Master of Public Health: Veterinary Public Health Specialization - MPH

Program Contact:

E. Jane Kelly, DVM, MS, MPH, DACVPM, DACVM

Clinical Professor in the Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences Department, Veterinary Diagnostician and Microbiologist at the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

jane.kelly@usu.edu

Program Description

This 100% online Master of Public Health (MPH) in Veterinary Public Health degree includes interdisciplinary training in veterinary-related public health science and prepares students with skills and competencies essential for leadership and administrative positions in the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases, food safety, and the wildlife-domestic animal-human interface. The Master of Public Health (MPH) in Veterinary Public Health program offers specialized training in the emerging public health discipline of One Health. Students learn how to work with veterinarians, ecologists, and physicians to monitor and control public health threats by applying the core disciplines of public health and specialized knowledge of veterinary medicine to learn how diseases spread among people, animals and the environment. The land grant setting of Utah State University provides unique resources for the Master of Public Health (MPH) in Veterinary Public Health program with the College of Veterinary Medicine, agricultural extension programs, the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories, and the Institute for Antiviral Research, as well as strong academic programs in climate sciences, ecology, and natural resources. This program is 100% online, so students can complete the program from anywhere around the world. This program can be pursued part-time or full-time.

The Master of Public Health (MPH) in Veterinary Public Health is considered a professional program (Plan C) program. Students must complete an Applied Practice Experience (APE) and write a capstone paper, also known as the Integrative Learning Experience (ILE). Students should contact their advisor early in their program to start planning their APE and ILE, to ensure that all degree requirements will be met, and that all appropriate paperwork has been sent to the School of Graduate Studies (SGS). The Plan A option (requires the preparation and defense of a thesis) is available under certain circumstances and is best suited for students desiring research experience. Plan A students must find a major professor and two additional committee members, in addition to meeting all SGS requirements.

Admission requirements can be found on the USU School of Graduate Studies website (gradschool.usu.edu/admissions/policies). Applicants do NOT have to be veterinarians or interested in becoming veterinarians to be admitted to or benefit from this program. Students are expected to be admitted to the program as matriculated students before taking coursework leading to the degree.

Additional information about the Master of Public Health (MPH) in Veterinary Public Health program may be obtained by contacting the Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences Department or by visiting the program website (caas.usu.edu/mph/vet-public-health)