Master of Public Health
About the Program
The Master of Public Health (MPH) at St. Catherine University is for individuals who are passionate about social justice and public health in our local communities and around the world. Our program prepares you to lead teams and organizations, focusing on the management of complex health and social issues, and assuring the quality and accessibility of health services for all.
Grounded in the liberal arts and social justice, St. Catherine’s MPH degree will help you develop the skills to understand and address the underlying factors of health disparities. You’ll be prepared for:
• Program analysis and management
• Socio-cultural and political awareness
• Collaboration and partnership
• Ethical reasoning and professional practice
Our Curriculum
The 44-credit MPH degree can be completed in two years; a 3-year track is also available. Courses meet in the evenings, and students may choose a hybrid format (courses meeting on our St. Paul campus) or HyFlex (synchronous online courses), with asynchrononous online learning occurring between class meetings for both formats.
Our small class sizes and diverse student body create an engaging learning environment. Your practicum experience provides an opportunity to utilize your new public health skills in a variety of organizational settings such as government public health agencies, non-profit or private organizations. St. Kate’s network of diverse partners in the Twin Cities and internationally allows you to explore the setting and population that best fits your professional development goals and meets global health competencies.
MPH students also complete at least one international experience facilitated and supported by the department. St. Kate’s offers both virtual and in-person international options. These include inperson experiences via your practicum or taking a faculty-led course abroad. Additionally, our international partners offer virtual practicum and short-course opportunities.
During the final semester, your capstone project will challenge you to integrate and demonstrate what you have learned. You’ll have the opportunity to conduct your own research and complete a project that advances public health.
Tuition and Fees
The 2024–25 tuition rate for the MPH degree is $760 per credit. Additional costs include fees for student services and technology ($330 per term) and books (prices vary by course).
How to Apply
The application priority deadline is April 1 for Fall 2025 enrollment. Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered on a space-available basis until July 15
To be eligible for admission, applicants must have:
• A bachelor’s or graduate degree from an institution accredited by a nationally recognized, regional accrediting association, or an approved dual-degree plan for completing the bachelor’s degree during the MPH program.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. If the GPA is less than 3.0, an explanatory statement should be submitted.
• Prerequisite courses:
o Statistics
o Health-related science course
The MPH application requires the following materials:
• Admission essay
• Three recommendations
• Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Official scores from TOEFL or IELTS (if native language is not English)
• Credential evaluation from World Education Services (if college/university coursework was completed outside the U.S.)
Visit our website for detailed application information, or to learn more about the MPH program
Accreditation
Our program is accredited by The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
This document provides information about graduate studies at St. Catherine University. The information may change at any time. Contact the Office of Graduate Admission to confirm program and application details.
Master of Public Health Sample Plan of Study
Start in the fall and complete the 44-credit MPH program in two years; an extended 3-year plan of study is also available.
Sample Plan of Study: 2-year option
Year 1
Year 2
Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics I
Design and Implementation of Global Health Programs
Critical Issues in Global Public Health
Social and Behavioral
Health Theories and Applications
International Perspectives in Environmental Health Sciences
Skill-based elective
Ethics and Human Rights for Global Health
Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics II
Monitoring and Evaluation of Global Health Programs
Skill-based elective
Practicum
Topic-based elective
Global Health Policy and Governance
Capstone
Topic-based electives
Sample Plan of Study: 3-year option
Year 1
Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics I
Critical Issues in Global Public Health
Year 2
Social and Behavioral Health Theories and Applications
Design and Implementation of Global Health Programs
Year 3
International Perspectives in Environmental Health Sciences
Skill-based elective
Ethics and Human Rights for Global Health
Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics II
Skill-based elective
Topic-based elective
Topic-based elective
Global Health Policy and Governance
Monitoring and Evaluation of Global Health Programs Practicum
Capstone
Topic-based elective