Master of International Affairs and Master of Public Health (HPCH) Combined Degree Program

The Bush School of Government and Public Service and the School of Public Health have combined to offer students the ability to receive both a Master of International Affairs (MIA) degree and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in a three year period. These two degrees are a natural fit. Diseases do not stop at borders. That is both a public health and a national security reality. Public health work increasingly crosses borders. International affairs increasingly deals with issues of global cooperation on preventing and responding to pandemics and other transborder health emergencies. Bilateral agreements between countries and international organizations, like the World Health Organization, play an important role in managing public health issues. Public health is international and international affairs are inseparable from public health.

In this combined masters program, students follow a strictly defined curriculum, to be able to complete all of the requirements for both degrees (which normally each take two years) in this shortened time frame. They will complete hours in Public Health and hours in International Affairs. Students are required to satisfy the MIA degree’s language requirement. The MPH summer practicum course, if involving an international topic or experience, can also satisfy the MIA internship requirement. Students must complete at least one capstone course that meets the requirements of both Schools. If a student decides during the course of study to drop one of the degrees being sought, the requirements for the other degree will revert to the normal requirements for that degree.