Concentrations and Customized Programs of Study

MPH students may elect an optional concentration area, or customize their program of study. Full-time students will complete an MPH Concentration/Customized Program Election form during the summer term to indicate which program they have selected. Part-time students in the Baltimore area who are able to attend the on-campus seminars and wish to choose a concentration should contact the concentration directors. Part-time/Internet-based students participating in a predominantly off-campus format will not be able to elect a concentration, but can use the concentration curriculum as a guideline in customizing their program of study in a specialty area or area of interest. Regardless of whether a student elects a concentration or customizes, all students must complete the MPH core course requirements, MPH Individualized Goals Analysis, and the MPH Capstone Project. Students electing a concentration must complete a set of required course units as specified by the concentration area. Whether concentrating or customizing, all students receive the same Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. For those who have completed a concentration, a notation is made on the academic transcript.

Students who customize their program of study complete the MPH core curriculum and then choose elective courses for the remaining units in consultation with their faculty advisers.  Students who customize the degree have the flexibility for approximately one half of their credits to be elective courses; whereas, students who pursue a concentration end up with approximately one quarter of their courseload as elective courses.  The exact number of credits varies depending on the courses chosen to satisfy core requirements and the specific requirements of the particular concentration.

For the 2011–2012 academic year, students are able to select one of the following areas:

• Customized Program of Study
• Child and Adolescent Health
• Epidemiologic & Biostatistical Methods for Public Health & Clinical Research
• Food, Nutrition, and Health
• Global Environmental Sustainability & Health
• Health in Crisis and Humanitarian Assistance
• Health Leadership and Management
• Health Systems and Policy
• Infectious Diseases
• Social & Behavioral Sciences in Public Health
• Women's and Reproductive Health

Additional Information about Electing a Concentration

• Only one area of concentration may be elected.
• Students may not change from one concentration area to another concentration area after the end of the add/drop period of 2nd term. 
• Students may only change into a new concentration if they have met the 1st-term requirements for that concentration. Additionally, notification of this change must be provided to the MPH Program Office and the concentration directors by Wednesday, November 3rd.
• Students are always free to change from a concentration to a customized program of study at any time during the academic year. Students must notify the MPH Program Office and the concentration directors when making this switch.