Online Master of Public Health in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice

The Rutgers School of Public Health's Master of Public Health (MPH) in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice degree prepares students to advance equity, human rights, and social justice in the field of sexual and reproductive health.

Through a rigorous and interdisciplinary curriculum, students will develop the knowledge and skills to evaluate and apply social, behavioral, legal, and epidemiological approaches in the design of research, policies, and programs. Additionally, students will learn how to assess and interpret data sources used in surveillance and policy development, identify measurement gaps and biases, and analyze laws, policies, and programs with a focus on effectiveness, equity, and alignment with global human rights principles.

Students will also engage with ethical, legal, and social justice frameworks to inform the analysis, design, and evaluation of sexual and reproductive health strategies and interventions.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health Exam.

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Each concentration identifies competencies for each degree offered. These competencies reflect the full range of knowledge, skills, and other attributes that a student will acquire as a result of completing the requirements for a particular degree.

Upon graduation, a student completing the MPH curriculum in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice will be able to:

• Evaluate and apply social, behavioral, legal, or epidemiological approaches to sexual and reproductive health to the development of research, policies, or programs; 
• Assess data sources used for sexual and reproductive health surveillance, research, and policy, including identification of measurement gaps, biases, or limitations; 
• Analyze and critique SRHRJ-related laws, policies, or programs with attention to their effectiveness, equity, and reflection of global human rights principles; 
• Apply ethical, legal, human rights, or social justice frameworks to the analysis, design, implementation, and/or evaluation of SRH strategies and interventions; and 
• Communicate SRHRJ evidence effectively to diverse audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, or the public. 

The MPH in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice degree is offered to students on a full-time or part-time basis. Students will complete a total of 45 credits, including a practicum experience and capstone research project.

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).

Like traditional classroom courses, Online MPH in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice degree courses will start and end on specific days and have assignment deadlines that are the same for all online students.

Students can expect to complete their coursework asynchronously (at any time of day) online, except for group projects that will require meetings with classmates, and synchronously (meet for courses via Zoom). Students will digitally interact with their professors and classmates through various opportunities, such as discussion boards and collaborative projects throughout each semester. Students will also be able to review and access course materials, recorded lectures, and other forums online at any time.

Students are required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.

A practicum experience is also mandatory and may be completed locally. Student practicum orientation and meetings may be completed synchronously (at a specific date and time), however, the format of the practicum experience - in-person or remote - is suggested by the practicum site.

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.

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.