Graduate programs: What is their contribution to the training of the public health workforce? Original Research Article

Objectives To determine characteristics of community health/preventive medicine and community health education graduate programs. Methods Forty-eight graduate programs were identified as potential respondents and sent a written survey to complete. Results Forty programs responded; 82% of programs accredited or applying for accreditation responded. During the 1998–1999 period, 3456 students were enrolled and 773 students graduated from these programs, 91% earning the master of public health (MPH) degree. Two thirds of students were employed while enrolled in these programs. Conclusion Graduate programs train a significant number of public health students, meeting the needs of health professionals with flexible course formats in locations where schools of public health are not available.