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Master of Public Health in Population Aging (MPH)
Master of Public Health in Population Aging (MPH)
The Rutgers School of Public Health's Master of Public Health (MPH) in Population Aging degree is designed to train scholars, clinicians, advocates, and community leaders to serve the needs of elder adults – the fastest growing segment of the United States population.
About the Program
Graduates of the program will improve their understanding of the needs, interventions, and challenges of this population to ultimately devise and implement innovative public health and policy solutions that improve health outcomes among older adults. Graduates also will be able to better address older adults' physical and mental health, as well as, overall well-being.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health Exam.
Competencies
Upon graduation, a student completing the MPH curriculum in Population Aging will be able to:
- Explain the obstacles to, or facilitators of, improved older adult outcomes and population aging outcomes;
- Compare the experience of aging in in the United States with the experience of aging outside the United States;
- Analyze interventions or policies to improve population aging outcomes (physical health, mental health, well-being, morbidity, mortality, etc.);
- Analyze the effects of inequality at birth and adverse childhood experiences on population aging outcomes;
- Analyze treatments and interventions to improve end-of-life outcomes; and
- Use theories of aging in the analysis and evaluation of current health care issues.
Program Format and Length
The MPH in Population Aging degree is offered to students on a full-time or part-time basis. Courses are available in-person, remote, and/or online. Students will complete a total of 45 credits, including a practicum experience and capstone research project.
Students must complete their academic work with a minimum GPA of least 3.0; earn no more than nine (9) credits bearing grades less than “B,” and complete the degree requirements within six years. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted and semester when each course is typically offered is noted parentheses. Students should review the Forward Schedule for long-term course planning and the Schedule-At-A-Glance for each semester to determine when, where, and how a course is offered.
If completing the program as a full-time student (nine or more credits per semester), the degree requirements may be completed in as little as two years (four to five semesters).Part-time students taking at least six credits per semester may expect to finish within four years. Taking courses in the summer may help expedite part-time students’ timing.
Dual-degree options are available in partnership with other Rutgers University schools.
Students are also required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.
Students can earn a post-baccalaureate certificate alongside their degree with an additional 6-12 credits. Contact admissions for additional information at admissions@sph.rutgers.edu.
Application Deadlines and Requirements
Fall Semester Start Date
January 15 (priority)
May 1 (regular)
Spring Semester Start Date
October 15 (priority)
December 1 (regular)
A complete application includes:
- Completion of the online application
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Statement of goals, one-to-three pages in length, which addresses:
- Interest in the program
- Preparedness for the program
- Goals and aspirations
- Two letters of recommendation with at least one letter from an academic reference if you are currently enrolled in a degree program or have graduated within the last four years.
- Resume or CV
- GRE General Exam (optional)
- TOEFL or IELTS score for applicants educated in a non-native English-speaking country
Applications are accepted on a rolling, space-available basis following the regular deadline.
Core Courses (18 credits)
- PHCO 0501 - Health Systems and Policy
- PHCO 0502 - Principles and Methods of Epidemiology
- PHCO 0503 - Introduction to Environmental Health
- PHCO 0504 - Introduction to Biostatistics (Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment)
- PHCO 0505 - Social and Behavioral Health Sciences in Public Health
- PHCO 0513 - Leadership and Management Essentials for Public Health
Practicum (3 credits)
Note: Students should review the Practice Experience webpage for information about Practicum.
- PRAC 0715 - Applied Practice Experience (0 credits) [Prerequisite: APE Learning Agreement and select PHCO and concentration courses]
- PRAC 0716 - Practicum Capstone (3 credits) [Prerequisite: Completion of the APE and Practicum Capstone Learning Agreement]
Review the School’s Registration Calendar for important MPH Practice Experience Registration dates specific to PRAC 0715 and PRAC 0716.
Concentration Courses (18 credits)
Note: Students should review the Course Descriptions in the School Catalog for specific information about prerequisites required for required courses and recommended electives.
- HBSP 0600 - Health Behavior and Policy Research Design and Methods (Fall/Spring/Summer)
- HBSP 0602 - Long-Term Effects of Childhood Inequality and Early Life Adversity (Fall)
- HBSP 0603 - Mental Health and Aging (Spring)
- HBSP 0624 - Population Health and Public Policy (Fall)
- IDST 5300 - Introduction to Gerontology (Fall)
-also-
Choose one of the following three:
- HBSP 0601 - Aging in World Cities
- HBSP 0652 - Program Planning and Evaluation (Fall/Spring/Summer)
- HBSP 0660 - Dissemination and Implementation Research for Health Promotion (Spring)
Other Requirements (0 credits)
- PRAC 0621 - Interprofessional Education (0 credits) [Fall/Spring]
Students are required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.
Recommended Elective Courses (6 credits)
Recommended electives: Selective courses can also be used as electives. Substitutions can be made with the approval from the faculty advisor.
- HBSP 0622 - Health Politics and Policy (Fall)
- HBSP 0623 - Cross-National Comparisons of Health Systems and Policy (Spring)
- HBSP 0625 - Issues in Private and Public Health Insurance (Spring)
- HBSP 0653 - Modifying Health Behaviors: Theory and Practice (Spring)
- HBSP 0655 - Social Marketing (Fall)
- BIST 0535 - Biostatistical Computing (Fall/Spring)
- IDST 5320 - Social and Healthcare Policy for the Older Adult
- NUTR 6420 - Nutrition and Aging