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 Drexel University 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.
Drexel 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.
Why Pursue an MPH in Community Health and Prevention at Drexel Dornsife?
Unique benefits of the MPH in Community Health and Prevention program at Drexel Dornsife include:
- A renowned and diverse community of faculty in the Community Health and Prevention department
- An array of research centers and programs focused on maternal and child health, global health, Black health, health equity, racism, medical cannabis, and more.
- An MPH in Community Health and Prevention from the CEPH-accredited #1 graduate school of public health in Philadelphia
- An extensive community of partnerships leading to fulfilling applied practical experiences
What is The Difference Between an MPH in Community Health and Prevention and a PhD in Community Health and Prevention?
The MPH in Community Health and Prevention is a 56-credit program that includes coursework on program implementation and community-engaged research on the factors that drive community health. The curriculum includes a public health practicum.
The PhD in Community Health and Prevention provides further training in social and behavioral sciences. The program has a minimum of 90 hours of coursework and includes the completion of a dissertation.
Admission Requirements for the Community Health and Prevention Master's Program
To be considered for the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, 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 1.
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 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 – 3 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.
MPH in Community Health and Prevention Degree Requirements
Completion of the community health master's program requires:
Review Degree Requirements and Courses
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 School of Public Health.
What Can You Do With a Community Health and Prevention MPH Degree?
With an MPH in Community Health & Prevention, individuals have marketable skills and opportunities to explore unique and valuable career paths. Some common community health MPH jobs include:
- Urban Planner
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Health Communications Specialist
- Community Health Worker
- Public Health Program Manager
Community Health and Prevention MPH Salary Estimates
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2024 median pay for Health Education Specialists was $63,000, and 2024 median pay for Social and Community Service Managers was $78,240. The typical entry level education is a bachelor's degree, with a graduate degree opening up additional opportunities for career advancement.
Is Community Health and Prevention a Good Career?
Graduates from the MPH in Community Health program have gone on to have impactful, collaborative, innovative careers. Department Chair Amy Carroll-Scott, PhD, MPH, writes that community health students "graduate with the leadership skills, strategic mindset, and training necessary for rewarding and significant careers in public health."
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for Health Education Specialists and Social/Community Service Managers is faster than average, growing at 7-8% between 2023 and 2033.
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.