Western Region Graduate Program

Students with residence in the Western states pay in-state tuition through the WRGP Program.


Public Health - Health Promotion, Master of Public Health

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • Indigenous Health - Emphasis
  • Public Health Coursework

The Emphasis in Indigenous Health is only offered at the Flagstaff Campus.

This program prepares you for professional practice in public health and applied research settings as well as further academic study in public health related fields. Through quality classroom instruction, applied practice experience, and a public health project, students will be adequately prepared for employment within public health agencies.

Requirements Accordion Open

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

Overview Accordion Closed

In addition to University Requirements:

Minimum Units for Completion48
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

Emphasis or Coursework Required

An emphasis or coursework is required for this degree.

Fieldwork Experience/InternshipRequired
Additional Fees/Program FeesRequired
Progression Plan LinkView Program of Study

Purpose Statement

The Master of Public Health (MPH) prepares students for public health professions emphasizing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health programs and policies. We aim to prepare public health professionals to address the health needs of diverse and underserved communities in northern Arizona and beyond. Students gain knowledge and skills in biostatistics, epidemiology, public health research, program planning and evaluation, health policy and management, and environmental health. We support student development by offering high-quality instruction, which includes opportunities for professional growth and community engagement in public health and nutrition. The Health Promotion concentration addresses chronic disease prevention and epidemiology, social and structural determinants of health, and innovative uses of technology in public health and health promotion. Students in the Health Promotion concentration can tailor their program plan electives to align with their career interests. The Health Promotion concentration is designed for students who are interested in public health careers or other allied health fields. With the training, research, and internship experiences offered, graduates are well-prepared to address the health needs within their communities. Students may also apply to the Indigenous Health Emphasis, which prepares students to support public health initiatives relevant to tribal communities.

Student Learning Outcomes
 
We are pursuing accreditation from the Council for Education in Public Health (CEPH). We are aligning our core MPH coursework with their required learning outcomes, which are as follows: 

  • Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice.
  • Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context.
  • Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming, and software, as appropriate.
  • Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy, or practice.
  • Compare the organization, structure, and function of health care, public health, and regulatory systems across national and international settings.
  • Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities, and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community, and societal levels.
  • Assess population needs, assets, and capacities that affect communities’ health.
  • Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs.
  • Design a population-based policy, program, project, or intervention.
  • Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management.
  • Select methods to evaluate public health programs.
  • Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence.
  • Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes.
  • Advocate for political, social, or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations.
  • Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity.
  • Apply principles of leadership, governance, and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration, and guiding decision-making.
  • Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges.
  • Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors.
  • Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation.
  • Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content.
  • Perform effectively on interprofessional teams.
  • Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue.

MPH Health Promotion Indigenous Health Learning Outcomes

  • Analyze and synthesize the unique challenges in implementing the Ten Essential Public Health Services in Tribal communities.
  • Develop public health resolutions at the tribal and national level through the National Congress of American Indians.
  • Organize, synthesize, and moderate stakeholder discussions on the systems and structures that create federal and state legislation, regulations, and their implications and effects on practice to American Indians residing on- and off-reservation.
  • Interpret and synthesize peer-reviewed and gray literature addressing factors influencing Indigenous determinants of health and resilience.
  • Propose and apply indicators of resilience and concepts of wellbeing to understand and address Indigenous health and develop an Indigenous framework of determinants of health.
  • Explain and integrate social and community dynamics and cultural contexts that have contributed to health disparities in Indigenous populations.
  • Identify, apply, and critique community-based research and evaluation conducted in Indigenous contexts.
  • Collect primary data from researchers and Indigenous partners engaged in Community Based Participatory Research activities.
  • Apply community-centered negotiation and mediation skills to identify asset-based evaluation or research solutions to address organizational or public health challenges in Indigenous communities (leadership).

Details Accordion Closed
Graduate Admission Information

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

    • Letter(s) of Recommendation
      • Three professional references who will submit recommendation forms on the NAU Graduate College application portal on their behalf.
        • One letter from a faculty member.
        • One letter from a manager/supervisor.
        • One additional letter from a faculty member or manager/supervisor.
    • Personal Statement or Essay
      • A letter of personal introduction and professional intent (1 - 2 pages) which includes the following:
        • The concentration to which you are applying.
        • Your academic focus or interest areas in public health.
        • Your professional goals and how the MPH Health Promotion at NAU aligns with these goals.
        • Identification as someone from a diverse or historically underrepresented group (if applicable).
        • Experience working with others from a diverse or historically underrepresented group (if applicable).

       

    • Prerequisite(s) that must be completed prior to enrolling in the program:
      • Prerequisite courses must be completed with a Grade of "C" or better, or in progress at the time of application to the program
      • If the student is enrolled in a prerequisite course the same semester that they apply, include documentation verifying the students enrollment in the course in the application materials.
      • For the Health Promotion Emphasis:
        • One semester of a college-level introductory, or basic statistics course (minimum 3 units).
    • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Master's Requirements

  • This Master’s degree requires 48 units distributed as follows:

    • Health Sciences Common Coursework: 36 units
    • Emphasis or Coursework Requirement - Select one: 12 units
      • Indigenous Health Emphasis Option: 12 units
      • Public Health Coursework Option: 12 units

    Take the following 48 units:
  • Indigenous Health Emphasis or Public Health Coursework Requirement - Select one:

    • Indigenous Health Emphasis Option - Only offered at NAU-Flagstaff (12 units)

      • HS 561, HS 624, HS 671 (9 units)
      • Select an additional course in consultations with your advisor (3 units)

  • Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

  • Program Fee Information

  • Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee has been approved for this program. See program fee details. Program fees are subject to change and updated July 1 for the next academic year.

Availability Accordion Closed

Master of Public Health

Health Promotion

The Master of Public Health in Health Promotion is ideal for students interested in managing public health programs that address health behavior, disease prevention, and health equity. Students graduate with the ability to plan, implement, and assess public health programs. The program can be completed in as little as 2 years. The program includes didactic coursework and applied practice experience in public health and the ability to tailor the program to align with students' specific interests and career goals in public health. Our instructors and applied practice experience supervisors are dedicated to preparing students to serve the public health needs of Northern Arizona communities and beyond.

About Accordion Closed
The Master of Public Health in Health Promotion program prepares students for careers in a variety of public health areas. The MPH program can be completed in as little as 2 years, or stretched out and completed at a part-time pace. Most courses are offered in the late afternoon and evening between the hours of 4 and 9pm. Students progress through 9 core MPH courses, 3 concentration-specific courses, and 4 elective courses. Students also participate in a 3-credit applied practice experience at a public health agency of their choosing. Students also complete an Integrated Learning Experience project. MPH core courses include topics in biostatistics, epidemiology, social and structural determinants of health, behavior change counseling, environmental health, health policy and management, and research methods and program evaluation. Students also complete coursework in the health promotion concentration with topics in chronic disease epidemiology and prevention, innovations in healthcare and public health, and intervention mapping. Students plan their coursework to meet personal learning objectives and career goals by completing four electives from disciplines such as Anthropology, Fitness/Wellness, Nutrition, Psychology, Educational Psychology, Sociology, and Applied Indigenous Studies. Courses include innovative uses of service learning activities, simulation, and case studies, so that students don’t just learn about public health, they learn how to apply these concepts into real world settings.

Program Mission and Goals Accordion Closed
Mission
To train a highly qualified public health workforce through teaching, community service and scholarship to improve public health through practices, policy changes, leadership and management work, and creative interventions in Arizona with a focus on rural, tribal, and border communities.
Vision
To improve health, well-being and quality of life in Arizona with a focus on rural, tribal, and border communities.
Goals
1) Teaching Goal: Provide students with hands-on learning experiences, mentoring, and opportunities for leadership development to promote health equity, the needs of marginalized communities, tribal communities and/or rural communities. 2) Community Service Goal: Work with community partners to identify and address public health needs and provide students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience in community-based projects; Support partnerships that engage students, staff and faculty in community service and provide expertise to support community organizations in meeting the needs of regional populations. 3) Research Goal: Engage faculty, staff and students in scholarship partnerships with public health agencies and community partners to address regional public health needs; Conduct research and provide students with opportunities to work on research related to health equity. 4) Student-focused Goal: Train students to become culturally immersed, aware, knowledgeable, and skillful public health practitioners.

Careers in Public Health Accordion Closed
A Master of Public Health degree provides graduates with the opportunity to improve the health and well-being of their community and beyond. Public health professionals explore public health challenges and propose solutions that are specific to the population affected. They conduct community needs assessments, develop and implement public health programs to address those needs, and evaluate the programs to determine effectiveness. A graduate degree in public health strengthens depth of knowledge and builds competence in the skills necessary to be effective in the public health field. More experience and graduate degrees lead to higher salaries within the public health field. Employees with MPH degrees often manage public health programs, staff, and budgets. Public health careers typically fall into one of the following six categories:
  • Food, nutrition, and health (visit our MPH Nutrition program site, for more information)
  • Health leadership and management
  • Epidemiologic and biostatistical methods for research
  • Global environment sustainability and health
  • Health systems and policy
  • Aging and public health
Check out this list of 100 career ideas in public health. For more information about careers and public health and salaries, visit https://www.bestcolleges.com/careers/public-health-majors/

Admission requirements Accordion Closed
Baccalaureate degree Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a four-year college or university, or its international equivalent with a 3.0 GPA or better in any subject. The baccalaureate degree can be in any subject. Required pre-requisite courses Prior to applying please complete the following pre-requisite course: 1 semester of an intro or basic statistics course Students who have not completed the pre-requisite course prior to submitting their application will still be considered for the program as long as the applicant can demonstrate proof of enrollment in the course. (Upload a screenshot demonstrating course enrollment to the application.) Students with an outstanding pre-requisite course must demonstrate that they completed the course with a C or better prior to the start of the program. Students will be dropped from the program if the pre-requisite course is not complete, or if a C or better was not earned, prior to the start of the program. A pre-requisite course completed more than 10 years prior to the application deadline may need to be retaken.

Course plan Accordion Closed
The MPH Health Promotion program can be completed full-time in 2 years, or spread out over a longer period of time at a part-time status. Find the course plan here.

Application Accordion Closed
To apply visit the NAU Office of Graduate and Professional Studies website. The application opens August 1st. The priority application deadline is January 15th. Applications that are submitted between January 16th and April 1st may be considered to fill any remaining openings. Required application components include:
  • Application fee. The Office of Graduate and Professional Studies requires a $65 application processing fee (non-refundable), which is paid online when you submit your application.
  • Resume or Vita
  • Personal Statement. Please write a one to two page letter of personal introduction and professional intent. Include the following information in your personal statement:
    • The concentration to which you are applying
    • Your academic focus or interest areas in health and wellness
    • Your professional goals and how the MPH Health Promotion program at NAU aligns with these goals
    • Identification as someone from a diverse or historically underrepresented group* (if applicable)
    • Experience working with others from a diverse or historically underrepresented group* (if applicable)
  • Transcripts. Submit transcripts from all colleges and universities attended that contributed to the baccalaureate degree as well as transcripts documenting completion of the pre-requisite course (statistics). If you are enrolled in a pre-requisite course the same semester you apply, please include evidence of enrollment in the pre-requisite course.
  • Graduate Record Examination. The Graduate Record Examination is NOT required and is NOT used to evaluate applicants.
  • Letters of Recommendation. Applicants need three professional references who will submit recommendation forms on the NAU graduate application portal on their behalf. At least one reference should be a faculty member. At least one reference should be a supervisor or manager. The third reference can be either a supervisor/manager or a faculty member. (Applicants are encouraged to request letters of recommendation from faculty and supervisors at least 3-4 weeks prior to the application deadline.)
  • International applicants: Applications submitted after January 15 will not be evaluated for admission, please apply to the next available admission term.
  • International Students. If English is not your native language, you must provide proof of English proficiency from one of the following testing agencies:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Scores are sent directly to NAU from ETS NAU’s Institutional Code is 4006.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Scores are sent directly to NAU from IELTS. The address to send IELTS scores is:
Center for International Education- NAU Attention: Meaghan Gruber 523 S Knoles Drive PO Box 5598 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 The minimum English proficiency scores for most programs are: 80 (TOEFL iBT) or 6.5 (IELTS). Scores must be sent directly to the Center for International Education from the Testing Institution. The TOEFL/IELTS may be waived:
  • If you are a native speaker of English. Native speakers are considered applicants who are from and have completed a high school or university education at an institution in an English-speaking country. List of English speaking countries can be found at https://nau.edu/cie/education-abroad/programs/english-speaking-countries/
  • If you have earned a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. university or college.
*Definitions of “diverse or historically underrepresented groups” can be found here, as noted in the NAU Diversity Strategic Plan. Diversity The complexity of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences and intersections of culture and circumstance. Such differences and intersections include race, sex, ethnicity, age, religion, language, ability/disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic, veteran or other status, or geographic region.

Historically underrepresented groups (HUG)

Those diverse groups, identities, and communities that historically are underrepresented, underserved, or marginalized at institutions of higher education.

Tuition and fees Accordion Closed

Program cost

Tuition
Up-to-date tuition, fees, and estimated living expenses for all NAU graduate programs can be found here: https://nau.edu/admissions/tuition-and-cost/tuition-expenses/.

Financial aid

The NAU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid can help students apply for Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Visit https://nau.edu/office-of-scholarships-and-financial-aid/ for more information. Scholarships, fellowships and awards may also be available. Visit the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies website and hover over Resources in the navigation bar for more information. Graduate assistantships are sometimes available within the department, depending on available research funding. The MPH Director will send a survey to applicants to gage interest in department assistantships following the program application deadline. Students who complete the survey will be contacted if awarded a Health Sciences Department Graduate Assistantship. College level assistantships are also available. Visit https://nau.edu/graduate-college/graduate-assistantships-tuition-waivers/ for more information about current assistantship openings.

Applied Practice Experience Accordion Closed
Students will be placed in a single site or agency for an 120 hour applied practice experience in a public health setting. Students are eligible to complete the HS 608 Public Health Applied Practice Experience course once they have completed a minimum of 75% of their MPH core courses. For full-time students, this means the earliest that they can complete the APE is the summer after their first two semesters. Applied practice experience activities may include assisting agency staff with various tasks, and working independently on assigned projects. Students are required to complete extensive paperwork requesting permission to enroll in HS 608 (to complete the applied practice experience) at least 1 semester prior to the semester they wish to enroll in the course. The documents the student is required to fill out prior to the applied practice experience invite the student to carefully think through the type of experience that will best align with their career goals, preparing them for work in the public health field. Students will be able to select an agency they wish to work with or ask for assistance from the Academic Program Coordinator, Intermediate to find an agency that aligns with their career goals and interests. The Academic Program Coordinator, Intermediate contacts an agency representative to ask if they are willing to take an intern. Once a site has been identified and permission has been granted from the agency overseeing the Applied Practice Experience, the student works with their agency preceptor to select at least three CEPH core competencies and two additional CEPH core competencies or MPH-Health Promotion competencies they wish to achieve for their Applied Practice Experience while working with the agency. During the semester that the student completes the 3-unit applied practice experience, students complete pre-planned tasks and deliverable products to demonstrate attainment of their selected CEPH competencies. Possible applied practice experience placements include (but are not limited to):
  • Coconino County Public Health Department
  • Flagstaff YMCA
  • Pinnacle Prevention
  • Northern Arizona Healthcare Employee Wellness
  • Native Americans for Community Action
  • North Country Healthcare

The Integrated Learning Experience Accordion Closed
Each student completes a graduate project, the Integrated Learning Experience, that aligns with their chosen public health concentration. As part of the first year MPH coursework, students learn how to write a project proposal and learn methods to support their ability to plan a project. Students identify a public health agency and the Integrated Learning Experience is planned out to benefit or support an agency. MPH students should coordinate with a public health agency and develop a project that benefits the agency. Students will also have a faculty member mentor from the Department of Health Sciences. Students can develop their own Integrated Learning Experience project and propose the project to an agency and faculty member with similar interests. The final project is submitted in the Spring semester Graduate Seminar class in the form of a submitted written product and an MPH Conference presentation.

FAQs Accordion Closed
Q: Is this program offered online?
A: Yes, we now offer this program online and you can learn more information about the Online MPH Health Promotion program by clicking here.
Q: Do I need to have an undergraduate degree in public health to be eligible for this program?
A: No, your bachelor’s degree can be in anything. The only requirement is that you have a bachelor’s degree and that you have taken an intro/basic undergraduate-level statistics course (or passed the AP Statistics Exam).
Q: How many hours of public health experience is required to apply?
A: None. While gaining experience in public health prior to applying will certainly help you determine your fit within the profession, public health experience is not a requirement to apply. We do consider your readiness to serve underserved communities when reviewing your application, so we encourage you to describe experiences or attributes that make you equipped for this work.
Q: How do you evaluate applicants? What do you look for in applicants?
A: Applicants are evaluated based on their GPA; writing ability (as demonstrated in the personal statement); general fit for the program based on career goals and interests; previous experience managing multiple commitments; interest, experience and readiness to serve underserved communities; and letters of recommendation.
Q: Can I count previous courses taken from other institutions towards my degree?
A: Up to 9 credits may be transferred from another master’s degree, however, these requests must go through several levels of approval and stipulations apply. The university policy regarding graduate course transfers can be accessed here: href="https://www5.nau.edu/policies/Client/Details/550">https://www5.nau.edu/policies/Client/Details/550
Q: Are there assistantship opportunities or other opportunities for funding?
A: There are a few graduate assistantships offered at NAU and prospective students are encouraged to check the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies website assistantship list frequently during the semester they are applying. Check current "at large" assistantship openings at the bottom of the Graduate Assistantships page. There are very few graduate assistantships currently offered within the Health Sciences Department. However, students can apply for TA and RA positions that provide hourly pay (no tuition waiver).

Faculty and staff Accordion Closed
To learn more about our MPH faculty and staff, click here.

Meet Current and Former Students Accordion Closed

Student Spotlight

Anika Martin
Anika Martin is from Honolulu, Hawaii. She graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences: Public Health from Northern Arizona University (NAU) in Fall 2018. When she's not working or studying, Anika enjoys going to the gym, exploring new places to eat, and finding new recipes to cook. After graduation, Anika plans on conducting community outreach and implementing health and wellness programs to better the health statuses of marginalized communities in Hawaii. Her graduate research project focused on identifying the perceptions of sexual education among LGBTQIA+ undergraduate students at NAU. Anika's favorite part of the NAU Master of Public Health program, is the faculty and staff members for their continuous support and mentorship. The quality of education provided from all staff and faculty members was described as  exceptional! She also mentions that the Flagstaff community, although very different from what she was used to growing up, was an amazing experience she would never trade for anything in the world. Feel free to contact Anika with and ask her questions about her experience in the program at abm253@nau.edu.  
Christopher Moreno
Christopher (Chris) Moreno was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He earned his bachelors degree in public health and a minor in biology from Northern Arizona University. Chris has many interest areas within public health including: epidemiology, climate change and health, sustainability, mental health, and complementary and alternative medications. His hobbies include hiking, running, rock climbing, and playing disc golf in his free time.  After graduation, Chris hopes to gain experience by working in an epidemiology fellowship. His interest in epidemiology is specifically on emerging and infectious diseases, intersecting with climate change and wishes to pursue this career path. His favorite part about NAU's MPH-Health Promotion program is the boundless opportunities for career, educational, and personal growth provided by the program and the amazing faculty. Feel free to contact Chris with questions on the program or his experience at cpm228@nau.edu.  
Omar Gomez
Born in Oaxaca, Mexico and raised in Flagstaff, Arizona, Omar is deeply focused on immigrant health promotion. Currently he works as a graduate research assistant investigating occupational health risks among Latina housekeepers and was previously involved with initiating contact tracing in Coconino County led by DrPh. Samantha Sabo. Omar plans to apply to medical school and use his experience in public health to support health access for marginalized communities.
     
Department of Health Sciences
Location
Room 435 Building 60
Student and Academic Services
1100 S. Beaver St.
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Mailing Address
PO Box: 15095
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Contact Form