Stay in Baton Rouge, Save Louisiana Lives: LSU Launches New Master’s in Public Health
May 20, 2025
Louisiana needs more public health professionals, and LSU is stepping up to help meet that demand.
Starting in August, LSU’s School of Public Health will offer a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology and Population Health at a new Off-Campus Instructional Site (OCIS) on the Baton Rouge campus.
This two-year program will give students the opportunity to pursue advanced training in public health while remaining in the capital city, and staying in Louisiana to serve the people who need them most.
"This program is about attracting and retaining the next generation of public health leaders—smart, driven individuals ready to make a difference,” said Tekeda Ferguson, assistant professor in epidemiology at the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Public Health in New Orleans.
"We are preparing students at our flagship campus to solve Louisiana’s most pressing health challenges and envision a healthier future."
Tekeda Ferguson, assistant professor in epidemiology at the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Public Health in New Orleans
Public health isn’t just about treating illness—it’s about preventing it. While doctors and nurses focus on individual patients, public health professionals zoom out to look at populations.
They ask the big questions: Why are people in this community getting sick? How can we stop it from happening again? In this way, the field acts as the prevention and advocacy side of health.
And that’s where epidemiology comes in.
The “disease detectives” of public health, epidemiologists investigate health patterns, identify causes of disease, and help develop strategies to protect communities from future harm. Whether it's tracking the spread of infectious disease, studying the impact of pollution, or improving access to health care, the MPH program equips students with the knowledge and skills to make meaningful, data-driven change.
With classes housed in the historic Huey P. Long Fieldhouse on LSU’s flagship campus, this program expands access to public health education in the region and supports LSU’s broader mission to improve health outcomes across the state. The MPH in Epidemiology and Population Health is now accepting applications for Fall 2025.
“We are excited to train students in public health on the LSU Baton Rouge campus,” said Dr. Edward Trapido, cancer epidemiologist and dean of the School of Public Health. “The MPH will be the gateway for multiple health careers, including helping determine causes of diseases and addressing the health needs of the population of Louisiana.”
To help more Louisiana students launch meaningful careers in public health, the LSU School of Public Health recently introduced the Louisiana 3.0+ Scholars Pledge. This initiative offers automatic acceptance into the MPH program, including the Baton Rouge location, for applicants who meet the following criteria:
- Are a Louisiana resident or a graduate of a Louisiana college or university,
- And have earned a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA.
To be considered for the 3.0+ Scholars Pledge, applicants must submit all required materials by the July 15 application deadline. The Scholars Pledge is designed to remove barriers to entry and encourage more homegrown students to stay in-state and help build a healthier Louisiana.
By building this new pathway to a public health career right here in Baton Rouge, LSU is helping to ensure that the next generation of health leaders will not only be trained in Louisiana but also stay in Louisiana to improve the lives of its citizens.
Interested in applying? Learn more and submit your application.
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LSU's Scholarship First Agenda is helping achieve health, prosperity, and security for Louisiana and the world.