Health and Human Services News

Missouri State’s dual degree program receives top five ranking

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The Master of Public Health and Master of Health Administration (MPH/MHA) dual degree program at Missouri State University is one of the top programs in the country, according to NursingProcess.org. 

This standout program operates under the department of public health and sports medicine and is offered in collaboration with the department of management in the College of Business. It combines knowledge from both areas to give students a well-rounded education. 

“We’re excited by the ranking,” said Dr. Robert Niezgoda, visiting assistant professor of the MPH program. “The MSU MPH/MHA dual degree is a high-quality program with a flexible modality that prepares students for leadership positions in public health or health care organizations. The program’s success is due to our outstanding students and years of successful partnership between the MPH and MHA programs.” 

Ranking criteria 

To qualify for NursingProcess.org’s rankings, a school must be accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation body. 

The rankings are based on these criteria: 

  • Academic quality – acceptance rate, enrollment rate, graduation rate, retention rate and student-to-faculty ratio (50%). 
  • Editorial team ratings – considers the school’s infrastructure, faculty credentials, use of technology, student services, industry partnerships, college rankings, ratings and student reviews from respected online publications like U.S. News (30%). 
  • Affordability – net price and the percentage of enrolled students receiving financial aid (20%). 

Program highlights 

MSU’s MPH/MHA program allows students to earn two master’s degrees at the same time, bridging health care and medicine.  

Students can complete the two degrees in 72 credit hours. Courses range from epidemiology to international health and infectious disease to managing health care organizations and health law and ethics.  

The completion of the program equips graduates with a set of knowledge, skills and abilities that enables them to communicate relevant health information; account for health care priorities, policy and delivery; manage crises; and address major health concerns at the population level.   

As part of the program, students engage in at least 200 hours of public health field practice. They also complete a public health capstone project. 

Career opportunities 

Graduates of the program can find themselves in a variety of careers, such as: 

  • Biostatistician. 
  • Emergency management. 
  • Environmental health specialist. 
  • Epidemiologist. 
  • Health educator. 
  • Public health administrator. 
  • Public health information officer. 

Learn more about the dual degree program

Empowering future leaders with the Pathways internship program

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The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has partnered with Missouri State University to offer statewide public health internships through Pathways. 

Robert Niezgoda, visiting assistant professor in the department of public health and sports medicine at MSU, received a grant of $2.1 million to fund this project. He plays a key role in facilitating the development of the program. 

Niezgoda spent time as a local health department director and student mentor for MSU’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program. This makes him a prime candidate to oversee this project. 

“The grant partnership was based on the MPH program’s history of successful field experiences and the connections with the DHSS,” Niezgoda said. 

Pathways public health internships 

Fifty Pathways public health internship positions are open to undergraduate and master’s students starting in spring 2024.  

The internships are either with a public health agency or with DHSS offices. Each internship is 320 hours and students will receive a stipend of $6,400. 

This opportunity is not limited to one branch of study. Any health care-related field from nursing to health care administration can qualify.  

“The purpose of these internships is to help local public health agencies find potential employees,” Niezgoda said. “We want to get more people excited about public health, while strengthening their workforce.”  

What this means for MSU and the state 

The Pathways Missouri public health internship program is an ideal opportunity for organizations to provide students with practical experience for roles in a new career field. This enables students to get on-the-job skills the classroom may not provide.  

The DHSS partnership with MSU promotes a workforce development strategy to create more applicants for full-time public health jobs. 

Other participating Missouri universities include:  

  • University of Missouri. 
  • Saint Louis University.  
  • Washington University in St. Louis. 
  • Lincoln University. 
  • Lindenwood University. 
  • Missouri Southern State University. 
  • Truman State University. 
  • University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis.  

These academic partners will aid in coordinating the internships and developing a sustainability plan.   

“The important part is there will be opportunities for students to have paid public health internships,” Niezgoda said. “This will strengthen the Missouri public health workforce leading to improved health for Missouri.” 

Learn more about internships or apply

Physician from Nepal found new future in MSU’s public health program

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Agarwal was raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, and was a physician before she decided to come to America to pursue a master’s degree in public health.

“I have always been passionate about public health,” she said. “Even as a medical student, I  knew I was going to get a degree in public health. I became sure about it while I was working in Nepal at a private hospital as a health care executive. In this role, I felt I was making a bigger impact on people’s lives than I ever did practicing as a physician.”

Becoming a Bear

Karishma standing next to the MSU vine wall outside the PSU.

Agarwal discovered Missouri State’s Master’s of Public Health online. She wanted to live in Missouri to be close to her sister who lives in Springfield.

“I applied to a lot of schools in Missouri and ended up choosing Missouri State after reviewing the courses they offered. My decision was solidified after exchanging a few emails with the program director, Dr. David Claborn. It sounded like a great fit for me,” Agarwal said.

She was a graduate assistant and interned at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in the Maternal and Child Health Services division.

“During my internship, I had the opportunity to apply several concepts that I learned in my program,” she said. “The project that I worked on as an intern helped me abundantly in my first job right after graduation.”

“The project that I worked on as an intern helped me abundantly in my first job right after graduation.”

Despite being in a new country, Agarwal found Missouri State welcoming and loved the program.

Her advisor worked with Agarwal to sign up for electives based on her needs and interests.

Agarwal enjoyed the variety of classes – her favorite being international health. When she was in class, there happened to be seven international students and they all shared their perspectives on health care in their home countries.

The professors were friendly, approachable and always willing to advise and guide her. They were experts in their field, she said.

‘I feel more confident in myself and my skills’

Agarwal graduated in December 2017 and is fulfilling her dream of working in public health.

“I recently landed a job with Burrell Behavioral Health as the Clinic and Community Services Manager and I am so grateful to all my professors who mentored me and prepared me for this challenging role,” Agarwal said. “With the experience I gained as a student, and having the additional opportunities to be involved in a lot of research with my advisor, I feel more confident in myself and my skills.”