Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

The master’s in public health is a generalist, interdisciplinary degree that offers exceptional career options. It represents the minimal academic achievement for public health jobs in state or federal health services. MPH students completing the degree can use it as a means of entering the health services, human services and advocacy professions. But before starting the process of applying we advise that students fully understand masters in public health programs. In this section we will break down all aspects of online Master in Public Health programs.

Specializations in Public Health Program

The nature of Public Health and health services is very expansive. Therefore, MPH Programs have become a diverse field with many specializations. Students can pursue a concentration in the public health fields to qualify for specific roles in the professions. Here are some of the most common concentrations:

• Epidemiology
  Epidemiology is the study (scientific, systematic, and data-driven) of the distribution (frequency, pattern) and determinants (causes, risk factors) of health-related states and events (not just diseases) in specified populations (neighborhood, school, city, state, country, global).
• Disease control
  Disease management is a proactive, multidisciplinary, systematic approach to health care delivery that: Includes all members with a chronic disease. Supports the provider-patient relationship and plan of care. Optimizes patient care through prevention and proactive interventions based on evidence-based guidelines.
• Infectious Diseases
  Infectious diseases are disorders caused by organisms — such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Many organisms live in and on our bodies. They’re normally harmless or even helpful. But under certain conditions, some organisms may cause disease.
• Biostatistics
  Biostatistics is the application of statistical principles to questions and problems in medicine, public health or biology. … The discipline of biostatistics provides tools and techniques for collecting data and then summarizing, analyzing, and interpreting it.
• Nutrition
  Nutrition is the biochemical and physiological process by which an organism uses food to support its life. It includes ingestion, absorption, assimilation, biosynthesis, catabolism and excretion. The science that studies the physiological process of nutrition is called nutritional science.
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
  It use different sociocultural and behavioral factors to better understand how healthy environments are sustained among different populations. Students concentrating in these fields learn how community and social factors contribute to a variety of public health solutions and policies.
• Environmental Health
  Environmental health is the branch of public health that: focuses on the relationships between people and their environment; promotes human health and well-being; and fosters healthy and safe communities. Environmental health is a key part of any comprehensive public health system.
• Health Education and Program administration
  One of the most important fields within public health administration is education. Educational services and facilities are important to the social and educational development of children and adults, making it a vital factor to consider when ensuring improvements in public health administration.

Accredited Online MPH Programs

Many universities offer online MPH programs. But not all programs are accredited. Students need to check the accreditation before pursuing a master’s in public health. Various organizations issue Accreditation for online MPH programs. The most common and valued body that issues Accreditation for MPH programs is the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). CEPH Online MPH programs are the ones that students should be looking for when researching online MPH Programs.

All the programs listed in this guide are Accredited Online MPH Programs. Read more about Accreditation.

Admission Requirements for Master of Public Health Program

Most programs require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree. Specific admission requirements vary by graduate program. Some schools require a health-related baccalaureate. Others accept students regardless of their post-secondary major. Most ask for application packets that contain official GRE scores, official or unofficial transcripts that show a 3.0 grade-point average for undergraduate work, two or three recommendation letters, a statement of student goals, and previous experienced business professionals in working or volunteering at a public health program for two to three years.  Some schools do not require previous experience or experienced business professionals in the field of study and holistic business skills. A majority of master’s in public health online programs do not have prerequisite course requirements for admission. Public health professionals with a terminal degree in their fields may complete the program with 42 credits.

Curriculum and Coursework in Master of Public Health Programs

Online MPH course requirements vary by program or institution. Didactic courses may be offered 100 percent online. However clinical practice requirements include student attendance at practicums and internships. These are typically arranged in communities convenient to the online student.  Online MPH core coursework may include studies in:

• Biostatistics
  Biostatistics is the application of statistical principles to questions and problems in medicine, public health or biology. … The discipline of biostatistics provides tools and techniques for collecting data and then summarizing, analyzing, and interpreting it.
• Environmental Health
  Environmental Health is the branch of public health concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment affecting human health. Other terms referring to or concerning environmental health are environmental public health, and health protection.
• Epidemiology
  Epidemiology is the study (scientific, systematic, and data-driven) of the distribution (frequency, pattern) and determinants (causes, risk factors) of health-related states and events (not just diseases) in specified populations (neighborhood, school, city, state, country, global).
• Health Management
  Health management or healthcare management designates the process of organising and coordinating the performance of a healthcare facility. Regardless of specific curricula, the main focus of such programmes is to provide solid business and administrative knowledge in healthcare contexts.
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
  It uses different sociocultural and behavioral factors to better understand how healthy environments are sustained among different populations. Students concentrating in these fields learn how community and social factors contribute to a variety of public health solutions and policies.
• Public Health Practice
  Public health practice is understood broadly as the collection and analysis of identifiable public health data by a public health authority for the purpose of protecting the health of a particular community, where the benefits and risks are primarily designed to accrue to the participating community.
• Policy and Communications
  The fundamental role that communication plays in public health policies can be used to ensure that said policies are not just the consequence of public health demands and pressure, nor the result of a cold, rational process of analysis, but rather policies that truly work and help promote a healthier society.
• Public Health Biology
  Biological foundations of public health issues including infectious and chronic diseases. Reproduction and development of disease pathogens and transmission, immune responses and constitution of the host. … Focuses on methods for the control and prevention of disease.

Online MPH programs culminate in a capstone project or comprehensive exam.  There is no dissertation required.

Timelines for graduation in Online MPH Programs

Program length can vary by institution, the number of required credit hours, and the online course delivery system. Credit hours required for graduation very from 42 to 48 credits. Online master’s in public education students can complete most programs in two to three years. Online MPH programs offering synchronous courses require grad students to attend programs at specific days and times. However, accelerated self-paced asynchronous studies can shorten the timer-to-degree that can speed the time to degree to 12 to 18 months.

Hybrid programs for MPH Students – Online & On-Campus

Hybrid programs combine online and on-campus studies. Ask the prospective schools the number of on-campus meetings where attendance is required and some of the following questions: Are online hybrid MPH students required to attend weekend seminars or week-long campus sessions? How long are the required on-site practicums or supervised internships? Does the MPH student have the time to attend on-campus or institutional obligations?

It is rare to find a free online master of public health. Even when we find a free online master of public health, on most occasions, it is not an accredited online MPH degree. However, there are plenty of free online MPH courses that are available. Some of these courses are from reputed institutions from their previous years’ lectures from the MPH programs. Here is a list of free online public health courses.

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Environmental Public Health Online Courses (EPHOC)
• SDG Academy via edX – Global Public Health
• Duke University via Coursera – The Challenges of Global Health
• Harvard University via edX – Improving Global Health
• Johns Hopkins University – Multiple Courses

An online Master’s in Public Health degree program prepares graduates for a wide range of roles as well as providing a foundational master’s degree to enter doctoral work. However, master’s holders do have solid career options.  Here are 10 to explore:

(Note: These are Bureau of Labor Statistics links. Also, please link to pertinent sub-pages covering these specializations.)

1. Healthcare Administrators: Job growth 2016 to 2016: 20 percent.  Median annual income: $98,350.
2. Health and Safety Engineers. Job growth 2016 to 2016: 9 percent.  Median annual income: $88,510.
3. Hydrologists: Job growth 2016 to 2016: 10 percent.  Median annual income: $79,990.
4. Emergency Management Directors: Job growth 2016 to 2016: 8 percent.  Median annual salary: $72,760.
5. Epidemiologists: Job growth 2016 to 2016: 9 percent.  Median annual salary: $69,660.
   Find out more about Online Master’s Degrees in Epidemiology.
6. Health Informatics Specialists: Job growth 2016 to 2016: 22 percent.  Median annual salary: $89,141.
7. Environmental Health Scientists: Job growth 2016 to 2016: 11 percent.  Median annual income: $69,400.
8. Nutritionists and Dieticians: Job growth 2016 to 2016: 15 percent.  Median annual income: $59,410.
9. Social Workers: Job growth 2016 to 2016: 16 percent.  Median annual income: $47,980.
10. Public Health Educators: Job growth 2016 to 2016: 16 percent.  Median annual income: $45,360.

According to the National Board of Public Health Examiners, certification or licensing in public health tells employers, colleges, and lenders that the graduate has satisfied industry requirements for the mastery of the health education sciences.  It also demonstrates that the candidate has a commitment to continuing education in their MPH concentration. In addition, graduates can return to online MPH programs to add concentrations to bolster their qualifications for advancement. Nutrition and dietitian specialties often require state likeness for graduates to practice. Here are a few more licencing and certifications from which master of Public Health

Education graduates can benefit:

• National Practitioner Databank. Listings of licensing or certification requirements and organizations listed by state.
• National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.  Details about The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education (MCHES) qualifications and exams.
• National Board of Public Health Examiners.  Information on Certified in Public Health credentials and examinations.

MPH students can benefit from memberships in public health organizations, many offering student rates. They provide up-to-date information on public health policies and practice. Moreover, master’s students can build a professional network helpful in employment or career advancement. The following list includes links to organizations providing licensing, certification information, and examinations for MPH practitioners:

Public Health Associations:

1. American College of Epidemiology.  Advocacy, Meetings and Seminars.
2. Society for Health Education. Information on local chapters representing health promotion of communities and environments.
3. American Public Health Association.  Advocacy, info on best-practices.
4. Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. Represents institutions accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
5. Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. Organization with 15,000 members, many of whom are educators, clinical scientists, consultants, and researchers.