The University System of the Georgia Board of Regents has approved a new Master’s degree in Public Health with a Maternal and Child Health concentration to be offered at Columbus State University. The program could be available as early as spring 2021, pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

“The Master of Public Health (MPH) will prepare students to take on leadership roles in health care and public service agencies. Graduates from this program will have a significant impact on the quality of life in our communities,” said Dr. Deborah Bordelon, Provost and Executive Vice President.

“CSU’s College of Education and Health Professions is excited to be able to offer this program as we begin the ‘Create You’ campaign,” stated Dr. Deirdre Greer, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions.  “The University is dedicated to giving students interested in making a difference in the community through a career in public health and an opportunity to prepare for or advance their career.”

Columbus State University is an optimal setting for a Master of Public Health (MPH) program with a Maternal and Child Health concentration because Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia is part of the 16 county West Central Health District, District 7.  According to the latest data provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health, District 7 is considered a disparate health district due to the many chronic conditions and mortality rates that exceed state or national levels.  The launch of a new MPH program at CSU will give future graduates of the program the potential to serve and to provide health education and disease prevention initiatives for vulnerable populations living in our region.

Students considering applying for the MPH program should have a Bachelor’s degree in a health-related discipline with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for full admission, (2.5 for provisional), submit a statement of interest in the program and two letters of recommendation from professionals qualified to assess the candidate’s potential success in the program. Transcripts will be reviewed for applicants who do not have a degree in a health-related discipline to determine whether they can be admitted fully or provisionally.