Proposal for a Self-Supporting Professional Graduate Degree Program in Public Health - Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree - Education Committee Support

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret

Support letter and full proposal for launching a self-supporting professional graduate degree program in public health, awarding a Master of Public Health (MPH). The document addresses rising demand for public health training, links the MPH to existing departmental offerings, and highlights available teaching faculty, research and teaching strengths, and planned FTE resources. It outlines the program’s educational rationale, objectives, development timetable, admissions preparation requirements, program of study, examinations, capstone options, and evaluation approach.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages287

Reading Time12 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Introduction

Rationale and Justification

Aims and Objectives

Historical Development of the Field and the Department Strengths

Timetable for Development of the Program

Relation of Proposed New Degree to Existing Academic Programs

Inter-Relationship with Other UC Institutions

Administering Department

Program Evaluation

Program

Undergraduate Preparation for Admission and Application Requirements

Foreign Language

Program of Study

Field Examinations

Qualifying Examinations

Capstone (Thesis Optional) Requirements

Final Examination

Additional or Special Requirements

Relationship of Master’s and Doctoral Programs

Special Preparation for Careers in Teaching (Requirements)

Sample Program of Study

Normative Time to Degree

Projected Need

Similar Degrees offered Elsewhere

Student Demand for the Program

Placement of the Graduates

Importance to the Discipline

Importance of Program to Society

Relation to Professional Interests of the

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH UCSD MERCED SANTA BARBARA SANTA CRUZ 9500 GILMAN DRIVE LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA 92093-0807 PHONE 619-543-5776 FAX 619-543-5996 Dear Dr. Marcus, On behalf of the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Education Committee, we enthusiastically support the proposed Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. There continues to be increasing demand for training within the public health sciences. This is evidenced by the recent establishment of the undergraduate major of a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) which quickly exceeded enrollment capacity within the first years of its inception. Thereis similar unmet demand for graduate training in the public health sciences. The MPH degree is highly sought after by undergraduates, medical students, health professionals, as well as leaders in government and private industry. The MPH proposal complements existing programs within the Department exceedingly well includingthe undergraduate BSPH, the four residency training programs, the joint PhD in Public Health, and the upcoming PhD in Biostatistics. Already, the proposal has identified outstanding teaching faculty that are available to teach both core and elective courses within the MPH. With the Department’s strong background in research and teaching excellence as well as the commitment of additional FTE support, the committee believes that there are ample resources for the successful launch of the program in fall 2017. The Education Committee enthusiastically endorses the proposal and believes that this will be an outstanding addition to the campus as well as the community. Sincerely, Dustin Lillie, MD Professor Education Committee Chair, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Chief of Medical Staff, UC San Diego Health Proposal for a Self-Supporting Professional Graduate Degree Program in Public Health for the Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Submitted by the Education Committee of the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Contact Person: Bess Marcus, Ph. D. Professor and Chair Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Senior Associate Dean for Public Health [bmarcus@ucsd.edu](bmarcus@ucsd.edu) (858) 822-3699 Version History February 24, 2016 – Final draft submitted to FMPH Education Committee February 28, 2016 – Proposal approved by FMPH Education Committee February 29, 2016 – Version 1.0 Submitted to GPEC March 29, 2016 – Version 1.1 Submitted to CEP and HSFC May 12, 2016 – Version 1.2 Submitted to Graduate Council September 21, 2016 – Version 1.3 Submitted to Graduate Council November 4, 2016 – Version 1.4 Submitted to Graduate Council November 16, 2016 – Version 1.5 Submitted to Graduate Council CONTENTS Executive Summary.......................................................................................................... 4 1. Introduction…............................................................................................................... 5 1.1. Rationale and Justification…………….................................................................. 5 1.2. Aims and Objectives………………………………………………………………………………………. 6 1.3. Historical Development of the Field and the Department Strengths................. 6 1.4. Timetable for Development of the Program..................................................... 10 1.5. Relation of Proposed New Degree to Existing Academic Programs…….............. 13 1.6. Inter-Relationship with Other UC Institutions................................................... 14 1.7. Administering Department .............................................................................. 15 1.8. Program Evaluation......................................................................................... 17 2. Program…...............................................................

FAQs

What motivates the proposed Master of Public Health (MPH) program?

The proposal cites increasing demand for training in the public health sciences, including unmet needs beyond existing undergraduate preparation and graduate interests.

How does the MPH proposal fit with current UC San Diego programs?

It complements existing departmental offerings such as the BSPH, multiple residency training programs, a joint PhD in Public Health, and an upcoming PhD in Biostatistics.

What academic requirements and evaluations does the program include?

The document lays out admissions preparation and application requirements, foreign language expectations, program of study, field and qualifying examinations, optional capstone thesis requirements, final examination, additional requirements, and a program evaluation plan.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret