Prospective Students

Why UM SPH

• The Field of Public Health
• Public Health Careers
• Programs and Degrees
• Recent Research
• Life at UM SPH

How to Apply

• M.P.H./M.H.S.A.
• M.S./Ph.D.
• Executive Education & OJ/OC
• Continuing Education
• Distance Learning

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Programs & Degrees

UM SPH offers four main types of degrees (described below). Each degree is completed in specific method area or department.

View a complete list of degrees and programs offered at UM SPH.

Degrees

The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) is the basic professional degree that is required by statute for public health professionals working in certain classifications in many areas and it is the oldest degree specifically identified with public health education.

The Master of Health Services Administration (M.H.S.A.) is designed to provide a well-rounded, high-quality professional education to those aspiring to leading positions in the administration, management, and planning of health services in public and private settings.

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree is administered by the University's Rackham School of Graduate Study and is designed for students pursuing an academic career and often is a prelude to a Ph.D. program. M.S. is offered in the following departments: Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, and Health Management and Policy.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is also administered by the University's Rackham School of Graduate Study for various School of Public Health programs. The Ph.D. program usually takes six terms of study beyond the master's degree. It includes original research, which culminates in a dissertation. Ph.D. is offered in all departments.

Departments

Biostatistics offers training in the development and application of statistical and mathematical methods to the design and analysis of public health problems and biomedical research.

Environmental Health Sciences aims to protect human health from adverse environmental conditions -- in particular from harmful practices and harmful exposures in air, water, and food in the workplace, home, and ambient environment.

Epidemiology is concerned with analyzing and describing patterns of occurrence and determinants of diseases in human populations.

Health Behavior and Health Education focuses on the factors associated with health-related behavior and health status, and develops and evaluates educational activities designed to improve individual and community health and quality of life.

Health Management and Policy offers a number of degree programs, all of which provide excellent training in both health management and health policy.

Fact Sheets from UM SPH Departments

• Biostatistics (217K PDF)
• Environmental Health Sciences (100K PDF)
• Epidemiology (143K PDF)
• Health Behavior and Health Education (207K PDF)
• Health Management and Policy (213K PDF)

"Young kids don’t want an article to quote—they want a theme song, an anthem to shout," says Ryan Petteway, HBHE M.P.H. '08. Listen to him performing "Breathe," the song inspired by his brother's struggles with asthma.