BUSPH offers a wide range of programs and degrees designed to provide students with a comprehensive, well-rounded education in all facets of public health. The School offers educational opportunities to students who wish to pursue different levels and approaches to public health education, including professional degrees--the master of public health and doctor of public health, to specialized academic degrees--the master of science and the doctor of philosophy. The School also offers dual degree programs with other graduate schools at Boston University. BUSPH courses are taught by experienced faculty who integrate evidence-based practice and cutting-edge research into the classroom.
Available Degrees by Area of Study
| Concentration |
Degrees Offered |
| Biostatistics |
MPH, MA*, PhD* |
| Environmental Health |
MPH, MS, PhD
|
| Epidemiology |
MPH, MS, PhD |
| Health Law, Bioethics & Human Rights |
MPH |
| Health Policy & Management |
MPH, MS, MBA/MPH**, PhD |
| International Health |
MPH, MBA/MPH**, DrPH |
| Maternal & Child Health |
MPH, DrPH |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences |
MPH, DrPH |
| Special Programs |
|
| Dual Degree Programs |
MBA/MPH, JD/MPHa, MD/MPHb, MA/MPHc, MSW/MPHd
|
| Special Programs for MPH Students |
Master's International Program,
The Pharmaceutical Program,
Philippines Exchange Program |
Notes:
* MA and PhD programs in Biostatistics are joint programs with the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
** MBA/MPH are joint programs with Health Sector Management Program in the School of Management.
a JD/MPH is a joint program with the School of Law.
b MD/MPH is a joint program with the School of Medicine.
c MA/MPH is a joint program with the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences.
d MSW/MPH is a joint program with the School of Social Work.
Master's Degree Programs
Master's of Public Health Degree (MPH) Programs
The MPH is a 48-credit degree that trains students from diverse backgrounds to practice public health. Students acquire a breadth and depth of public health training through core courses, concentration courses, a public health practicum, elective courses, and the completion of a culminating experience. Core courses enable students to gain a broad understanding of the areas of knowledge that are central to public health practice. Concentration courses give students in-depth knowledge and skills in an area of study. Students apply the content from their coursework in a public health practicum, a field-based work experience, and their culminating experience. Students graduate well prepared to enter the public health workforce.
| Detailed Requirements | Visit Department | Application Requirements | Concentrator's Guide |
The Master of Public Health program, with a Concentration in Biostatistics, provides the skills to design, analyze, and interpret the results of public health studies. Through courses covering basic biostatistical methods, advanced regression analysis, and statistical computing, students gain skills in the statistical applications important to research, including, but not limited to, study design, data management, and statistical analysis. Graduates are prepared for further study or for careers in research and project management in academia, government, or the private sector.
Biostatistics concentrators may choose to do a general course of study in biostatistics or one of four emphasis areas. Each emphasis is interdisciplinary and combines offerings in biostatistics with other courses at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH).
Emphasis Areas in Biostatistics:
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| Detailed Requirements | Visit Department | Application Requirements | Concentrator's Guide |
The Master of Public Health with a concentration in Environmental Health offers a program of study that gives students both a firm foundation and the flexibility to pursue their own interests, supported by a faculty with deep experience in teaching, research and practice.
Environmental Health graduates work today as directors of public health or environmental health for cities and towns, as program managers in state and federal health agencies, and in many roles in non-profit agencies. Other alumni hold research positions in public and private health research organizations, work as consultants in private risk assessment companies, or are physicians in occupational and environmental clinics. Each year, BUSPH alumni enter a wide range of jobs aimed at preventing environmental exposures and protecting public health.
MPH education in the department emphasizes sound science, the social values that are the foundation of public health, and training in the concepts and skills that will be the tools of the environmental health professional. These emphases are reflected in the requirements for the concentration in environmental health.
Emphasis Areas in Environmental Health:
|
Detailed Requirements | Visit Department | Application Requirements |Concentrator's Guide
|
The Master of Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology provides training in the principles and methodology of epidemiological research and practice. Students in this program explore the theories and methodologies underlying the science, and learn how to design, conduct, analyze, and interpret research studies in such areas as cancer epidemiology, reproductive epidemiology, and infectious disease epidemiology. Graduates pursue advanced degrees or research or management careers in the public, private, or academic sectors.
Emphasis Areas in Epidemiology:
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| Detailed Requirements | Visit Department | Application Requirements | HLBHR_Concentrators_Guide_2011-2012.pdf |
The Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Law, Bioethics, and Human Rights, is appropriate for students planning careers in law, public policy, advocacy, or academia. In addition, the program prepares students for a variety of careers across the spectrum of public health, including hospital administration, biomedical research, law, and regulatory affairs. Students are provided with skills and knowledge in the legal aspects of public health and health care, written and oral presentation skills and tools for critical and analytical thinking.
All Health Law, Bioethics, and Human Rights concentrators may choose to do a general course of study in Health Law or one of two emphasis areas.
Emphasis Areas in Health Law, Bioethics & Human Rights:
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| Detailed Requirements | Visit Department | Application Requirements | Concentrator's Guide |
The Master of Public Health program, with a concentration in Health Policy and Management, provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to formulate sound, creative solutions to complex problems in the health care system. These skills and knowledge include health care management, health policy and planning, financial analysis for health care, and organization and delivery of care. This degree is appropriate for students who are interested in highly responsible careers as either managers of health care organizations or analysts for public or private organizations involved in the financing, delivery or evaluation of health care services.
Emphasis areas in Health Policy & Management:
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| Detailed Requirements | Visit Department | Application Requirements | Concentrator's Guide |
The Master of Public Health with a Concentration in International Health provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively in the practice of international health, both in overseas settings and in US-based international health organizations. Students have the flexibility to combine coursework in economics, financial management, policy analysis, and infectious and chronic disease with comparative studies addressing the social and cultural issues that impact health internationally. Graduates are equipped to assume careers in relief, development, consulting, research, and government both domestically and abroad, or to pursue further study.
The International Health Department believes that students should graduate with basic analytic and public health skills (addressed by the School's core courses) and with sufficient in-depth knowledge to be employable in an international health program.
Emphasis Areas in International Health:
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| Detailed Requirements | Visit Department | Application Requirements | Concentrator's Guide |
The Master of Public Health with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health is directed at students who seek to protect and enhance the health and well-being of women, children, and families. Students explore the unique physical needs of this population through coursework in maternal and infant health, child and adolescent health, and community-based needs assessment in maternal and child health. They then place this knowledge into a sociopolitical context, obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the cultural influences affecting women, children, and the larger community. Graduates are equipped for careers in community and international health organizations, advocacy groups, and government agencies that address compelling issues in maternal and child health.
Emphasis Areas in Maternal & Child Health:
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| Detailed Requirements | Visit Department | Application Requirements | Concentrator's Guide |
The Master of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Sciences trains students to plan, implement, and administer programs designed to resolve compelling public health problems created or exacerbated by individual behaviors and social disparities. Students explore the social and behavioral aspects of health, quantitative and behavioral research, and program planning and evaluation, applying their skills and knowledge to selected topics in the discipline. Graduates are prepared for careers in a variety of public health settings, including hospitals, nonprofit agencies, academic institutions, and public health departments.
Emphasis Areas in Social & Behavioral Sciences:
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Special ProgramsThe Boston University School of Public Health offers three special programs for MPH students.
Detailed Requirements
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The Master's International (MI) Program equips students with practical public health methods, management and problem solving skills for immediate application in the US Peace Corps. The program joins a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with 27 months of field experience in Peace Corps, and is a perfect way to acquire the experience vital to developing a global health career.
MI students may concentrate in any department in the school. See Detailed Requirements more information. |
| Detailed Requirements |
The Pharmaceuticals Program is available to Master of Public Health students who are interested in careers in or related to the pharmaceutical industry including employment settings such as pharmaceutical/biotech companies, pharmaceutical benefit management companies, consulting firms, and state, federal or international agencies that interface with the pharmaceutical industry. Interested students submit an entry form to the Program Director, Professor Chris Gill. The program is geared to full-time students who enter the MPH program in the fall semester, though other options are possible.
Click here for detailed information regarding The Pharmaceuticals Program |
Detailed Requirements
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| The Program in International Health Practice (PIHP) in the Philippines provides Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) students with the opportunity to fulfill the field practice requirement, by spending either a Fall or Spring semester attending classes at the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila (CPH-UPM), and participating in a number of field practice activities in a developing country setting. See the program page for more information. |
Dual Degree ProgramsThe Boston University School of Public Health offers six dual degree programs, in cooperation with Schools across the University.
| Application Requirements |
- Law and Public Health (JD/MPH): An accelerated four-year course of study leading to the award of both the JD and MPH degrees, offered by the BUSPH Health Law, Bioethics and Human Rights Department and the Boston University School of Law.
- Health Care Management (MBA/MPH): An MBA/MPH dual degree program, offered by the Health Policy and Management Department at BUSPH and the Health Sector Management Program in the School of Management.
- Global Health Management (MBA/MPH) : An MBA/MPH dual degree program, offered by the International Health Department at BUSPH and the Health Sector Management Program in the School of Management.
- Medicine and Public Health (MD/MPH): An MD/MPH Dual Degree Program offered by Boston University School of Medicine and Boston University School of Public Health.
- Medical Sciences and Public Health (MA/MPH): The Division of Graduate Medical Sciences and the School of Public Health offer a dual degree that is broadly based in preclinical medical sciences and public health.
- Social Work and Public Health (MSW/MPH): A three-year course of study leading to the award of both the MSW and MPH degrees, offered by the Boston University School of Public Health and the Boston University School of Social Work.
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The Boston University School of Public Health offers three Master of Science (MS) programs, in Environmental Health, Epidemiology and in Health Policy & Management. For further information, please visit the pages of each program:
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Doctor of Public Health Degree (DrPH) ProgramsThe DrPH is a 40-credit interdepartmental degree for experienced public health professionals who seek advanced training for leadership positions in public health. The DrPH is the highest professional degree in public health. Students learn how to conduct an in-depth needs assessment, evaluate programs, develop policies, and acquire leadership and management skills. DrPH students hone their discipline-specific skills through the completion of several concentration courses based in analytic research methods and a comprehensive dissertation. This practice-oriented degree program will train public health professionals to develop, implement, and evaluate public health programs and policies nationally and internationally. Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) ProgramsThe BUSPH PhD programs provide students with advanced, comprehensive training in a specific discipline. Students have the opportunity to collaborate with senior faculty in rigorous, innovative, and socially engaged research crucial to advancing public health knowledge. Graduates are known for their excellent methodological skills and substantive knowledge; skills that enable students to translate research findings into practical applications. Graduates hold leadership positions in research, teaching, and administration.
| Application Requirements |
BUSPH offers PhD programs in Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, and Health Services Research (through the Department of Health Policy & Management).
Program Pages:
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The School of Public Health offers several programs for undergraduates. Please see Undergraduate Programs in Public Health for more information.
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