Public Health Degrees at Oregon State University
Oregon State University appears in our ranking of the 10 Best MPH Degrees in the West.
Public health service managers are a growing field with positions expected to increase by 20 percent over the next decade. Health service managers plan, direct and coordinate the health services offered to individuals and communities. In order to obtain a position in public health, most states require, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree although some states now require additional credit hours beyond an undergraduate degree. Oregon State University offers several degrees that are designed to prepare graduates for careers in public health.
The undergraduate program in Health Management and Policy provides an understanding of how to solve health problems in practical ways using sound frameworks and an understanding of health services delivery. Students gain an understanding of public health and healthcare programs as well as the analysis of public health policies. Courses required for the program include Economic Issues in Health and Medical Care, Health Care Law and Regulation, Financial Management of Healthcare Organizations and Reimbursement Mechanisms.
The Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management provides students with well-rounded training in management and policy analysis. Students gain an understanding of healthcare challenges along with the delivery of healthcare from distinct viewpoints regarding those who receive, provide, finance and regulate care. The program includes a 200-hour professional internship. Courses required for the program include Health Disparities, Economic Issues in Health and Medical Care, Health Systems Organization, Strategic Management of Health Service Organizations and Biomedical Ethics.
The Ph.D. in Public Health offered at Oregon State University is designed for those who wish to enter leadership roles in public health. They develop critical thinking and analytical skills needed in a data-driven healthcare system. Students gain an understanding of analytical tools related to the impact policy has on health, healthcare markets and the community. They also gain an understanding of managerial tools used for implementing policy changes. Students may concentrate their studies in:
- Epidemiology
- Environmental and Occupational Health
- Global Health
- Health Policy
- Health Promotion & Health Behavior
Courses that may be required include Epidemiologic Methods, Public Health Surveillance, Linear Regression and Analysis of Time to Event Data, Spatial Epidemiology and Data Mining in Public Health.
About Oregon State University
Oregon State University began in 1856 as the Corvallis Academy. It was the first community school in the area at the time. In 1858, the school became Corvallis College, operating under the direction of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1868, the school became Oregon’s land-grant institution under the Morrill Act. This granted the school 90,000 acres of land that could be used to create an endowment to support an agricultural college.
Despite land-grant status, the school struggled financially as the land granted to them sold slowly. In 1871, the school purchased a 35-acre farm using funds from more than 100 citizens and began to create the curriculum required under the Morrill Act. Until the 1880s, the school was jointly administered by the Methodist Episcopal Church South until the state assumed full control of the college in 1885. The Hatch Act and the Second Morrill Act granted more funds to the school and assisted in creating the Agricultural Experimental Station in 1888.
Today, there are over 32,000 students attending Oregon State University and it is ranked in the top one percent of universities in the world. It receives more research funding than any other university in Oregon and it is one of only two land, sea, sun grant universities in the country.
Oregon State University Accreditation Details
Oregon State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Accreditation indicates that the school meets or exceeds criteria the Commission has determined demonstrates excellence in higher education. It also indicates that the school has the resources to meet its goals and objectives. In addition to regional accreditation, programs throughout the University are accredited by the following organizations:
- ABET
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
- American Council for Construction Education
- American Psychological Association, Commission on Accreditation
- American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Education
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- Council for Standards in Human Services Education
- Council on Education for Public Health
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- Society of American Foresters
Oregon State University Application Requirements
Freshman applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order to apply to Oregon State University. They must provide official high school transcripts as well as official SAT or ACT scores. Applicants must provide a resume which outlines their accomplishments, experiences, and talents as well as any achievements personally or socially. Applicants who have earned college credit after high school graduation must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. They must be in good standing at the last school they attended.
In order to apply for the Master of Public Health, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. They must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended as well as official GRE scores. In order to apply for the Ph.D. in Public Health, the applicant must hold a master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. They must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended as well as official GRE scores. A personal statement, current resume and letters of reference are also required.
Oregon State University Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate tuition at Oregon State University is $312 per credit hour for residents and $967 per credit hour for non-residents. Tuition for graduate Public Health degree programs is $546 for residents and $1,030 for non-residents.
Financial aid is available and, to qualify, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid may be awarded in the form of scholarships, grants or loans. Students who attend on-campus programs may be offered work-study, while graduate students who attend on-campus may be offered fellowships or assistantships.
Oregon State University is an international public research university that goes where the challenges are and pushes students to keep going past the edge of what’s known. Alumni at Oregon State University have invented the artificial heart valve, the computer mouse, the modern dentist chair, the Leatherman tool, maraschino cherries and even a new shade of blue.