Coordinated Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies / Master of Public Health Program

The coordinated Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and Master of Public Health (MSPAS/MPH) degree program, offered through the UAB School of Health Professions and UAB School of Public Health, provides students with important skills for dealing with population health issues. MPH focus courses may be customized to the experience and needs of the student.

The coordinated graduate degree program provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and a public health practice experience with rural primary care clinical community partners. This innovative program enhances physician assistant education with integrated training in public health and primary care and thereby provides students with the information and skills needed to monitor and assess community health, develop and analyze programs and policies, coordinate and integrate care, and utilize appropriate population health measures in quality improvement strategies. 

Curriculum

Students must complete the MPH Core plus 7 credit hours of MPH focus courses for a total of 30 credit hours in addition to the required MSPAS curriculum requirements. 12 credit hours from the MSPAS curriculum are credited toward the MPH degree for a total of 42 MPH credit hours. Students may complete the MPH degree program totally online, in class, or through a mix of online and in class experiences.

RequirementsHours
MPH Core Requirements: (14 hours)
PUH 601This is Public Health1
PUH 602Community Assessment3
PUH 603Quantitative Methods in Public Health3
PUH 604Programs and Policies3
PUH 605Public Health Management and Evaluation3
PUH 606Leadership for Evidence-Based Public Health1
MPH Degree Requirement: (1 hour)
ENH 690Environmental Health Perspectives1
Population Health Degree Requirement: (3 hours)
PUH 610Population Health3
Approved Electives: (7 hours)
Select 7 credit hours of Public Health 600-699 level courses7
Applied Practice Experience: (3 hours)
PUH 688Public Health Internship3
Integrative Learning Experience: (2 hours)
HB 689Health Behavior Integrative Learning Experience2
or ENH 689 Environmental Health Sciences Integrative Learning Experience
or EPI 689 Epidemiology Integrative Learning Experience
or HPO 689 HPO Integrative Learning Experience
Total SOPH Hours:30
Shared Hours from MSPAS Curriculum: (12 hours)
PA 617Applied Behavioral Medicine3
PA 618Risk Management1
PA 619Fundamentals of Clinical Research2
PA 620Analysis of Professional Literature2
PA 633Navigating Healthcare Delivery and Reimbursement Systems for Physician Assistants2
PA 635Special Populations in Medicine2
Total Hours Earned for MPH Degree:42