University of Pittsburgh

The MMPH program is 42 credits, although many students receive advanced standing credits for graduate degrees earned or pursued concurrently. 

We recognize that many applicants have advanced clinical degrees relevant to public health and will individually consider prior courses for up to six credits of advanced standing. Students enrolled at another professional school concurrently with Pitt Public Health may apply a maximum of six credits from the other program toward the MPH. 
           

*Students must take either BIOST 2011 or BIOST 2014 and 2042

1. The director of the MMPH program is advisor to all MMPH students. The essay committee must consist of a minimum of two University of Pittsburgh faculty
2. Members—LaPorte will be committee member as director of the program. The other reader/committee member must be chosen from a second Pitt Public Health department or a faculty member with an appointment in another school at the University
3. All elective courses must be appropriate to the MMPH program and be approved by the student's academic advisor prior to registering for the class. Such electives should be outlined by the student upon entering the program.
4. No more than six credits may be taken in other University graduate programs.
5. No more than six credits may be transferred from another school.
6. No more than a total of 2 credits taken as either independent study, credits of practicum, and credits of essay may be applied toward the 36 credit requirement.

Master's Essay

A maximum of two credits for the master's essay may be required. The essay will serve as the analysis of competence attained by the individual student and must identify a public health theme.

The essay provides the student with an opportunity to integrate the major components of the Pitt Public Health learning experience, applying the principles of public health to an analysis of a specific topic area and learning how to write scientifically. A major goal of the essay is to permit the student to relate concepts and principles from public health coursework of a didactic nature to the experiences anticipated during the student's professional career. The student is expected to demonstrate verbal and technical proficiency in scientific writing.

The essay should be of publishable quality. There are different formats that are acceptable; the first is a standard scientific review paper, the second is a data-based publication, and the third is a grant proposal.

MMPH candidates will have Ronald LaPorte as their primary advisor, plus a secondary advisor in their area of expertise; both will serve as readers. One of the readers must be on the core list of a Pitt Public Health department; the second reader must not be on the same core list but may be on the core list of a second Pitt Public Health department or may be a faculty member with an appointment in another school at the University. The role of the faculty will be to assist the candidate in determining an appropriate essay topic, to guide and mentor the degree candidate through the essay process, and to assist the candidate in the research and writing of the essay.

For information and an application please contact:

Ronald E. LaPorte, PhD, director
E-mail: rlaporte@pitt.edu
Ronald E. LaPorte's Faculty Bio
Phone: 412-383-7244
111 Parran Hall

Faina Linkov, PhD, assistant director
E-mail: flinkov@upmc.edu 
Phone: 412-623-3386

Jessica Dornin, administrator
Phone: 412-624-3625
Fax: 412-624-3146
E-mail: mmph@pitt.edu
A668 Crabtree Hall

Pitt Public Health
130 DeSoto Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261

MMPH Student Handbook