Emphasis areas
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is a 45-credit-hour program. You will select from one of two emphasis areas: Health Promotion and Policy or Veterinary Public Health.
Health Promotion and Policy
Combine a thorough knowledge of behavior change theory and program planning and evaluation with valuable knowledge of how policy decisions are influenced and made. This program may be completed in person or online.
Veterinary Public Health
Obtain training in zoonotic disease prevention, food safety and other emerging issues in animal and human health. This program is the first fully online program of its kind in the United States.
Internships
Each MPH student is required to complete a 150-hour internship in a public health agency under the supervision of an experienced public health professional. Internship opportunities arise from networking with faculty, other students, and community partners. During an internship, each student works under the supervision of a qualified preceptor and is engaged in a concrete and challenging public health project.
Below is a sampling of the places where current and former Master of Public Health students have found internships.
- The Office of Medicaid and Medicare in Washington, DC
- The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
- The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services
- The Institute for Advanced Policy Solutions at Emory University, Atlanta, GA
- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Jefferson City, MO
- The City of Detroit Health Department, Detroit, MI
- University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics
- The MU Sexual Health Advocate Peer Education (SHAPE) program
Many MPH students choose to fulfill their requirement in an international setting.
Global health experiences provide an exciting opportunity for you to impact positive change in public health around the world. You’ll learn to view complex social issues from multiple viewpoints, communicate effectively and respectively across cultures, and develop an understanding of the international components of health.
Students interested in international internships can either seek out their own opportunities (pending program approval) or work with the program to identify an international internship in global public health.
Recent international internships
- Conducted a community needs assessment using Photovoice in Guatemala
- Implemented a series of health education and promotion activities in Bolivia
- Worked with a health promotion and environmental sanitation NGO in Ghana
- Studied the health implications of the human-camel interaction in Kenya
Can I study abroad?
The MPH program regularly offers study abroad opportunities for students. Our faculty-led study abroad opportunities typically take place during a two-week period in the summer semester. Recent study abroad sites include Greece and South Africa. Find a study abroad program.
What courses will I take?
Do you offer financial assistance?
The University of Missouri ranked No. 4 among all flagship universities in the country in 2024 when it comes to getting the best education for your money. If you are looking for financial assistance, there are a few options available.
- The Mizzou Student Financial Aid website explains what types of aid are available to Mizzou students. It also provides tuition and cost estimates for graduate students.
- You can explore scholarship opportunities in ScholarshipUniverse.
- The Coverdell Fellows program provides graduate students who are returned Peace Corps volunteers an opportunity to utilize and build upon their overseas experience. Learn more about the Coverdell fellowship.
Admission and application
Find important deadlines, admissions criteria and application instructions.