The health and wellness of a population extends beyond direct patient care; professionals in public health promote health and wellness at the community level by performing a variety of duties, including researching disease or injury prevention, implementing educational programs and engaging in outreach initiatives. We can improve the health of individuals by protecting the health of our communities.
As a student pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH), you will learn to address the public health needs of rural and underserved communities. In partnership with South Dakota State University, our program prepares you to help hospitals thrive in the era of health care reform, improve the health of South Dakotans through partnerships with public health departments, and enhance wellness through disease prevention, policies and programs. You'll dive into the five core areas of public health – biostatistics, epidemiology, health services administration, social and behavioral sciences, and environmental health – as you develop into the leader your community needs. You'll graduate well-positioned for success in a range of public health positions and public health specialties, including those in health service administration, epidemiology, biostatistics, public health policy, research, environmental health, hospital safety and infectious disease control and more.
Quality Educational Experiences
USD's Master of Public Health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Accreditation ensures that USD has been evaluated and has met standards established by the public health profession. It promotes professional mobility and enhances employment opportunities.