MPAS/MPH

The Master of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies and Master of Public Health (MPH) dual degree program provides a solid foundation in both PA studies and public health. This program equips graduates with necessary clinical skills for treating patients and provides an in-depth understanding of how public health approaches are employed to improve the health of populations, including efforts to reduce health disparities.

Benefits of the PA/MPH degree program:

• The MPH-trained PA will have in-depth knowledge and competencies in: epidemiology and biostatistics, health policy, behavior and community change strategies, community program planning and evaluation, structural determinants of health in society, and public health leadership.
• The MPH-trained PA will have expanded professional opportunities, particularly in federal, state, and local government agencies.
• The MPH-trained PA will have the ability to speak the language of policymakers.
• The MPH-trained PA will be prepared to transition from a clinical focus to a policy and management role in leading change in health systems.
• The MPH-trained PA will rely on a population health perspective in delivering clinical care, and in doing so will have a heightened awareness of the social, economic, racial, and environmental determinants of health.
• The MPH-trained PA will have an enhanced ability to consume and interpret health- related research.

Potential career paths:

• Federal, state, and local government, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, state health departments, and county and city health departments 
• Global/international medicine and public health 
• Policy and advocacy for vulnerable and underserved communities
• Addressing the needs of specific priority populations, such as children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, mental illness, or drug addiction, tribal communities, etc. 
• Environmental health advocacy and regulation

For more information and to apply to the HSC MPAS/MPH dual degree program, contact: Admissions@unthsc.edu.

Curriculum

Physician Assistant Studies, MPAS  

MPH Public Health Leadership