Public Health, DO/Cert/MPH

Public Health, DO/Cert

In partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), KCU Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) students may pursue a Certificate in Public Health. DO students may apply for the certificate program in any year of their DO enrollment.

The 15-credit hour certificate will allow DO students to gain basic skills and knowledge in public health to better address the health needs of individuals and populations. See a full description of the certificate program in the UNMC catalog.

The certificate is awarded by UNMC. All application, admission, course registration, billing, financial aid, and awarding of the certificate is coordinated through UNMC.

DO students that would like to apply for the Certificate in Public Health must be approved for the program by the COM Executive Dean. Any COM student interested in applying to the certificate program must communicate their intent to apply to the COM Executive Dean by October 1 or June 1 of each year. UNMC must receive all application materials by the application deadline of November 1 or July 1 of each year for enrollment in the spring or fall term, respectively.

Admission requirements are:

Completion of the SOPHAS Express Public Health application and submission of the application fee.
Official transcripts reflecting an earned bachelor’s degree and all transcripts from previously attended institutions
- All non-US transcripts must be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES) using their ICAP Course-by course evaluation service.
Letters of Recommendation
A one-page resume/CV
A one-page personal statement
All applicants whose primary language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from a college or university outside of the United States are required to submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.

For complete details regarding the application to the certificate program, please contact the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health at 402.552.9867 or visit the admissions website.

Public Health, DO/MPH

KCU medical students enrolled in the Certificate of Public Health program may choose to pursue the Master of Public Health degree program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). The dual degree program allows DO students to complete both the DO and MPH degrees in four years.

The DO-MPH dual degree program prepares students to better understand and address health issues on a population level and expand job opportunities. Career options for DO-MPH students are wide-ranging. Students can pursue an MPH in all concentration areas offered as online options in the MPH degree. The 15 credit hours from the Certificate in Public Health and up to 9 credit hours (depending on concentration) from the DO program will apply toward the MPH degree. All credit hours applied to the MPH program must meet minimum standards for transfer credit and satisfactory academic progress. See a full description of the MPH program in the UNMC catalog.

The MPH degree program is awarded by UNMC. All application, admission, course registration, billing, financial aid, and awarding of MPH degree is coordinated through UNMC.

Any COM student interested in applying to the MPH program must communicate their intent to apply to the COM executive dean by September 1 or May 1 of each year. UNMC must receive all application materials by the application deadline of October 1 or June 1 of each year for enrollment in the fall or spring term, respectively.

Admission requirements are:

Completion of the SOPHAS Express Public Health application and submission of the application fee.
Official transcripts reflecting an earned bachelor’s degree and all transcripts from previously attended institutions
- All non-US transcripts must be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES) using their ICAP Course-by course evaluation service.
Letters of recommendation
A one-page resume/cv
A one-page personal statement
This requirement is waived for applicants that have successfully completed the Certificate in Public Health and two years of the DO program. All applicants whose primary language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from a college or university outside of the United States are required to submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.

For complete details regarding the application to the MPH program, please contact the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health at 402.552.9867 or visit the admissions website.