School of Public Health and Allied Health

Associate of Science degree in Occupational Therapy

The Associate of Science degree program in Occupational Therapy is a 74-credit program designed to prepare students to work as occupational therapy assistants and work with people of all ages who are challenged by disability, trauma and/or the aging process.

The professional coursework supports the program’s mission and emphasizes human occupation and adaptation, the process of becoming an OT professional and the required competencies and contextual influences on OT practice.

Fieldwork education is integrated into every semester of full-time study. All students must complete at least 16 weeks of Level II fieldwork education prior to graduation, which is typically completed 5 days per week.  Level II Fieldwork is completed during the last semester of the program and may extend into the spring semester.

Fast Facts:

  • Students have achieved 100% pass rate on the national certification exam for three consecutive year
  • Students routinely surpass the national average score and passing rate
  • 11 college partners across the state provide an excellent academic foundation for our program
  • 100% of students surveyed were satisfied with the academic and fieldwork curriculum
  • 86% of certified graduates are employed as OTAs

Admission Criteria

  1. Please complete our online application.
  2. Please submit official college transcripts that document a grade of “C” or better in each pre-professional course listed below, and a minimum cumulative grade-point-average of 2.5 in these courses:
    • 6 Communication Credits
      3  English Composition I
      3  English Composition II9 Social Sciences Credits
      3  Introduction to Psychology
      3  Developmental Psychology
      3  Introduction to Sociology11 Science and Math Credits
      4  Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab
      4  Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
      3 College Math, Algebra or Statistics6  Humanities Credits
      3  Ethics or Philosophy
      3  Diversity Studies

Applicants must provide documentation of enrollment in all remaining courses to ensure this coursework is complete prior to the start of fall classes at MPC. Applicants may request permission to take these courses concurrent with the professional curriculum: Introduction to Sociology, Ethics or Philosophy, and Diversity Studies. Applicant transcript must document that courses in Developmental Psychology/Lifespan and Human Anatomy and Physiology have been completed within the past five years. Anatomy and Physiology I and II must be completed at the same college or university to ensure all material is covered in a comprehensive and sequential manner. Alternatively, applicants may submit a request to waive the five-year requirement by providing documentation that knowledge from Human Anatomy and Physiology and/or Developmental Psychology/Lifespan has been used in an employment situation during the past five years. This documentation will be reviewed and considered by the Admissions Committee for the OTA Program. This documentation must include: Job description with narrative statement describing how knowledge from coursework was used in employment setting and letter of recommendation from a person of authority at the work agency which includes reference to job functions where this knowledge was applied.

  1. Applicant must complete and submit documentation of a minimum of 20 hours of observation experience in a setting where occupational therapy services are provided. The documentation of this required observation must be signed by a licensed occupational therapist or licensed occupational therapy assistant preferably on the facility letterhead.
  2. Applicant must submit two letters of recommendation; one must be from an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant.
  3. Applicant must write and submit an essay justifying OT as a career choice, reflecting on volunteer experience, prerequisite coursework, and other community service.
  4. Selected applicants must participate in an on-site meeting with the Program Admission Committee. This includes an individual, and group interview, and the applicant must complete an on-site writing sample.

*Applicants who did not attend secondary school in the US or have not completed a sufficient number of college level English courses are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Acceptable scores for TOEFL are as follows: 550 and above for paper based test and 79 for Internet based test. All results must be forwarded directly to SHPR from the testing agency. Please note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. An individual who is considering entering an OT educational program or who has already entered an OT educational program can have his or her background reviewed by requesting an Early Determination Review.

 

 

 

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

The Bachelor of Science with a major in Public Health offers two concentrations: Health Professions and Health Education and Promotion. In addition to courses tailored to these concentrations, curriculum focuses on health disparities, environmental health, stress management, personal health, nutrition, statistics and other related topics. You will also be eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) or Certified Public Health (CPH) professional certification exams.

Admission to the Program

Formal admission to the major requires a minimum 2.67 cumulative GPA after the freshman year and departmental approval. In addition to the university requirements for transfer admission, applicants should have maintained a minimum 2.67 cumulative GPA. Students with a grade point average between 2.50 and 2.67 may be formally admitted to the major after completion of 15 credit hours with a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA.

University Requirements

  • 120 credit hours with minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA
  • Completion of all requirements for a major

AU Core Requirements

  • Completion of AU Core foundation requirements
  • Completion of AU Core Habits of Mind requirements
  • Completion of AU Core integrative course requirements

Major Requirements

  • 60 credit hours with grades of C or better

 

Course Requirements

  • Required (44 credit hours)
  • Basic Statistics (4 credit hours)
  • Capstone (3 credit hours)
  • Electives (9 credit hours)
  • Global Health
  • Health Science
  • Policy, Program Planning, and Evaluation
  • Social and Community Health

Combined Public Health (BS) and (MS)

MPC offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. Contact admissions for more information

In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for combined bachelor’s/master’s programs:

  • Undergraduates whose overall grade point average is 3.00 or higher will be considered for the combined program
  • Students should discuss their interest in the program with the academic advisor for the Public Health (BS) before submitting a formal application

Master of Public Health

Overview

Become an ethical leader in public health through the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Monterey Park College. The MPH program is offered with two concentrations — global health and epidemiology.

With an MPH being the most widely recognized professional credential for leadership in public health, you’ll be equipped for a career in health education, global health, environmental health, epidemiology and health services administration in both private organizations and government health departments.

As an MPH student at Monterey Park, you’ll apply the concepts and theories learned in the classroom to real-life health situations working with field preceptors and public health faculty advisors. You’ll also be mentored by our experienced and caring faculty members, while building your professional network through internship opportunities in various communities and countries. MPC’s Master of Public Health program will prepare you with integrative experiences, community-based practicums and clinically oriented research opportunities to become a well-rounded public health agent of change.

Why MPC?

MPC’s public health master’s program offers several key advantages:

  • Public health integrated with biblical perspective. Students will be taught from a Compassionate worldview in order to be compassionate agents of change, ethical decision-makers, health educators and champions of health equality.
  • Strong foundation. Students will receive rigorous instruction in all aspects of public health theory and practice in order to develop the skills needed to be life-long learners. In addition, students will integrate their education and practical experiences to effectively address public health challenges through research, publication, health promotion and service.
  • Practical, hands-on preparation. Students will be prepared for impactful service as health professionals with diverse field and research experiences, and work closely with public health faculty, field preceptors and community partners.
  • Flexible and accessible. The online format, with most classes lasting 7 weeks, will allow for flexibility for full-time professionals, and be accessible to students from any region of the U.S. or the world to receive an advanced public health degree.

What Will I Study?

The MPH offers coursework in the five core areas of public health knowledge, which include 1) improving access to healthcare, 2) controlling infectious disease, 3) organizing community-based health initiatives, 4) promoting health screening and preventative measures among populations, and 5) playing a critical role in preparing for emergencies. Elective course topics and learning highlights include:

  • Current Issues in Global Health
  • Global Health Ethics and Human Rights
  • Integration of Global Health and Missions
  • Community Health Assessment, Planning and Evaluation
  • Outbreak and Emergency Preparedness
  • Public Health Policy and Practice

Career Paths

The MPH program prepares students for a broad range of public health careers as the demand for healthcare needs of populations steadily increases. Common career paths include:

  • Health educators
  • Epidemiologists
  • Public Health Inspector
  • Public Health Specialist
  • Rural Health Specialist
  • Biostatisticians
  • Clinical Research Coordinator
  • Medical and Health Service Managers
  • Health Program Coordinators
  • Global Infectious Disease Analysts
  • Health Program Coordinators
  • Infection Control
  • Roles at such organizations as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), National Institutes of Health (NIH), public health departments and other governmental and nonprofit agencies

 

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Are you passionate about helping people of all ages recover from injuries, manage pain, and restore their quality of life? Earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree at a school that has excelled in this field. At MPC, we’re on a mission to develop outstanding physical therapy practitioners to enter this growing field and positively impact patient lives.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Admission Requirements

Candidates must meet the following admission requirements in order to be considered for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Bachelor’s Degree: Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. You can apply while you are still enrolled in an undergraduate degree program or while you are completing prerequisite coursework. You should submit a plan of study with your application that indicates all remaining courses that will be completed prior to program enrollment.

GRE: An official GRE score report sent directly to the University from ETS is required. The test must have been taken within the past five (5) years. A combined minimum GRE score of 294 for the verbal and quantitative sections is recommended. The analytical writing score is also evaluated. Candidates who have previously earned a master’s degree are exempt from the GRE requirement.

  • When applying for our DPT programs, use PTCAS. The University’s GRE institutional code number is 2209.

Resume: Include a current resume or curriculum vitae with your application.

Statement of Purpose: Include a short statement of why you wish to pursue physical therapy as a career and what attracts you to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.

Prerequisites: Admissions recommends that all prerequisite course work be no more than 5 years old. This is a recommendation and is preferred, it is not a requirement to apply. Click the box below to see which physical therapy school requirements you may still need to earn.

 

DPT Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, graduates will be able to:

  • Engage in personal and professional development and lifelong learning activities.
  • Implement effective communication and principles of ethical and professional behavior in physical therapist practice.
  • Practice physical therapy in a manner that supports cooperative relationships with patients/clients, other healthcare providers, and the community.
  • Display qualities of leadership in physical therapist practice to advance the profession of physical therapy and the well-being of society.
  • Perform critical thinking and evidence-informed physical therapist practice based on foundational knowledge and professional clinical skills.

How Our DPT Program Stands Apart

We put students first.

MPC’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program is rooted in our student-FIRST philosophy: Everything we do is focused on student success. We strive to offer the best academic experience and career preparation through our learning model, support services, and special events.

We’re hands-on.

From your very first week of classes, you’ll get experience working in our state-of-the-art simulation labs, featuring real medical equipment and leading EdTech tools. You’ll engage in realistic scenarios with your classmates to help mock patients with injuries and mobility issues. The DPT degree program also includes three trimesters of clinical experiences, where you will get real-world practice working in a clinical setting.

We’re a tight-knit community.

We respect our students as the future colleagues and practitioners they will become. We focus not only on theory and technical know-how, but also on helping students develop critical thinking skills, cultural responsiveness, and ethical standards—along with compassion, empathy, and grit.