Portland-State-University 2018-2019 Bulletin

MPH in Public Health Practice (online)

Students in the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health MPH in Public Health Practice acquire broad knowledge about and perspectives on public health policy and practice, with particular emphasis on improving primary healthcare accessibility and quality for underserved populations based on the concepts and principles of primary health care defined by the World Health Organization (universal coverage, service delivery, public policy, leadership, and stakeholder participation). To support working and distance students, coursework for the MPH in Public Health Practice program may be completed entirely online. Online MPH students are fully matriculated into the School of Public Health and have the option to complete some of their courses in person. Graduates are employed by state and local governmental agencies, non-profits, and community organizations.


Core Competencies

Students graduating from this track will be able to:

  • Assess, analyze and synthesize the health status of vulnerable populations

  • Identify, develop and manage interventions to promote and protect the health of populations at risk

  • Lead and participate in interprofessional efforts to address health inequities with community partners

  • Conduct, participate in or apply research which improves the health of a population

  • Assess and integrate cultural beliefs and practices into public health interventions

  • Develop & apply effective communication strategies across multiple sectors of the community

  • Understand the principles of public health ethics and apply them to public health practice

  • Employ knowledge of health systems organization and health care finance to population based health problems

  • Apply quality improvement and risk management principles in the development, management and/or evaluation of population health services

  • Understand and participate in the process of grant and proposal development

  • Employ techniques to manage human, fiscal, and other public health resource

For more information and instructions on how to apply visit the MPH in Public Health Practice (online) web page.