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Degrees Offered

Master of Public Health (MPH)
Courses of study leading to the master of public health are designed to provide individuals with a broad background for professional practice in the field of public health at state, national and international levels.

The Office of Public Health Studies currently offers the MPH degree specializing in epidemiology, health policy and management, and social and behavioral health sciences.

To ensure that students are able to integrate their classroom experiences with the realities of the practice of public health in the field, there are specific competencies MPH Core Competencies to be achieved in the MPH degree program and within their specialization.

Master of Science (MS) in Public Health
Courses of study leading to the master of science (MS) degree are designed primarily to provide students with a research-oriented education in a specialty area within the broad field of public health. All master’s degree students are required to select one area of specialization.

The Office of Public Health Studies currently offers the MS degree specializing in epidemiology and social and behavioral health sciences.

MS Competencies may be found here.

PhD in Epidemiology
Candidates who successfully complete the PhD in Epidemiology will be prepared to teach in academic and other settings, conduct independent and collaborative epidemiologic research, and provide consultative services to academic, not-for-profit, and private organizations.

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
The DrPH program will prepare students to lead programs and conduct independent investigations addressing public health topics relevant to culturally diverse groups, with a special focus on those in the state of Hawai‘i and the Asia-Pacific region. The program focuses on translational research and emphasizes community-based participatory research methodologies.

Translational research is the investigation of how to successfully transform scientific discoveries arising from laboratory, clinical, or population studies into community applications to reduce incidence, morbidity, and mortality. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) in health is a collaborative approach to research that equitably involves investigators and members of the community in the research process and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings. This approach increases the likelihood that interventions will be embraced by the community and that community members will gain knowledge, skills, and other benefits from the research.

DrPH students are expected to publish their work in peer-review journals and present at national and international forums. All DrPH students will complete mentored teaching and research practica.

Candidates who successfully complete the DrPH program in Community-Based and Translational Research will be able to collaborate with community partners to identify and address public health issues as well as conduct independent research, train public health workers, and demonstrate expertise in the following areas: health disparities, cultural competency, evidence-based public health practice, and community-based participatory research.

Additional information on the DrPH program is available in the DrPH Handbook.