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The University of Texas at San Antonio School of Public Health has officially welcomed its second cohort of students into the Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate program.

On Tuesday, August 26, twenty-six students began their studies at the UT San Antonio School of Public Health, located on the Health Science Center campus of the University of Texas at San Antonio. Many members of this cohort already serve the community as professionals in health care, education, and government, making the program a natural next step in their public service journeys.

The School of Public Health prepares graduate students to address the pressing health needs of communities across South Texas, with the ultimate goal of improving the well‑being of families and neighborhoods throughout the region. In San Antonio, a city that ranks as the seventh largest in the United States and is often described as a window into the nation’s demographic future, students gain firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities shaping public health locally and nationally. This includes exploring health disparities and developing strategies to meet the unique needs of the South Texas population.

The MPH curriculum emphasizes an applied, hands‑on approach where research directly benefits the public and service strengthens community ties. Students complete a minimum of 45 credit hours, including an applied practice experience and 180 hours of fieldwork with a local organization. This real-world focus ensures graduates are well prepared to lead public health initiatives, whether confronting immediate threats such as pandemics or tackling long-term issues like chronic disease prevention and health equity.

Because public health is inherently interdisciplinary, students have the flexibility to explore careers in environmental, occupational, and behavioral health, as well as in health services administration. The training also builds pathways toward roles in government, business, nonprofits, and academia—whether as scientists, educators, practitioners, or policymakers.

As the American Public Health Association emphasizes, public health is about more than responding to illness: it’s about promoting wellness, protecting communities, and ensuring people can live healthier, fuller lives. By equipping skilled leaders, the UT San Antonio School of Public Health is not only shaping the future of its graduates but also strengthening the future of South Texas and the nation as a whole.