The Health Promotion and Policy (HPP) emphasis combines a thorough knowledge of behavior change theory and program planning and evaluation with valuable knowledge of how policy decisions are influenced and made. This emphasis is particularly attractive to students with undergraduate degrees in psychology, social work, political science, communications and other related fields.

Helpful Links

• Core Course Descriptions
• Sample Plans of Study
• Online Degree Program

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Message from our emphasis area director, Dr. Brian Houston.

Students in the Veterinary Public Health (VPH) emphasis area receive training in zoonotic disease prevention, food safety and other emerging issues in animal and human health. This is an ideal complement for an undergraduate degree in animal science, biology or related fields. This program is offered in person only.

Helpful Links

• Core course descriptions
• Sample plans of study
• Online degree program
• Additional information

Apply Today

Want to know more about Veterinary Public Health emphasis? Check out these videos.

• Veterinary Medicine and Public Health faculty member, Dr. Tim Evans and MPH alumna & adjunct faculty
• Hayley Yaglom, answer frequent questions about the Veterinary Public Health emphasis
• Dr. Sharon Deem, Director, Institute for Conservation Medicine, is an MPH preceptor for a One Health research project at the St. Louis Zoo.

Students must be admitted to both the college of Veterinary Medicine and the Master of Public Health program independently. Both degrees can be earned simultaneously or within a semester of each other, depending upon the student’s choice of schedule. Current DVM students must apply to the Master of Public Health Program prior to the start of their third semester. Likewise, MPH students who are interested in the DVM program must apply prior to their third semester. Shared DVM/MPH courses are at no extra charge to enrolled DVM students. A number of the non-shared MPH courses (regular tuition) are online and distance-mediated. Learn more.

This program combines Health Promotion and Policy with Strategic Communication in the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri. Graduates are well-positioned to find employment in risk communications and public health information in the public or private sector. Students must be admitted to the School of Journalism and the Master of Public Health Program independently. Learn more.

This dual degree offers students with a particular interest in public health policy and management the chance to complete both degrees in three years, rather than the four required for two stand-alone degrees. Students must be admitted to both the Truman School for Public Affairs and the Master of Public Health Program independently; on-campus option only. Learn more.

Students can earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) with an emphasis in Health Promotion and Policy. Graduates of the dual degree will be well-positioned to find employment as a health policy advocate, health agency administrator or in an integrated behavioral health setting as a care managers, health coach, patient advocate, counselor, or team leader. Students pursuing dual degrees must be independently admitted to  each program. Only on-campus Regular Standing (RS), full-time MSW students (both clinical or PP&A concentration) will be admitted to the program. Learn more.

For sample plans of study, visit the School of Social Work.

The Department of Public Health does not practice rolling admission. The graduate admissions committee will begin reviewing applications within one week of the application deadline. The faculty committee plans to generate admission decisions to applicants via email within four to six weeks after the application deadline has passed. Please email Turner Rafter at trafter@missouri.edu with questions.

Peace Corp Fellowships are offered even years only. Fellowship applicants should apply by Feb. 1 to begin classes in August.

Candidates must have:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or other institution of post-secondary education.
• A grade point average equivalent to at least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work.

International/non-native English speaking applicants must also have an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score. For the TOEFL, a score of 550 or better on the paper-based version, or a score of 80 or better on the internet-based version.  For the IELTS, a minimum score of 6.5 is required.

Upload the following to the MU Office of Graduate Studies online application:

• Personal data sheet
• Two one-page essays addressing these prompts:
  1. How have your coursework, work/volunteer, and life experiences prepared you to be successful in the MPH program? In your answer please also include experiences that have helped you better understand, address, and/or advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equity issues in public health.
  2. Why do you want to purse an MPH at University of Missouri?
• Current resume or curriculum vitae. Please explain any significant gaps in education or work experience.
• Contact information for one (1) letter of recommendation to be submitted by an individual who is well-acquainted with your academic experience and can attest to your intellectual, experiential, and interpersonal abilities.
• Unofficial copies of your transcripts of coursework from all universities, colleges, and/or technical schools you’ve attended in the past. If admitted, official copies of your transcripts must be sent to the MU Office of Research and Graduate Studies.
• International /non-native English speaking applicants only: Official TOEFL or IELTS if your native language is not English. The TOEFL exam results must be current (taken within two years of admission to the MPH Program), and scores must be sent directly and electronically by the Educational Testing Services (ETS) to the MU Office of Research and Graduate Studies using the Institutional Code: 6875 (University of Missouri) and Department Code: 0616 or 50 for the internet-based version.

If you have questions about the application process, email Turner Rafter at trafter@health.missouri.edu.