved, a W grade will appear on the transcript, not impacting the GPA calculations.

Late withdrawal petitions must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the last day of the class.

Note: All deadlines, procedures, and policies related to course withdrawal are subject to the guidelines specified on the UNE Academic Calendar.

University Withdrawal

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

Audit Policy

A student may, with prior consent of the Program Director 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 Director 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 coursework 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:

• 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 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 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 place of coursework.

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 University of New England within the last five 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 Student Support Specialist.

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 Technical Requirements page. Must also possess sufficient computer skills to navigate the Internet as all classes are accessed 100% online.

Application Process

• Completed online application: http://go.une.edu/apply
• 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 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 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.
• All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of UNE and 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 Graduate Programs in Public Health 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.