2025-2026 Graduate Catalog Health Sciences

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program is designed for students who aspire to work on vital health issues facing the citizens of our country and world. The program is especially relevant to students who have gained an appreciation for the complexity of health problems and recognize the need for developing solutions in thoughtful, systematic, and creative ways. People with various undergraduate degrees in applied health disciplines, life sciences and social sciences will find the program well-suited to advance their careers. Full-time and part-time plans of study are available.

All students are required to complete a professional practice and either a capstone project or thesis. A minimum cumulative and major GPA of 3.00 is required for retention in the MPH program.

The 42-hour sequence requires:

• 24 hours of core courses: HSC 405, HSC 407, HSC 445, HSC 458, HSC 488, HSC 496, HCS 410 and HSC 411 
• 3 hours or professional practice: HSC 498 
• Plus option 1 or 2

This sequence has a thesis and non-thesis option.

Option 1—Non-Thesis

• 12 hours of electives from the following: CJS 403, CJS 404 , CJS 438, CJS 442, CJS 467, COM 424, COM 409, FCS 411, FCS 415, FCS 433, FCS 494, GEO 441, GEO 422, GEO 426, HSC 406, HSC 450, HSC 462, HSC 468 , HSC 477, HSC 478, HSC 490, HSC 492, HSC 494, HSC 495, POL 431, POL 470, POL 477, SOC 410, SOC 420, SOC 430, SOC 433, SOC 462, SWK 402, SWK 406, SWK 420, SWK 444, SWK 450, SWK 455, and SWK 486
• 3 hours capstone: HSC 400

Option 2—Thesis

• 9 hours of electives from the following: CJS 403, CJS 404 , CJS 438, CJS 442, CJS 467, COM 424, COM 409, FCS 411, FCS 415, FCS 433, FCS 494, GEO 441, GEO 422, GEO 426, HSC 406, HSC 450, HSC 462, HSC 468 , HSC 477, HSC 478, HSC 490, HSC 492, HSC 494, HSC 495, POL 431, POL 470, POL 477, SOC 410, SOC 420, SOC 430, SOC 433, SOC 462, SWK 402, SWK 406, SWK 420, SWK 444, SWK 450, SWK 455, and SWK 486
• 6 hours thesis: HSC 499

Additional courses may qualify as electives with approval from the academic advisor or graduate program coordinator.

Accelerated Master’s Degree in Public Health

High achieving students who graduated with a degree in ISU’s Accelerated Public Health undergraduate program are allowed to apply up to 15 hours of approved graduate courses to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The certificate prepares learners to become a National Board Certified-Health & Wellness Coach. With the certification, coaches can work in various settings, full or part-time, helping people improve their health and optimize their wellness. Courses completed as part of the certificate may also be counted towards the requirements for the Master of Public Health with official admission to the graduate program. Students should apply for the certificate before beginning coursework.

This 9-hour certificate requires successful completion with a grade of B or better in each of the following courses:

HSC 477, HSC 496, and HSC 498a11