Sacred Heart’s student-centered public health programs offer flexible options, whether full time or part time, fully on campus or hybrid. Full-time students may choose a one day per week on-campus schedule, and all students receive individualized attention from faculty scholars and professionals, with many graduate assistant positions available. Graduates become public health professionals solving the world’s most pressing health problems and keeping communities healthy.
The Master of Public Health prepares individuals to protect and improve the health of individuals and communities.
Students are required to critically examine how biological, behavioral, social and environmental factors influence health and learn how to address these factors through the creation and evaluation of programs and policies designed to improve the health of individuals and communities.
Students’ education is grounded in a social justice philosophy, which calls for improving the health of the population while ensuring fair treatment of the disadvantaged.
What is unique about Sacred Heart's public health program?
Sacred Heart's rich tradition and emphasis on community engagement
Graduate training embodies the SHU mission of embracing a vision of social justice
Graduates have the personal and professional experiences necessary to make a difference in the global community
Student-centered learning environment with small class sizes
Hands-on community experience starting in the first semester
Numerous paid graduate assistant positions
Actively engaged, nationally-recognized faculty involve our students in community-based research
Classroom facilities in our state-of-the-art Center for Healthcare Education
The Master of Public Health is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
What is the career outlook in public health?
Career opportunities in public health are on the rise, with employment for health care professions projected to grow 16 percent by 2030–much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Health care occupations are expected to add more jobs than all other occupational groups.
Sacred Heart’s public health alumni hold the following positions:
Prevention specialist at large hospital system
Health science specialist at US Department of Veterans Affairs
Research associate for Yale Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation
Health educator, program manager or immunization coordinator at local health department
Hospital account manager for nursing recruiter
Pharmaceutical company clinical trial coordinator
Further education at medical, dental, veterinary school or Ph.D. programs
Accolades & Recognitions
Students in every public health cohort at Sacred Heart have won the $3,500 stipend from the New England Public Health Training Grants for Health Equity
SHU public health students are continuously engaged in research, their work is featured in publications and they present at national conferences
Strong employment rate and placement after graduation
I had a few things I was looking for in a school, including classes that were in-person so I could develop relationships with my professors and peers and a program that I felt would give me the greatest opportunity to learn and grow as a graduate student. Something I could not have anticipated, and what makes this program so unique, is the support and investment of the professors. It is clear, without a doubt, that our professors are passionate about the field of public health, sharing their areas of interest and research and fostering the growth of their students to reach any goal they have. I cannot emphasize enough the impact I feel this has on us as students, our ability to learn and our success both during and after the MPH program.
For many, a graduate degree is a natural extension of undergraduate studies—it may even be required in your field. Or maybe you want to make a career change. But what if your undergrad major and your current interests don’t align? Can you get a master’s in any area you want?
While the field of medicine aims to treat diseases and injuries, public health works to proactively prevent them and keep populations healthy. Wondering if a Master of Public Health (MPH) will turn your passion into a meaningful career?
