What is the Community Health and Prevention Masters Program?

The Master of Public Health (MPH) in Community Health and Prevention is an in-person, on-campus graduate degree program at the Dornsife School of Public Health.

Students can choose to complete the program on a full-time basis in either 12, 18, or 21 months.

Students in the MPH in Community Health and Prevention program learn about the major drivers of community health, how to improve health through meaningful partnerships within communities, and how to use their skills to design, implement, and evaluate public health programs and policies.

Are Community Health and Public Health the Same?

Community health is a subdiscipline of public health that emphasizes engagement, participatory action, and advocacy efforts.

Dornsife faculty in the department of Community Health and Prevention focus their research and initiatives on a wide range of pressing public health areas including global health, urban health, Black health, disease disparities, spatial analysis, substance use, HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, LGBTQ health, art and public health, and food and nutrition.

Admission Requirements for the Community Health and Prevention Master's Program

To be considered for the Master of Public Health (MPH) program, students should have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or an equivalent international institution. Graduates of any major may apply.

A GPA of at least 3.0 is preferred. Those with lower GPAs are encouraged to apply, highlighting their interest in public health.

Application Requirements for the Masters in Community Health and Prevention Program

Applicants for MPH admissions are asked to submit the following:

• SOPHAS online application
• Official transcripts from every college-level institution you attended (academic records from institutions outside the U.S. must undergo a credentials evaluation)
• English proficiency test score (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo), if applicable
• Three letters of recommendation
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Statement of Purpose and Objectives

Applications for the Master of Public Health do not require the GRE.

Apply via SOPHAS – the Centralized Application Service for Public Health

Application Deadlines

Applicants interested in being considered for one of the school’s endowed scholarships or fellowships are encouraged to submit their MPH application no later than January 15.

The regular decision deadline for the 12-month program is April 1.

The fall application deadline for international students is June 13.

The regular decision deadline for all fall programs is August 1.

Applicants to the Community Health and Prevention MPH should submit their application and materials through SOPHAS – the Centralized Application Service for Public Health.

Major Competencies in Community Health and Prevention

MPH students majoring in Community Health and Prevention develop skills and competencies including the following:

• Using appropriate qualitative and quantitative mixed-methods for community-oriented research design
• Conducting community-engaged public health research and practice that recognizes intersectional perspectives from theory in response to multi-dimensional processes
• Creating a community health program implementation and evaluation plan that is ethical, socially just, and culturally responsive
• Partnering with communities to contextually assess health problems and propose solutions to public health issues and inequities that recognize the role of power
• Advocating for human rights-based values in public health research, practice, and policy

MPH in Community Health and Prevention Curriculum

Core Courses

All MPH students complete the same core public health courses in Public Health Foundations and Systems and Public Health Research Methods to begin their MPH studies.

These courses lay the foundation for an advanced education in public health before students break off into their respective concentrations.

MPH in Community Health and Prevention Required Courses

• Behavior and Social Change Theories – 3 credits
• Community Engagement in Public Health Practice & Research – 3 credits
• Multi-Method Data Analysis in Community Health & Prevention – 4 credits

Students also choose two of the following Depth classes:

• Design and Grant Writing for Community Health Programs
• Outcomes and Impact Evaluation
• Theory and Practice in Health Communication
• Process Monitoring and Outcomes Evaluation for Community Health Programs

Students earn a total of 56 quarter credits to complete the MPH degree.

View a Sample Plan of Study

Elective Courses

Electives serve to further focus an MPH student’s academic work and define their career goals. Many students use their electives to complete a graduate minor.

Elective courses can be within the Dornsife School of Public Health or from other academic units within Drexel University.

Community Health and Prevention Applied Practical Experience

The Applied Practical Experience (APE) is a supervised, hands-on practical experience. Through the APE Dornsife MPH students gain career experience while earning their degree.

Students engage in the practice of public health, working with an external organization to expand their skills and network outside the classroom.

Community Health and Prevention Integrative Learning Experience

The Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) is a 6-credit project that CHP MPH students develop and implement over the final two quarters of their program with guidance from their faculty mentor.

The goal is to gain skills and experience in a way that is relevant to a community partner or community stakeholder. Students complete a high-quality written product at the end of the experience. See examples of recent community health and prevention ILEs at Dornsife.

What Can You Do With a Community Health and Prevention MPH Degree?

With an MPH in Community Health & Prevention, individuals have the opportunity to explore unique and valuable career paths including:

• Urban Planner
• Clinical Research Coordinator
• Health Communications Specialist
• Community Health Worker
• Public Health Program Manager

Community Health and Prevention MPH Salary Estimates

For a list of potential salary ranges for Community Health and Prevention MPH graduates visit What Can You Do With a Public Health Degree?

If you are interested in learning more about any of our MPH programs at Drexel Dornsife, request more information to speak with our admissions team.