Degree Programs
The University of Texas School of Public Health offers four degree programs leading to the skills necessary for public health careers. Professional degrees can be used for practicing public health outside of higher education – the Master of Public Health (MPH) and the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH). Academic degrees are primarily used for teaching and research – the Master of Science in Public Health (MS) and the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health (PhD).
Students learn to conduct research on important public health concerns at the UT School of Public Health while working with teams with faculty who uncover answers to urgent public health issues.
Professional Degrees
Academic Degrees
Dual Degree Programs
The University of Texas School of Public Health collaborates with many universities to provide our students every opportunity to expand their knowledge base and achieve advanced degrees.
The following dual degree programs are currently being offered.
- JD/MPH – University of Houston Law School
- MD/MPH – The University of Texas Medical Schools in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio
- MD/MPH – Baylor College of Medicine
- MSN/MPH –The University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston
- MSW/MPH – University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work
- MSSW/MPH – The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work
- MS or PhD/MPH – The University of Texas School of Health Information Sciences at Houston
- MBA/MPH –The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
- PhD/MPH – UTMB Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Courses
A course generally consists of a combination of lectures, discussion periods, directed reading, and individual study and inquiry. Courses may be taken in a classroom, online or via Interactive Television when offered. Courses are letter-graded or pass/fail. All courses satisfying the MPH core requirements are letter-graded. Elective courses may be letter-graded or pass/fail at the discretion of the instructor. Credits earned at other institutions prior to enrollment at the School of Public Health at Houston shall not be applied to SPH transcripts or counted toward graduation requirements. Through reciprocal agreements, however, students enrolled at the UT School of Public Health may take courses for credit at affiliated institutions.
Credits
A student is classified “full-time” if enrolled in at least nine semester credit hours during the Fall or Spring semesters, at least six semester credit hours during a 12-week Summer session, or at least three semester credit hours during each six-week Summer session. Full-time students generally enroll in 12-16 credit hours per semester. A minimum of three credit hours must be taken in each semester a student is enrolled. Students are expected to enroll in culminating experience, thesis, or dissertation hours during the time that resources are being used in this endeavor. All courses taken by students accumulate semester credit hours, but no more than a combined total of six credit hours earned for culminating/thesis/dissertation research plus the practicum experience may be counted toward the total credit hour minimum of the degree.
Enrollment
Enrollment is required in the semester in which the research proposal is submitted and continuously through the semester in which all requirements for graduation are completed. Enrollment is also required in the semester in which the qualifying examination (doctoral programs) is taken and in the semester in which the student is involved in a practicum/internship (MPH and DrPH programs). Students must maintain enrollment in the School so that any absence from the program does not exceed one calendar year (three consecutive semesters). Policies and procedures regarding re-admission to a degree program are addressed in the section, Grading, Conduct, and Satisfactory Progress Policies.
General and specific requirements for degrees may be altered in successive catalogs. A student is bound by the requirements of the catalog in force at the time of his/her admission or readmission; however, a student must complete all degree requirements within seven years or be subject to the degree requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of graduation.
Time Limits
Students are expected to complete master’s degree programs (M.P.H. and M.S.) within five years and doctoral degree programs (DrPH and PhD) within seven years. In case of extenuating circumstances, a student may request a one-year extension provided there is adequate justification. The possibility of a second year of extension exists for extraordinary circumstances. Students who do not graduate within the approved time limit must be readmitted to the school in order to complete the degree program.
