Master of Public Health in Epidemiology

Mission

The mission of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program is to provide rigorous academic and practical experiences to equip public health agents of change: dedicated to improve population health, establish preventative measures, and promote health equality, with careers in government health agencies, healthcare systems, and non-profit organizations.

Program Description

Hallmarks of this program include:

1. Strong foundation: Students will receive rigorous instruction in all aspects of public health theory and practice in order to develop skills needed to be life-long learners.
2. Excellence in public health practice: Students will be prepared for impactful service as health professionals with diverse field and research experiences working closely with public health faculty, field preceptors and community partners.
3. Biblical perspective: Students will be taught from a Christian worldview in order to be compassionate agents of change, ethical decision-makers, health educators, and champions of health equality.
4. Impactful: Students will integrate their education and practical experiences to be impactful community and global agents of change, and effectively address public health challenges through research, publication, health promotion, and service.

The MPH program at Biola University is focused on preparing public health professionals who are ethical leaders equipped to serve local and global communities.

Our MPH program allows students to focus on one of two public health specializations:

1. Master of Public Health in Global Health
2. Master of Public Health in Epidemiology

CEPH Accreditation Status 

The MPH program at Biola University is a pre-candidate for accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Biola University is working with CEPH towards obtaining Public Health Program (PHP) CEPH accreditation with a target date of Fall 2025.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master of Public Health in Epidemiology, students will be able to:

1. Articulate the core functions of public health and the 10 essential public health services that improve population health (ULO 1).   
2. Apply quantitative and qualitative methods in assessing, planning, and evaluating the health of diverse populations (ULO 1). 
3. Discuss evidence-based practices in public health, including screening, intervention, health promotion, and policy development (ULO 2).
4. Implement public health principles to advance research, health education, and health equality (ULO 3).
5. Integrate biblical principles in health promotion, cultural competency, and community service (ULO 3).

Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the General Information section of this catalog.

Admission Requirements

• Complete Biola University’s Graduate Education application
• Hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university
• Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
• One course in college-level human or general biology
• One course in college algebra, statistics, pre-calculus, or calculus
• Two letters of recommendation
• Resume or CV
• Statement of purpose and objectives
• Submit TOEFL or IELTS scores if English is not a primary language of instruction 

Graduation Requirements

• MPH core courses must be passed with a grade of B- or higher.
• The minimum GPA for the graduate program would be 3.0. Students who drop below a 3.0 in any one semester will agree to remediation help as specified by the student handbook for one semester. If their GPA does not improve to at or above 3.0 for the next semester, students may be dismissed from the program. 
• Candidates must successfully complete 150 supervised practicum hours during an off-campus field practicum course.
• Candidates must successfully complete 250 contact hours towards their graduate project with a culminating graduate project paper completed.
• A minimum of 42 credits is required for the Master of Public Health in Epidemiology degree.
• Candidates must consult with their department advisor and graduate academic records and degree specialist in the Office of the Registrar one year prior to graduation to declare intent to graduate. (See Graduate Graduation Check description in the Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation Requirements section).

Curriculum Requirements

¹

Public Health, B.S. MPH Grad Track students take PHLT 505, PHLT 510, PHLT 515, and PHLT 535 in their last undergraduate year.