Public Health

Master’s degree (MPH)

A master of public health (MPH) degree from MU can help you advance your career in population-based or public health service, or veterinary public health. If you want to promote the health and well-being of communities in Missouri and elsewhere, this is the degree for you!

You can complete your MPH degree on campus or online.

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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.

Health Promotion and Policy emphasis

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.

Veterinary Public Health emphasis

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?

View sample plans of study.

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 MU Office of Student Financial Aid processes all financial aid awards. Students who wish to receive a financial aid package must file a FAFSA. The financial aid office also provides cost of attendance information for MU Graduate students. Please note that tuition listed for the estimated cost of attendance assumes nine (9) credit hours of enrollment in the Fall and Spring semesters. 

Anticipated Expenses

While expenses vary from student to student and are based on a number of factors, some expenses can be anticipated:

Scholarships

The University of Missouri uses Scholarship Universe as a platform for students to apply for and accept scholarship opportunities across campus!

Employment

Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, National Guard and Reserves 

Veterans should contact MU Veterans Center for help understanding and applying for veteran’s benefits.  Veterans along with active duty service members, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and their dependents may be eligible for the Mizzou Online Military Tuition Award.

International Students

The primary resource for international students is the International Student & Scholar Services Offices.  This office has a comprehensive website with useful resources.

AmeriCorps/VISTA/Teach for America/Missouri College Advising Corps 

Students who have recently completed a term of service with Americorps, VISTA, Teach for America, or Missouri College Advising Corps may be eligible for nomination for a MU AmeriCorps/VISTA/TFA/MCAC graduate fellowship award. Awards are made for three to four students per year who receive support for years equal to the number of years of service, with a stipend equivalent to the current value of a .25 FTE assistantship – $8,194 – from the Office of Graduate Studies. Academic departments must nominate students for the fellowship. Students who wish to be considered for nomination must apply by mid-January for admission for the upcoming academic year, and should indicate on their application they have completed a term with AmeriCorps, VISTA, TFA, or MCAC. Nominees must have and maintain a 3.5 GPA.

Admission and application

Find important deadlines, admissions criteria and application instructions.

Admission and application