MPH in Physical Activity and Public Health
The MPH in Physical activity and Public Health is where exercise science, prevention and community health come together. In USC’s MPH program, students prepare to design, implement and evaluate interventions that increase physical activity in populations.
This program is built for students who want to improve health through evidence-based
physical activity interventions, chronic disease prevention, active communities, wellness initiatives and
public health practice.
What You’ll Study
You’ll build the skills to understand how physical activity affects health and how public
health professionals can help people and communities become more active. Students
learn about exercise physiology, physical activity and health, behavioral aspects
of physical activity, community-based interventions, program evaluation, body composition and health behavior measurement.
Curriculum
The MPH in Physical Activity and Public Health is a 45-credit-hour program that includes
the public health core, physical activity and public health coursework, an elective,
a Physical Activity Integrative Learning Experience and a Physical Activity Applied
Practice Experience.
View the full curriculum in the Graduate Academic Bulletin.
Admissions
Applicants should have a four-year baccalaureate degree or equivalent in exercise science, kinesiology, biology, chemistry, pre-med, nutrition, health sciences, physiology, psychology, public health, physical therapy or medicine from an accredited institution. Applicants apply through SOPHAS.
Learn about the complete admission requirements and prerequisites.
Where our Grads Work
Graduates are prepared for career opportunities in health and wellness, active transportation to school, corporate wellness, transportation and community design, parks and recreation, chronic disease prevention, community-based physical activity interventions, policy and environmental change, and local and state health departments. Our graduates work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Greenville Health System, Journal of Sports Medicine and Health Science, SC Department of Public Health, and more.
Graduate Assistantships
A graduate assistantship is a part-time position that allows graduate students to work in a variety of roles, depending on the source of funding.
Graduate assistants may be hired by a faculty member to support research on a grant-funded project or by a department to assist with clerical, administrative or other program-related duties.
Graduate assistants must be enrolled as full-time students. Assistantships are typically classified as quarter-time, which is 10 hours per week, or half-time, which is 20 hours per week.
Tuition
Tuition and fees are subject to change and vary based on enrollment status and residency. Students are encouraged to explore financial aid options, scholarships and assistantships to help support their education. Learn more from the Office of Graduate Student Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The MPH in Physical Activity and Public Health includes an applied practice experience and prepares students to design, implement and evaluate interventions to increase physical activity in populations.
The program requires 45 credit hours.
GRE scores are not required but are recommended.
Academic prerequisites include Human Anatomy and Physiology.
Applicants apply through SOPHAS.
Request More Information
Learn more about USC's MPH in Physical Activity and Public Health.
Contact Us
Please contact Jennifer O'Neill, MPH, Ph.D., Graduate Director for the MPH in Physical Activity and Public Health, at 803-777-9333 or oneilljr@mailbox.sc.edu with questions.
Graduate Student Handbook
The Graduate Student Handbook includes detailed degree requirements, including admission requirements, pre-requisites and course information.