ASU partners with University of Minnesota on new Master of Public Health Program
The University of Minnesota, in partnership with Arizona State University, will begin offering two Master of Public Health programs to meet a growing need in Arizona. These include a Master of Public Health in Public Health Nutrition degree program and a Master in Public Health in Public Health Administration and Policy degree program.
Both programs commence in the coming academic year, and students will receive a University of Minnesota degree.
The programs will be delivered in a hybrid format, including in-person courses with an online component, as well as purely online courses. The existing U of M academic program will be offered to students online, and courses also will be taught in the classroom by ASU faculty who have adjunct faculty status at the U of M School of Public Health.
The distance Master in Public Health in Public Health Administration and Policy (PHAP) will teach students to translate public health concepts and principles into the health care arena. The PHAP program prepares graduates to serve in administrative and leadership positions in state, city, county and other community public health agencies, and develop successful collaborations with diverse cultures and communities.
The distance Master of Public Health in Public Health Nutrition program will meet the needs of students who want graduate training in health promotion, disease prevention, program development and nutrition interventions.
ASU identified a need in its region for access to a public health curriculum, but did not want to create a school of public health. The university explored a partnership with the U of M School of Public Health because of its reputation for high quality education and experience with providing hybrid and online education.
“Offering the Masters in Public Health from the University of Minnesota’s highly ranked School of Public Health is a great benefit to Phoenix and Arizona, where need for public health professionals is great,” said Elizabeth D. Phillips, ASU executive vice president and provost. “This partnership provides the opportunity for ASU’s excellent faculty in public health to work with Minnesota faculty on teaching and research, and gives University of Minnesota access to new populations, as well.”
William Riley, director of ASU’s School for the Science of Health Care Delivery, will direct the master’s program in Phoenix. Riley, who joined ASU in January, was previously associate dean and director of the U of M’s School of Public Health.
“We are very pleased that our Board of Regents approved this pioneering partnership with Arizona State University,” said John Finnegan, assistant vice president for public health at the U of M and dean of the School of Public Health. “ASU has a reputation for innovative programming and is located in one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. We see a very bright future in this partnership.”
Students seeking admission to either program should visit the “Degrees and Programs” section on the U of M School of Public Health website.