Public Health Online

Epidemiology & Biostatistics Concentration

Program Overview

The Epidemiology & Biostatistics Concentration focuses on generating new knowledge, evaluating public health programs, and training professionals to address global health challenges. Students will:

• Apply data-driven techniques to improve public health outcomes.

• Explore infectious disease courses, learning about public health preparedness and disease control.

• Gain proficiency in biostatistics concentrations and work with tools like R, SAS, and Stata.

• Required Courses

  Students will complete a combination of core, breadth, and elective courses. Key requirements include:

  • Health and Social Behavior (PHW200G, 3 units)

  • Intro to Environmental Health Science (PHW200F, 3 units)

  • Health Policy and Management (PHW200E, 3 units)

  • Introduction to Probability and Statistics (PHW142, 4 units)

  • Epidemiologic Methods (PHW250, 3 units)

  • Interdisciplinary Seminar (PHW289, 3 units)

  Elective options include global health, spatial data science, community health science, and regulatory science courses.

• Epidemiology & Biostatistics Course Requirements

  In addition to the six required core and breadth courses for all students earning an MPH degree, students in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Concentration must complete: 1) two epidemiology and biostatistics core requirements; 2) one course in data management; 3) at least five additional units of courses in Epidemiology and Biostatistics; and 4) a sufficient number of elective courses to complete the 42 units required for the MPH degree.

  Required Epidemiology & Biostatistics Courses (2 courses, 8 units)

  • PHW241: Intermediate Biostatistics for Public Health (4 units, Spring Full Term)

  • PHW250B: Epidemiologic Methods II (4 units, Fall Full Term)

  Competency in Data Management (select 1 course, 2 units)

  • PHW251: R for Public Health (2 units, Fall Full Term)

  Course outside of OOMPH that can fulfill the Data Management Requirement:

  • PH271K: Introduction to Data Management and Programming in SAS for Public Health (2 units, Spring Full Term)

  Additional Courses in Epidemiology & Biostatistics (select at least 5 units)

  • PHW219: Introduction to Survey Methods (3 units, Spring 1 or Summer 2)

  • PHW225A: Introduction to Applied Implementation Science (1 unit, Spring 1)

  • PHW225B: Implementation Science Case Studies in Low and Middle Income Countries (1 unit, Spring 2)

  • PHW251B: Data Visualization for Public Health (2 units, Fall Full Term)

  • PHW252: Epidemiological Analysis (Note: PHW250B and PHW241 must be completed prior to enrollment, PHW251: R for Public Health is highly recommended) (4 units, Fall Full Term)

  • PHW252A: Introduction to Causal Inference for Public Health Professionals (4 units, Spring Full Term)

  • PHW253: Outbreak Investigations (3 units, Fall 2)

  • PHW268: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) for Health and Development (3 units, Summer 2)

  • PHW272C: Applied Spatial Data Analysis for Public Health (3 units, Spring 2)

  Course outside of OOMPH that can be used towards the minimum 5 units

  • PH252C: Intervention Trial Design (2 units, Spring Full Term)

• Explore Focus Areas

  Infectious Disease

  Study the intersection of epidemiology and infectious disease control through evidence-based methods. Relevant courses include:

  • Outbreak Investigations (PHW253)

  • Infectious Diseases (PHW260)

  Global Health

  Tackle global health challenges through a transdisciplinary approach with courses like:

  • Comparative Health Systems (PHW209)

  • Foundations of Global Health (PHW212)

  Spatial Data Science

  Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial data to inform healthcare decisions with courses like:

  • Intro to GIS for Public Health (PHW272A)

  • Applied Spatial Data for Public Health (PHW272C)

  Regulatory Science

  Delve into drug safety and public health regulations with courses like:

  • Regulatory Science, Drug Discovery and Public Health (PHW236A)

Food, Nutrition, and Population Health Concentration

Program Overview

UC Berkeley’s MPH in Food, Nutrition, and Population Health focuses on addressing inequities in food and nutrition through systems-level change. By integrating interdisciplinary approaches, the program prepares students to:

• Assess and address public health nutrition challenges.

• Advocate for and implement data-informed food and nutrition policies.

• Design and lead programs that promote healthier, more equitable food systems.

• Focus on food sovereignty and resiliency, particularly in the context of climate change.

• Tackle nutrition inequities on both a local and global scale.

• MPH Degree Course Requirements

  Students pursuing a Master of Public Health degree at UC Berkeley must complete six core courses primarily in their first year. These courses provide foundational knowledge in public health and first-year MPH courses include:

  • Health and Social Behavior (PHW200G, 3 units)

  • Intro to Environmental Health Science (PHW200F, 3 units)

  • Health Policy and Management (PHW200E, 3 units)

  • Introduction to Probability and Statistics (PHW142, 4 units)

  • Epidemiologic Methods (PHW250, 3 units)

  • Interdisciplinary Seminar (PHW289, 3 units)

• FNPH Course Requirements

  Students must complete five FNPH courses online to fulfill the requirements for the Food, Nutrition, and Population Health concentration.

  Core Courses:

  • Nutrition Assessment (PHW206A)

  • Food and Nutrition Policies and Programs (PHW206B)

  Choose one Human Nutrition course:

  • Maternal and Child Nutrition (PHW207A)

  • Diet and Chronic Disease (PHW290A)

  Choose two additional courses from Nutrition & Community Health Sciences or Global Health:

  • Mass Communication in Public Health (PHW204)

  • Program Planning and Development (PHW205)

  • Evaluation of Health & Social Programs (PHW218)

  • Comparative Health Systems (PHW209)

  • Foundations of Global Health (PHW212)

• Elective Courses

  To meet the 42-unit requirement for the MPH degree, students select three elective courses. Recommended electives include:

  • Social and Behavioral Health Research: Introduction to Survey Methods (PHW219)

  • Statistical Analysis of Categorical Data (PHW241)

  • GIS for Public Health (PHW277)

Health Policy & Management Concentration

Program Overview

UC Berkeley’s HPM concentration blends policy, economics, management, and leadership training. You’ll develop a comprehensive understanding of healthcare systems, strategic decision-making, and the ability to lead in a variety of healthcare settings.

Students in the Health Policy & Management concentration learn to:

• Assess and develop health policies that improve healthcare outcomes.

• Manage and lead organizations in health systems, biotech, consulting, and public health.

• Use economic and strategic tools to address healthcare challenges.

• Implement innovative approaches to solve healthcare problems across sectors.

• MPH Degree Course Requirements

  To earn the MPH degree, all students must complete six core courses in their first year to build a strong public health foundation. These courses include:

  • Health and Social Behavior (PHW200G, 3 units)

  • Introduction to Environmental Health Science (PHW200F, 3 units)

  • Health Policy and Management (PHW200E, 3 units)

  • Introduction to Probability and Statistics (PHW142, 4 units)

  • Epidemiologic Methods (PHW250, 3 units)

  • Interdisciplinary Seminar (PHW289, 3 units)

• Health Policy & Management Course Requirements

  Beyond core public health coursework, HPM students must complete specialized courses in health management, economics, and policy to meet the concentration’s requirements. This includes the Graduate Certificate in Health Management (9 units) and additional courses in economics and policy (3 units each).

  Graduate Certificate in Health Management Requirement (9 Units)

  • Strategic Management & the Health Sector (PHW223, 3 units), and

  • Organizational Behavior & Management in Healthcare (PHW224, 3 units), and

  • Healthcare Finance (PHW227A, 3 units)

  Economics Requirement (3 units)

  • Health Economics (PHW226A, 3 units), or

  • Economics of Population Health (PHW226C, 3 units)

  Policy Requirement (3 units)

  • Health Policy Methods (PHW220M, 3 units), or

  • Biomedical Innovation Policy (PHW222A, 3 units)

• Elective Courses

  To complete the 42-unit requirement, students select 3 elective courses or pursue a specialized study area. Popular study tracks include:

  Regulatory Science Courses

  Interested in drug safety, market access, or the cost of prescription drugs? The Regulatory Science track focuses on tools and standards to efficiently evaluate healthcare products and improve global health.

  • Comparative Health Systems (PHW209, 3 units)

  • Regulatory Science, Drug Discovery, and Public Health (PHW236A, 3 units)

  • Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (PHW226F, 1 unit)

  Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases Courses

  If you’re passionate about infectious disease control in healthcare settings, the Epidemiology and Infectious Disease track covers host-pathogen interactions, outbreak investigations, and trial designs for public health interventions.

  • Epidemiologic Methods II (PHW250B, 4 units)

  • Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response (PHW257, 3 units)

  • Infectious Diseases (PHW260, 3 units)

  Community Health Sciences Courses

  This track focuses on public health programs that improve healthcare outcomes, particularly among marginalized communities. You’ll learn how to design, implement, and evaluate community health programs.

  • Program Planning (PHW205, 3 units)

  • Evaluation of Health & Social Programs (PHW218, 3 units)

  • Social and Behavioral Research: Introduction to Survey Methods (PHW219, 3 units)

  Spatial Data Science for Public Health Courses

  Interested in using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to inform healthcare decisions? The Spatial Data Science track equips students with skills to manipulate and analyze spatial data to improve public health strategies.

  • Intro to GIS for Public Health (PHW272A, 3 units)

  • GIS for Public Health Practice (PHW277, 3 units)

  Global Health Courses

  For those focused on improving healthcare globally, the Global Health track provides a transdisciplinary perspective on global public health challenges.

  • Foundations of Global Health (PHW212, 3 units)

  • Global Health Ethics (PHW213, 3 units)

Interdisciplinary Program

Program Overview

The UC Berkeley Online MPH Interdisciplinary program provides students with a well-rounded, comprehensive understanding of the social, political, economic, and environmental factors that influence public health. Students will:

• Customize their course selection based on their career objectives.

• Apply an interdisciplinary approach to address public health challenges.

• Develop leadership skills essential for navigating complex public health environments.

• Key Competencies

  Upon completion of the MPH interdisciplinary program, students will:

  • Analyze health policies for their impact on health equity.

  • Apply interdisciplinary methods to complex public health issues.

  • Master leadership and decision-making techniques applicable to public health.

  • Utilize epidemiological research and data management skills.

  • Lead public health interventions across a range of professional settings.

• Required Courses

  Students will complete a combination of first-year MPH courses. Key MPH course requirements include:

  • Health and Social Behavior (PHW200G, 3 units)

  • Intro to Environmental Health Science (PHW200F, 2 units)

  • Health Policy and Management (PHW200E, 3 units)

  • Introduction to Probability and Statistics (PHW142, 4 units)

  • Epidemiologic Methods I (PHW250, 3 units)

  • Interdisciplinary Seminar (PHW289, 3 units)

• Explore Focus Areas

  Tailor your education by selecting courses in the following public health areas:

  Health Policy and Management

  Develop leadership and policy analysis skills through courses such as:

  • Strategic Management and the Health Sector (PHW223)

  • Biomedical Innovation Policy (PHW220A)

  Global Health

  Address global public health challenges by integrating professional and academic perspectives through courses like:

  • Foundations of Global Health (PHW212)

  • Comparative Health Systems (PHW209)

  Community Health Sciences

  Focus on public health, emphasizing equity and marginalized communities. Courses include:

  • Evaluation of Health & Social Programs (PHW218)

  • Mass Communication in Public Health (PHW204)

  Epidemiology, Infectious Disease, and Regulatory Science

  Gain expertise in epidemiology and regulatory science with courses such as:

  • Outbreak Investigations (PHW253)

  • Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response (PHW257)

  Spatial Data Science for Public Health

  Master Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and data science tools for public health applications through courses such as:

  • Intro to GIS for Public Health (PHW227A)

  • Applied Spatial Data for Public Health (PHW227C)