Graduates earning accredited master of public health degree programs in California can opt for numerous career placements across government, public and private health sectors. These highly trained professionals focus on improving the quality of life for citizens by educating them about topics such as smoking, exercise, diet, communicable diseases, and sanitation. They also provide critical information concerning preventative care measures for the home and workplace such as receiving immunizations, responding to infectious disease protocols, recognizing the signs of abuse and following emergency relief procedures. As a result, public health employers seek qualified job candidates with expertise in advanced community health practices and the skills to implement them. To see more accredited master of public health degrees, visit Master of Public Health Degree Programs in California (O-Z).

California State University, Fresno

College of Health and Human Services

Established in 1911, Fresno State continues to modernize its curricula to prepare graduates for global employment in the 21st-century workplace. In the public health field, this meant establishing a part-time program designed for working professionals to acquire advanced, managerial skill sets that address the socioeconomic needs of culturally diverse populations. The institution currently ties at #46 in the U.S. News & World Reports Best Colleges rankings for regional universities in the West.

Master of Public Health

The MPH program teaches necessary competencies allowing public health professionals to effectively assess community needs, maintain and innovate programs, appropriately implement policies and apply new methodologies to improve public health outcomes. The program is designed to be completed in three years with part-time participation. New cohorts begin in the fall and classes rotate on a semester basis. Degree candidates must complete a 42-credit program along with supervised fieldwork and a required thesis or culminating project. Topics of advanced study include:

  • Public health statistics.
  • Health promotion.
  • Epidemiology.
  • Occupational and environmental health.
  • Health policies and advocacy.
  • Trending health research.
  • Community health structures.
  • Evaluation and planning strategies.

Accreditations

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges(WASC)
  • Council on Public Health Education (CEPH)

Contacts
California State University, Fresno
Department of Public Health
2345 East San Ramon Ave M/S MH30
Fresno, California 93740
Dr. Kara Zografos
(559) 278-5988
[email protected]
http://www.fresnostate.edu/chhs/public-health/degrees-programs/mph/

California State University, Fullerton

College of Health and Human Development

Since 1957, Fullerton has grown into a comprehensive university providing rigorous, cutting-edge programs that prepare graduates to become part of a diverse global workforce. The school's public health master's program boasts internationally recognized faculty, personalized learning experiences and flexible scheduling to accommodate working professionals. CSUF earns high marks for the quality of its education with U.S. News and World Report, ranking ninth among the top public regional universities in the publication's 2015 survey.

Master in Public Health

As one of the most well-regarded accredited master of public health degree programs in California, graduates with a Fullerton MPH possess the competencies and knowledge to analyze, assess and manage serious public health issues. The program develops these proficiencies through practical applications of studies from diverse disciplines that consider how cultural, socioeconomic, and emotional aspects of human existence affect the well-being of communities and individuals. Candidates for this degree complete 42 hours of study in core competency classes and specialized electives that support career goals in one of three areas: environmental and occupational health, gerontology, or health promotion and disease prevention. Additionally, the degree requires a supervised internship and successful completion of a thesis, project or comprehensive examination. Advanced coursework covers:

  • Trending public health issues.
  • Statistical methods of health science.
  • Epidemiological and research methods.
  • Environmental health problems.
  • Public health management and administration.
  • Best health practices and disease prevention.

Accreditations

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges(WASC)
  • Council on Public Health Education (CEPH)

Contacts
California State University, Fullerton
Department of Health Science
800 North State College Boulevard, Room KHS-121
Fullerton, California 92834
Mary Aboud
(657) 278-3316
[email protected]

California State University, Long Beach

College of Health and Human Services

The Long Beach campus of CSU builds its educational reputation upon strong foundations in teaching excellence, innovative research, experiential learning and community participation. Students are encouraged to seek sustainable careers that will benefit the world in which they live and work. To this end, CSULB's public health program offers a master's specializing in community health education geared towards working professionals or undergraduates wishing to complete a graduate degree before entering the workforce. Long Beach stands at #33 in U.S. News & World Report's best ranked regional universities in the West and gets an A- rating from Niche's 2015 student ratings for receiving a high quality educational experience.

Master of Public Health – Option in Community Health Education

This degree focuses on community health education, the effects of social behavior on health, and how health awareness campaigns can create positive change in health habits. Program components include designing innovative behavioral change programs and implementing them to address identified community health needs. Candidates for this degree complete a 42-credit course sequence, a supervised internship and either a thesis or comprehensive exam.
Core studies encompass:

  • Foundations of the health care system.
  • Administrative responsibilities.
  • Environmental health concerns.
  • Curriculum development for community health education.
  • Epidemiology and community health statistics.
  • Experimental design.

Accreditations

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges(WASC)
  • Council on Public Health Education (CEPH)

Contacts
University of California, Long Beach
Health Science Department
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Health and Human Services (HHS) 2, Room 115
Long Beach, California 90840
Toni Espinoza-Ferrel, Graduate Coordinator
(562) 985–4057
[email protected]
http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/catalog/current/chhs/health_science/hsc_mh01.html

California State University, Northridge

College of Health and Human Development

For 56 years, Northridge has created a welcoming environment for students in pursuit of their educational goals. Regarded as the community's cultural, economic and intellectual heart, CSUN encourages its students to participate in community experiences that will broaden and enrich their academic endeavors. CSUN's Master of Public Health degree supports this philosophy by providing a program intended to promote professional competencies expected within the public health field. Northridge currently stands at a tie for 68th place among U.S. News & World Report's rankings of regional western universities.

Master of Public Health

The MPH curriculum at Northridge combines the latest research and education trends to identify current public health needs and best practices to address them. Graduates are prepared to assess, plan, and implement programs that will benefit public health within the framework of the multicultural communities they will serve. Candidates complete a minimum 41-credit program encompassing core component courses and elective classes in areas of public health interest. Degree completion also requires supervised field experience and a culminating directed course of study or thesis. Advanced coursework focuses on:

  • Health program assessment and planning.
  • Identification of health behaviors.
  • Development of health program curricula.
  • Management and administrative issues.
  • Occupational and environmental health issues.
  • Epidemiology and bio-statistical issues.
  • Research design and implementation.

Accreditations

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges(WASC)
  • Council on Public Health Education (CEPH)

Contacts
California State University, Northridge
Health Sciences, JD 3527
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, California 91330
Jenny Yi, PhD., MPH
(818) 677-7930
[email protected]
http://www.csun.edu/health-human-development/health-sciences/master-public-health

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

College of Science and Health

As a private medical and health sciences school with historic roots as a Black Graduate Institution, CDU affords all an opportunity to achieve higher education degrees then go on to promote further wellness and health care for under-served communities. In this regard, CDU developed its graduate public health curricula from a clinical perspective to address health needs of minorities in urban areas. The university has a continuing relationship with the National Institutes of Health's and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities to conduct cutting-edge research that translates into application of best healthcare practices for minority populations.

Graduate Program in Urban Public Health (MPH)

The MPH in Urban Public Health is a 42-credit, competency-based curriculum designed to be completed in five semesters. Geared towards working professionals, cohort classes meet in the evenings on a rotational basis beginning each fall. In addition to completing coursework and a supervised practicum, candidates must also finish a thesis, capstone project or research grant proposal. Curriculum content covers advanced principles of:

  • Epidemiology, biology and bio-statistics.
  • Ethnic, cultural and racial disparities in health program administration.
  • Health planning and assessment methods.
  • Environmental and occupational effects on health behaviors.
  • Social and behavioral influences on health.
  • Health protocols and management.
  • Urban health organizations.
  • Practical application of research findings.

Accreditations

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges(WASC)
  • Council on Public Health Education (CEPH)

Contacts
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
College of Science and Health
Office of the Dean
1731 East 120th Street
Los Angeles, California 90059
Barbara Cross, Executive Assistant to the Dean
(323) 563-5851
[email protected]

Claremont Graduate University

School of Community and Global Health

CGU dedicates itself to graduate education emphasizing student and program diversity, state-of-the-art research opportunities, and community outreach activities. Students are encouraged to think beyond typical degree considerations, such as financial success and status to share their expertise with the community in global career settings. As part of its commitment to bettering communities, Claremont offers a public health master's with emphasis on disease identification and control, and best healthcare practices for prevention.

Master of Public Health

This versatile, 48-credit master's encompasses advanced theory classes, specialized electives in one of four concentration areas, a supervised internship and a capstone project. The curriculum strengthens the abilities of public health professionals to promote global health initiatives through research-based practices that effectively implement public health policies and system responses. Core content instruction covers cutting-edge material such as:

  • Health education and promotion theory.
  • Epidemiology and bio-statistics.
  • International and domestic health services.
  • Occupational and environmental health concerns.
  • Writing and implementing grant proposals.

Electives address content from one of four concentration areas:

  • Applied Bio-statistics and epidemiology.
  • Health evaluation, education, and promotion.
  • Leadership and management.
  • Health informatics.

Accreditations

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges(WASC)
  • Council on Public Health Education (CEPH)

Contacts
Claremont Graduate University
School of Community and Global Health
150 E. 10th Street
Claremont, California 91711
Darleen Peterson, Program Director
(909)607.6729
[email protected]
http://www.cgu.edu/pages/5975.asp

Loma Linda University

School of Public Health

Loma Linda University provides the academic excellence associated with accredited master of public health degree programs in California while incorporating a student's physical, mental and spiritual well-being into the educational process. The school appeals to students from diverse backgrounds due to its culture of acceptance and inclusive instructional approaches. Furthermore, LLU offers a wide variety of ways to specialize graduate degrees as demonstrated by its public health graduate program which features 11 tracks for specialization.

Master of Public Health

Depending on the area of concentration, this minimum 40-credit MPH will take candidates two to three years to complete. Basic degree components concentrate on advance knowledge needed to manage public health care programs while electives focus on specific practices essential for concentration areas. Degree requirements also include an internship along with completion of a thesis, research project or comprehensive examination. Concentration options are:

  • Epidemiology
  • Biostatistics
  • Lifestyle Medicine
  • Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Global Health
  • Population Medicine
  • Health Education
  • Health Policy and Leadership
  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Nutrition

Accreditations

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges(WASC)
  • Council on Public Health Education (CEPH)

Contacts
Loma Linda University
School of Public Health
24951 North Circle Drive
Nichol Hall Room 1703
Loma Linda, California 92350
(909) 558-8776
[email protected]
http://www.llu.edu/publichealth/programs/mph.page

National University

School of Health and Human Services

National University's accelerated formats, flexible schedules and nationwide campus locations appeal to many working professionals looking to further their education. The university has been recognized by Diverse Issues in Higher Education as a premier institution for conferring master's degrees to minorities. The school's public health degrees qualify graduates for leadership responsibilities in domestic and international programs working with all aspects of community mental health, disease prevention, health promotion and healthcare administration.

Master of Public Health

This MPH program requires completion of 72 quarter-unit credits. Thirty-six of these credits come from advanced core material, an internship and capstone project. The remaining credits are from specialization electives in mental health, healthcare administration or health promotion. The curriculum demands use of critical thinking abilities and enhanced communication skills to work with diverse populations. Coursework covers the essentials of research methods, the history of the U.S. healthcare system, bio-statistics, epidemiology, health behavior theories, and environmental impacts on public health.

Accreditations

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges(WASC)
  • Council on Public Health Education (CEPH)
  • National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC)

Contacts
National University
Academic and Administrative Headquarters
11355 N Torrey Pines Road
San Diego, California 92037
(858) 642-8000
[email protected]
http://www.nu.edu/OurPrograms/SchoolOfHealthAndHumanServices/CommunityHealth/Programs/MPH.html

California's ever-changing population combined with an aging workforce highlights the state's growing need for qualified leaders in public health. In response, graduate institutions have refined their curricula to address the competencies employers desire in professionals to lead staff, implement public health policies and create new public health initiatives. With this in mind, aspiring public health professionals may benefit from accredited master of public health degree programs in California when seeking sustainable employment and career advancement opportunities.