Why Pursue an MS in Health, Community and Policy?
The Health, Community and Policy graduate program provides a strong focus on training individuals to move into community health, population health, and health policy-related fields. This program is 30-semester hours, giving students the opportunity to complete the degree at a more rapid pace. Program graduates will enter a job market with opportunities in areas with growing demand, up to 31% anticipated job growth in the next 10 years.
Program Highlights
This program is ideal for students who want to work in community-based health programs, engage in population health research, and have a strong desire to serve the community while contributing to expanding health equity.
You’ll learn from faculty who are published researchers and experts in fields such as:
- Epidemiology
- Health data science
- Healthcare access and utilization
- Health disparities
- Health policy
- Mental health and health behavior
- Chronic disease prevention
- Public health intervention
- Community health
What You'll Study
Students in the MS in Health, Community and Policy program will gain knowledge in the following areas:
- Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation
- Health and Public Policy
- Research Methods
- Data Management and Analytical Methods
- Community Health
- Population Health
- Nutrition and Health
Degree Concentrations
This program offers a unique interdisciplinary experience with four specializations to choose from:
Admission & Application Requirements
Applications are submitted through the UT San Antonio Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UT San Antonio Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UT San Antonio by the appropriate application deadline.
| Health, Community and Policy (MS) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Required Degree | Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution. | |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours | |
| Coursework | Completed adequate credit hours or foreign institution equivalent coursework as preparation for the program. | |
| Transcripts* | Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English | |
| Credential Evaluation | Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from FCSA or any NACES-approved credential evaluation agency. | |
| English Language Proficiency | 550 TOEFL Paper / 79 TOEFL Internet / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100 | |
| Purpose Statement | Required | |
| Resume | Required | |
| Letters of Recommendation | 2 academic or professional reference(s) demonstrating your attributes for successful completion of this program (you will request these through the Graduate Admissions Application; let your recommenders know of your deadline to ensure submissions are on time). Professional references for this program are preferred. | |
| *Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University. | ||
Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.
| Health, Community and Policy (MS) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing on Admission Decision: Completed applications will be reviewed for admission on a rolling basis. Decisions generally will be made and sent to applicants within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving the application. | |||
| Application Deadlines for: | Priority | International | Domestic |
| Spring 2026 | October 1 | October 1 | |
| Summer 2026 | Not Available | Not Available | |
| Fall 2026 | June 1 | June 1 | |
| Spring 2027 | October 1 | October 1 | |
| Summer 2027 | Not Available | Not Available | |
Funding Opportunities
UT San Antonio Scholarship HubCareer Options
UT San Antonio prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below are based on data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.
The MS in Health, Community and Policy is a uniquely interdisciplinary and customizable program that prepares students to lead, innovate and drive change across public health systems and community settings. The curriculum includes Program Planning and Implementation in Community Health, Health Policy, Research Methods and Data Management and Descriptive Statistics, giving students the tools to assess health needs, design impactful program, and shape effective policy.
Courses are offered in a variety of modalities, including traditional in-person, hybrid and fully online courses (modalities vary by specialization). Most courses are taught on Main Campus, but courses in the Policy specialization are taught on the Downtown Campus. Courses that are taught with an in-person component (traditional in-person and hybrid) are typically offered in the evenings.
Looking to build your skills and gain hands-on experience? Our Student Research Job Board connects you with faculty-led projects and assistantships across disciplines.
Student Research Job Board