The University of Rhode Island will introduce a masters of public health program in the fall 2025 semester, expanding its Department of Public Health with an interdisciplinary approach designed to address contemporary health challenges.
“We’ve seen a lot of demand from students for this type of degree,” Natalie Sabik, associate professor of public health, said. “Graduates want comprehensive knowledge and skills to address current and future public health challenges.”
The program emerged after years of planning, gaining momentum with the arrival of the new dean of the College of Health Sciences, Patrick Vivier, according to Sabik. The program was developed with Public Health Department Chair Molly Graney and has received university-wide approval.
“Our dean has expressed confidence that the new program is moving forward and we are not anxious about it,” Sabik said in a statement to The Good 5 Cent Cigar on Wednesday.
Changes in the federal administration, and resulting funding cuts, have not impacted the public health program’s development, Sabik said.
“If anything, I think there will be a greater need for highly trained and skilled public health professionals working in the field in the coming years,” Sabik said.
To support the new program, the department is expanding its faculty by hiring three new professors, which has nearly doubled the department’s size, according to Sabik. This growth will enhance both undergraduate and graduate offerings while preparing for potential accreditation from the Council for Education on Public Health.
The MPH will offer three specialization tracks: health promotion, health service and global health, according to Sabik. Students will engage in an interdisciplinary curriculum, taking core classes within the department and electives across multiple disciplines.
Students will participate in an applied learning experience and a capstone class, along with a mentorship program connecting them with professionals working in public health, according to Sabik.
The program’s flexibility allows graduates to have multiple career pathways, according to Sabik. Some students may enter the workforce immediately after completing their undergraduate degree, while others might pursue further education or return to obtain the MPH after gaining professional experience.
Potential career opportunities include positions at local and state health departments, national organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and various public health-focused institutions, according to Sabik.
Sabik emphasized the program’s commitment to community engagement and addressing significant public health issues in Rhode Island.
There’s a strong need for more trained physicians in the state of Rhode Island, according to a study from Brown University presented at a special legislative commission meeting with the Rhode Island General Assembly. The study found that there are 640 primary care providers in the state of Rhode Island with only 80% being trained to be physicians.
Eugenio Frenandez ’13, a pharmacist and presenter at the meeting, also noted that there are many patients in need and not enough resources to offer proper care for all.
“We’re interested in doing community-engaged work and really trying to move the needle on major public health challenges,” Sabik said.
With growing public awareness of health issues highlighted by events like the COVID-19 pandemic, the MPH program aims to prepare a skilled workforce equipped to handle health challenges in an increasingly interconnected world, according to Sabik.
The department anticipates rolling admissions for the inaugural class, with applications accepted through July 15, for the fall 2025 start, according to Sabik.
