Degree Programs | School of Public Health | University of Nevada, Reno

To find a degree option that meets your personal, academic and professional needs, use the keyword search or additional program type option to quickly filter online programs and certifications. Click on any program title to view fundamental information including program director contact information, application deadlines, department links and program-specific admission requirements.

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Public Health, B.S.
The bachelor's program prepares students for careers across public health, from community education to health administration. The essence of public health is prevention and includes organized interdisciplinary efforts that concentrate on the physical, mental, social and environmental health concerns of communities and populations.

If you are interested in pursuing a nursing degree, public health is the recommended primary and parallel degree for students. You can apply the credits you to take to fulfill pre-nursing requirements to the public health degree with no credits wasted. This allows students who are not admitted into the nursing major to graduate with a public health degree in four years.
Kinesiology, B.S.
A degree in kinesiology teaches students to understand the human body and the science behind how it moves. An understanding of kinesiology can prepare you for work in athletic fields, like training and coaching, education, or the medical field. You'll take courses in topics including human anatomy and physiology, exercise and training, the psychology of activity, and more.
- Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree information
- Kinesiology, B.S. catalog listing
Pre-Nursing Program
Nurses provide a range of health care services in a variety of settings, such as public health agencies and hospitals and work as clinicians, researchers, and health care policy advocates. If you are interested in pursuing a nursing degree, public health is the recommended primary and parallel degree for students. You can apply the credits you take to fulfill pre-nursing requirements to the public health degree with no credits wasted. This allows students who are not admitted into the nursing major to graduate with a public health degree in four years.
The pre-nursing program is designed for:
- Current Freshman
- Continuing University of Nevada, Reno student
- Transfer Student with In-State Credits (TMCC, WNCC, CCSN, UNLV, GBC)
- Transfer Student with out of state college credits
If you already have a 4-year college degree, contact Orvis School of Nursing for advising:
- Bachelor of Science, Nursing Program (16 months), contact Marsha Holford at mholford@unr.edu
Dual Secondary Education and Community Health Sciences B.S. Program
Students who complete this NevadaTeach program will earn two degrees: the Bachelor of Science in Education/Secondary Education and the Bachelor of Science in Community Health Sciences. This program provides students with a foundational background in community health sciences. Students who successfully complete the program are prepared to teach in secondary education, graduate school, or an immediate career in a STEM field.

Students should contact the College of Education and Human Development
Students Advising Center, WRB 2005
775-784-4298

AND

School of Public Health
SPH Student Center, OB 107 SPHAdvising@unr.edu
- NevadaTeach Secondary Education and Community Health Sciences B.S./B.S. in Education degree information
- NevadaTeach Secondary Education and Community Health Sciences B.S./B.S. in Education catalog listing
B.S. to MPH Program
This degree program allows qualified public health undergraduate students to enroll in graduate credits that apply to both the Public Health Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. The program offers an integrated program of study and research, with MPH emphases available in Epidemiology, Health Administration and Policy, and Social and Behavioral Health.
- B.S./MPH Program information
- B.S./MPH Accelerated Program, Public Health catalog listing
Dual M.D./MPH Program
Program Directors: Kristen Clements-Nolle | clements@unr.edu and James Kenyon | jlkenyon@medicine.nevada.edu
Application Deadlines: Priority application deadline for fall is August 1, with a final deadline of October 3
Program Info: MPH admissions process | M.D. Admissions process | M.D./MPH program information

University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine students have the opportunity to obtain both an M.D. and a Master’s of Public Health degree in just five years. Many positions in public health, occupational, aerospace and environmental agencies and companies prefer this degree combination for physicians in many of their leadership positions. This degree combination also prepares practicing physicians to meet the social, behavioral and environmental issues that influence health and the health practices of their patients and communities. Students must apply to each program separately and then be admitted to each of them before embarking on the dual-degree program.
- Doctor of Medicine/Master of Public Health, M.D./MPH catalog listing
Master of Public Health, MPH
Program Director: Kristen Clements-Nolle | clements@unr.edu
Application Deadlines: Priority application deadline for fall is February 1, with a final deadline of June 1
Program Info: MPH handbook | MPH admissions process | MPH degree information

Accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the Master of Public Health (MPH) program offers small class sizes and opportunities to work with faculty conducting research and practicing in diverse areas across the public health field. MPH has a core curriculum and specializations in the following three areas of public health: Epidemiology, Health Administration and Policy, and Social and Behavioral Health.
Online Master of Public Health, MPH
Program Director: Leslie Elliott | lelliott@unr.edu
Application Deadlines: This is a year-round program with admissions throughout the calendar year. Application deadlines are six (6) weeks before the beginning of each semester (Spring, Summer, Fall)
Program Info: Online MPH degree information

The online Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice is designed to prepare you for employment in nearly any area of the public health industry. By not requiring you to select a concentration, our online master’s in public health program provides a comprehensive curriculum in public health policy, finance and budget, health informatics, epidemiology and biostatistics.
- Online Public Health (Public Health Practice), MPH catalog listing
Kinesiology, M.S.
Program Director: Nora Constantino | nlc@unr.edu
Application Deadlines: Priority application deadline for fall is February 1, with a final deadline of June 2
Program Info: Kinesiology, M.S. degree information

Students pursuing this degree will be educated and prepared leaders with rigorous training in emerging research areas such as sports medicine, biomechanics, exercise physiology and physical activity. The kinesiology master of science is a popular degree as either a terminal degree or together with a doctoral degree in biology, neuroscience, exercise physiology or physical education.
- Kinesiology, M.S. catalog listing
Health Analytics and Biostatistics, M.S.
Program Directors: Kristen Clements-Nolle | clements@unr.edu and Wei Yang | weiyang@unr.edu
Application Deadlines: Priority application deadline for fall is February 1, with a final deadline of June 1
Program Info: Health Analytics and Biostatistics M.S. handbook | M.S. in Health Analytics and Biostatistics degree information

The M.S. in Health Analytics and Biostatistics program trains students in biostatistics who intend to plan and conduct quantitative analysis in public health, biomedicine, and biology. The curriculum emphasizes theory, methods, and applied skills to prepare students to design and execute biostatistical analyses appropriate for a range of study designs.
- M.S. in Health Analytics and Biostatistics catalog listing
Human Development & Family Studies with a Specialization in Addiction Treatment Services, M.S.
Program Director: Lydia DeFlorio | ldeflorio@unr.edu
Application Deadlines: Priority application deadline for fall is March 1. Priority application deadline for spring is October 1.
Program Info: Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies M.S. handbook

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) graduate program allows students to acquire foundation information in development, family studies and research while also specializing in a topic of academic interest. The Addiction Treatment Services specialization requires specific coursework and an additional internship that prepares the student to become a state licensed alcohol and drug or behavioral health counselor.

This specialization is offered through the College of Education and Human Development and Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT).
Ph.D. in Public Health
Program Director: Kristen Clements-Nolle | clements@unr.edu
Application Deadlines: Priority application deadline for fall is February 1, with a final deadline of June 1
Program Info: Ph.D. program handbook | Ph.D. admissions requirements | Ph.D. degree information

The Ph.D. in Public Health offers two specializations in either epidemiology or social and behavioral health. This program is designed to prepare students for research careers in which advanced analytical and conceptual capabilities are required, such as university teaching, research, consulting, policy development or other high-level positions.
- Ph.D. in Public Health catalog listing
Public Health, Minor
A minor in public health can add breadth to your resume, with courses that focus on technical writing, health and wellness and a range of elective options. A public health minor can benefit you in employment or graduate school opportunities in fields ranging from medicine, journalism, business and more.
- Public Health, Minor catalog listing
Addiction Treatment Services, Minor/Undergraduate Certificate
Available to all students, this minor is particularly designed for those who are majoring in a health or social service field and are interested in the addiction treatment field as a supplement to their major. The minor in addiction treatment is offered through the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT).

*The Undergraduate Certificate has the same program requirements for students who are not seeking a UNR degree.
Online Public Health Graduate Certificates
Program Director: Leslie Elliott | lelliott@unr.edu
Application Deadlines: This is a year-round program with admissions throughout the calendar year. Application deadlines are six (6) weeks before the beginning of each semester (Spring, Summer, Fall)
Program Info: Online Public Health Certificate information

The online public health certificates offer working professionals a convenient way to expand their knowledge and further their education in essential areas of public health practice. We offer three online public health certificates at the graduate level: public health data management and analysis, public health management, and public health program development.
Peer Support Specialist in Behavioral Health, Certificate
The Undergraduate Peer Support Specialist (PSS) Certificate provides students with “lived experience” an opportunity to explore and practice mentoring and coaching skills important to advocating for and supporting peers in addiction and mental health recovery. Peer support includes relationship building in order to provide support, advocacy, wellness, and community engagement services to individuals.

This certificate is offered through the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT). Applicants must be enrolled at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Addiction Treatment and Prevention Services, Graduate Certificate
The certificate in addiction treatment and prevention services is designed for graduate level students or post master’s degree individuals who are interested in enhancing their body of knowledge specific to addiction services. Students interested in the advanced certificate program must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college.

This certificate is offered through the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT).

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