Master of
Public Health

Master Of Public Health​

Program Overview

Youngstown State University: Where Passion Meets Proficiency

Roll up your sleeves and embark on a transformative journey into Public Health with the Master of Public Health program at Youngstown State University. A degree that marries passion with the power of knowledge, equipping future leaders to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of public health.

Curriculum Insights: Molding the Health Advocates of Tomorrow

Our charismatic curriculum is meticulously designed with an engaging balance of health management, environmental health, social and behavioral sciences, biostatistics, and epidemiology. A certain set of core classes lays the groundwork for your comprehensive understanding, while a suite of electives opens pathways to tailor your learning experience to your interests. The journey culminates with an internship and a capstone project, infusing real-world perspective and hands-on experience into your academic exploration.

Career Trajectory: The Landscape of Opportunities

Post-graduation, you are empowered with many opportunities in local, state, and federal health departments, hospitals, community health organizations, health research firms, and more. The career outlook shines brightly too, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a robust 15% job growth for healthcare occupations from 2019 to 2029, which is faster than the average for all occupations. In particular, health educators and community health workers can anticipate a steady race, with a job growth of 13%. Moreover, if doctoral studies in public health are on your radar, our degree lays a robust foundation for your future voyage.

Join the Master of Public Health program at Youngstown State University, where we don’t merely impart education but spark inspiration, churning out not just graduates, but the next wave of trendsetters in public health. It’s not just a degree, it’s your ticket to a healthier, brighter future.

4+ 1 Bachelor of Science in Applied Science/Master of Public
Health Program

The accelerated “4+ 1 + program allows students to earn the Master of Public Health degree in one year after completing their Bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate students can apply for admission into the accelerated program after completing 78 semester hours with a GPA of 3.3 or higher. While in the accelerated program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA. Students can take a maximum of twelve semester hours of graduate work that can count both towards the Bachelor’s degree and Master of Public Health degree.

Nutrition Track

Youngstown State University’s Master in Public Health degree, with a specialization in Nutrition, equips you with a comprehensive blend of public health principles and advanced nutritional science. The curriculum is carefully designed to cover essential topics that intersect diet, health, and wellness within public societies. Through the exploration of courses ranging from Maternal and Child Nutrition, Policy and Environmental Health Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Nutrition and Aging, to hands-on clinical experiences, students are prepared to apply their knowledge in real-world situations, fostering a deeper understanding of public health nutrition’s impact on community health outcomes.

This program delves into the core of public health concepts while emphasizing the crucial role advanced nutrition assessment and dietetics play in enhancing population health. With focused coursework and rigorous clinical experiences, including the capstone projects, students graduate not only with theoretical knowledge but also with practical skills to address nutritional health challenges.

Entering the job market with a Master’s in Public Health focused on Nutrition places graduates in a strong position. The increasing awareness of nutrition’s pivotal role in public health generates a robust demand for skilled professionals capable of contributing to a healthier society across various platforms. Graduates are poised for careers in a range of sectors including government, non-profit organizations, healthcare, and research. This degree paves the way for impactful work in creating and implementing nutritional policies, conducting significant research, and driving community health initiatives. With this advanced education, graduates are ideally positioned to lead change and improve public health outcomes through the lens of nutrition.

The MPH-DFM (Nutrition Track)  program at Youngstown State University will be phasing out. Applications will no longer be accepted. The program will remain accredited until December 31, 2026. Graduates of the program will be able to obtain a copy of the Verification Statement after program completion by contacting Dr. Jeanine L. Mincher, PhD, RDN, LD at jlmincher@ysu.edu.

Generalist Track

This program offers a comprehensive exploration into Public Health through a well-rounded curriculum designed to equip students with the fundamental and specialized knowledge critical in this field. The core courses cover a breadth of essential topics, including Public Health Concepts, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Services Administration, and Policy and Environmental Health Sciences, laying a solid foundation for understanding and addressing public health issues.

Further specialization is offered through the Generalist Track, which includes Grant Writing in Public Health Practice, Public Health Practice and Issues, and Public Health Research and Evaluation, focusing on practical skills needed for effective public health practice and research.

Electives and the practical components, such as the Individual Investigation in Public Health, offering 1 to 3 semester hours of directed study, and the MPH Practicum, provide opportunities for hands-on experience and deeper exploration in areas of interest. The program culminates in the Capstone Project, a two-part series, solidifying students’ learning through applied research or project work.

With a total of 42 semester hours, this curriculum is designed to prepare students for a wide array of public health challenges, nurturing professionals capable of significant contributions to public health through research, policy, and practice.

Speak to a Faculty Member
Dr. Nicolette Powe
Program Director
nwpowe@ysu.edu

The program is currently accredited through the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) through December 2026.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(312) 899-0040 Ext. 5400