Community Health Masters Program
Applicable Degrees
- Master of Public Health
- M.S. in Community Health/Specialization in Health Policy and Administration
- M.S. in Community Health/Specialization in Epidemiology
- M.S. in Rehabilitation
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health Degree Program at Illinois provides education and training in the core competencies of public health, with a focus on chronic disease prevention. In particular, the MPH curriculum deals with lifestyle modification; risk factors such as tobacco use, poor diet, and lack of physical activity are major causes of chronic disease. The program includes several features critical to development of skills in prevention and control of chronic diseases including:
Program features
- state-of-the art curriculum in policy and environmental approaches to chronic disease prevention
- a strong commitment to interdisciplinary education and research that addresses issues such as health disparities, environmental justice, and social determinants of disease
- a long-standing campus and collegewide tradition of translating knowledge generated by research into real-world applications
- exceptional opportunities to study and work in community partnerships to address public health needs in chronic disease prevention, with a focus on how to work with smaller cities and the rural areas adjacent to them.
View the Master of Public Health website 
Note: New enrollment in the Master of Science in Public Health degree has been suspended effective fall 2009.
Specialization in Health Policy and Administration
The Master of Science in Community Health/Specialization in Health Policy and Administration concentrates on health policy, health services administration, business, and political science.
Admission Requirements
- Successful completion with a grade B or above of courses in:
- Economics
- Social sciences
- Data collection and processing including measurement, questionnaire design, computerization, descriptive health measures, and statistical analysis through regression.
- Deficiencies in any area listed above will require additional coursework for successful completion of the degree.
Degree Requirements
- Minimum of 48 hours of graduate credit. 24 hours must be at the 400 level, with 12 hours of course work in Community Health courses.
- Thesis
Specialization in Epidemiology
The Master of Science in Community Health/Specialization in Epidemiology prepares graduates for advanced public health research or as health and safety specialists in epidemiology.
Admission Requirements
- Successful completion of courses in biological and social sciences and mathematics.
- One additional unit of statistics (CHLTH 391 Biostatistics or SOC 385 Social Statistics, I, or equivalent) if they did not complete courses through regression and correlation with a grade of B or better in their undergraduate study
- One unit of data analysis (CHLTH 321 Health Data Analysis, or equivalent) if they did not complete such a course with a grade of B or better in their undergraduate study.
Degree Requirements
- Minimum of 32 hours of graduate credit with at least 12 hours at the 400 level, 8 hours of which must be in Community Health
- Thesis
Master of Science in Rehabilitation
The Master of Science in Rehabilitation is a two-year program that offers four concentrations:
- Rehabilitation counseling, accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education, prepares graduates for careers as counselors for clients with disabilities, and for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor examination. Students who choose to become eligible for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) examination must complete 48 hours of graduate coursework to meet the accreditation requirements of the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).
- Rehabilitation administration prepares graduates for positions as administrators, coordinators, and planners in a variety of rehabilitation service settings.
- General rehabilitation prepares graduates to serve clients with a broad spectrum of disabilities.
- Supported employment focuses on the place/train method of job placement and prepares graduates for careers as directors of supported employment programs.
Admission Requirements
- Successful completion of an undergraduate degree in a rehabilitation-related discipline or strong background in the social and biological sciences
- Successful completion of a course in introductory statistics
Degree Requirements
- 40 hours of graduate work. At least 12 hours must be at the 400 level, and 8 of these must be in Community Health
- Thesis is not required but may be written for 8 hours of credit
