Master of Public Health with emergency preparedness
for military members
A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS) offers curriculum that is accessible and applicable to U.S. military active duty members and veterans. Our 100% online curriculum in public health (certificate and masters program) is geared towards the leaders who are addressing society's healthcare needs.
The online Master of Public Health program provides comprehensive training that develops leaders who are fully prepared to address society’s healthcare issues. With the inclusion of the emergency preparedness and disaster response certificate, students gain an understanding of emergency management systems, disasters and public health threats, and various response skills essential to public health.
If you are interested in advancing your career, have a desire to work in military or governmental readiness, or are already a specialty leader of the medical readiness communities in the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, ATSU’s Master of Public Health program with an emphasis in emergency preparedness and disaster response is the program for you.
ATSU instills within students the compassion, experience, and knowledge required to address the whole person and shape healthcare in communities where the needs are greatest. Inspired to influence whole person healthcare, ATSU graduates contribute to the future of integrated care while also leading with a selfless passion in the communities they serve.
Learn more about the veteran benefits ATSU offers
Veteran BenefitsPublic health and the military
Military members involved with emergency preparedness are required to have a graduate public health degree from a CEPH-accredited school or program with an emphasis or focus on emergency preparedness and disaster response. ATSU’s MPH program, when paired with the Public Health, Emergency Preparedness, and Disaster Response certificate, meets this requirement. Since this is a graduate degree program, military members are welcome to use the GI Bill and other public funds. Alternatively, the Public Health, Emergency Preparedness, and Disaster Response specialty track is also offered as a standalone certificate.
The Master of Public Health program and Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response certificate are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), meeting the accepted standards established by and with the profession and covering essentials skills and knowledge needed for today’s jobs.
With fully online curriculum, this is an ideal program for active duty military members and veterans who need flexibility and ease of access. Students who successfully complete the emergency preparedness and disaster response certificate/specialty track will also earn three FEMA certificates and a certificate in contact tracing.
The public health master’s program was designed by experts who have years of response experience, including at the governmental level. All core courses are taught by ATSU’s exceptional, doctoral-educated faculty, which include former top national public servants, industry leaders, and academic innovators in public health.
Benefits of earning the Master of Public Health from ATSU:
- Allows use of GI Bill
- Fully online, allowing optimal flexibility
- CEPH accredited
- MPH includes the emergency preparedness certificate
- Meets military requirement for emergency preparedness
- Applied assessments
- All courses are faculty-led (no teaching assistants)
Leadership with a military background
MPH Assistant Professor
Jeffrey Chaffin, DDS, MPH, MBA, MHA, is an assistant professor in the Master of Public Health – Dental Emphasis program at A.T. Still University.
Dr. Chaffin spent 21 years as active duty in the U.S. Army. Before retiring in 2013, he had many assignments around the world. As a public health dentist, much of the focus of his career was how to prevent disease for our service members and how to ensure that dental disease did not interfere with their combat readiness. Ending his career working for the Department of Defense as the Chief of Dental for TRICARE, he managed three large dental insurance contracts that ensured DoD members and their families had access to dental care across the world.
Dr. Chaffin graduated from the University of Tampa in 1988. He received a doctor of dental surgery from the University of Nebraska in 1992, a master’s in public health from the University of Michigan in 2000, a master’s in business administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2006, and a master’s in healthcare administration from Baylor University in 2006. Dr. Chaffin is a diplomate of the American Board of Dental Public Health, currently serves as the immediate past president of the American Board of Dental Public Health, a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a Fellow of the International College of Dentistry, a member of the Official Order of Military Medical Merit (O2M3), and he holds the Surgeon General’s “A” designator for excellence in Dental Public Health.
His research interests include dental patient satisfaction and military dental readiness, with his current research focused on dental sealants and factors associated with dental care utilization.
ATSU's military community
Designed and developed by Student Life, the Military and Veteran Room was created to show appreciation to A.T. Still University’s military community. Students, faculty, and staff can utilize the Military and Veteran Room for studying or relaxation, and it provides them access to military email and documents without leaving campus.
For more information about the Master of Public Health program for military members, call 877.626.5577 or email cghsonlineadmissions@atsu.edu.
