Public Health Online Programs | UofL News & Resources

Breaking News: University of Louisville’s School of Public Health and Information Sciences Ranked Among “Best Online Graduate Schools” by U.S. News & World Report

By Conner Mackowiak | April 9, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

We are thrilled to announce that the University of Louisville’s (UofL) School of Public Health and Information Sciences (SPHIS) has been named one of the “Best Online Graduate Schools” ranked by U.S. News & World Report!

This ranking reflects the quality of education that UofL is committed to providing for all students, including those in the classroom on the Louisville campus or studying 100% online from around the world.

SPHIS offers several online graduate programs including:

MS in Biostatistics: Designed for working professionals with a bachelor’s degree looking to start or advance their career in biostatistics, statistics or data science.

MS in Epidemiology: Designed as a terminal degree to prepare students for an epidemiology career, and/or for those seeking the start of a PhD in Public Health Sciences with a specialization in Epidemiology.

MS in Health Administration: Designed for aspiring healthcare executives or leaders with 5+ years of experience looking to broaden their core healthcare management competencies, or those pursuing career advancement in population health management.

MS in Physiology: Designed for aspiring healthcare professionals looking to bolster their medical-science knowledge and expertise for career advancement in healthcare or medical research.

Additional online Graduate Certificates are offered in fields like Healthcare Financial Management, Healthcare Management, Healthcare Quality and Project Management, and Population Health Management.

Across all colleges and academic units, UofL offers 70+ online undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs that can help you take your education and career to the next level, some also recognized as best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

You can learn more about our top-ranked public health programs here. Here’s to another year of delivering top-quality education to our students in Louisville and around the world!

New Program Alert: Online Master of Science in Physiology

By Conner Mackowiak | November 6, 2024 | Comments 0 Comment

UofL Online is excited to announce the launch of our newest program, the online Master of Science in Physiology (MS Phys)! This fully online degree offers students the opportunity to delve deep into the complexities of human physiology while providing the flexibility to learn at their own pace.

The MS in Physiology is designed for individuals looking to advance their careers in healthcare, research or education. With a comprehensive curriculum that covers topics such as cellular physiology, neurophysiology and exercise physiology, students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in a variety of professional settings. Students will also be better prepared for a terminal degree in the medical field!

The MS in Physiology program director, Robert Brainard, PhD, emphasized the importance of this program, stating, “Health Science-related careers continue to expand at an accelerated pace. Our program provides a path toward admission into health-professions schools and employment in higher-paying medical-related positions.”

Graduates of the program will be well-prepared to pursue further education, such as medical or doctoral programs, or to take on roles in clinical settings, laboratory research, or health education. The online format ensures that students can balance their studies with work or personal commitments, making it an accessible choice for many.

Elevate your education and expand your career opportunities in the dynamic field of physiology. Click here to learn more about the program and how to apply!

New Online Program: Graduate Certificate in Population Health Management

By admin | October 31, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

The University of Louisville in conjunction with the School of Public Health and Information Sciences is excited to announce the launch of our newest online certificate, the Graduate Certificate in Population Health Management (GCPHM). The online Graduate Certificate in Population Health Management is designed for healthcare professionals who want to gain the strategic knowledge and tools needed to effectively understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities within the healthcare industry across geographic and demographic populations. The online graduate program presents a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of different healthcare populations in which students will learn about the strategies needed to forecast and improve healthcare models, understand the intricacies of patient billing and manage population health within the healthcare industry. This 4-course (12 credit hour) program is ideal for working healthcare professionals who seek to transform or create sustainable models for value-driven accountable care and decision making without taking time away from their careers.

Earning a Graduate Certificate in Population Health Management can be a valuable step toward advancing your career in the field of healthcare and public health. Population health management focuses on improving the health outcomes of a group of individuals, considering the health disparities, social determinants of health, and healthcare delivery systems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), the median annual wage for medical and health services managers was $101,340 in May of 2021. In addition, employment of medical and health service managers is projected to grow by 28% in the next ten years, which is much faster than the average growth for all occupations. A Graduate Certificate in Population Health Management can provide you with the expertise needed to advance into leadership roles within most healthcare organizations. Graduates are well-suited to apply their credentials toward advanced careers in the healthcare field such as; Clinical Managers, Chief Population Health Officers, Health Directors, Medical Managers, and much more.

The certificate program is a 12-credit hour program, with each course delivered in an 8-week format, 100% online. The courses in this certificate program include:

PHMS 505: Government and Management of HCOs : This course seeks to provide the student with an understanding of organizations and leadership from dominant ways of thinking about them to ways informed by a complexity perspective. Course participants will read about and discuss a broad range of perspectives about what constitutes an organization and leadership of it. Particular attention will be given to the organizational experiences of the student and the experience of the class in being together.

PHMS 520: Foundations of Public Health in Health Management : This course is designed to introduce new students in the Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) to the field of Public Health in the United States. It provides a broad overview of the field of public health. With a population health focus, we look at protecting and promoting the health needs of a community using the tools of public health like the community needs assessment, and including core areas of epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion, environmental health, and health care administration as well as introducing students to the Foundational Public Health Knowledge Competencies as prescribed by the Council for Education in Public Health (CEPH).

PHMS 610: Health Policy and Analysis: This course will provide an introduction to managing the health of populations. Population health can be defined by geography and demographics. Examples of defined populations include: the population within the catchment area of a hospital, the members of a health maintenance organization, the persons served by an accountable care organization, and the population employed in a workplace. Improving the health of populations has always been a high priority for public health professionals but has been less of a priority for managers of health care organizations, with their focus on the acute-care needs of individual patients.

PHMS 625: Population Health Management : This course will provide an introduction to managing the health of populations. Population health can be defined by geography and demographics. Examples of defined populations include: the population within the catchment area of a hospital, the members of a health maintenance organization, the persons served by an accountable care organization, and the population employed in a workplace. Improving the health of populations has always been a high priority for public health professionals but has been less of a priority for managers of health care organizations, with their focus on the acute-care needs of individual patients.

The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, and healthcare management professionals need to adapt to new challenges and technologies. Earning a graduate certificate demonstrates your commitment to staying current in the field and a smart investment in your future. This certificate will equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in a dynamic and critical industry while opening doors to a wide range of career opportunities. As healthcare continues to evolve, healthcare managers play an essential role in shaping the future of patient care and healthcare delivery. To learn more about this certificate at UofL, or our other online programs, click here.

Finding a new path: How the Master of Arts in Teaching can help you transition into a teaching career

By admin | October 26, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

Do you dream of being an educator and making a lasting impact in the lives of students, but have been held back by your unrelated undergraduate degree? The good news is that your dream of becoming a teacher is still very much within reach. Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs offer a transformative path for those seeking a career change, enabling you to transition into the world of education and inspire future generations. In this post, we will explore how MAT programs at UofL (like our 100% online Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education and Special Education programs) are breaking barriers for those with undergraduate degrees in unrelated fields.

Opening doors to a new career

First, it’s okay that your undergraduate degree isn’t in a teaching field—you’re in good company here! MAT programs are tailored for individuals with diverse academic backgrounds, providing the essential training and coursework typically needed to receive an initial teaching certification. A teaching certification is your ticket to the classroom, and it can lead to a variety of teaching opportunities in both public and private schools. Programs like ours recognize the drive and new energy that career changers bring to the field of education and ensure they have the tools to succeed.

Note: An MAT program should be designed to ensure that you meet the requirements to teach in your state. As a prospective educator, you should do your homework to make sure any program you’re interested in will meet the licensure requirements of your state.

Building your skills

You’ll study topics like classroom management, curriculum development and educational psychology, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the art and science of teaching. This foundational knowledge is invaluable when transitioning from other professions into the classroom.

Hands-on experience

An emphasis on practical classroom experience is a hallmark of MAT programs; this hands-on experience is invaluable, as it prepares you for the real-world challenges you may face while teaching. You’ll have the opportunity to observe, practice, and hone your teaching skills under the guidance of experienced educators.

Do you want to be in a classroom now? A defining feature of the MAT programs available at UofL is the alternative certification or “alt cert” pathway. The alt cert pathway enables you to immediately seek full-time employment as an early childhood or special education educator in the state of Kentucky. While you must complete the MAT program to receive your master’s degree and your initial teaching certification, once admitted as an alt cert student, you will be granted a temporary, provisional certification allowing you to get started on your new career right away! Specialize in what matters most to you

MAT programs often offer specialization opportunities, allowing you to focus on the grade level or subject area that inspires you the most. We offer two MAT programs 100% online; Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education and Special Education. Within the Special Education degree, students can select a specialization of Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD) and Moderate to Severe Disabilities (MSD).

Inspiring life-long learning in others

For those who aspire to be educators, MAT programs represent the beginning of a commitment to lifelong learning. Teaching is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about nurturing a love for learning. An MAT program equips you with the tools to inspire your students, encourage their curiosity, and support their intellectual and emotional growth.

Choosing to pursue a MAT program is a decision that holds great promise for both your career and the students you’ll impact. With deeper pedagogical knowledge, specialized expertise, and a commitment to lifelong learning, you’ll be well-prepared to inspire the next generation of learners.

The Summer 202 application deadline for both of our online MAT programs is May 1. If you’re passionate about education and making a difference, the MAT program is your gateway to a fulfilling and transformative career as an educator–don’t wait!

Category: Public Health Programs