Professional degrees of public health

The Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH), Master of Medical Science in Public Health (MMSPH) and the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), International Masters for Health Leadership (IMHL) are interdisciplinary professional degrees awarded for studies in areas related to public health. The MPH degree focuses on public health practice, as opposed to research or teaching. Master of Public Health programs are available throughout the world in Schools of Public Health, Programs in Public Health, Medical Schools, and Schools of Public Affairs. MPH degrees, in addition to including a core curriculum, will usually also let students pursue a specialization in a specific field, such as epidemiology, biostatistics, or health management.

A professional degree is one that, based on its learning objectives and types of positions its graduates pursue, prepares students with a broad mastery of the subject matter and methods necessary in a field of practice; it typically requires students to develop the capacity to organize, analyze, interpret and communicate knowledge in an applied manner.

In some countries the MPH program is only available for physician graduates (MBBS, MD, DO, or equivalent). In those countries, individuals without a medical degree may enter a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) or Master of Medical Science in Public Health (MMSPH) programs.

The traditional MPH degree is designed to expose candidates to five core discipline areas of public health:

The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree is for those who intend to pursue or advance a professional practice career in public health and for leaders and future leaders in public health practice. They face the particular challenge of understanding and adapting scientific knowledge in order to achieve health gain and results. This degree leads to a career in high-level administration, teaching, or practice, where advanced analytical and conceptual capabilities are required. The usual requirement for entry into this program is a master's degree in Public Health (MPH). The DrPH program develops in its candidates all competencies included in MPH programs, with increased emphasis on high-level skills in problem-solving and the application of public health concepts.

The main institution for postgraduate public health education in Croatia is the Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, part of the University of Zagreb School of Medicine. Founded in 1927 and named after Andrija Štampar, a pioneer of social medicine and one of the founders of the World Health Organization, the school has played a central role in shaping public health training and practice in Croatia.

The school offers a programme equivalent to the Master of Public Health (MPH), now formally awarded as a university specialist postgraduate degree (sveučilišni specijalist javnog zdravstva). Introduced in 1947, it is the oldest medical postgraduate programme in Croatia. The programme lasts at least one academic year and is primarily intended for physicians, though applicants from related fields are also eligible.

The curriculum consists of both mandatory and elective courses. Required modules cover areas including statistical and epidemiological methods, planning and quality management in health systems, public health interventions, community health assessment and intersectoral cooperation. Electives include topics such as public health informatics, qualitative research methods, mental health promotion, pharmaceutical policy and healthcare financing.