The purpose of the Master of Public Health degree (with concentration in epidemiology, international public health, environmental health, or public health systems) is to provide a learning experience that global students can readily transfer to everyday practice of public health in their home countries. Learning activities combine academic, professional education, and real-world applications that challenge the adult learner to develop a professional vocabulary and competencies in each graduate-level course.

In addition, performance competency (skill-developing and knowledge-developing projects) and affective development (value-challenging experiences) are emphasized rather than only knowledge-based competency. Projects focus on enhancing the following skills: Internet, primary, and secondary research; software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; SPSS; etc.); creative; decision making; people management; analytical; synthesis; integrative; conceptual; and communication.