University of Iowa

university-of-iowa

University of Iowa Public Health Degree Programs Available

The University of Iowa appears in our ranking of the 10 Best MPH Degrees in the Midwest.

Bachelor of Arts in Public Health

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Health is designed for those who have an interest in social sciences and public health. The degree includes additional coursework in social sciences and humanities. Students gain an understanding of methods used to protect and improve health in communities. Graduates have skills and knowledge in the root causes of illness and injury as well as the tools designed to prevent them. General University courses required include world languages, natural sciences, formal reasoning, social sciences, historical perspectives, diversity and inclusion, international and global issues, literary performing and visual arts as well as values and culture. Courses required, in addition to general University requirements, include:

  • American Public Policy
  • Anthropology and Contemporary World Problems
  • Applied Public Health Methods
  • Culture and Healing for Future Health Professionals
  • Environmental Justice
  • Foundations in Public Health Preparedness and Response
  • Fundamentals of Public Health
  • Geography of Health
  • Global Public Health
  • Health Economics
  • Health, Work and the Environment
  • Introduction to Ethics
  • Introduction to International Studies
  • Introduction to Public Health Methods
  • Media and Global Cultures
  • Media and Health
  • Methods for Program Implementation and Evaluation
  • Public Health Capstone
  • Public Health Science: Inquiry and Investigation in Public Health
  • Public Health Theories and Society
  • Social and Psychological Determinants of Health: Changing Behavior, Improving Health
  • Social Inequality
  • Social Justice and Social Welfare in the United States
  • Social Marketing Campaigns
  • The U.S. Health System in Global Context
  • Undergraduate Public Health Seminar – 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th year

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health provides a basic understanding of biostatistics, social and behavioral sciences, epidemiology as well as health policy and management. Occupational and environmental health sciences are also covered. The program focuses on issues, including social economic and geographic, that can create health disparities in communities. All students must complete a University core which includes courses in world languages, natural and social sciences as well as reasoning and historical perspectives. They must also complete courses in global issues, diversity, the arts as well as values and culture. Courses required as part of the major include:

  • Applied Public Health Methods
  • Calculus I
  • Calculus for Biological Sciences
  • Diversity of Form and Function
  • Environmental Justice
  • Foundations of Biology
  • Fundamentals of Environmental Science
  • Fundamentals of Public Health
  • General Microbiology
  • Geography of Health
  • Global Public Health
  • Health and Environment: GIS Applications
  • Health, Work and the Environment
  • Introduction to Computer Science I: Fundamentals
  • Introduction to Ethics
  • Introduction to Public Health Methods
  • Methods for Program Implementation and Evaluation
  • Principles of Chemistry I
  • Programming for Informatics
  • Public Health Capstone
  • Public Health Science: Inquiry and Investigation in Public Health
  • The U.S. Health System in Global Context
  • Undergraduate Public Health Seminar – 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th year

Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health program at the University of Iowa provides education and training in public health to those who wish to become public health leaders in their community. The program is designed for those who have professional experience or training in public health although individuals with degrees in other subjects. Students may earn the degree in a single format or may earn a combined degree. Combined degree options include a Master of Public Health Professional Degree that is earned in conjunction with the Carver College of Medicine, the College of Law and the College of Pharmacy or students can obtain a professional degree that works in conjunction with the College of Veterinary Science. Students may choose to concentrate their studies in Community and Behavioral Health, Epidemiology, Occupational and Environmental Health, Policy, Practicing Veterinarian or Quantitative Methods. Courses required include:

  • Epidemiology I: Principles
  • Global Environmental Health
  • Interprofessional Education and Practice for Master of Public Health I, II & III
  • Introduction to Biostatistics
  • Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
  • Introduction to Public Health
  • Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System

Additional coursework must be completed if the student chooses a concentration. Students must also complete a fieldwork experience.

About the University of Iowa

The University of Iowa was founded in 1847 less than two months after Iowa became a state. Initially, the school was to be known as the State University of Iowa as the state constitution required an institute of higher learning to be established in Iowa City. It was the first university established in Iowa and classes began in 1855. Initial programs included ancient and modern languages, intellectual, natural and moral philosophy, history, mathematics, and chemistry.

From the beginning, the University admitted both men and women, the first public university to do so on an equal basis. The school was also the first to accept creative work, such as theater, writing or music on an equal basis as academic research. In 1879, the school became the first to offer a law degree to an African American when Alexander G. Clark, Jr., received his degree. The University of Iowa was also the first institute of higher learning to establish a law school west of the Mississippi.

Today, the University of Iowa graduate schools are ranked in the top 10 in the country and its hospital is ranked in the top 30 by US News & World Report.

University of Iowa Accreditation Details

The University of Iowa is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation means that the University meets criteria for accreditation that include their mission, their integrity, the quality, resources and support of teaching and learning. Other criteria include the evaluation and improvement of teaching and learning as well as resources, planning and the institution’s effectiveness. In addition, specific programs are accredited by the following agencies:

  • Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology
  • Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
  • Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physical Assistant
  • Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
  • American Bar Association
  • American Library Association Committee on Accreditation
  • American Psychological Association
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
  • Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
  • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
  • Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association
  • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
  • Council of Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Program
  • Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
  • Council on Education for Public Health
  • Council on Social Work Education
  • Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
  • Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
  • Liaison Committee on Medical Education
  • National Association of Schools of Dance
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • National Association of Schools of Theatre
  • Planning Accreditation Board

University of Iowa Application Requirements

Applicants to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Public Health program must provide official high school transcripts as well as official ACT or SAT scores. They must have a high school GPA of at least 3.6. Transfer applicants are not accepted to the College of Public Health.

Applicants to the Master of Public Health program must apply through the School of Public Health. They must submit official GRE, LSAT DAT, MCAT, VCAT or GMAT scores. They must have a score that is at or above the median score for test takers applying to similar programs. Applicants must have completed one semester of college algebra and biology. They must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. The minimum GPA for admission is 3.0 in all undergraduate work.

University of Iowa Tuition & Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduate tuition for Iowa residents is $9,492 and for non-residents is $31,458 per year. Financial aid is available for undergraduate students in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. About 80 percent of all students attending the University of Iowa receive some type of financial assistance. In order to qualify for assistance, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and it must be renewed on an annual basis.

Tuition for the Master of Public Health program is $15,909.50 for Iowa residents and $34,365.50 for non-residents per year. Students may be offered fellowships, assistantships or other employment to offset the cost of tuition. Loans may also be provided and there may be private grants or scholarships available as well. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify.

The University of Iowa has offered outstanding education since Iowa became a state almost 150 years ago. The University of Iowa continues to offer high-quality programs that allow graduates to move into a new career or advance in a current career.