Graduate Programs
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, a minimum 45 semester credit hours fundamental professional degree. Additional offerings including MPH specializations, doctoral degree programs and professional certifications are in the planning stage. The School of Public Health’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program is specifically designed to serve the San Antonio and South Texas communities. Locally relevant public health data are incorporated throughout the curriculum to create concrete and tangible application of public health concepts and strategies such that students will experience learning that is practical, research that matters for the San Antonio and South Texas region, and service that counts, is valued, and materially impacts the unique communities across the region. Students will gain skills in meaningful scholarship that discovers, disseminates, and applies evidence-based, equity-driven scalable solutions and policies that can be implemented promptly to advance the health of the planet and its human populations. The curricular design emphasizes educating and training the next generation of diverse public health leaders and professionals in systems thinking, social justice and health equity, and precision public health so that they can face the public health threats and opportunities of today and tomorrow. UT School of Public Health San Antonio graduates will receive training with direct relevance to the unique public health needs of South Texas, itself a microcosm of the future of the nation.
Public Health Profession
The American Public Health Association defines public health as “promoting and protecting the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play.” Rather than treating a person after they’ve become ill or hurt, public health endeavors to prevent sickness and injury in the first place. The interdisciplinary and varied nature of public health as a profession enables graduates to participate in in the workforce across a variety of settings including the public sector (e.g., health department administration, public nursing, or disaster preparedness), non-profit and community-based organizations, academia, and the private sector (e.g., insurance companies, manufacturing, or health care facilities). Nationally, the American Public Health Association’s Public Health Career Mart has more than 50,000 open positions, posted by employers in both the public and private sectors.
Master's Program Details
Frequently Asked Questions
I am majoring in Psychology, am I a good fit for an MPH program?
YES! Public health professionals come from a variety of educational backgrounds with a shared goal of promoting the health of the communities around us. The UT School of Public Health San Antonio MPH program is designed to support students with a variety of education and experiences.
What kind of career opportunities exist after I complete the MPH degree?
The interdisciplinary nature of public health means UT School of Public Health San Antonio graduates may pursue opportunities in an array of professional settings including the public sector (e.g., health department administration, public health nursing, and disaster preparedness and management), non-profit and community-based organization (e.g., program planning and evaluation, community engagement), academia, and the private sector (e.g., health insurance companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and healthcare organizations). Check out our Careers in Public Health for a comprehensive list of possible career opportunities.
Am I required to do research during my MPH?
Though research is not a required component of the UT School of Public Health San Antonio MPH program, students will have the opportunity to work with School of Public Health faculty conducting public health research and complete a research project as part of their integrative learning/capstone course. The curriculum incorporates locally relevant public health data, emphasizes experiential and applied learning, and provides students with an immersive experience that is practical and concrete, and allows them to tangibly contextualize public health concepts and strategies. See SPH curriculum and faculty research interests for more information.
What are the tuition and fees?
The anticipated fee schedule and options for financial aid can be seen on our Paying for School page.
Are there scholarship opportunities available?
Yes. There will be merit and need-based scholarship opportunities available on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is important to apply to the school as soon as possible and to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form for priority consideration.
What will the schedules of classes look like?
During the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters, we will likely have nightly classes to accommodate working professionals' schedules. During this first year, all classes will be primarily in-person with hybrid opportunities depending on the course. Stay tuned for further details about class schedules.
What careers are available for me after obtaining my Master of Public Health degree?
Public Health job opportunities are in high demand! Visit our Careers in Public Health page to view a few of the many opportunities available.