HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) _ The Department of Public Health at The University of Southern Mississippi has been granted continued accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health for its master of public health degree program.

The Hattiesburg American reports (http://hatne.ws/1SMEk4Y) accreditation is for the maximum 7-year period.

The master of public health program offered by Southern Miss is one of two programs in the state of Mississippi. Emphasis areas include epidemiology and biostatistics, health education, and health policy and administration.

An executive format is also available for working professionals.