The LBJ School and the School of Public Health offer a dual degree program leading to the MPAff degree and the Master of Public Health (MPH). The program combines advanced studies of government, nonprofit agencies and policy with a focus on the issues, organizations and skills needed to make meaningful contributions in the growing field of public health. There is an increased need in both the public and private sectors for specialists with that combination of backgrounds.
The School of Public Health is part of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and has regional campuses in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Brownsville and San Antonio. It is anticipated that the vast majority of Public Health students who opt for the dual degree will be from the Austin campus and that the majority of LBJ students who opt for the degree will take their courses at the Austin Regional Campus.
Program Structure
The program allows students to earn both degrees simultaneously in approximately three academic years. The MPAff degree will be awarded when the required course work in both areas including the thesis is completed. The MPH degree will be awarded when the School of Public Health degree requirements have been completed.
Degree Requirements
The MPAff/MPH dual degree program is designed so that students can earn both degrees in three years rather than the four years generally required to complete the two degrees independently. To satisfy program requirements, students must complete 36 credit hours at the LBJ School and 33 credit hours at the School of Public Health, including the first-year core curriculum in each school.
The MPH degree program normally requires 45 hours to complete, and the MPAff degree normally requires 48 hours. The School of Public Health will count up to 12 approved credit hours obtained at the LBJ School or elsewhere at UT Austin that will apply toward the MPH degree, and the LBJ School of will waive up to 12 credit hours obtained at the School of Public Health.
Public Affairs
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Total LBJ credit hours: 36
- 27 LBJ core hours
- 6 hours Policy Research Project
- 9 LBJ elective hours
- Summer internship in an office or location where activity is related to the dual degree program. The internship will also serve as the practicum for the School of Public Health.
Public Health
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