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2026-2027 Binghamton University Academic Guide
Public Health, MPH
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The Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Binghamton University is a 48-credit professional degree program that offers both full-time (2 years) and part-time (3-5 years) study. The MPH program is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in public health as well as those currently in the public health workforce who wish to further their education.
Through a transdisciplinary approach integrating classroom learning, academic research, interprofessional collaborations, and community engagement, graduates are prepared for leadership positions developing evidence-based solutions for critical public health issues. Students learn how to evaluate scientific evidence and translate it into meaningful health improvements for diverse populations and communities. Our graduates acquire the knowledge, skills, and values of public health for careers in public health departments, health and human service agencies, healthcare systems, insurance and pharmaceutical companies, and community health programs. They are well-equipped to prevent disease and promote health by addressing underlying environmental factors and social determinants, with the ultimate goal of achieving health equity among populations in New York State and throughout the world.
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Admission Requirements
All applicants to the Master of Public Health degree program must satisfy the general conditions and procedures for graduate admission to Binghamton University. To be eligible for graduate study, applicants must: - Provide a complete set of their undergraduate (and, if applicable, graduate) transcripts showing one of the following:
- Applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university
- Applicant is within one academic year of earning a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university
- Applicant is eligible to apply as part of a particular memorandum of understanding between their current institution and Binghamton University
- Have earned, at minimum, one of the following:
- A 3.0 GPA over the applicant’s entire undergraduate career
- A 3.0 GPA during the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits of the applicant’s undergraduate degree, with most courses graded regularly (not as “Pass/Fail”)
- A 3.0 GPA in a graduate degree, with most courses graded regularly (not as “Pass/Fail”)
International students must also submit the following materials. For more information about these materials, see the International Students section of the Admission Requirements website: -
International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) form -
Supporting financial documentation (such as bank statements, scholarship or sponsor letters, etc.) -
Proof of English proficiency (such as official TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Academic/Duolingo scores) see International Student Requirements An applicant who does not meet the academic requirements for admission may be admitted conditionally (see Graduate Admissions ). A conditional admission indicates that, although the candidate did not meet admission requirements, other elements of the application (such as the personal statement, reference letters, etc.) suggest they possess the potential to be successful. Students admitted conditionally must have satisfactory academic performance in the first semester of the MPH program to receive a change in status to regular. Application Process Applicants to Binghamton’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program apply through SOPHAS, the centralized application system for public health. SOPHAS is a service of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), which represents CEPH-accredited schools and programs of public health. Application requirements vary based on domestic or international status: Domestic Applicants: Apply through SOPHAS International Applicants: Apply through SOPHAS For more information about submitting an application through SOPHAS, visit the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center. To apply, the following materials must be submitted: -
SOPHAS application and application fee -
Official transcripts from each college or university attended -
Personal statement (2-3 pages) outlining your reasons for pursuing graduate study, career aspirations, special interests within public health, and any aspectsof your background requiring explanation or of interest to the graduate admissions committee -
Résumé or curriculum vitae -
Two letters of recommendation -
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not routinely required but may be requested based on an evaluation of your official transcripts -
A successful background in quantitative coursework is recommended This information is subject to change; contact the MPH program director with questions about program-specific requirements. Course Requirements
Students pursuing the MPH in Public Health must complete 48 hours of graduate level coursework and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, which includes: Two Foundation Courses [total 4 credits]:
Four Courses in Experiential Public Health [total 4 credits]:
Five Discipline-specific Core Courses [total 15 credits]:
Three Additional Required Courses [total 7 credits]
Elective Courses [total 9 credits, at least 6 credits from PH]:
Disaster Management [certificate available]
Forensic Health [certificate available]
Any two of the following courses:
Internship Practicum and Capstone Project [total 9 credits]
- Internship Practicum and Capstone Project credits are typically spread over two or more semesters as an extended learning experience. Alternatively, the credits may be completed in a single semester as an intensive experience.
Internship Practicum and Capstone Project (Fieldwork) Requirements
Gaining practical fieldwork experience is an integral part of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program. Students are required to complete a total of nine credits of fieldwork experience. This fieldwork has two distinct components: (a) PH 595 Internship Practicum and (b) PH 598 Capstone Project. The internship practicum is a real-world, applied practice experience (APE) that advances the mission of the fieldwork placement site and supports the attainment of public health competencies. The capstone project serves as an integrative learning experience (ILE) that demonstrates the synthesis of foundational and generalist concentration (program-specific) competencies in the form of an independent, scholarly project. Students, in consultation with faculty, select foundational and concentration-specific competencies appropriate to the student’s educational and professional goals. Typically, the work for the ILE aligns with the APE to allow for an immersive fieldwork experience. Policies and procedures can be found in the Internship Practicum and Capstone Project: A Fieldwork Guide. This fieldwork experience is designed to be responsive to the interests of students, align with faculty strengths, and meet the needs of employers by offering a supervised, rigorous, in-depth, skills-based education in a real-world setting. PH 595 Internship Practicum and PH 598 Capstone Project courses are graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. A grade of satisfactory is required to receive credit for these courses and meet degree requirements. Transportation
The University assumes no responsibility for providing transportation for travel to community agencies used for student fieldwork and other professional experiences. Students arrange their own transportation to these sites. Some experiences may require students to travel a distance up to 150 miles from campus. In addition, parking costs at some agencies may be incurred. Internship Practicum Waivers
Up to three credits of PH 595 Internship Practicum may be waived for students with significant public health experience prior to entry into the MPH program. Students with prior public health experience who plan to request a waiver should plan to meet with their faculty advisor at the beginning of their program of study to develop an individualized program plan. Note that course waivers do not reduce the number of credits required for the MPH degree. Information about the waiver request process and academic requirements for the waiver can be found in the Internship Practicum and Capstone Project: A Fieldwork Guide. Additional Information About the Program
The Master of Public Health program offers full-time or part-time study options. Students are encouraged to meet with their faculty advisor to develop an individualized program plan. Students who wish to change their status from full-time to part-time or vice versa should discuss the change with their faculty advisor and develop a new program plan. Students must complete a Petition for Exceptions to Public Health Division Policies to request any change in status. Per the Graduate School policy, a master’s degree curriculum must be completed within five years from the date of matriculation to remain eligible for awarding of the degree. Non-Degree / Non-Matriculated Study Students with bachelor’s degrees who wish to take public health (PH) courses without enrolling in a graduate degree-granting program may do so. To enroll in courses in a non-degree/non-matriculated student status, follow the application information for Applying for Non-Degree/Non-Matriculated Study. Note: International students who hold (or hope to obtain) a F-1 or J-1 visa are not eligible for non-degree/non-matriculated student status Academic Advising Students enrolled in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program will be assigned a faculty advisor from the Public Health Division. The faculty advisor assists students in developing a program plan that supports their academic success. The faculty advisor can also provide guidance on career opportunities and assist students with field placements that align with their professional interests. For students who encounter difficulties, the faculty advisor serves as an important resource for a range of support services. Students are responsible for scheduling regular meetings with their faculty advisor to assess progress and should promptly contact their faculty advisor to address any questions or concerns that may arise during intervening periods. The Decker professional advising staff is also available to assist students from pre-admission through graduation. Transfer of Credit A maximum of 8 graduate credits completed with a B or better that were taken within the previous five years at an accredited college or university may be considered for transfer credit. Courses for transfer are considered and approved on a course-by-course basis. Students requesting transfer credits must complete a Transfer/Waiver form, which includes uploading syllabi for each course they wish to transfer, and uploading an official transcript showing successful completion of coursework (with a minimum grade of B). All decisions regarding transfer credits are at the discretion of the MPH Program Director and the approval of the Graduate School (see Academic Policies and Procedures for Graduate Students ). Course Repeat Policy Students are permitted to repeat a graduate course in which they earned a grade of B- or lower. This option is contingent on approval by the MPH Program Director and then approval by the Graduate School. A course may be repeated only once. Students should refer to the course repeat policy in the Academic Policies and Procedures for Graduate Students and the Public Health Student Handbook. Withdrawals Students who are considering withdrawal from a course or from the program are encouraged to meet with their faculty advisor to discuss the challenges or issues that they are facing and to explore options that will support the attainment of their academic goals. Students should familiarize themselves with policies related to graduate student withdrawals in the Academic Policies and Procedures for Graduate Students . Students are required to speak with the MPH Program Director if there is any change in their enrollment/registration status and must follow Binghamton University policies and procedures for all withdrawals. Grievance Policy Graduate students who believe they have been subjected to unfair treatment in the administration of academic policies or procedures must first seek informal resolution of their concerns before invoking the formal processes of the Graduate School. Students should refer to the grievance policy of the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the Academic Policies and Procedures for Graduate Students for policies and procedures related to what constitutes a grievance, jurisdiction of the Grievance Appeal Committee, and the steps involved in the grievance process. Academic Honesty Graduate students enrolled in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity. Academic honesty and integrity are essential behaviors for graduate students to meet the ethical competencies expected of public health professionals. The code of ethics for public health guides public health institutions and practitioners in ethical behavior and serves as a standard to which they are held accountable. Graduate students in the MPH program are expected to be aware of Binghamton University policies and procedures related to academic honesty and integrity. Students should refer to the University Academic Policies and the Graduate School Manual for policies and procedures related to categories of violations and enforcement procedures. For more information on the Public Health MPH program, please refer to the Public Health website. To apply to the Public Health MPH program, please visit the University Admissions website. | |
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