Core courses, consistent with accreditation standards, focus on the areas of knowledge basic to public health. This value-based academic program emphasizes the areas of prevention, scientific knowledge base, interdependency with other areas of knowledge and practice, and social justice.

Material in core and elective courses pay particular attention to health status, health outcomes, and health needs in special populations (e.g., racial and ethnic minorities, children, women). Statistics related to these populations, as well as cultural and etiological considerations are discussed throughout the curriculum in an effort to instill in students the need for awareness of the health differences in population groups. The goal of this orientation is to equip program graduates to address society's public health needs. Elective courses are drawn from the broad base of courses currently available at UNO and UNMC.

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program is a collaboration between the Omaha and Medical Center campuses of the University of Nebraska. On May 13, 2004 the program received 5-year national accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).