School of Health Professions, Education, and Social Sciences (Graduate)

Master of Public Health

Chair:

LaTonya Dixon, Ph.D.

Program Director:

LaTonya Dixon, Ph.D.

Graduate Faculty:

Marie Claire Boutrin, Ph.D., M.P.H., Professor
Sherine Brown-Fraser, Ph.D., R.D., Professor
Earl Henry, Dr.P.H., Professor

Adjunct Faculty:

Ken H. Stewart, Dr.P.H.
Fedoria Rugless, Ph.D.
Carla Fider, Dr.P.H.
Richard Blanco-Topping, Ph.D.
Valesca X. John, Ph.D.
Jocelyn Peterson, Dr.P.H.
Tia Jeffery, Ph.D.
Donesha Scott, Dr.P.H.

Degree Offered:

Master of Public Health: Concentration in Nutrition and Wellness

Certificates:

Public Health Nutrition
Plant-based Vegetarian Emphasis Fitness, Health Promotion & Behavior Health Disparities & Nutrition

Mission Statements

The School of Health Professions, Education and Social Sciences has the primary objective of educating health professionals in nursing, allied health, exercise science, nutrition and dietetics. The school aims to facilitate learning that focuses on a Christ-centered, service-oriented curriculum that promotes excellence in character development, achievement of professional goals, and adherence to professional standards.

Accreditation

Oakwood University, through its Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). This department offers the master’s in public health with a Concentration in Nutrition and Wellness (Online) degree/program. This program is currently in the candidacy phase with the Council on Education for Public Health.

Prerequisites for Admission

Applicants must complete all prerequisite courses before registering for courses in the program. The prerequisite courses for the MPH are: One year of Biology with a lab or Physiology with a lab or Anatomy and Physiology with a lab, with a grade of C or better; Two courses in nutrition (one introductory nutrition course similar to ND 131-Nutrition or equivalent and one intermediate level nutrition course similar to ND 321 Life Span Nutrition, ND 323 Community Nutrition, or equivalent) with a grade of C or better.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for regular admissions to the MPH program, candidates will be required to meet the following criteria: Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent that is earned from a regionally accredited institution recognized by the United States Department of Education with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale)

Provisional Admission into the MPH program

Overall GPA 2.5- 2.9
Must complete the GRE prior to acceptance.
- Minimum GRE scores:
- Verbal - 150
- Quantitative - 150
- Analytical - 3.5

If admitted, students are required to earn a GPA of 3.0 or better during the first term of matriculation to obtain regular standing and continue in the program

Admission to the Program

Students are admitted into the program once a year during the fall semester.

Time Limits MPH program

The program is structured to meet the needs of the part-time as well as full-time student. Normal progress through the program for full-time students is four courses per semester. Normal progress for part-time students is one or more courses per semester.

The time allowed from enrollment to the graduate program to the conferring of the Master of Public Health degree may not exceed five years. Application for an extension will be considered on an individual basis.

Transfer Credit and Progression

Students wishing to transfer into the Oakwood University MPH program from another college or university must follow the same application procedure as other new students. Transfer students must also submit official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to Oakwood University Office of Graduate Education. If an applicant holds a master’s degree or has graduate credits from an accredited institution, they may transfer a maximum of nine (9) credit hours that are relevant to the MPH degree. The graduate faculty of the MPH degree in Nutrition and Wellness will evaluate all requests for transfer credit and make the final determination about the courses and credits that will be accepted.

Graduation Requirements - MPH program

To graduate from the program, students are required to:

Complete the didactic portion of the program with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 or above
Pass the comprehensive examination with a score of 75% or above
Successfully complete the capstone research project, practicum and portfolio with a minimum grade of B for each one