The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas School of Public Health Austin Regional Campus have announced the creation of two dual degree programs, a Master of Public Affairs/Master of Public Health degree and a Master of Global Policy Studies/Master of Public Health degree.
“The demand, both nationally and internationally, for graduates with combined policy and public health experience will only continue to expand in the future,” said Robert Hutchings, dean of the LBJ School of Public Affairs. “Contemporary developments in the fields of public policy and public health in both the national and global arenas make the need for such innovative combined programs especially critical at this time. The training these students will acquire will lead to a more effective and informed body of policy makers and advisers in the field of public health for government, international organizations, nonprofits and non-governmental organizations in the United States and abroad.”
The dual degree programs are designed so students can earn either a Master of Public Affairs (MPAff) or Master of Global Policy Studies (MGPS) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) in three years, rather than the four years generally required to complete the two degrees independently.
“The dual degree master’s programs are an excellent opportunity for those interested in health affairs and global policies that affect the health and well-being of all populations,” said Cheryl Perry, professor and regional dean at the University of Texas School of Public Health Austin Regional Campus. “These dual degree programs will provide the skills to be a public health practitioner, and also experience and learning in public policy. Given the reputation and rigor of both institutions, the UT School of Public Health and the UT Austin LBJ School, these unique dual degree programs, should be attractive to our very brightest students in the future.”
The MPAff/MPH program will combine advanced studies of government, nonprofit agencies and policy with a focus on the issues, organizations and skills needed to make meaningful contributions in the growing field of public health.
The MGPS/MPH program will combine advanced studies of globalization with a focus on the issues, organizations and skills needed to make meaningful contributions in the emerging field of international health.
The addition of these programs brings the total dual degree program offerings at the LBJ School, in both the MPAff and MGPS programs, to a total of 25.
