10 Best Masters in Public Health Online Programs
A Master's in Public Health (MPH) degree prepares students for prosperous careers as public health experts. With countless online MPH programs nationwide, deciding on just one can be challenging. So, we compiled the top 10 online MPH programs to help you find one that suits your needs.
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Top 10 Masters in Public Health Online Programs
We assembled this list of the best online MPH degrees using Nurse.org’s proprietary ranking methodology which uses the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard.
|
Program |
Accreditation |
Program Length |
Tuition |
|
Gwynedd Mercy University |
CEPH |
20 months |
$750 per credit hour |
|
Johns Hopkins University |
CEPH |
11 - 48 months |
Full-time: $16,488 per term Part-time: $1,374 per credit hour |
|
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill |
CEPH |
20-36 months |
$1,735 per credit hour |
|
University of Washington |
CEPH |
24 months |
Resident: $25,890 Non-resident: $44,250 |
|
George Washington University |
CEPH |
12-18 months |
$1,890 per credit hour |
|
Tulane University |
CEPH |
24-30 months |
$1,606 per credit hour |
|
Temple University |
CEPH |
36 months |
$1,087 per credit hour |
|
Boston University |
CEPH |
24-60 months |
$24,000 |
|
Drexel University |
CEPH |
12-33 months |
$1,032 per credit hour |
|
University of Tennessee |
CEPH |
24-36 months |
Resident: $744 per credit hour Non-Resident: $819 per credit hour |
GMU's online MPH degree offers students full- and part-time attendance options. At $750 per credit hour, it's also one of the country's most affordable online MPH programs. Not only does GMU offer a low rate, but graduates can also receive a 10% tuition reimbursement.
Gwynedd Mercy also provides students with robust opportunities and resources. Public health experts teach online MPH courses, and students have several chances to pursue research positions or internships. Additionally, they have access to international service trips, such as Jamaica and parts of Africa.
- Application Deadline: August 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (215) 641-5541
- Email: gradadmissions@gmercyu.edu
JHU offers one of the most renowned and rigorous MPH programs online. In addition to online courses, students can attend the MPH program at the school's Baltimore campus. Over 1,500 faculty members teach Johns Hopkins' online MPH classes, and students can complete public health projects in over 67 countries.
JHU has high enrollment and large cohort sizes. However, students still have direct access to faculty and personalized guidance.
- Application Deadline:
- Full-time: December 1st
- Part-time: July 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (410) 955-1291
- Email: mphprog@jhu.edu
UNC's online Masters of Public Health is among the best because, in addition to public health topics like nutrition and applied epidemiology, students also learn what it takes to be a public health leader. Students in this program receive one-on-one assistance from the placement team and complete at least 200 hours of fieldwork.
Full-time students can complete the program in 20-36 months. However, the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC allows learners up to five years to earn their degree.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (919) 445-1170
- Email: sph-admissions@unc.edu
The University of Washington offers twelve MPH specialties for students to choose from. Regardless of their specialty, all students complete the core MPH curriculum, which integrates research and practical skills to solve complex public health problems. Students must also complete a practicum to receive their degree.
- Tuition:
- Resident: $25,890
- Non-resident: $44,250
- Application Deadline: December 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (206) 543-1144
- Email: sphsas@uw.edu
GWU offers various options for students interested in pursuing an MPH degree. In addition to its accelerated 12- and 18-month programs, part-time students can attend custom-paced two- and five-year courses.
George Washington is a reputable university with 300,000 alums worldwide. This reach allows students to access a broad network for future job placement and 700 practicum affiliations.
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (855) 674-2849
- Email: admissions@publichealthonline.gwu.edu
Located in New Orleans, Tulane University is the country's oldest public health school. Students can choose from various MPH specialties, and there are three start dates per year (August, January, and June). They can complete Tulane's 42-45 credit online MPH programs in as little as two years.
- Application Deadline:
- Spring:
- Priority: October 1st
- Final: December 1st
- Summer:
- Priority: February 1st
- Final: March 15th
- Fall:
- Priority: March 1st
- Final: June 15th
- Spring:
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (504) 266-0699
- Email: sbps@tulane.edu
Located in Philadelphia, Temple offers students a unique opportunity to complete their required practicum with a diverse population. The university's three MPH specialties are available online and in person. Students can select from MPH majors in epidemiology, healthy policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences.
- Application Deadline: June 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (215) 204-7000
- Email: grad@temple.edu
As one of the best public health programs in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report, BU offers a unique online MPH program. 95% of students receive funding for the program, and there is a 100% career or education placement rate within 12 months. Additionally, over 93% find career placement within the first six months post-graduation.
- Application Deadline:
- Spring:
- Priority: October 15th
- Final: December 15th
- Fall:
- Priority: January 15th
- Final: June 1st
- Spring:
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (617) 358-3301
- Email: sphdeansoffice@bu.edu
Located in central Philadelphia, Drexel offers four MPH programs: Epidemiology, Executive, Global Health, and Urban Health. Students can add a secondary focus in Maternal and Child Health, Infection Disease Prevention and Control, or LGBT Health.
Drexel University offers a full-time 12-month MPH program and more flexible part-time options. Students are not eligible for research assistantships in the full-time option but can in the 18, 21, and 33-month options.
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: 800-2-DREXEL
- Email: enroll@drexel.edu
The MPH program at Tennessee has a long-standing history of excellence. In 1969, the school’s MPH program became the first to recieve accredidation outside of a school of public health.
Tennessee offers five concentrations, including Veterinary Public Health, which is unique and not offered by many online MPH programs. The university also has three enrollment dates, offering more opportunities for students to get into this competitive program. Students can complete this 42-credit-hour online MPH degree in two to three years, depending on their class schedule.
- Tuition:
- Resident: $744 per credit hour
- Non-Resident: $819 per credit hour
- Application Deadline:
- Spring: June 15th
- Summer: October 15th
- Fall: February 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (865) 974-7220
What to Expect in an Online Masters of Public Health Program
Masters of Public Health online degree programs focus on epidemiology, community and global health, health education, and data analysis. Depending on the school, your program will include synchronous and asynchronous learning or a combination of both.
>> Related: Top 10 Master's of Public Health Jobs
Admission Requirements
Since MPH degrees are graduate-level programs, universities will require that students hold a bachelor's degree for admission. Applicants will also have to meet various other requirements, which often include the following:
- Bachelor’s degree
- CV/Resume
- Official college transcripts
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- 3.0 or higher GPA
- GRE, if required
- Personal interview
- Essay of intent
Classes & Coursework
The coursework in an online MPH program will vary at each university. Some programs focus on different aspects of public health, like epidemiology or biostatistics. If you pursue one, your specialty focus will have tailored classes that other programs don't include.
Regardless of your chosen specialty, all programs will offer core courses, such as:
- Public Health and Health Equity
- Public Health Interventions
- Health Equity
- Environmental Health
- Global Health
- Communication Strategies
- Epidemiology
- Research Methods
- Ethical Policy
- Policy and Advocacy
- Public Health Analytic Methods
How to Choose an Online MPH Program
Choosing an online Master of Public Health degree depends on several factors. One of the most vital considerations is whether you'll pursue a specialized or general online MPH degree. Choosing a specialty focus may narrow down your program options.
Other factors to consider include:
- Cost (in-state vs. out-of-state)
- Reputation
- Accreditation
- Graduation rate
- Job placement
- Attrition rate
- Student-faculty ratio
