Master of Public Health (MPH)
The distinctive mission of the UCI MPH program is to create a motivated cadre of public health professionals who are prepared to implement effective strategies for reducing the burden of disease and disability in culturally diverse communities, and who are primed to draw from their broad training in the global dimensions of public health principles to lead and work collaboratively on precise assessments of health risk factors and on the management of evidence-based prevention strategies.
In addition to meeting all the training requirements in the core competency subjects recommended by the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH), students enrolled in the UCI MPH program will have the opportunity for in-depth pursuit of one out of three emphasis areas:
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Environmental Health:
Environmental Health examines how the health of a community is affected by biological, chemical, and physical factors in the environment. Public health practitioners in environmental health evaluate workplaces, homes, and other environments for potential hazardous materials and human risk factors. They conduct studies to assess the part the environment plays in the development of diseases such as asthma, lung disease, and cancer. Topics studied in this emphasis include air/water quality, climate change, food safety, natural disasters, and toxicology.
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Epidemiology:
Epidemiology studies the patterns of population disease and injury in order to prevent and control health problems. An epidemiologist investigates occurrences of chronic and infectious diseases to determine what causes them, who is at risk, how they spread, and how to contain them to protect the public. They also analyze social and demographic data on disease and injury in an effort to develop strategies for disease in specific populations and prevent future incidences of illness. Topics studied in this emphasis include vector control, infectious disease, etiology of cancer and genetic diseases, and the global burden of disease.
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Sociocultural Diversity and Health:
Sociocultural Diversity and Health identifies and addresses the effects of social, cultural, and behavioral factors on individual and population health. Specialists in this area describe how culture, social inequities, and biology influence health and apply their knowledge to create prevention interventions to decrease health-damaging behaviors and increase health-promoting behaviors. They study the interaction between policies and the social and behavioral sciences, and identify ways to address health inequalities and promote health equity.
It is expected that most students will need 5 academic quarters to fulfill program requirements, but it is possible to complete the program in one calendar year at an accelerated pace.
All students will spend a summer at one of more than 100 possible internship sites for practicum training. Graduates of the UCI's MPH program will find employment in both public and private agencies committed to preventing disease and promoting health in all aspects of society.
Learning Objectives
