Samford University

What you'll study

The curriculum moves from foundational public health topics to advanced graduate training. Core areas explicitly covered include:

• Epidemiology — tracking disease, preventing outbreaks, and designing programs and policies.
• Biostatistics — interpreting data, hypothesis testing and understanding concepts like correlation and regression.
• Health disparities & social/behavioral science — examining factors that drive unequal outcomes and applying behavioral frameworks.
• Health policy & management — analyzing social, political, economic and cultural influences on health and using management tools for organizational challenges.
• Environmental health — evaluating how pollutants and exposures affect biology and community health.
• Specialized applied expertise — focused study and hands‑on practicum work in a chosen public health area.

Entry requirements

Admission to the accelerated pathway requires prior admission to Samford University and completion of specific program steps: submit an interest form and contact the program to arrange advising; during the junior year submit an approval form to request permission to enroll in graduate courses as a senior. Minimum academic conditions include a 3.0 cumulative GPA, completion of all convocation credit by the end of the junior year, and official transcripts sent directly from prior institutions. For progression, students must earn B grades or better in all Master of Public Health courses to be admitted into the graduate program.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a range of public health roles and typically gain practical experience through internships and applied practice placements. Common pathways include public health education and outreach, program management and evaluation, epidemiology and research support, health care and nonprofit leadership, and global or community health initiatives. Alumni go on to work in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, health systems or pursue further clinical or professional study.

Scholarships & funding angle

The programme text does not list specific scholarships. Prospective students should consult Samford’s admission and financial aid offices for information on university scholarships, FAFSA deadlines and other funding sources; the accelerated format may reduce time-to-degree and associated tuition costs by double‑counting eligible credits.