Master of Public Health - Individualized

Program Overview

The MPH in Individualized Public Health at UB is a 47-credit hour program, typically completed over two years for full-time students, with an online option also available for enhanced flexibility. This concentration allows students to draw upon the diverse expertise within the School of Public Health and Health Professions and other relevant departments at UB to create a specialized course of study. It integrates foundational public health coursework with a self-designed concentration area that aligns with the student's unique academic and professional goals. A required field training experience provides invaluable hands-on experience in a public health setting relevant to their individualized focus, and the program culminates in a culminating project, demonstrating mastery of core public health competencies and their chosen specialized area.

CEPH Accredited: Yes, the School of Public Health and Health Professions at the University at Buffalo is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). CEPH is the independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools and programs of public health. This accreditation signifies that UB's MPH program, including its Individualized concentration, meets rigorous quality standards for public health education, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for professional practice. Graduates of CEPH-accredited programs are also eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential. The School received its latest reaccreditation in September 2023, affirming its ongoing commitment to excellence.

Curriculum: The 47-credit curriculum for the MPH in Individualized Public Health begins with a strong foundation in core public health disciplines. Foundational MPH courses typically include "Introduction to Epidemiology," "Statistical Analysis I," "Environmental Health," "Introduction to Health Care Organization," and "Study of Health Behavior." The distinctive aspect of the Individualized concentration lies in its customizable nature, where students, in close consultation with faculty, select a sequence of courses and experiences from various departments to build their unique focus area. This might involve advanced coursework in areas like global health policy, health communication, specialized chronic disease prevention, or specific population health issues not covered by existing concentrations. The program culminates in a field training experience and a culminating project, which allow students to apply their individualized knowledge to a real-world public health challenge.

Research Focus: The MPH in Individualized Public Health at UB encourages students to define and pursue research interests that align with their unique concentration. While the program does not have a single overarching research focus like other concentrations, students have the opportunity to engage with faculty across various departments within the School of Public Health and Health Professions who are conducting diverse research. This could involve exploring niche areas within health policy, behavioral science, environmental health, or epidemiology, depending on the individualized plan. The culminating project often serves as a significant research component, allowing students to delve deeply into a specific public health problem and apply research methodologies relevant to their chosen area. UB's status as a research-intensive university provides ample resources and faculty expertise to support individualized research endeavors.

Industry Engagement: The MPH in Individualized Public Health program at UB prepares graduates for a wide array of roles that may cross traditional public health boundaries. The program actively fosters connections with diverse public health, healthcare, government, non-profit, and research organizations. The required field training experience is crucial for gaining practical, hands-on experience in a setting directly relevant to the student's individualized focus. This bespoke experience allows students to develop highly specialized skills and build professional networks tailored to their unique career aspirations. Graduates are equipped to address emerging public health issues and to carve out niche roles that require a multifaceted understanding of public health challenges, directly responding to evolving industry needs.

Global Perspective: The MPH in Individualized Public Health at UB inherently fosters a global perspective by enabling students to design concentrations that address transnational health issues or compare health systems across different countries. Given the customizable nature of the program, students can specifically choose to focus on global health challenges, international health policy, or the application of public health principles in diverse cultural contexts. As a major public research university, UB attracts a diverse international student body and faculty, enriching the learning environment with varied cultural viewpoints and different approaches to addressing global health problems. This exposure prepares graduates to contribute effectively to international public health initiatives, work with diverse populations worldwide, and adapt public health strategies to various global settings.