APU’s Master of Public Health Program Provides Students with Internship, Research, and Mentorship Opportunities

Program Flexibility and Work Life Balance

The MPH program’s 43-50 units can be completed in just two years for full-time students. The program is designed to offer maximum flexibility through in person and online asynchronous modalities with six entry points throughout the year. The three official start dates are in summer, fall, and spring, but since each class only takes eight weeks, students can start at the halfway point in a semester without missing any content. Most students take one class, or three units, during each eight week term, allowing them to immerse themselves fully in the coursework. The program is supported by a $1.5 million grant from the Public Health Scholarship Program (PHSP), and students enrolled full-time in the program and living in the U.S. can benefit from scholarships up to $21,000 to be disseminated over their first three semesters towards tuition and other academic costs.

The MPH program is designed to be flexible for students with busy schedules and commitments outside of school. “Most of our students have other commitments such as full time jobs, being caregivers for children or parents, traveling as an APU athlete, or preparing for medical school,” said department chair and professor Marissa Brash, DrPH, EdD, CPH. “We’ve received feedback from students that they appreciate the ability to balance working full time, having small children, and doing their schooling effectively and successfully.”

Curriculum Design and Applicability

The MPH curriculum is strategically designed to educate students on a variety of topics necessary for the field. Students graduate with knowledge in policy, advocacy, epidemiology, statistics, leadership, environmental health, and health literacy, education, and communication. “What I apply most in my job is the communication skills the program enhances through presentations and skill development through group work,” said Mary DerMovesian, MPH ’21, manager of Hospital Partnerships for One Legacy organ procurement in Southern California. DerMovesian worked and taught at APU in the Department of Biology and Chemistry and wanted to further her education in order to progress in her career. “The MPH program encouraged critical thinking, and the courses transferred directly to the expertise I needed in the field.”

Graduates have gone on to work in county and state health departments, nonprofits, hospitals, and to build upon primary care work as doctors, physician’s assistants, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. “Public health is a dynamic field that grows and builds across different domains,” Brash said. “Rather than viewing this program as a stepping stone, we want students to see it as a chance to gain a better understanding of the implications of healthcare and get excited about impacting the community.”

While enrolled students do not need to declare any specific faith affiliation, the program’s faith integration component is often seen as a curriculum enriching part of the program for Christian and non-Christian students alike. “When the MPH program was created, the faculty intentionally disseminated aspects of faith integration into each course so that it’s deliberate and constantly giving students new ideas to think about,” professor Koy Parada, PhD(c) said.

The program also uses a simulation activity called Who Is Your Neighbor to teach class material while developing empathy and a sense of community through biblical and public health lenses. Brash said that in her epidemiology class, she combines the software with biblical passages on leprosy to teach the approaches and implications of contact tracing methods. “We’re reading Scripture to understand how the Bible can be applicable today,” she said. “It makes the material interesting for those who might not have a Christian background already, and it's great to see them getting excited about reading the Bible.”

Faith integration in the program has been well received by students. “Having professors bring that perspective to class and praying for us while allowing for our religious beliefs to be incorporated into our work was insightful,” DerMovesian said. Nicholas Montes ’25, a current MPH student, found that the faith integration aspect took him back to his Catholic roots and enriched his educational experience. “It’s been great to see how the Bible and spirituality work so well with nursing and public health,” he said.

Employers have also expressed appreciation for the underlying values taught by the faith integration component of the curriculum from a secular perspective.

APU’s faith integration creates a greater work ethic centered on integrity and trust, and that translates into how we function in jobs and set ourselves apart from other candidates. When I interviewed with the CEO of One Legacy, he said that APU graduates are wonderful because of their work ethic and integrity.

Mary DerMovesian, MPH '21

Unique MPH Program Opportunities

Students’ time in the MPH program culminates in a thesis or capstone project. Montes is completing his semester-long capstone project, a literary review on his specialization topic of disease health promotion and health equity targeting. “Capstone projects can open up dialogue and conversation to find compromises and solutions to stop the spread of disease,” he said. Both the thesis and capstone project are designed to inspire students to use their personal passions to bring new perspectives and insight to the field. They also act as an encouragement to students to continue research work in the future. Theses and capstone projects are often submitted for presentations through organizations and conferences around the country. DerMovesian had the chance to do research on the effects of carbon monoxide on pregnancy with one of her professors. “I presented my research at multiple symposiums and conferences which was great,” she said. “It was extremely eye opening to connect and interact with others in the field and really enhanced my learning.”

Fellowship goes hand in hand with research in the program. There are a variety of opportunities for students to engage in distinguished fellowship programs including the Randal Lewis Health Policy fellowship. Each year, one student from the program is accepted into the fellowship and has the chance to cultivate professional relationships while developing their research.

APU’s MPH program also offers international public health trips. Twice a year, students from the Azusa and San Diego campuses have the chance to work with impoverished populations for four days in Mexico. During the summer, MPH and nursing students are eligible to sign up for a month-long trip to Thailand where they are able to practice global health and explore different policies and practices. “We make the content as relevant as possible given the constant changes in public health,” Parada said. “Students learn to look at different perspectives in an unbiased way and come to their own conclusions about how to move forward, but what’s important is that we’re engaging students in areas that affect them in the present.”

Lasting Community and Career Connections

The MPH program’s tight-knit community allows for networking and mentorship opportunities. “Having one-on-one time with the professors makes a difference in student success, and I know it will help me succeed after the program,” Montes said. Professors become one of students’ biggest support systems both in and out of the classroom. “We recognize that when working with adult students juggling multiple commitments, we have to be more accessible and connect with our students when it works for them,” Brash said. “We want to support our students in the stage of life they’re in.”

Professors are also able to support students as they search for internships. “Many students secure internships in the program and are directly hired by that organization, and 100 percent of students seeking employment find full time work within three months of graduating,” Brash said. “Lots of the personal and professional relationships and mentorships they make in the program lead to this success.” DerMovesian is just one example of alumni supporting current MPH students. “The connections I made helped me get to One Legacy, and I still come back to APU to connect with others going through the program. ”

The program allows students to enter into or continue in the field more knowledgeable and skilled to pursue their own passions. “When students graduate, we want them to be empowered and feel that they are in a position to make a difference in their communities,” Parada said. “It’s not just about learning a certain skillset, but fulfilling an obligation to be good stewards of the resources they have, including their public health knowledge.” Students graduate well equipped and ready to follow their callings. “The MPH program has given me the tools to do any job in the field that I come across,” Montes said. “I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to grow and continue working in public health while building upon my knowledge. The MPH program is really about learning to adapt and use what we know to do good for others.”