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Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice and Administration

The Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice and Administration (PHPA) program is a 45-semester credit hour graduate-level degree program designed to prepare students to lead and administer public health programs and interventions. Students will gain the skills and knowledge needed to evaluate and implement public health policies and programs.

Students will master skills in evidence-based leadership and management practices, principles, and practices of managing public health systems, and systems approaches to improve the quality of public health services. Students will gain practical experience through 180 hours of applied practice and other integrative learning experiences, applying their knowledge and skills to operational and community contexts. The PHPA program focuses on preparing students to address the unique challenges faced by vulnerable populations, including rural and underserved populations like those found across South Texas.

Master of Public Health in Health Systems in the Community Context

The Master of Public Health in Health Systems in the Community Context (HSCC) is a 45-semester credit-hour graduate-level degree program designed to prepare students to lead at the nexus of health care and public health. Students will learn to communicate health information effectively, advocate for data-driven healthcare and health systems, and utilize data to develop community-responsive interventions that target the underlying factors influencing community health across the continuum of public health and healthcare. 

Students will learn to use data to drive impactful research and interventions and collaborate to effect change in health systems toward the goal of effective healthcare access and delivery in the community context. Students will gain practical experience through 180 hours of applied practice and other integrative learning experiences, using their knowledge and skills in operational and health systems contexts. The HSCC program prepares leaders to address the unique challenges faced by health systems serving populations with unmet community health and healthcare needs. The MPH in the Health Systems in the Community Context is available to any prospective student and is the only 4-year dual degree program available for MD/MPH applicants.

Master of Public Health in Epidemiology

Epidemiology is the scientific study of patterns of disease and health, the differential impact on populations based on various factors, and disease spread. Scientists can work toward disease prevention, control, and health promotion by understanding the factors contributing to disease. Epidemiologists can work in different settings, including communities, health departments, non-profits, hospitals, and other clinical settings.

Epidemiology is an important subfield of public health as the discoveries can lead to evidence-based interventions, practices, and treatments, and inform health policy. A Master of Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology (EPI) will include strong training in methods and data analysis. Measurement is at the core of this field. These skills are applied in cases of new diseases and spread, and in long-term monitoring or surveillance of various factors. Time trends can reveal the impact of prevention efforts and policies. Students will be taught methodological skills that can be applied across multiple content areas. The concentration will also include applying methodological and data techniques to timely and relevant topics for the local community, region, and beyond. This is a 45-semester credit-hour graduate-level degree program.

Graduate Certificate in Public Health

The  Graduate Certificate in Public Health at UT San Antonio will include the foundational courses taught through the Master of Public Health program. The curriculum was developed through a strategic evaluation of the target student population, discussions with potential employers in the region, and the specific public health challenges faced by San Antonio, Bexar County, and South Texas. This evaluation led to a focus on training and developing graduate students into future public health professionals who have the skills necessary to communicate public health data to broad constituencies, lead interdisciplinary teams fundamental to public health, and design public health programs and/or policies that will address the specific and dynamic needs of the communities the School will serve. The certificate will include 15 of the 45 credits that an MPH student takes.

The table below shows the degree requirements, semester credit hours, and clock hours for the PHPA, HSCC, and EPI programs. In addition, each student must complete an applied practice experience and a capstone project during the MPH program.

Semester Credit Hour Requirements by Category: