Simmons University Online MPH (Master of Public Health)

The Simmons University Department of Public Health offers an online Master of Public Health (MPH@Simmons) program with Accelerated or Traditional completion pathways. Additionally, students already earning a BA or BS in Public Health through Simmons may apply to the Bachelor’s to Master’s MPH program, with the ability to complete two graduate courses in place of two undergraduate public health courses.

MPH@Simmons is focused on promoting local, national, and global health equity through the understanding that public health and social justice are fundamentally connected. Through this program, students participate in live, online class sessions, attend two in-person immersions, complete a 20-30 hour service learning placement during and complete a Health Equity Change Project. The degree can also be tailored to meet the passions and career aspirations of the participants, who can focus their degree on food insecurity, public health policy, maternal health, health equity, human rights, health law, and strategic communication.

In-person immersions include a three-day trip to Boston, Massachusetts, delving into its history of race and racism and how that has affected the city’s education, employment, healthcare, transportation systems, and other structural systems. The second immersion takes place in the US-Mexico borderlands region of Arizona. This is an eight-day immersion in Patagonia on traditional Tohono O’odham lands. It includes immersive experiences that delve into border politics and policies, border challenges, the environmental health implications of natural resource extraction, local food challenges, educational justice, and migrant health and well-being.

The MPH program comprises 45 credits. The Traditional MPH can be completed in 21 to 24 months and begins in January, April, July, and October. The Accelerated MPH is a 15-month program that begins in July and is completed in four 11-week terms. Due to the accelerated nature of this program, students who are enrolled in the Accelerated MPH are not allowed to work during the program. MPH@Simmons is a cohort-based program; therefore, students complete courses in a prescribed order depending on the pathway chosen.

Online coursework is delivered in synchronous, face-to-face, weekly class sessions. Live classes encourage collaboration and relationship-building with faculty and peers. Students also complete readings, view documentary-style videos, explore case studies, and complete written and video assignments.

Student support is a key element of Simmons University online programs, and students receive admissions and academic support throughout the MPH program. There is a dedicated student support team with support specialists ready to help students succeed and to help provide answers, resources, and support. As well, graduates have access to an extensive alumni network and career services such as résumé-building and interview preparation.

MPH courses include Health Equity and Social Justice; Epidemiology; Socio Structural Determinants of Health; Biostatistics; Community-Based Research for Health Equity; Health Policy Analysis and Change; Environmental Health and Justice; Public Health Project Planning I-II; Health Advocacy, Community Organizing, and Innovation; Global Health and Political Economy; and Health Equity Change Project I-II.

Examples of elective courses include Introduction to Health Equity Mapping and Analysis; Health Law and Human Rights in Practice; and Strategic Communications for Health Equity. Other electives may focus on food insecurity, public health policy, maternal health, and other topics. Students should work with their advisors to determine which elective courses would best fit their career aspirations.

Students in the Bachelor’s to Master’s MPH program take Health Equity and Social Justice in place of an undergraduate elective and Epidemiology in place of Introduction to Epidemiology.

Simmons University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The MPH program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).