Master of Public Health program launches online option for prospective students
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University's Master of Public Health program, working in conjunction with K-State Online, is offering a new online degree option.
The new online Master of Public Health is made up of faculty from 12 departments in five colleges. This interdisciplinary program is designed for individuals currently employed in or anticipating a career in public health.
"The field of public health focuses on the prevention of injury and disease, rather than treatment, to improve the quality of life at the population level," said Ellyn Mulcahy, associate professor and director of the program. "In the online Master of Public Health program, students will learn how to design and implement strategies and interventions to protect and improve community health and population health through evidence-based research and disease prevention."
Mulcahy said online students can choose from two areas of emphasis. The first is food safety and biosecurity, which focuses on food safety, globalization and how international trade cooperation influences public health. The second area of emphasis is public health nutrition, which examines the role of nutrition in public health and population-based nutrition programs. In addition, students will be expected to complete a public health practice project during the program.
"Our Master of Public Health program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, so we offer a well-established educational opportunity," Mulcahy said. "The program was established in 2003 for in-person instruction, and we launched the online graduate certificate in public health in fall 2020. We've had several successful graduates, many of whom have also completed other advanced degrees, such as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine."
On-campus dual-degree options include the Bachelor of Science — including the new Bachelor of Science in public health — and Master of Public Health, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine/Master of Public Health, giving students more career options to pursue after graduating. An online Bachelor of Science/Master of Public Health — with selected undergraduate majors, such as nutrition — is possible in addition to an on-campus Bachelor of Science/Master of Public Health.
"We're excited to partner with the Master of Public Health program to offer this opportunity to any interested students, regardless of their physical location," said Katie Linder, executive director at K-State Online. "The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a renewed focus on the societal importance of public health professionals, and we're proud to help lead the effort to prepare the next generation of this industry."
Learn more about the online Master of Public Health program and its admission requirements and curricular options at online.k-state.edu/programs/public-health-masters.
