Master's degrees

The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Master of Health-Care Administration (M.H.A.), and Master of Science (M.S.) degree programs are designed for those with appropriate backgrounds who are seeking to acquire graduate-level competencies in public health, health-care administration, and nutrition.

• Epidemiology — M.P.H. (traditional, online)
• Global Health — M.P.H.
• Health-Care Administration — M.H.A. (traditional, online)
• Health Education and Wellness Coaching — M.P.H. (traditional, online), comparison
• Nutrition with coordinated program in dietetics — M.P.H.
• Plant-Based Nutrition — M.S. (online)
• Population Medicine — M.P.H. (traditional, online)

The admissions requirements described below are in addition to the University admissions requirements and program requirements. The minimum eligibility requirements for admission to a master’s degree program include the following:

• A baccalaureate degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution, with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or above.

• Satisfactory performance in the Graduate Record Examination (G.R.E.) or equivalent; scores must have been attained within the last five years. Other scores are acceptable. G.R.E. may be waived for students with a cumulative G.P.A of 3.2 or higher. Please contact the admissions office for details.

• Applicant may be interviewed by program director and/or faculty.
• Religious affiliation is not a requirement; but students are expected to adhere to on-campus requirements of modest dress, abstinence from alcohol and smoking, and attendance at weekly chapel.

Applicants must satisfy the program-specific admission requirements, including but not limited to pre-requisite courses, license requirements and years of experience. Admissions decisions are based on a review of applicant’s transcripts, written statement, letters of recommendation, G.R.E. or equivalent scores, and interview (if necessary). Satisfying minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Master of Health-Care Administration

The program leading to the Master of Health-Care Administration (M.H.A.) degree is designed to develop the management and leadership skills of those involved in the public and private health-care industries.

The Master of Health-Care Administration (M.H.A.) degree provides a broad understanding of health-care management and hands-on experience in applying learned principles. The M.H.A. degree is designed for those whose professional objective is a career in health-care management. The field practicum period provides experience in a health-care organization. Graduates are prepared for careers at administrative levels in health-care organizations—including hospitals, public agencies, health-care networks, group practices, long-term care, and managed care.

Master of Public Health

The program leading to the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree is designed to provide broad preparation in the fundamentals of public health, while at the same time offering opportunity for some specialization in areas of interest.

The degree is offered with major concentrations in the areas of epidemiology, global health, health education and wellness coaching, nutrition, and population medicine. Second major concentrations can be added in addition to the primary major.

Public health core requirements

All M.P.H. students are expected to develop skills and knowledge foundational to public health. This is accomplished by completing the following integrated, interdisciplinary public health core courses:

Applied practice experience

In accordance with Loma Linda University's mission—"To make man whole"—the School of Public Health provides students with rich experiences, as well as training opportunities that include all dimensions of public health: physical, mental, spiritual, intellectual, and environmental. Part of this training occurs during the applied practice (AP) experience—which may be completed as a field practicum, applied research, or course-based activities, depending on the major. The applied practice experience at the School of Public Health is an opportunity for students to apply the knowledge they learn in the classroom, enhance their understanding of public health, and contribute to the health of the community in which they are engaged. The experience allows students to demonstrate their ability to synthesize and integrate prior learning into real-life, public health settings.

Integrative learning experience

The Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) gives the students an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in the professional competencies required of public health professionals. This degree requirement occurs at the end of the of the program and is designed to enhance the student's professional knowledge and skills by developing a professional product and demonstrating proficiency in the specific program competencies. This process involves collaboration with and mentoring by the program faculty and the advisor.  In consultation with the advisor and program faculty, the student selects the program learning outcomes for which they will be assessed to determine if they have met the degree requirements for synthesis and application of learning. This product may include a practice-based project, essay-based comprehensive exam, capstone course or another experience that culminates with a high-quality written deliverable for assessment purposes.

E-Portfolios

In addition to the AP Experience and ILE, some programs may require students to complete a professional portfolio.

Residencies for physicians

Residency training in the specialties of general preventive medicine and public health and in occupational medicine, as well as a combined residency in family and preventive medicine, are offered by the School of Public Health for qualified physicians. Each residency training program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and prepare residents for certification by the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM). Both preventive and occupational medicine specialties require the successful completion of an accredited M.P.H. degree.

Those interested in applying to these training programs should contact the residency office by calling 909/ 558-4918 or by visiting the following web address: https://lluh.org/prevmedresidency.

Preventive medicine residency

The three-year program consists of an internship year followed by two years of integrated academic and practicum experiences. One internship position is offered through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) each year.  Additional positions are offered for PGY-2 applicants, if they have already completed an internship year.

The program combines the academic and practicum experience over two years. During this time, residents will complete their M.P.H. degree and rotate at the various training sites. Practice sites include Loma Linda University, the Loma Linda Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Kaiser Permanente, Riverside County Department of Public Health, and the Inland Empire Health Plan.

Under the guidance of the residency and faculty members at the School of Public Health, each resident completes a scholarly activity on a topic of choice during their residency.

Family and preventive medicine residency

The Family and Preventive Medicine Residency Program combines curricular elements of a three-year family medicine residency and a three-year preventive medicine residency into an efficient training program of four years. During the first year, residents complete a family medicine internship. The remaining years include both family and preventive medicine rotations and M.P.H. degree coursework. Practice sites include Loma Linda University, SAC Healthcare System, the Loma Linda Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Kaiser Permanente, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, and the Inland Empire Health Plan.

Occupational medicine residency

The three-year program consists of an internship year followed by two years of integrated academic and practicum experiences. One internship position is offered through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) each year.  Additional positions are offered for PGY-2 applicants, if they have already completed an internship year.

The program emphasizes the clinical and applied aspects of occupational and environmental medicine. The program combines the academic and practicum experience over two years. During this time, residents will complete their M.P.H. degree and rotate at the various training sites. The major clinical site is the Occupational Medicine Clinic at Loma Linda University.  This residency program focuses on the health of individuals and groups in relationship to work, hazards in the workplace, and environmental issues. The program emphasizes the assessment of individual health hazards and the identification and promotion of practices that help to reduce risk and prevent or postpone disease and injury.

Under the guidance of the residency and faculty members at the School of Public Health, each resident completes a scholarly activity on a topic of choice during their residency.

Master of Science

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in plant-based nutrition is offered to meet the specific needs of registered dieticians and other health-care professionals who desire evidence-based training in plant based nutrition and serves as a bridge to the Ph.D. in nutrition program offered by SPH. This Master of Science degree is offered online only.

More information about these areas of specialization is found in the Nutrition Program section of this CATALOG.