Specialize Your MPH Experience
The 100% online Master of Public Health program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences allows you to tailor your degree by selecting from three specialized concentrations.
All students complete the required Council on Education for Public Health foundational competencies through required core public health coursework and applied learning experiences.
You’ll also choose a concentration that builds focused expertise and prepares you to lead a competitive profession.
One Degree, Three Concentrations
Epidemiology
Analyze Data. Inform Decisions. Protect Populations.
The epidemiology concentration prepares you to design, analyze and communicate rigorous population health research. You’ll gain advanced training in data management, statistical modeling and applied epidemiologic methods — equipping you to investigate disease patterns, evaluate risk factors and inform evidence-based public health decisions.
This concentration emphasizes both technical precision and applied impact. You’ll learn to assess dataset integrity, clean and structure complex data, select appropriate study designs and apply modeling procedures to answer meaningful public health questions. Through applied research coursework, you’ll independently design, defend and complete an epidemiologic research project — culminating in a formal research proposal, manuscript and oral defense.
This concentration supports roles in governmental agencies, health departments, research institutions and health systems.
Competencies Emphasized
- Assessing and preparing datasets for statistical analysis
- Coding and managing epidemiologic data
- Applying statistical modeling procedures to population health questions
- Selecting and justifying appropriate study designs
- Independently designing, analyzing and communicating epidemiologic research
Public Health Administration and Policy Concentration
Lead Organizations. Strengthen Systems. Shape Policy.
The public health administration and policy concentration prepares you to lead and evaluate public health and health care organizations in complex regulatory and economic environments. You’ll develop advanced skills in organizational behavior, health economics and systems-level analysis, giving you the necessary skills to improve quality, efficiency and equity across health systems.
This concentration emphasizes strategic leadership and evidence-informed decision-making. You’ll examine how policy, financing structures and organizational dynamics influence public health outcomes, and learn how to apply analytic frameworks to challenges. Graduates are prepared for leadership and administrative roles in hospitals, clinics, public health agencies, long-term care organizations, health systems and health policy institutions.
Competencies Emphasized
- Applying organizational behavior theories in diverse health settings
- Evaluating health care organizations using management and systems framework
- Analyzing public health policy through economic and regulatory lenses
- Distinguishing between individual-level interventions and policy, systems and environmental change strategies
- Identifying and assessing health disparities using evidence-based approaches
Public Health Practice
Design Programs. Mobilize Communities. Improve Outcomes.
The public health practice concentration prepares you to design, implement and evaluate policies and interventions that improve population health. You’ll learn how to navigate legal, ethical and political considerations while advancing evidence-informed solutions in complex public health environments.
You’ll develop the ability to assess agency practices for alignment with public health laws and regulations, build innovative and sustainable multi-sector partnerships and analyze public health systems through global, historical and socio-political perspectives.
This concentration prepares you to work in community health settings, nonprofit organizations and public health departments to address health disparities and improve population outcomes.
Competencies Emphasized
- Designing and implementing public health programs and interventions
- Evaluating program effectiveness and regulatory alignment
- Building cross-sector partnerships that enhance public health
- Applying systems thinking to local and global public health challenges
- Translating evidence into sustainable community-based action
Other Competencies Addressed
Grant Writing and Management
- Identify funding opportunities and develop a public health research or program funding proposal.
- Develop a financial plan for a public health research or program funding proposal.
- Conduct a review of a public health research or program funding proposal.
- Evaluate grant progress, including financial resources.