Sul Ross State University has received approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to launch its first graduate program in public health, marking a significant expansion of its academic offerings.
The new Master of Science in Public Health Sciences has been added to the university’s scope of accreditation and is scheduled to begin in the fall 2026 semester, officials said.
The 30-credit-hour program will be delivered fully online and is designed to serve working professionals, postbaccalaureate students and individuals in rural and underserved communities. University officials said the flexible format allows students to complete the degree in as little as 12 months.
The curriculum will include internships, a capstone experience and applied learning opportunities focused on real-world public health challenges. The program aligns with the university’s mission to expand access to affordable, high-quality degrees.
“I am beyond proud of the work being done at Sul Ross State University to increase access to higher education in underserved areas,” said Andria Rusk, executive director and chair of public health. She said the approval reflects support for offering an affordable online degree to students and professionals.
The program is supported in part by a $1.79 million federal grant aimed at expanding postbaccalaureate opportunities and follows workforce analysis and collaboration with regional stakeholders.
“This approval reflects Sul Ross State’s commitment to addressing critical workforce shortages in public health, particularly in rural regions like the Big Bend and Middle Rio Grande,” said Dean Culpeppr, dean of the College of Health Sciences.
Officials noted that every county in the region is designated as a public health shortage area, underscoring the need for additional trained professionals.
More information about the program is available through Sul Ross State University.
