MPH Syllabus & Subjects 2025: Download Semester-wise PDF, Important Books

Updated on May 20, 2025 05:58 IST
Parul Thapa

Parul ThapaAssistant Manager

Master of Public Health is a two-year full-time PG course. The syllabus focuses on areas related to public health and is a combination of of lectures, field visits and internships. Students also get to participate in national and international seminars on public health.

If you want to make a difference in public health, opt for this course. Upon completion, your MPH degree will open a wide range of opportunities at home and abroad.

About MPH Syllabus

Master of Public Health is a two-year programme, and the syllabus is covered in four semesters. The MPH syllabus is divided into four parts:

  1. Foundation

  2. Core

  3. Electives

  4. Research Projects

The Master of Public Health syllabus depends on the specialisations offered. Each college has its structure. Students can check all the course details before enrolling for MPH programme. The first three semesters in PHFI include tutorials, practicals, and classroom teaching. The fourth semester consists of an internship and project work. Students also gain practical training by working with public health professionals.

List of Subjects in Master of Public Health

Here is a list of courses that are a part of MPH programme.

Typical Core Subjects for Master of Public Health

Subject Title

Subject Details

Basic Epidemiology

Sound knowledge of basic epidemiology is important in public health practice. Students can use epidemiological methods to measure disease burden. They can design an appropriate study for any given scenario.

 

Some topics covered in the syllabus include:

  • History and evolution of epidemiology

  • Scope and uses of epidemiology

  • Achievements of epidemiology

  • Epidemiology and clinical practice

  • Distribution and determinants of disease

  • Dynamics of disease transmission

  • Natural history of the disease

Biostatistics

In this course, students learn about the key biostatistical concepts. Students can use these concepts to analyse, interpret and present public health data. Statistical software is also taught as a part of the course.

 

Some key concepts include:

  • Definition and types of data

  • Tabulation and presentation of data

  • Data measurement

  • Sampling techniques

  • Hypothesis testing

Health Management Principles and Practices

After this course, students will understand how different healthcare systems work in India. They will have a clear understanding of the public healthcare system in India. Students will be able to implement public healthcare programs and monitor them.

 

The course syllabus includes topics like:

  • Introduction to health systems

  • Challenges and evolution of the health system in India

  • The public healthcare system in India

  • The private healthcare system

  • Health planning

  • Healthcare legislation in India

Public Health Surveillance

This topic covers India's public health surveillance system. Students will understand the system's nuances to strengthen it in the future.

 

Few topics covered in this course include:

  • Introduction to India's healthcare surveillance system including Ayushman Bharat

  • Health surveillance systems - Planning, evaluation, and implementation

  • Importance of focus on communicable and non-communicable diseases

Basic Microbiology

Basic microbiology helps students understand the evolution of infection. This will help them create an effective solution to combat infections.

 

Topics covered include:

  • Understanding the root of the infection

  • Tracing the source and checking the evolution pattern

  • Transmission methods

Typical Elective Subjects for Master of Public Health

Subject Title

Subject Details

Health Economics

This subject is a mix of economics and epidemiology. It will help you to understand the importance of economics in public health. It is important in developing countries with limited health resources.

Environmental and Occupational Health

This elective deals with environmental and occupational hazards. You will understand the health risks in different occupations and environmental conditions. It covers safety plans to avoid exposure to pollutants, toxins, and physical hazards.

Advanced Epidemiology

The methods taught in this topic allow students to impact disease control better. They can make accurate predictions and prevent the spread.

Communicable Diseases

Students learn about different communicable diseases on a global scale. They also learn about different policies and practices across countries. This knowledge will help students understand how foreign governments are tackling the disease.

Non - Communicable Diseases

Chronic and non-communicable diseases are now a major reason for human deaths. Students learn about preventive measures, lifestyle changes, and disease management in this topic.

Detailed Syllabus for Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health syllabus differs from one college to another. But, the topics covered under the syllabus are more or less the same. Some colleges emphasise theoretical papers, while others emphasise fieldwork. Internship programs, projects, and field visits are common in the MPH courses.

Here is a detailed overview of the syllabus -

Semester

Subject Title

Subject Details

1

  1. Principles and Practices of Public Health
  2. Introduction to Health System and Policy in Developing Countries
  3. Health Management: Management Principles and Practices
  4. Basic Epidemiology
  5. Basic Biostatistics
  6. Demography and Population Sciences

In the first semester, students learn the basic elements of public health. They learn about government policies and principles for public health programs and foreign public health programs. 

2

  1. Introduction to Health Economics
  2. Health Promotion Approaches and Methods
  3. Introduction to Financial Management and Budgeting
  4. Social and Behaviour Change, Effective Communication

In the second semester, students learn about economics in public health. This is important in situations where public health resources are not sufficient. Students also learn about financial planning and budgeting, which is useful in resource planning, distribution, and execution of health programs.

3

  1. Reproductive, Maternal Health, Child Health and Adolescent (RMNCH+A)
  2. Introduction to Health Programs and Evaluation
  3. Principles of Social Research Methods
  4. Environment and Occupational Health
  5. Law and Ethics in Public Health

The third semester covers the need for continuous healthcare. Students learn about the RMNCH+A programme, which is an inclusive programme. It is aimed at providing healthcare from reproduction to adolescence. Students also learn about different public health programs and how to evaluate them.

4

Epidemiology

  • Advanced Biostatistics
  • Advanced Epidemiology
  • Survey design and methods
  • Infectious disease epidemiology
  • NCD epidemiology

Health System Management

  • Strategic Management
  • Advanced Operational Research
  • Advanced Financial Management and Budgeting
  • Organisational Management and Services
  • Communication in Public Health

Health programme - Policy and Planning

  • Health programme planning and evaluation
  • Evaluating current NHPs
  • Turning research into policy
  • National and International health issues
  • Role of NGOs in healthcare

 

In the fourth semester, students learn about their chosen electives. They are taught in detail about the subjects they have chosen to specialise in.

Students also need to finish their internship and submit their dissertation.

Specialisations Offered in Master of Public Health

Public health is a broad field to study, which is why there are many specialisations within it. Diet and nutrition, occupational therapy, and healthcare management are common in MPH courses at colleges in India. The syllabi for these specialisations may vary across universities. 

Specialisation

Specialisation Subjects

Subject Details

Public Health

  • Biostatistics

  • Environmental Health

  • Epidemiology

  • Behavioural Science

  • Health Services Administration

You will study different factors affecting public health. You will also learn about healthcare administration, implementation, data collection, analysis, and presentation.

Hospital/Healthcare Management

  • Healthcare Policies and Regulations

  • Disease Control Management

  • Healthcare Economics

  • Healthcare Administration

You will learn about the different policies and regulations in healthcare, healthcare economics, administration, and effective methods for disease control and management.

Healthcare and Hospital

  • Organisation of Hospitals

  • Medical-Legal Issues

  • Quality Assurance

  • Hospital Administration

  • Disease Control Management

You will learn about hospital administration, legal policies, QA, and hospital organisation.

Occupational Therapy

  • Anatomy

  • Biochemistry

  • Psychology

  • Physiology

  • Microbiology

  • Clinical Orthopaedics

This is a study of rehabilitative medicine used for patients with cognitive and physical issues. It helps them to regain their lost life skills.

Public Health and Management

  • Ethics

  • Community Nutrition

  • Epidemiology

  • Health Promotion and Behavioural Change

  • Economic and Healthcare Financing

Students are taught how public health is affected by community change. You will also learn about disease transmission and control and financial planning.

Dietetics and Nutrition

  • Nutrition in Disease Treatment

  • Food and Nutrition Policy

  • Nutrition Epidemiology

The role of proper nutrition in improving public health is taught.

Popular Books to Refer in MPH Programme

Master of Public Health students should strive to expand their knowledge by reading. This practice will help get a better understanding of the public health system. Reading different books on the same topic will give you a different perspective. You should also look for research papers and foreign publications to stay ahead in the game.

Here are some books recommendations for MPH students:

Subject

Book Title

Authors

Description of Book

Public Health Management

Public Health Management - Principles and Practices

Sunder Lal

Vikas

Covers all topics of Public Health Management.

Public Health

Public Health - An Introduction to the Science and Practise of Population Health

James M Shultz

Lisa M Sullivan

Sandro Galea

This book discusses the core values of health equity, disease prevention, community engagement, population health methods, and health promotion.

Community Medicine

Textbook of Community Medicine

AM Kadri

This book uses case studies to explain community health issues. It also presents recent data to decipher global and Indian health issues.

Public Health

A Short Book of Public Health

VK Muthu

The book covers drug resistance, new vaccines and emerging diseases.

 

Table of contents
  • Popular MPH (Master of Public Health) Colleges in India
  • Popular Private MPH (Master of Public Health) Colleges in India
  • Popular MPH (Master of Public Health) Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses

Popular MPH (Master of Public Health) Colleges in India

Following are the most popular MPH (Master of Public Health) Colleges in India. Learn more about these MPH (Master of Public Health) colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
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Popular MPH (Master of Public Health) Specializations

Following are the most popular MPH (Master of Public Health) Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

Most Popular Courses

Following are the most popular MPH (Master of Public Health) courses, based on alumni reviews. Explore these reviews to choose the best course in MPH (Master of Public Health).
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Answered 5 days ago

For MPH course of Long Island Uni, GRE score requirement has been suspended. The students can apply to this course online. A few of the documents that are required to MPH course of this university are-

  • A Bachelor's degree 
  • Personal statement
  • Two current letters of reference
  • the latest resume
  • TOEFL score

...Read more

N

Nishtha Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

At LIU Brooklyn, MPH is a STEM course. The graduates of this course are hired by the top public health agencies like CDC and NY Board of Public Health, Fortune 500 companies. To apply for MPH course of LIU, students should have a Bachelor's degree. 

R

Rupali Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The total tuition fee of MPH course at NSHM Institute of Health Science, Kolkata is INR 3.1 lakhs. This number can change as it is taken from college's website.

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The duration of MPH programme at NSHM Institute of Health Science, Kolkata is two-year. The entire course is divided into four semesters. The candidates applying to this course should have scored at least 50% marks in graduation.

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

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