University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Public Health Degrees
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston appears in our ranking of the 10 Best MPH Degrees in the South.
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health is designed for those who wish to enter managerial positions in the field of public health. The program covers the breadth of public health and allows students to develop competencies in their selected discipline. The program takes between 18 and 24 months to complete with a total of 45 semester credit hours. Students must also complete a field experience that helps them apply their classroom learning to real-world experiences. Students may concentrate their studies in the following areas:
- Biostatistics
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Promotion/Health Education
- Health Services Organizations
- Healthcare Management
- Management, Policy and Community Health
Master of Science in Public Health
The Master of Science in Public Health is designed for those who wish to enter research or academics. The program provides an understanding of theory, knowledge, and methods that define research fields. Students also gain an understanding of how they interrelate in the area of public health. Students must choose one filed as a major and a second as a minor area of study. They must also complete a capstone course. The program requires 36 semester credit hours and three practicum hours. They must research and defend a thesis as well. The program takes approximately two years to complete. Students may concentrate their studies in Biostatistics or Epidemiology.
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health
The Ph.D. program in Public Health is designed for those who wish to enter detailed research or who plan to teach. The program requires 48 semester hours and must choose one of the five concentrations available as well as one minor. Students must also complete a practicum, a preliminary examination, and an original research dissertation. The five majors available include:
- Behavioral Sciences and Health Promotion
- Biostatistics
- Environmental Sciences
- Epidemiology
- Management, Policy and Community Health
Minor options include:
- Health Economics
- Health Policy and Law
- Health Services Research
- Healthcare Management
Doctor of Public Health
The Doctor of Public Health is designed for those who plan to enter professional practice, teach or conduct research. The program requires 48 semester credit hours with a major area of study. Each student must also select to minor areas of study. Students may choose majors from Health Promotion/Health Education or Management, Policy and Community Health. Epidemiology and Environmental Health concentrations have been discontinued at the University. Minor options include Community Health Practice and Health Services Organizations. Students must research and defend a dissertation.
About the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston was established by the University of Texas system in 1972 as a resource for healthcare education, innovation, discovery and outstanding patient care. However, the School of Public Health, which is housed within the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, was authorized in 1947 and funds were appropriated for the college in 1967. Initially, the School of Public Health operated out of space that was either rented or borrowed. Regional campuses for the School of Public Health were established in San Antonio, El Paso, Dallas, Brownsville and Austin with programs offered at each campus designed specifically for the community where they existed. The main campus is located in Houston with the others acting as satellite campuses.
Today, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has the most healthcare graduates in the state of Texas and it has the sixth largest medical school in the country. The school of nursing is ranked in the top five percent and the School of Biomedical Informatics is the first and only one of its kind. The school has the most campuses dedicated to public health of any other University in the country.
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Accreditation Details
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Regional accreditation indicates to parents, students, and employers that graduates have received an education that the accrediting agency has determined to be of the highest quality. The University undergoes voluntary review periodically to confirm that they continue to offer outstanding education and that they have the resources to meet their goals. In addition, the following agencies accredit various programs throughout the University:
- ABET
- Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
- American Board of Genetic Counseling
- Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Program
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Commission on Dental Accreditation
- Commission on the Education of Public Health
- Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
- Liaison Committee on Medical Education
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Application Requirements
In order to apply to any graduate degree program in public health at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston must complete the SOPHAS online application and provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. They must also submit two letters of recommendation and official MCAT or GRE scores. However, only MCAT scores are accepted for those applying to the Master of Public Health programs. A statement of purpose which explains why the student is applying, what their interests are in public health and why they want to attend UTHealth School of Public Health. Those applying for the Doctor of Public Health program must also submit a writing sample.
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition at the School of Public Health for Texas residents is $233 per credit hour and for non-residents it is $1,025 per credit hour. Tuition at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is the lowest among top-ranked public health schools. The total cost of the degree depends on the number of semesters enrolled. Full-time status is 9 credit hours in fall and spring or 6 hours in the summer.
Scholarship applications are available in the spring semester and continuing students are encouraged to apply. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for additional student assistance. Aid may be awarded as loans or as assistantships.
The University of Texas Health Science Center has been providing outstanding education in the health industries for many years and continues to create graduates who become leaders in their field.