The first cohort of the College of Public Health’s Online Master of Public Health (MPH) come from a variety of backgrounds, but they’re united on one front: Making a difference in the health of their communities.
From public health professionals seeking to expand their knowledge to individuals making a career change, the program welcomed an inaugural cohort of 21 difference makers in August 2023.
“Our students come from a diversity of professional and personal backgrounds, and our program will help them hone their own experiences and interests to solidify professional pathways in public health,” said Melissa Howard, the College’s Director of Online Learning and Professional Practice.
“We aim to provide an inclusive learning environment that accommodates the diverse needs of our students,” Howard said. “The online MPH program allows us to reach a wider audience and empower individuals who are passionate about making a difference in public health.”
“I’m passionate about addressing the nursing shortage in the U.S.” – Melanie Okorie, Online MPH Student
Shifting Gears
After four years as a high school science teacher, Rachel Gwaltney recognized an urgent need for better health and well-being services in public schools. She followed that call to public health.
“The mental and physical needs for both teachers and students were not being met. It was because of this that I decided to pursue my MPH,” Gwaltney said.
This year, instead of spending the last weeks of summer prepping for a new school year, Gwaltney was wrapping up her internship with the Public Health Infrastructure Center at the CDC in Atlanta.
“I hope to use my past teaching experience and newly acquired subject matter expertise in public health to improve health promotion services in schools across the nation,” Gwaltney said.
Inspired By Experience
The online MPH sets up graduates with the tools they need to excel in the field of public health while providing the flexibility of an online education.
Melanie Okorie from Covington is an overseas trained nurse currently sitting her boards to be licensed in the United States, while pursuing her MPH. She enrolled to better understand the stark health disparities she saw in the clinical setting, and she’s already exploring solutions.
Coursework prompted Okorie to critically examine differences in health outcomes, resources and access to care across various populations. And her assignments have real-world applications, including for systemic public health issues that directly impact her work as a nurse.
“I’m passionate about addressing the nursing shortage in the U.S.,” said Okorie. “My final project in the Public Health Surveillance course inspired me to delve into this critical issue by exploring how shortages affect access and quality of patient care, thereby placing stress on the public health system.”
Student Quintero Moore, an assistant professor of biology at Atlanta Metropolitan State College, is also seeking practical solutions. By integrating his passion for fragrances into the MPH program, he is delving into the science—and safety—behind the scent.
“One topic I have explored while pursuing my MPH is the safety of perfumes and other cosmetics which can sometimes present health risks to consumers. I’m interested in studying chemicals that were approved years ago, but may be considered carcinogenic now,” he said.
Flexible Scheduling And Practical Tools
The program delivers the same rigorous curriculum as the on-campus program while providing students with an online, asynchronous, flexible schedule.
Students are exposed to a variety of public health topics in courses, preparing them to make a difference in research, community programing, policy, advocacy and more. They also complete a 200-hour applied practice experience (APE) in the second year of the program, obtaining real-world experience and professional networking opportunities.
“The format is perfect for allowing me to explore different public health careers by pursuing internships and simultaneously applying what I am learning in my classes,” Gwaltney said. “The classes are structured in a way that enables me to immediately put knowledge into practice instead of simply memorizing information.”
Building Community
In online education, fostering a sense of connection can be challenging, but Howard is committed to ensuring her students feel part of a close-knit community. By integrating team-based work into Slack, a cloud-based team communication platform, and UGA’s online learning management system, MPH students have easy pathways to connect with classmates, professors and staff.
“Slack has been instrumental in maintaining real-time engagement among students, who have responded positively to the collaborative and immediate opportunities for communication it provides,” Howard said.
From virtual office hours to chat-based weekly evaluations and feedback, the program has taken online education out of siloed video windows and into real-time communication.
“It’s a great experience,” Moore said. “For me, this program stands out because of the effort our instructors put forth when connecting with us. Our professors make us feel valued within the class and within the program.”
Preparing For The Future
The program is also prepared to grow. In August, the college welcomed Magnolia Hernandez, who will teach public health practice coursework and coordinate career development initiatives for the program.
“It’s important to the College of Public Health that we provide our students with personalized support and resources to help them pursue impactful and meaningful careers in public health,” Howard said. “We aim to ensure that they not only secure internships but also build and leverage the skills and professional portfolios that will distinguish them in this competitive job market.”
Howard is excited for the future and acknowledges that this is only the beginning. Thanks to the college’s forward-thinking approach to public health education, one that emphasizes accessibility, flexibility and innovation, CPH is opening doors to a new generation of difference makers.
