The M.P.H. program prepares professionals for leadership positions in public health and health-related agencies. Students may specialize in health promotion or health services management. The M.P.H. with a health promotion specialization prepares students to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (C.H.E.S.) examination given by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. Students who complete the M.P.H. with a specialization in health services management are eligible to take the Illinois Nursing Home Administrators Licensing Examination if certain electives have been completed.
Check departmental information for any additional requirements.
Potential applicants for this program should consult with a program adviser about recommended course work. Admission to the program requires approval of an admissions committee. Preference is given to applicants who have had work or extensive volunteer experience in a public health or related agency.
Procedures for admission to the program and other detailed information are available from the public health and health education programs office.
Grading Policy
M.P.H. students must earn a minimum grade of B in each of the following eight core courses:
A total of 43-46 semester hours of graduate credit is required for the degree with the non-thesis option.
Students may apply a maximum combined total of 18 semester hours of graduate credit earned as a student-at-large at NIU or in NIU graduate courses taken outside the U.S. or as transfer credit from another institution toward the M.P.H. degree; however, no more than 15 semester hours of combined transfer and study-abroad credit can be used toward this 18 semester hour total.
(May be waived for students who have received a C or better in PHHE 453 or equivalent. However, another appropriate course must be taken with the consent of the student’s adviser.)
