May 27, 2026

Graduate Catalog | 2026-2027

Public Health, MPH

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The Master of Public Health (MPH) is a professional graduate program that prepares students to protect and improve the health of communities locally and globally. Through interdisciplinary coursework and applied learning, students are prepared to translate evidence into action, leading to the development of responsive interventions and informed decisions that advance population health.

UNC Charlotte’s MPH program offers three (3) concentrations designed to elevate students’ competencies in essential areas of public health practice:

Community Health Practice (CHPR)
Epidemiology (EPID)
Health Policy (HPOL)

Graduates are prepared to contribute across a wide range of professional settings, including health agencies and organizations, hospitals, local and state public health departments, academic research centers, corporate wellness and disease‑management programs, not-for-profit organizations, and healthcare‑related industries.

Admission Requirements

Recommended GPA of 3.0 overall or higher (out of 4.0); if an applicant has earned or attempted a post-baccalaureate degree (i.e., master’s, doctoral, or other), grades in that program will also be taken into consideration
Bachelor’s degree by time of desired enrollment
Three (3) letters of recommendation: At least two (2) letters should be from faculty who have taught the applicant and can confirm their readiness for graduate study, including their written and oral communication skills.
A written statement of purpose that provides a summary of applicant’s ability/experience with a) communication b) quantitative skills/data analysis c) analytic skills/reasoning/problem solving as well as a description of short/long term career goals. If necessary, include a discussion of any special academic circumstances or other considerations that might aid in application review.

Note: Standardized test scores (e.g., GRE, GMAT, MAT) are not required.

For Non-U.S. Students

Success at UNC Charlotte depends upon a student’s ability to converse in, write, and understand (U.S.) English.To assure such competence, any applicant whose native language is other than English must submit an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score.

See English Language Proficiency on the Graduate Admissions website for more information.

Early Entry Program

Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree. See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements. Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.

For the MPH’s specific requirements, see Public Health, MPH, Early Entry.

Admissions Process

The MPH Program accepts students for both Fall and Spring admission for most concentrations. Applications for the Health Policy concentration are accepted for the Fall semester only.

Admission decisions are typically issued within one month after a complete application has been submitted.

Fall admission deadlines
○ Priority*: January 15
○ Regular: April 15

Spring admission deadlines
○ International applicants: September 1
○ Regular: November 15

*Funding opportunities are primarily offered in the Fall semester, with the priority deadline providing the strongest consideration for UNC Charlotte’s limited scholarships. Additional financing options can be explored through the ASPPH Student Journey website.

Degree Requirements

The in-person plan of study that leads to the MPH degree requires the completion of a minimum of 42 graduate credit hours. In addition to coursework, MPH graduates must fulfill the Professional Development Portfolio (PDP), a co‑curricular requirement that weaves applied, career‑oriented experiences throughout the program

Core courses (18 credit hours)
Concentration courses (12 credit hours)
Applied Practice Experience (APE)/Internship (3 credit hours)
Integrative Learning Experience (ILE)/Capstone (3 credit hours)
Elective courses (6 credit hours)
Professional Development Portfolio (co-curriculuar)

Students enrolled full‑time typically complete the degree in 5 semesters, including a summer term, for an overall duration of ~2 years. Part‑time students typically require 3 to 5 years, based on their semester course load.

Core Courses (18 credit hours)

The MPH’s Core courses establish the essential framework for graduate study in public health. Because the field draws on multiple disciplines, these courses ensure that all students gain a common understanding of the principles, methods, and perspectives that guide population‑focused work. This shared foundation supports students as they engage with complex health challenges and apply public health approaches with confidence throughout the program.

Concentration Courses (12 credit hours)

Students choose one of the concentrations listed below and declare it at the time of application. Students who wish to change concentrations should consult with the MPH Program Director by the end of their first semester.

Community Health Practice (CHPR) Concentration

The Community Health Practice concentration prepares students to take on community‑focused public health challenges by building strong skills in program planning, implementation, and evaluation. Students gain experience examining community needs and assets, applying evidence‑informed strategies, and evaluating health promotion and risk‑reduction initiatives across multiple settings.

Students completing the Community Health Practice concentration are well‑positioned to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam, a nationally recognized credential that strengthens their professional profile.

Eligibility

The Community Health Practice concentration is open to all MPH students.

Required Courses

Epidemiology (EPID) Concentration

The Epidemiology concentration equips students with the skills to investigate patterns of health and disease, analyze population‑level data, and generate evidence that informs public health action. With strong preparation in study design, data analysis, and interpretation, students learn to design and interpret epidemiologic studies, analyze population‑based data, and turn evidence into actionable insights that strengthen public health practice.

Eligibility

The Epidemiology concentration is open to all MPH students.

Required Courses

Health Policy (HPOL) Concentration

The Health Policy concentration builds students’ capacity to analyze policy issues, interpret evidence, and advocate for decisions that shape public health practice. Coursework emphasizes policy analysis, systems perspectives, and the translation of research into actionable recommendations.

Eligibility

The Health Policy concentration is open to all MPH students who begin the program in the Fall semester.

Required Courses

Applied Practice Experience (3 credit hours)

The Applied Practice Experience (APE)/Internship provides students with structured engagement in applied public health activities that enhance their skills and reinforce program competencies.

HLTH 6471 - Public Health Internship (3)

Elective Courses (6 credit hours)

MPH students must complete 2 electives: one cross‑cutting elective and one interprofessional elective.

A cross‑cutting elective is a course taken outside the student’s concentration . An interprofessional elective is a public health-related course offered outside the academic departments of Epidemiology and Community Health, Health Management & Policy, and Health Informatics & Analytics.

Students who begin a Graduate Certificate program by the end of their first year may be eligible to apply certificate credits toward their MPH elective requirements. Please consult the MPH Program Director for details.

Cross-Cutting Elective Course (3 credit hours)

Students select a course from one of the MPH concentrations outside of the one in which they are enrolled OR one of the following:

Interprofessional Elective Course (3 credit hours)

Complete one master’s level course with a topic relevant to public health from any discipline outside the Departments of Epidemiology and Community Health, Health Management, and Health Informatics & Analytics (e.g., Social Work, Gerontology, Psychology, etc.). Interprofessional courses cannot include any with the HLTH, HADM, or HCIP prefix (or any courses cross-listed with those prefixes) with some exceptions.

HLTH 5206 - Interprofessional Approaches to Suicide Prevention (3)

Integrative Learning Experience (3 credit hours)

The Integrative Learning Experience (ILE)/Capstone is a culminating course that showcases students’ growth as emerging public health professionals. Through a concentration‑specific, practice‑based project and a suite of professional development activities, students refine their skills, elevate their professional identity, and prepare for impactful careers. They conclude the experience by creatively sharing their MPH journey with community partners, faculty, students, and other supporters.

Professional Development Portfolio (PDP)

The Professional Development Portfolio (PDP) is a co‑curricular requirement that elevates the MPH experience through career‑focused activities in research, data science, communication, digital literacy, and leadership. Completed before graduation, the PDP highlights students’ preparation for public health practice.

Degree Total = 42 Credit Hours

Advising

Students are assigned an academic advisor during their first semester of the program; advisor assignments are based on the student’s declared concentration. Students are expected to meet with their advisors at least once per semester to plan their progression through the program. The MPH Program Director approves any course substitutions or transfer credits.

Assistantships

Graduate assistantships-research, teaching, and program roles-may become available throughout the year. Positions may be hourly or stipend‑based, with compensation tied to the specific assignment. The MPH Program Director keeps students informed as new opportunities surface. Students can also find opportunities through the UNC Charlotte Career Center (Hire-a-Niner).

Financial Aid/Financial Assistance

Financial aid and assistance is available to qualifying students. Consult the Financial Aid and Loans section of the Niner Central website for more information.

Program Certifications/Accreditations

The MPH Program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The Department of Epidemiology and Community Health is a member of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH).