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MPH in Health Promotion Sciences

Promote Wellness, Prevent Disease for a Healthier America. Your Path Begins with an MPH in Health Promotion Sciences.

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Empower Communities, Transform Health

Dive into the world of health promotion with our Master of Public Health program at OU Hudson College of Public Health. Picture yourself designing and coordinating health programs, evaluating their impact, educating communities, and writing grants to fund these initiatives. 

The Hudson College offers a CEPH-accredited Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program, which may be completed by full- or part-time students and is offered in Oklahoma City. Part of the required MPH curriculum can be taken in Tulsa.

As a graduate of MPH in Health Promotion Sciences, you’ll be ready to advance the health of individuals, families, and communities. Prepare to become a leader in health promotion and policy in communities and healthcare organizations.

Curriculum

This 45-credit hour program is designed to empower you as an agent of change, advancing the health of individuals, families, and communities.  Courses like Community Assessment, Organization, and Interventions, Health Program Evaluation, and Program Planning for Health Promotion will equip you with the skills to make a real-world impact. 

Course Requirements

Core Courses 16 credit hours
Required HPS Courses 12 credit hours
Selective Courses (diversity requirement) 3 credit hours
Elective Courses 9 credit hours
Integrated Public Health Practice 3 credit hours
Public Health Practicum Courses 2 credit hours
TOTAL HOURS 45 CREDIT HOURS

 

Core Courses
BSE 5113 Principles of Epidemiology
BSE 5163 Biostatistics Methods I
HPS 5213 Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health
OEH 5013 Environmental Health
HAP 5453 U.S. Health Care System
HPS 5211 Qualitative Methods in Public Health

 

Required Courses
HPS 5453 Theoretical Concepts in Health Promotion
HPS 5463 Community Assessment, Organization, and Interventions
HAP 5543 Health Program Evaluation
HPS 5563 Program Planning for Health Promotion

 

Selective Courses
HPS 5383 Health and Illness in Old Age
HPS 5853 Health and the American Indian
HPS 5803 Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Health
HPS 5683 Social Policy and Health Equity

Electives: 9 credit hours from a variety of courses offered

Other Required Courses
CPH 7003 Integrated Public Health Practice
CPH 7941 Practicum Preparation Seminar
CPH 7950 Public Health Practicum

Additional Degree Requirements

  • Certified in Public Health Examination
  • Interprofessional Education Requirement
  • Culminating Experience

STEM Designation

The Master of Public Health in Health Promotion Sciences program is NOT considered a STEM-designated degree program.

A STEM-designated program is an academic program that falls under at least one of the approved categories from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These categories are recognized by the government for their focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics. DHS's updated STEM-designated degree list can be found here: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stemList2022.pdf.

Admissions Requirements

For the general application requirements see our How to Apply page. This specific program also requires:

  • Bachelor’s degree or entry-level first professional degree from an accredited institution.
  • Must be in good standing with the college or university where currently enrolled or last attended.
  • Grade point average of 3.0 or above using the upper-division coursework of the bachelor's degree.
  • College Algebra or a higher-level math course.

If after reviewing the qualifications for the Master of Public Health in Health Promotion Sciences program you are unsure of whether you meet them, please contact hcoph@ouhsc.edu. We are here to help and support you as you pursue a career in the health sciences. 

Please also review the application requirements and application deadlines found on the How to Apply page. 

How to Apply

Experiential Learning

MPH in Health Promotion Sciences students apply what they learn in the classroom through immersive, community-based experiences. From developing smoking cessation curricula for Alaska’s youth with the American Lung Association to health promotion projects on the OU Norman campus, students make a direct impact. Practicum sites include:

  • County and State Health Departments
  • Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY)
  • Community Health Worker Associations
  • Nonprofit health organizations and tribal agencies

Through courses like Community Assessment and Community-Based Participatory Research, students gain tools to engage stakeholders, implement evidence-based interventions, and address local health priorities

Experiential Learning in the Classroom

The MPH in Health Promotion Sciences curriculum is designed for active, real-world learning. Students explore the social drivers of health via Integrated Public Health Practice, where they conduct “windshield surveys,” write grant proposals, and complete mock emergency response exercises. Additional learning is built into electives such as Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Health and Family and Health.

Fieldwork and partnerships with local and state organizations (e.g., TSET, county health departments) create personalized paths for public health practice and applied research.

Careers

Graduates of the MPH in Health Promotion Sciences program are prepared for diverse roles across public health sectors. Alumni pursue careers in:

  • Health education and promotion (e.g., American Lung Association)
  • Public health departments at state and county levels
  • Tribal health organizations (e.g., Southern Plains Tribal Health Board)
  • Academic roles and PhD programs

This degree also supports those pursuing leadership positions in community health development, nonprofit program management, and public health communications.

Make an IMpact

Our students conduct work that improves community health outcomes. Examples include:

  • Leading reproductive health education campaigns on college campuses
  • Developing emergency preparedness and communication plans with health departments
  • Organizing local health events in collaboration with Neighborhood Services Organization
  • Supporting teen mothers through OKC-based programming funded by local health departments

Department of Health Promotion Sciences

The Department of Health Promotion Sciences provides a community-engaged and innovative program that prepares students to become leaders in health promotion and policy. Our department offers a diverse range of degrees, including the only MPH/MSW dual degree with the OU School of Social Work. Students benefit from our faculty’s real-world experience, our commitment to social justice and improving health outcomes, and our strong partnerships with key public health leaders and tribal communities.

About the Department 

Centers of Excellence

Explore practical research experiences in community engagement, qualitative research, and public health practice. Utilize state-of-the-art tools for impactful projects focused on nutrition education, mental health, and health outcomes, collaborating with experts across various health domains.

  • Center for Public Health Practice leads transformative research, shaping Oklahoma's public health landscape through interdisciplinary training, policy collaboration, and impactful community engagement.
  • Oklahoma Public Health Training Center focuses on enhancing Oklahoma's public health workforce and educating diverse communities, including regional training programs and community health worker initiatives for impactful outcomes and healthier futures.
  • ONIE Oklahoma Nutrition Information Education conducts research evaluating behavior change in home meal preparation and food incentive, contributing to healthier living in Oklahoma.

Health Promotion Sciences Faculty

Explore the Hudson College Further

Academic Resources

At the Hudson College of Public Health, students are empowered with a diverse range of accredited degree programs, hands-on learning experiences, and state-of-the-art research opportunities, all guided by our multidisciplinary faculty.

Research

The Hudson College of Public Health is enriched by its research partnerships with esteemed institutions and organizations, providing students with a robust, real-world learning experience that complements their academic journey.

Field Work

At the Hudson College of Public Health, students apply their curriculum through immersive field experiences and practicums, fostering a hands-on, real-world understanding of public health challenges and solutions.