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Master’s in Public Health Degrees in California (D-Z)

Individuals who successfully complete master’s in public health degree programs in California are prepared to address the health issues that face many residents. In California, 38 percent of adults live with a chronic health condition, including hypertension, asthma, heart disease and diabetes. Almost two million children in California suffer from asthma and a rising number of teens have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Rising healthcare costs are also leading to a need for public health experts in California. In 2013, Californians spent approximately $267 billion, an average of $7,000 per person on healthcare costs. This is leading many residents to rely more on public health services than private practitioners for routine health services. There is also reduced access to healthcare in California, further putting a strain on public health resources.

There are many options for occupations in public health ranging from doctors to healthcare support workers. In 2014, a healthcare support worker in California earned an average of $43,810 per year. The average for other community and social service occupations was $54,920 per year. Because public health has such a wide range of positions, individuals who successfully complete master’s in public health degree programs in California may find more job opportunities than those who do not hold such degrees.

This is the second half of our list.  For the first half, see: Master’s in Public Health Degrees in California (A-C)

Loma Linda University

School of Public Health

The School of Public Health at Loma Linda University prepares students for careers in public health that address a health system that is constantly changing. The school offers 17 degree programs at the graduate level and several of the degrees are available in an online format. The school has an 86 percent job placement rate and the faculty-to-student ratio is one to five. Students are able to study with renowned faculty, practice health services globally and apply business experience toward a graduate degree in health administration. The programs offered provide practical experience that prepare students for leadership roles in public health.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

The Master of Public Health degree program prepares students for public health leadership positions while also allowing them to specialize in a certain area of interest. In order to apply, students must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution and must have earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must provide official GRE scores that were obtained in the past five years. Religious affiliation is not required but students must adhere to campus restrictions of moderate dress, abstinence from alcohol and smoking as well as attendance at weekly chapel.

Students may choose from the following concentrations:

  • Epidemiology
  • Global Health
  • Health Education
  • Health Policy and Leadership
  • Lifestyle Management
  • Nutrition
  • Nutrition – Coordinated Program in Dietetics
  • Population Medicine

In addition, students are encouraged to experience public health areas through cognates which are collections of courses selected around a specific theme. Each cognate includes four or five courses. Cognates include:

  • Health Care Administration
  • Health Geoinformatics
  • Lifestyle Intervention
  • Maternal Child Health
  • Non-Profit Management
  • Nutrition
  • Occupational Medicine

Students are required to complete a practicum as well.

Accreditation

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Council on Education for Public Health

Contact

Admissions Office

Loma Linda University

24951 North Circle Drive

Nichol Hall Room 1703

Loma Linda CA

Telephone: 909-558-8776

Email: Admissions.sph@llu.edu

Website

National University

School of Health and Human Services

The School of Health and Human Services at National University understands that there is a growing need for healthcare professionals. As medical technology advances and the population ages, public health professionals have a growing importance in the industry. Many programs offered at the School of Health and Human Services are available in a completely online format which allows working adults who may have work, family or social obligations to achieve their higher education goals. Students develop an understanding of the latest technologies as well as important critical thinking and therapeutic skills.

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)

The Master of Public Health is a graduate degree designed to prepare students for positions of leadership in health promotion as well as disease prevention. The degree includes multidisciplinary and collaborative methods used to solve health-related problems and promote social justice. The program emphasizes broad-based state-of-the-art qualitative and qualitative skills used in problem solving. The communication skills of students are enhanced so that they can successfully work with diverse populations. The program is designed for students who are seeking advancement in a current career or who wish to transition into health professions from other careers. Students analyze and interpret data while developing an understanding of how to describe distribution and determinants of disease, disability and death. Students understand how to evaluate environmental factors that may have an impact on communities while planning, organizing and administrating policies in healthcare organizations. Courses required include:

  • Biostatistics
  • Epidemiology
  • Global Health Experience or Public Health Internship
  • Public Health Capstone
  • Public Health and the Environment
  • Public Health Research Methods
  • Theories of Health Behavior
  • U.S. Healthcare System

Students also choose to specialize in health promotion, healthcare administration and mental health.

Accreditation

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Council on Education for Public Health

Contact

Gena Piane, Lead Faculty

School of Health and Human Services

National University

11255 North Torrey Pines Road

La Jolla CA 92037

Telephone: 714-429-5474

Email: 714-429-5474

Website

San Diego State University

Graduate School of Public Health

The Graduate School of Public Health at San Diego State University was founded in 1980, part of what was then the school’s new focus on health and human services. The school provides many opportunities for students to learn, research and become involved in the community in order to advance their knowledge in the health field. Despite its name, the school offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in disciplines that are population-based. Students are provided opportunities beyond traditional classrooms with extensive interaction with faculty on research projects as well as the many local and regional community service activities available.

Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health degree program at the Graduate School of Public Health at San Diego State University allows students to concentrate their studies in five different areas. Each area has different qualifications and requirements.

Biometry

The Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, one of the graduate divisions within the Graduate School of Public Health at San Diego State University, offers a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Biometry. The degree is an applied biostatistics program that trains health professionals in statistical methods and models. Students are provided the tools and knowledge to become practicing biostatisticians. Students receive a background in public health issues and methodology through core courses. A theoretical foundation is also included to give the student a strong background in mathematical statistics. A sequence of biostatistics along with computer applications is also included to provide students with practical application of statistical methods so that they may accurately analyze public health and biomedical data.

Environmental Health

The Division of Environmental Health offers a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Environmental Health. The program is a professional degree that involves coursework focused on subjects such as water and air pollution, food sanitation, vector control, toxicology, waste management and risk assessment. The program also includes courses in other public health disciplines. Students must also complete a practicum as part of the degree program. The program is certified as an Option V for the Registered Environmental Health Specialist Program in the State of California so that graduates are eligible to sit for the REHS examination.

Epidemiology

The Division of Epidemiology offers a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology. The field has been called the basic science of public health as it concentrates on the identification of risk factors for human disease as well as the distribution and etiology of health and disease in humans. Graduates are prepared for careers in teaching and research with many going on to become leaders in their field of study.

Health Management & Policy

The Division of Health Management and Policy offers a graduate program that leads to the Master of Public Health Degree in Health Management and Policy. It is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a career in management in the healthcare industry. Students receive instruction guided by competencies that are designed to create leaders in the healthcare world. Students are mentored by executives and managers in the local health community in order to receive hands-on experience.

Health Promotion and Behavioral Science

The Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science offers a Master of Public Health Degree that is available in both a traditional classroom format or entirely online. The program provides both pre- and post-doctoral instruction in sciences related to behavior and social factors. The curriculum allows students to examine socio-ecological factors that may lead to morbidity, premature mortality and health problems. Students are able to design, manage and evaluate health programs in a variety of settings. Emphasis of the program is on disease prevention and health promotion.

MPH Dual Degree

The Graduate School of Public Health at San Diego State University offers three options for dual degrees that allow students to earn multiple degrees in less time than it would take to earn them separately. The degree programs are MPH-Master of Social Work, MPH-MA Latin American Studies and MPH-MD.

MPH-Master of Social Work

The MPH-Master of Social Work is a three-year program that allows students to earn their Master of Public Health and Master of Social Work concurrently. The major objective of the program is to prepare students for positions in the fields of public health and social work where they will promote health, prevent disease and enhance social and health services in their community. Students must submit a SOPHAS application as well as the standard MSW application. In their statement of purpose, applicants must explain their interest in both fields as well as their interest in Health Management and Policy.

MPH-MA Latin American Studies

The Graduate School of Public Health in conjunction with the Center for Latin American Studies offers a graduate program that leads to both a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies and a Master of Public Health. The programs run concurrently and prepare students for positions related to public health with a focus on Latin American communities. The program provides students with the skills and knowledge to promote health, prevent disease and enhance social as well as health services in the Latino population. Students must complete a thesis or publishable article option. Foreign language competency is the same as the Master of Arts in Latin American Studies.

MPH-MD

In conjunction with the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Public Health offers a collaborative education that enables students to obtain their medical doctor degree along with a Master of Public Health. The program is designed for students who plan to enter careers in public health, preventative medicine, epidemiology and others relate to both treating patients and promoting public health. The MPH degree is required for certification by the American Board of Preventative Medicine.

Accreditation

  • Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Council on Education for Public Health

Contact

Jenny Quintana, Ph.D.

Graduate Adviser

San Diego State University

5500 Campanile Drive

San Diego CA 92182

Telephone: 619-594-1688, HT 104

Email: jquintan@mail.sdsu.edu

Website:

MPH

Dual Degrees

San Francisco State University

Department of Health Education

Housed in the College of Health & Social Sciences, the Department of Health Education was originally founded to educate health education teachers at the elementary and secondary level. The department focuses on programs dedicated to the health and well-being of communities. In addition to providing world-renowned education, the department is involved in two large-scale projects, both housed in the Community of Health Works.

Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health program shares the mission of the Department of Health Education to promote individual, community and structural health. The program focuses on transformative education, research, scholarship and service. Students are provided professional preparation to become community health educators and professional competencies necessary to promote health and prevent disease. The program embraces an ecological approach and incorporates principles of adult learning. Students are engaged through theory and practice as well as through collaborative leadership and team building. Admission requires 4,000 cumulative hours of previous health-related work experience, whether it is paid or volunteer, full- or part-time. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in bachelor’s level courses or the last 60 semester units attended. Students must submit official GRE tests and have completed courses in statistics or calculus, social science, composition and cultural, ethnic or social diversity.

Accreditation

  • Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Council on Education for Public Health

Contact

San Francisco State University

1600 Holloway Avenue

San Francisco CA 94132

Telephone: 415-338-1111

Website

San Jose State University

Department of Health Science and Recreation

In 2013, the Department of Health Science and Recreation was formed to represent the growing offerings at San Jose State University the field of health. The mission of the college is to prepare innovative leaders and practitioners who understand and have a desire to improve environments where people live, work and play. Their focus is on communities, populations, people, policies, environments and other factors that create health issues for all.

Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health program offered through the Department of Health Science and Recreation at San Jose State University with specializations in community health education. The program is available in both a traditional on-campus format or an online format. Both programs follow the same rigorous course of study. The online program allows students to earn their degree in a 24-month fast-paced course of study, while the traditional program can take two years or more to finish. The program is practice-oriented and community-based. The mission of the MPH program is to provide professional education to students who desire the knowledge and skills to succeed in health education and the public health industry.

Accreditation

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Council on Education for Public Health

Contact

San Jose State University

One Washington Square

San Jose CA 95192

Telephone: 408-924-1000

Website

Touro University California

Public Health

Touro University of California’s Public Health Department is dedicated to reducing health disparities at the local, national and global level. The programs offered have a strong focus on social justice and a mission to promote health in communities. The mission is achieved thorough a multidimensional approach to study that combines a broad public health basis with specific training. The department includes the Center for Global Research which is an innovative and interdisciplinary health research endeavor as well as the Center for Community Based Research which is a collaboration between Public Health and local agencies. The Center for Workforce Development and Public Health Practice supports professional development of the public health workforce.

MPH Degree

The Master of Public Health degree program at Touro University California is a 42-unit course of study that encompasses the five cores of public health including epidemiology, health policy and management, social and behavioral sciences and biostatistics. Students gain depth through coursework chosen in either Global Health or Community Health concentrations. The program collaborates with local departments of health, community and other organizations engaged in public health activity. The program can be completed in a minimum of four academic semesters if the student attends full-time and five years if attending part-time.

Accreditation

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Council on Education for Public Health

Contact

Touro University California

1310 Club Drive

Mare Island

Vallejo CA 94592

Telephone: 707-638-5200

Email: info@tu.edu

Website

Touro University Worldwide

School of Health and Human Services

The School of Health and Human Services at Touro University Worldwide offers a wide spectrum of health programs that focus on the mind, body and spirit. More healthcare professionals are realizing the importance of a holistic approach to healthcare which is why the School of Health and Human Services focuses on delivering not only a solid professional education but fosters the well-being of the entire community.

MS in Health Sciences – Public Health Concentration

The Master of Science in Health Sciences with concentration in Public Health at Touro University Worldwide prepares students to for leadership roles in the public health industry. The program is offered online and is designed for working adults who want to make a difference in the health of others by promoting community and public health. Students are provided a curriculum that draws knowledge from several different disciplines. The mission of the program is to educate and develop leaders in health sciences by providing them with the competencies they need to be productive healthcare professionals. Students develop an understanding of research and program evaluation as well as the importance of service delivery to reduce or eliminate health disparity in underserved populations.

Accreditation

  • Western Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Council on Education for Public Health

Contact

Touro University Worldwide

10601 Calle Lee

Suite 179

Los Alamitos CA 90720

Telephone: 818-575-6800

Email: info@tuw.edu

Website

University of California, Berkeley

School of Public Health

The mission of the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley is to improve the health of the population, especially for those who are most vulnerable to health issues. The school understands that radical collaborations are necessary to meet health needs in an increasingly diverse community. The school offers excellence in education that challenges traditional thinking in order to develop leaders who will transform the health of those where they will serve. There is also a strong focus on research in order to address and conquer major public health threats and opportunities that exist today and for those that will manifest in the future.

On-Campus/Online MPH

The On-Campus/Online MPH degree at the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley is a hybrid program that enables mid-career professionals to forward their careers or move into a new career in a flexible format. The program cultivates public health experts with a drive to lead in the public health setting. The hybrid program offers the same quality and rigorous curriculum as the traditional programs. Students earn degrees over seven semesters and the degree takes about 2.5 years to complete. Students can concentrate their studies in the following areas:

  • Biostatistics
  • Community Health Sciences
  • Environmental Health Sciences
  • Epidemiology
  • Epidemiology/Biostatistics
  • Health and Social Behavior
  • Health Policy & Management
  • Infectious Diseases & Vaccinology
  • Interdisciplinary
  • Maternal & Child Health
  • Public Health Nutrition
Concurrent Degrees

The School of Public Health has established concurrent degree programs in which students follow carefully designed curriculum in order to complete the requirements for multiple degrees in less time than it takes to complete the degrees separately. Concurrent degrees offered through the School of Public Health include:

  • Master of Business Administration/Master of Public Health
  • Master of City Planning/Master of Public Health
  • Master of Journalism/Master of Public Health
  • Master of Public Policy/Master of Public Health
  • Master of Social Welfare/Master of Public Health
Degrees with Other Institutions

The School of Public Health offers programs that are collaborative degrees between other universities. These include:

  • UC Berkeley/UCSF Joint Medical Program (MS/MD) – a five-year combined Master of Science and MD program. Students spend three years on the Berkeley campus completing a case-based core medical curriculum as well as a Master of Science degree in Health and Medical Sciences.
  • MD/MPH with UCSF – an opportunity for UCSF medical students to obtain an MPH degree in just an additional 11 months of study, normally between the third and fourth years of medical school.
  • MPH/DPH with UCSF – a two-year program designed for dentists who are interested in entering public health. Dentists apply to both a one-year full-time program at UC Berkeley and another one-year full-time DPH program at UCSF.

Accreditation

  • Western Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Council on Education for Public Health

Contact

University of California, Berkeley

School of Public Health

50 University Hall #7360

Berkeley CA 94720-7360

Telephone:510-643-0881

Email: sphinfo@berkeley.edu

Websites:

Campus/Online

Concurrent

Other Institutions

University of California, Davis

UC Davis Health

UC Davis Health is improving lives and transforming healthcare through outstanding patient care, revolutionary research and by fostering innovation. UC Davis Health generates more than $3.4 billion in annual economic output and has created more than 20,000 jobs. It is the region’s only academic health center and is focused on discovering knowledge as well as providing the highest quality of care possible.

Master of Public Health Program

The Master of Public Health Program at UC Davis is designed for those who are planning to prevent disease and provide community health services. Students may concentrate their studies in either epidemiology or general public health. The program includes instruction in many aspects of public health, preparing students for leadership roles upon graduation. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in order to apply. The program is 56 units and takes between one and two years to complete. The program is a top-ranked facility and offers collaborative links with community agencies in the area.

Accreditation

  • Western Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Council on Education for Public Health

Contact

UC Davis Health

Department of Public Health Sciences

One Shields Avenue

Davis DA 530-752-2793

Telephone: 530-752-2793

Website

University of California Irvine

UC Irvine Public Health

The mission of UC Irvine Public Health is to create, integrate and translate knowledge into strategies designed to reduce the burden of human disease on society through excellence in research, education and public service. The school was established in 2003 to provide institutional focus for existing academic strengths in disciplines related to public health. The Department of Population Health & Disease Prevention was established in 2007 to advance interdisciplinary collaborations in research related to public health.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

The Master of Public Health at UC Irvine is designed to create public health leaders who work to reduce the burden of disease on society with a focus on diverse communities. The curriculum provides students with a global view of public health and prepares them to work collaboratively on assessing risk factors and managing prevention strategies. Students may concentrate their studies in:

  • Biostatistics
  • Environmental Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Sociocultural Diversity and Health

It is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on developing students who plan to excel using knowledge and skills in public health. Students gain an understanding of public health issues facing today’s increasingly diverse communities.

MD/MPH Dual Degree Program

The mission for UC Irvine’s dual MD/MPH program is to train medical students on the changing needs in California’s public health industry. The program provides a strategic vision of future needs in society and, by training professionals in population-based research, strategies and health practices, the program hopes to create graduates who will improve health and life expectancy.

Accreditation

  • Council on Education for Public Health
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Contact

Stephanie Leonard

Director of Student Affairs

UCI Public Health

Anteater Instruction & Research Offices (AIRB)

653 E. Peltason Drive

Suite 2010, 2nd Floor

University of California, Irvine

Irvine CA 92697-3957

Telephone: 949-824-4026

Email: stephapl@uci.edu

Website:

MPH

Dual Program

University of California, Los Angeles

Fielding School of Public Health

The Fielding School of Public Health was founded in 1961 and has played an instrumental part in advancing the field of public health in research, education and service. The school collaborates on a global basis with students and faculty alike making research discoveries that have helped communities locally, nationally and globally. Graduates of the programs at the Fielding School of Public Health have become leaders as far away as Congo and as close as East LA. The school focuses on serving communities who are underserved in order to change and improve lives.

MPH Degree Programs

The Fielding School of Public Health offers a variety of Master of Public Health programs, allowing students to concentrate their studies in a specific area. The degrees are schoolwide so students gain broad training not only in public health but also with specialized study in one department. The program is usually two years although there may be accelerated options. The Executive MPH program caters to professionals who work full-time but want to pursue their degree. Specializations include:

  • Biostatistics
  • Community Health Sciences
  • Environmental Health Sciences
  • Epidemiology
  • Health Policy and Management
Concurrent Degrees

The UCLA Fielding School of Public Health offers several concurrent degree programs and three articulated degree programs that offer excellent opportunities for those who wish to gain expertise in both public health and another discipline. The concurrent degrees offered at UCLA Fielding include:

  • Public Health MPH/African Studies MA – a concurrent degree that allows students to pursue the Master of Arts degree in African Studies as well as a Master of Public Health with a specialization in Community Health Science in order to focus on health issues that are unique or prevalent in the African American community.
  • Public Health MPH/Urban Regional Planning MURP – a degree program that allows students to work toward a Master of Urban Planning degree while also earning a Master of Public Health.
  • Public Health MPH/Social Welfare MSW – students can pursue the Master of Social Welfare and the Master of Public Health in a three-year concurrent program to earn their Master of Social Welfare as well as a Master of Public Health.
  • Public Health MPH/Public Policy MPP – a degree program that allows students to work toward their Master of Public Policy along with the Master of Public Health.
  • Public Health MPH/Management MBA – a three-year concurrent degree program that allows students to earn their Anderson Graduate School of Management Master of Business Administration along with a Master of Public Health. Students may take either the GRE or GMAT for admission.
  • Public Health MPH/Law JD – a program offered through the School of Law and Fielding School of Public Health that includes three years of law school and one year in public health.
  • Public Health MPH/Asian American Studies MA – a program that allows students to work toward a degree in Asian American Studies and a Master of Public Health in order to understand health issues that are found predominantly in the Asian culture.
Articulated Degrees

UCLA Fielding offers several articulated degrees that allow students to complete two degrees in five years, allowing them to finish their degrees sooner than if they took both separately. Articulated degrees include;

  • Public Health MPH/Medicine MD – designed to allow students to complete both their medical doctorate and Master of Public Health with four years of medical school and one year plus one quarter at the Fielding School of Public Health.
  • Public Health MPH/Latin American Studies MA – allows students to receive both degrees after approximately three years of graduate study.

Accreditation

  • Council on Education for Public Health
  • Western Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact

Michelle Garcia-Navaro

Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

UCLA Fielding School of Public Health

650 Charles E. Young Dr. South

16-035 Center for Health Sciences

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772

Telephone: 310-206-7158

Email: garciana@ph.ucla.edu

Websites:

MPH

Concurrent

Articulated

University of San Francisco

School of Nursing and Health Professions

The School of Nursing and Health Professions is committed to a life of learning built on core Jesuit values. The school advances the mission of the university by preparing graduates who promote policies that build healthy lifestyles and advocate for those who have no voice. The school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Master of Public Health

The School of Nursing and Health Professions offers an inter-professional degree for public health leaders. Students study in classrooms beyond the campus borders in a city well-known for forward-thinking when it comes to public health. Students complete work in a wide range of fields, including epidemiology, biostatistics, community and behavioral health along with environmental health and public health policy and management. The program is well-suited for those who want to develop practice-oriented skills that promote health in communities.

Accreditation

  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Council of Education for Public Health
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Contact

School of Nursing & Health Professions

2130 Fulton Street

San Francisco CA 94117

Telephone: 415-422-2806

Email: health@usfca.edu

Website

West Coast University

Online Programs

Students are able to utilize West Coast University, their technology and interact with faculty and support staff while enjoying the flexibility of online classes. Online classes allow students to attend class when it is convenient for them, making it an excellent solution for working adults who may have family, social and employment obligations that make it difficult for them to attend traditional classes.

Online MPH Program – Master of Public Health

Public Health provides students with the skills and knowledge to promote health and prevent illness. The online Master of Public Health program at West Coast University allows students to earn their degree in as little as 12 months. To be admitted to the 42-credit program, students must submit an application and provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students with a GPA of 2.5 to 2.69 may be admitted on a conditional basis but must maintain a GPA of 3.0 to remain in the program. One transcript must display the conferring of a bachelor’s degree or higher. Students are provided the skills and knowledge to assess elements that will improve health outcomes and analyze essential services provided by public health programs. Students will understand how to apply research tools and analytical methods to analyze, monitor and assess health status while also understanding the impact of policies and legislation on health in individuals, communities and on a national as well as global level.

Accreditation

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Contact

West Coast University

12215 Victory Boulevard

North Hollywood CA 91606

Telephone: 818-299-5517

Email: fecilia@westcoastuniversity.edu

Website

Individuals who complete master’s in public health degree programs in California may open up additional job opportunities than those who do not have such degrees and, with public health becoming of growing importance, it is highly recommended that those with an interest reach out to colleges and universities in order to achieve their higher education goals.

See also: Top 10 Best Online Masters in Public Health Degree Programs