Master of Public Health in Public Health Genetics at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

The MPH in Public Health Genetics integrates human genetics with epidemiology, behavioral and community health sciences, biostatistics, environmental health and health services research, together with ethics, social sciences, public affairs and law, preparing students for careers in public health genetics. It is one of only two MPH Public Health Genetics programmes in the country.

Faculty: School of Public Health | Department: Department of Human Genetics | Duration: 47 credits | Intake: Rolling admission; most students start in fall | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

47 credits made up of human genetics core courses, public health core courses and electives, a supervised practicum of at least 200 hours, and a culminating MPH essay or thesis. Competencies include applying inheritance and genomics principles to health conditions, assessing ethical, legal and social issues, communicating genetics to the public and providers, and applying precision public health. A dual degree with the MS in Genetic Counseling is available.

Career pathways

Recent graduates hold roles such as project manager at Geisinger Health System, technical solutions engineer at Epic Systems, senior biocurator at the Clinical Genome Resource, pharmacogenomics program manager at Pitt Pharmacy and certified clinical research coordinator; some pursue doctoral study or medical school.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a discipline relevant to public health, biology or genetics (or substantial knowledge gained through study or experience); six college credits in behavioral and/or social sciences and three credits of mathematics or statistics (each C or better); an introductory genetics course (other biology coursework considered case by case); biochemistry and calculus helpful. GRE not required. Personal statement on interest in public health genetics, letters of recommendation, no formal interview. Applications through SOPHAS (SOPHAS Express for the dual degree with the MS in Genetic Counseling). International applicants (Pitt Public Health): official TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score report and a course-by-course WES evaluation of non-US education. Department minimums: TOEFL iBT 100 (5.0 on the new scale for tests from January 21, 2026), IELTS 7.5, Duolingo 140; the school-wide floor is TOEFL 80 (4.0 new scale, all subscores 4.0), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 120. Waived for degrees from US regionally accredited institutions or from English-language institutions in English-official countries.

Domestic applicants: USD 32,140 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident graduate tuition, School of Public Health, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 57,816 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) graduate tuition, School of Public Health, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

Entry terms (Fall, Spring, Summer) and deadlines are set by each school or department; the University's graduate catalog lists Fall, Spring and Summer terms for new graduate students.

Graduate and professional applications are made online to the school or department of intended study, with deadlines set by each school or department; official English-test results are required from applicants from countries where English is not the official language.

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