History

In 1995, LSUHSC proposed a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. Approved by the LSU Board of Regents, enrollment was initially limited to students concurrently pursuing graduate degrees in the Schools of Allied Health, Dentistry, Graduate Studies, Medicine and Nursing. During this period, the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in the School of Medicine offered and administered the MPH degree.

In 2003 - 2004, LSUHSC reorganized the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine to create the School of Public Health (SPH), the new home of the MPH degree. Since then, the school has grown and developed to offer the MPH degree with the following five concentrations: behavioral and community health sciences, biostatistics, environmental and occupational health sciences, epidemiology, and health policy and systems management. In conjunction with the School of Graduate Studies, the SPH also offers a Master of Science (MS) degree in biostatistics, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in biostatistics, epidemiology, and community health sciences. The PhD in biostatistics was first offered in 2008, with the PhD programs in epidemiology and community health sciences, beginning in 2010 and 2011, respectively. In 2018, the School of Public Health was approved to offer a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree.

In 2013, LSUHSC School of Public Health received full accreditation from the Council for Education in Public Health (CEPH).  This accreditation covers all degree offerings by the School of Public Health.

Mission

This mission of the LSUHSC School of Public Health is to advance the public’s health and well-being through education, research, and service with a focus on issues affecting Louisiana.