Department of Public Health Sciences offers new master’s degree program designed for working professionals

The Clemson University Department of Public Health Sciences now offers an online master’s degree program for public health professionals interested in developing practical skills to lead public health initiatives in local communities.

The Master of Public Health (MPH) online degree program has two emphasis areas: rural health and health outcomes and quality improvement. Through the rural health emphasis area, students receive training in rural health outreach and overcoming barriers of population health in rural communities. Students in the health outcomes and quality improvement emphasis area receive training in health services implementation to develop skills critical for success in the health services sector.

A paper from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health explains how the growing public health workforce shortage, skill gaps and an exodus of public health professionals in recent years due to epidemics such as COVID-19, indicate a need for graduates who are practice-ready on their first day of work.

The national shortage is expected to climb, according to the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey, and by 2025, more than half of the state and local governmental public health workforce is expected to leave or retire. This translates to a potential loss of 129,000 workers.

Clemson is working to combat this shortage by educating more public health professionals through its online MPH program, a modality that can reach people in rural areas regionally, nationally and globally.

Online classes include synchronous meetings, self-directed study and group projects. The degree is completed in two academic years across four semesters.

To  learn more about this program, click HERE.