Veterinary Public Health - MPH

College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

About This Degree

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.

What You Will Learn

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 (research and thesis) is available under certain circumstances. Plan A students must find a major professor and two additional committee members, in addition to meeting all SGS requirements.

Career And Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Graduates with an MPH degree in Veterinary Public Health can seek out diverse positions in public health organizations, academia, and industry that offer opportunities for leadership roles, professional development, and higher pay and benefits. Potential positions include public health veterinarian, veterinary epidemiologist, animal food safety specialist, wildlife public health specialist, and research and management positions. These positions can be found in a variety of governmental, academic, nonprofit, and for-profit settings, including colleges and universities, healthcare organizations, agricultural and food industries, international agricultural and development organizations, and local, state, and federal health and environmental agencies.

Veterinarians who receive an MPH degree also prepare themselves to become board-certified in Veterinary Preventive Medicine. When combined with a science-focused undergraduate, the MPH degree can be used as a stepping stone to veterinary or medical school. For students interested in academic careers in public health, the MPH degree can be excellent preparation for application to doctoral public health programs.

Job Outlook

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION AND ADVISING

Advising

Jane Kelly

Clinical Professor
Email: jane.kelly@usu.edu
Office: Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Phone: 801-798-5435

Brenda Poulsen

ADVS Graduate Coordinator
Email: brenda.poulsen@usu.edu
Office: AGRS 248
Phone: 435-797-2162

I am not a current USU student

I have not applied or been admitted, even if I've taken a USU Concurrent Enrollment course

I am a current USU student

I have been admitted and plan to attend, or continue attending USU

USU Locations

LOGAN CAMPUS

*This degree is available at various USU locations.

**This degree is 100% available online. USU is a SARA-approved institution offering fully online programs nationwide; please visit USU's state authorizations for details.

Admission

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet departmental requirements, in addition to requirements of the School of Graduate Studies as seen on the School of Graduate Studies Catalog Page. To be considered for the MPH Veterinary Public Health program, applicants must meet these minimum requirements.

  • Complete online application.
  • Pay the $55 application fee.
  • Provide transcripts for all college/university credits.
  • Include a statement of purpose in the online application.
    • This should be a 1-page single-spaced paper that describes how the MPH Veterinary Public health program aligns with your career goals and what you have accomplished professionally or academically that demonstrates your ability to be successful in graduate school.
  • Include a current resume/CV in the online application.
  • 3.0 or higher GPA for the last 60 semester (90 quarter) credit hours.
  • 3 professional letters of recommendation.

Deadlines

Application materials received by the deadlines listed below will be prioritized and given full consideration. Late applications will be considered for admissions when space is available. Please reach out to the program director with application questions.

  • Semester start in Fall:
    • Early priority deadline: January 15*
    • Application Deadline: March 15
  • Semester start in Spring:
    • Early priority deadline: None
    • September 15

* Applications submitted by this date will be reviewed in time for applicants to submit college and university level scholarships through Scholarship Universe.

Plan Options

The MPH Veterinary Public Health program is a 42-credit program that includes 21 credits ofpublic health foundational competency courses and 15 credits of veterinary public health concentration courses. In addition to these required courses, the students select 2 elective courses.

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 (research and thesis) is available under certain circumstances. Plan A students must find a major professor and two additional committee members, in addition to meeting all SGS requirements

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