Searching for accredited online MPH programs? Want to enhance your influence within the public health field with a Master of Public Health degree online?
Online MPH programs help you find the freedom to develop as a professional while still working full-time, spending quality time with your family, or juggling other responsibilities.
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What is an MPH?
A Masters in Public Health can be a potentially helpful stepping stone toward moving from the middle office to a corner office.
How can an MPH help you to succeed in a public health career?
- Many MPH programs can be completed online while maintaining your position in your organization
- An MPH is a skills-based professional degree designed to provide students with the knowledge and tools to be leaders in the public health field
- An MPH is only 36 credit hours, which can often be completed while working full-time
- Having an MPH can help increase your earning potential
With the skills and resources developed through an MPH, you may be able to become an executive leader, fostering better public health in a variety of private and public sectors.
Why Pursue an MPH?
Earning your Master’s in Public Health can help you build the expertise needed to develop programs, policies, and research that can further the public health field.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most healthcare workers with a Master’s degree can earn between 19 and 44% more than their counterparts in the same position who only hold a Bachelor’s degree!
What Careers Will an MPH Prepare You For?
There are many opportunities available for work in research, administration or program development if you have an MPH.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some careers in the public health field include:
| Careers | Annual Median Salary |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $104,280 |
| Biostatisticians | $92,270 |
| Emergency Management Directors | $76,250 |
| Epidemiologist | $74,560 |
| City Communicable Disease Analyst | $68,500 |
| Social and Community Service Manager | $69,600 |
| Dietitian | $63,090 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $57,630 |
| Health Educator | $56,500 |
| Community Health Worker | $42,000 |
An MPH can help prepare you to be a leader in a variety of public health organizations, whether you choose a more hands-on role or oversight and direction.
What Is the Average Salary For MPH Degree Holders Mid-career?
Employment in healthcare occupations is forecast to climb as the American population ages. As the need for public health professionals increases, your salary could potentially climb as you move through your career. However, the expected average salary for an MPH degree holder can vary according to the specialty and area of expertise.
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A Masters in Public Health can help you to stay ahead of the curve and continue to grow both professionally and financially as your paychecks increase throughout your career.
Is a Residency Required in an Online MPH Degree?
If you are considering an online MPH degree but don’t want to relocate temporarily to fulfill residency requirements, take heart! Most MPH programs do not require a residency. So, if you live in Texas and attend a school in another state, it probably won’t matter. Through the support of approved organizations across the country, most MPH students can complete their work experience within their own communities.
Is the GRE Required?
Short answer, not always!
In the past when the majority of Master’s degrees were completed on a university campus the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) was a good way for administrators to assess a student’s readiness for graduate-level coursework.
With the advent of online MPH programs, the areas that are reflected in the GRE are no longer a concern for many university administrators. As a result, a number of colleges have an online Masters of Public Health without the GRE required for admission.
Are Online MPH Programs Accredited?
Yes, there are accredited online programs!
A reputable online university program can undergo the same accreditation process as a program offered at a brick-and-mortar university. There are several major regional and national accreditors that oversee the Masters of Public Health program across the nation.
- Council on Education for Public Health
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Higher Learning Commission
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Are Online MPH Programs Affordable?
While the bottom line can fluctuate from university to university, many online MPH programs can be affordable with the right strategy.
There are many scholarships available for students enrolled in MPH programs ranging from general $500 scholarships to the Corris Boyd Scholars Program worth $40,000.
Another strategy is to consider whether enrolling at your local state university will reduce your tuition.
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Quite a few universities offer special tuition rates for students studying online.
In addition, many universities offer special military tuition rates to support the members of our military.
Is a Master’s in Public Health Worth It?
A Master’s in Public Health is worth it for many professionals.
Public-health professionals with a Masters of Public Health have a wide variety of career opportunities available to pursue as the health care industry grows and expands. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 12% job growth in community and social service occupations over the next 10 years. Common careers in this field include health educator, epidemiologist, and health services administrator.
To be considered for a leadership or management role in your organization, a Master’s in Public Health is likely vital. Most upper-level roles such as directors, administrators, epidemiologists, or research analyst require an MPH.
How Long Does an MPH Take to Complete Online?
Many students in online MPH programs finish their degrees in 2 years. However, with an accelerated program you may be able to complete your degree in just 12 months!
What MPH Concentrations are Available?
An MPH may allow you to focus your studies with a razor-sharp focus on one concentration. Here are over 20 concentrations that may be seen in this degree program:
- Health Law
- Allied Health
- Biomedical Science
- Biostatistics
- Clinical and Translational Science
- Clinical Effectiveness
- Demography
- Emergency Preparedness
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Gerontology
- Global Health
- Health Communication
- Health Science
- Healthcare Administration
- Health Policy and Management
- Infectious Disease
- Maternal and Family Health
- Mental Health
- Molecular Sciences
- Nurse-Midwifery
- Nutrition
- Urban Health
- Veterinary Public Health
- Zoonotic Diseases
Coupling one of these MPH program concentrations with your desire to help others through the work of public health may be a winning strategy.
Asynchronous vs. Synchronous Online MPH programs
When considering an online MPH program, it is essential to decide if you prefer to be enrolled in an asynchronous or synchronous program.
Both programs are typically fully online, but asynchronous programs have classes at specific schedules and time frames, similar to a conventional classroom.
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On the other hand, the more popular asynchronous online MPH program allows students to log in to a class and complete the work on their own timetable, but within a specific time frame.
Masters in Public Health vs. Masters in Public Administration – What’s the Difference?
At first glance, a Master’s in Public Health and a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) can appear to be similar degrees with their strong emphasis on healthcare. However, when analyzing the curriculum focus of each degree, it can be seen that they are quite different.
An MPH focuses on the science of public health and taking the steps necessary for the good of the public. With the skills you develop in an MPH you may be able to be an executive leader, planning, researching and implementing public health programs in both the private and public sectors.
An MPA is more akin to an MBA than a science-based degree such as the MPH. An MPA is designed to equip students to be managers and administrators in health organizations and programs. Compared to an MPH, there is less of an emphasis on health research and program development in an MPA and more of a focus on business practices.
Universities Offering Online MPH Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
A.T. Still University was founded in 1892 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, the father of osteopathy. It’s the oldest osteopathy school in the world, but as a private institution devoted to health sciences, it also offers degrees and certificates for a variety of healthcare fields.
Available subjects include dentistry, nursing, public health, physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training and health sciences. All of the programs are for graduate studies on the master’s and doctoral level. There are also certification programs for specialized areas of study.
- Master of Public Health
ATSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Benedictine University is a private university in Lisle, Illinois. Founded in 1887 by Roman Catholic monks, it’s one of the largest Christian colleges in the state, but it offers degree programs for secular studies as well as religious ones.
One thing that sets Benedictine apart is that it offers programs on both “traditional” and “non-traditional” tracks. Non-traditional tracks include things like an Adult Accelerated General Education Program to speed up the process of obtaining a degree. Degrees are available at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level.
- Master of Public Health
Benedictine is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Established in 1993, Capella University is an online college where lessons and classes are completed virtually. It has a wide range of degree programs for both undergraduate and graduate studies.
Subjects range from business and technology to healthcare and social work. Students can choose from different learning formats such as FlexPath and GuidedPath, depending on whether they want fixed schedules and credit hours or synchronous and asynchronous classes. Students can also choose to take individual courses that are unattached to degree programs.
- Master of Public Health
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Dartmouth College was founded in 1769 in Hanover, New Hampshire. It wasn’t considered an Ivy League school at the time, but it rose in prestige and prominence until it became one of the most elite private colleges in the country.
Dartmouth offers degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Though it’s perhaps best-known for its liberal arts programs, it also offers instruction in technical, medical and scientific fields. It has around 6,000 students enrolled at any given time.
- Master of Public Health
Dartmouth is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Founded in 1911, East Tennessee State University is a public university that offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. It has eleven individual colleges and schools, including the James H. Quillen College of Medicine, a top-ranked school for rural medicine by U.S. News & World Report.
ETSU also offers several rare and noteworthy programs that can’t be found anywhere else in the United States. For example, it has the only master’s degree program for storytelling in the entire country, and it offers majors and minors in everything from “Appalachian Studies” to “Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music Studies.”
- MPH in Biostatistics
- MPH in Community Health
- MPH in Epidemiology
- MPH in Public Health Administration
ETSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
With more than 190 degree programs, Florida International University offers a variety of subjects for its bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. It also boasts the only public schools for law and medicine in South Florida.
Like its name suggests, FIU serves both national and international students. More than 140 countries are represented on its campus, and it’s been classified as a public research university since its founding in 1965.
FIU offers both online and campus-based classes.
- Master of Public Health
FIU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
George Washington University was established in 1821 by the U.S. Congress. It’s one of only five schools to have that designation, and it lives up to the prestige by having a strong political and economic presence in Washington DC. The World Bank is located on campus, and the White House and Department of State are only blocks away.
GWU offers many different degrees across the undergraduate and graduate level. Its classes are available online, in-person and through “hybrid” instruction, and it has two satellite campuses for distance learning. It’s considered a private school.
- Master of Public Health
GW is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Harvard University is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636, it’s the oldest college in the United States, and it’s considered an Ivy League school due to its rigorous academic programs and notable alumni.
There are numerous degrees offered at Harvard on both the undergraduate and graduate level. Different schools are devoted to business, medicine, education, law and many STEM fields such as mathematics and engineering.
- MPH in Epidemiology
Harvard is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Indiana State University was established in 1865 as a teaching academy, but it’s grown into a public research institution that offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in many different fields. There are six schools in total with almost 200 majors, minors, certifications and training programs among them.
Degrees are available for both campus- and online-based students. Indiana State Online is the school’s digital platform, and it allows students to earn everything from degrees to licenses through virtual learning.
- Master’s of Public Health
Indiana State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Named for its founder, a distinguished philanthropist, Johns Hopkins University is a private research institution that dates back to 1876. Its motto is veritas vos liberabit, or “the truth shall set you free,” and it’s considered an elite university for the fields of medicine, research and public health.
Other fields of study include liberal arts and STEM subjects. Though it’s primarily known for its medical programs, John Hopkins University offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees.
- Master’s of Public Health
Johns Hopkins is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Purdue University has an entire system of colleges and education centers throughout Indiana. Its central campus was built in 1896 in West Lafayette, but it has more than 75,000 traditional students and 30,000 online students in total.
Befitting its size, Purdue University offers almost 300 programs for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. It also has certifications and job training programs for a wide range of fields.
Purdue University is considered a public research university.
- Master’s in Public Health
Purdue Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Though it was founded in 1910 in the state of Ohio, Kent State University has grown into a worldwide name with learning centers all across the globe. Domestic campuses can be found everywhere from Cleveland to New York City, and international centers are in China, Italy, India and more.
Kent State University offers a wide range of programs as a public school. Starting with associate degrees and climbing all of the way to doctoral degrees, it offers more than 300 programs for degree seekers.
- MPH in Health Policy and Management
- MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Kent State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
Founded in 1933, Monroe College is a private institution in New York City. It has three campuses in New Rochelle, Saint Lucia and the Bronx as well as online classes for distance learners.
There are three types of degrees to earn at Monroe College: associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Subjects range from baking to medical imaging. There are also certificates for things like nursing and bilingual education.
Monroe College offers degrees through both classroom-based and fully online programs.
- Master’s in Public Health
Monroe is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Founded in 1971, National University is a private college that’s aimed primarily at adult learners. It offers a wide range of associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and students can choose from online, evening, weekend and self-paced classes to complete their degree program on their own schedule.
National University has two campuses in California and Nevada. It also boasts a thriving e-campus with 100 percent online classes.
- Master of Public Health
NU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
New Mexico State University was founded in 1888, which makes it the oldest post-secondary institution in New Mexico. It’s considered a public research university and has more than 21,000 students enrolled across several campuses.
NMSU offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees at its flagship location. It also has associate degree programs at local community colleges like the Dona Ana Community College. Non-degree certifications are available for people in the workforce, and so are graduate-level certifications for students looking to expand their resumes.
- Master of Public Health
NMSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Nova Southeastern University has been serving Florida since its foundation in 1964. It offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in law, business and medicine, including specialized programs for things like dentistry, optometry, pharmacy and occupational therapy.
A private university, NSU has a little more than 20,000 students spread across physical campuses and online learning programs. Students can obtain a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree, or they can seek a professional certification or licensure. They can even go back to NSU for continuing education classes after they’ve become a working professional.
- Master of Public Health
NSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
With almost 70,000 students, Texas A&M University has the largest student body in the United States. Its size is reflected in its wide assortment of undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as its professional certifications.
A public college, Texas A&M University was founded in 1876. The A&M originally stood for “Agricultural and Mechanical,” which was a nod to the school’s first focus areas. Today, however, students can choose from more than 90 majors and 100 different degrees and titles, so it’s become a large and complex institution with many opportunities for the enrolled.
- Master of Public Health
TAMU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Founded in 1820, the University of Alabama is the oldest public university in the state. It offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees through a robust number of programs.
Traditional subjects include law, medicine and business. Rarer and more specialized subjects include sports media, romance languages, urban studies, evolutionary studies and music education.
The University of Alabama offers both campus-based and online classes.
- Master of Public Health
UA is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of California has state-wide campuses and programs, but Berkeley is one of the oldest and most well-known. Founded in 1868, it’s a public research university with many different schools, labs, libraries, research facilities and more.
Berkeley’s degree programs run from the bachelorette level to the doctoral level. Students can choose between campus, online and hybrid/blended courses. Total student enrollment is more than 43,000.
- MPH in Community Health Sciences
- MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- MPH in Health Policy and Management
- MPH in Spatial Data Science and Global Health
UC Berkeley is accredited by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges.
Established in 1853, the University of Florida can trace its origins to the first higher learning institutions in the state. It’s a public university that has grown throughout the years from a small school to a major college with more than 300 degree programs.
Students attending UF can choose from bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. There are more than a dozen individual schools with their own majors and minors, including the College of Health and Human Performance, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Design, Construction and Planning.
- Master of Public Health
UFL is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of Illinois was founded in 1867 as a public research university. Today, it’s one of the largest institutions in the University of Illinois system, and its schools and facilities have renown as well. Its library is second only to Harvard in terms of size.
Degree programs include bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral. There are also various certifications for students and professionals.
The main campus is located in the twin cities of Urbana-Champaign, but there are other campuses scattered across Illinois, including regional and satellite campuses.
- MPH in Public Health Informatics
U of Illinois is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
While not technically an Ivy League school, the University of Maryland is sometimes called a “public Ivy” thanks to its extensive and nationally-ranked degree programs by Forbes and U.S. News & World Report. It was established in 1856, and it offers more than 250 ways for students to earn degrees, titles, certificates and training qualifications.
Degrees run the gamut from undergraduate to graduate. Special features of the college include everything from professional programs to university-funded scholarships.
- MPH in Behavioral and Community Health
- MPH in Public Health Practice and Policy
UMD is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Known to locals as simply “Michigan,” the University of Michigan is a public college with more than 46,000 students across several campuses. It was founded in 1817 before the surrounding territory was even a state, so it’s also the oldest post-secondary institution in Michigan.
Michigan boasts a dozen schools with hundreds of degree programs. There are two main campuses in the cities of Dearborn and Flint, and there’s also Michigan Online for distance learners. Some degrees are 100 percent online with no in-person class attendance required.
- MPH in Population and Health Sciences
UMich is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Founded in 1869, the University of Nebraska is a public college located in Lincoln, Nebraska. It’s sometimes called the University of Nebraska–Lincoln or the “UNL” or “NU.”
Degrees are available on the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level. Students can also earn special certificates and licenses through state-recognized programs for education, nursing and more.
Globally, the University of Nebraska has students and faculty all over the world, and it welcomes international students as well.
- MPH in Health Services Administration and Policy
UN is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of North Carolina was founded in 1789, making it one of three schools that can claim to be the oldest in the United States. It’s a public university and has been since its creation.
Students at UNC can choose from 13 different schools with a myriad of undergraduate and graduate programs. Classes offer everything from obscure cultural studies to cutting-edge information in medical and technical fields. Online classes are also available.
- Master of Public Health
UNC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of North Dakota has more than 250 programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level. Courses are available at several campuses or on digital learning platforms through UND Online.
If taken online, students can choose between self-paced classes and traditional, semester-based classes. Both types of classes will appear the same on a transcript.
The University of North Dakota is a public college that was founded in 1883.
- MPH in Health Management and Policy
- MPH in Indigenous Health and Population Health Research and Analytics
UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of North Texas was founded in 1890 in Denton, Texas. It boasts almost a dozen schools with different majors, minors, specializations and certifications. It’s a public university.
Students at UNT can choose between 105 bachelor’s programs, 88 master’s programs and 37 doctoral programs. Their options include popular majors like math and science and lesser-known majors like Aviation Logistics, Jazz Studies and Ceramics and Metalsmithing.
- Master of Public Health
UNT is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Pittsburgh has been serving Pennsylvania since its foundation in 1787. It’s considered a “state-related” school, meaning that it has properties of both a public and private institution.
There are numerous undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the Pitt. There are also professional certifications and extracurriculars offered through a special Outside the Classroom (OOC) program.
Students can choose from more than 100 programs overall.
- Master of Public Health
Pitt is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Established in 1801 as a public institution, the University of South Carolina can be found at a main campus and seven satellite campuses spread throughout the state. It offers more than 350 degree programs on both an undergraduate and graduate level.
USC students can pick either in-person or online classes. Students who have completed a certain number of credits are also eligible to enroll in Palmetto College, an online college run by the USC system.
- MPH in Health Promotion, Education and Behavior
- MPH in Health Services Policy and Management
USC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of South Florida offers more than 200 academic programs. Students can choose from 80 undergraduate majors and 130 graduate-level specializations and certifications, and they can take classes online or on campus. Subjects range from law and medicine to social services and gender studies. There are also a great number of clubs, societies, fraternities, sports teams and other extras.
The USF was established in 1956 in Tampa, Florida. It’s considered a public research university.
- MPH in Epidemiology
- MPH in Global Disaster Management, Humanitarian Relief and Homeland Security
- MPH in Health, Safety and Environment
- MPH in Infection Control
- MPH in Nutrition and Dietetics
- MPH in Public Health Practice
- MPH in Social Marketing
USF is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges.
Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the University of Southern California was founded in 1880. That makes it the oldest private university in the state.
It has 23 colleges in total, and it grants both undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of fields. Students can study both technical and scientific subjects as well as the arts and humanities. Classes are available online or through campus-based instruction.
- MPH in Biostatistics and Epidemiology
- MPH in Community Health Promotion
- MPH in GeoHealth
- MPH in Global Health
- MPH in Health Services and Policy
USC is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Founded in 1701, Yale University is one of the oldest of the Ivy League colleges, and it’s only grown in power and prestige since its formation. Dozens of presidents, scholars, diplomats, Nobel Prize winners and Supreme Court justices have gotten their start at Yale.
Yale offers more than 2,000 courses across 100 different degree programs. Available degrees include bachelor’s, master’s and doctorates.
As private university, Yale has a very selective admissions process.
- Master of Public Health
Yale is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Want to get your MPH in 1 Year?
Check out our article listing One Year MPH Programs – online or on campus. Or, if you’re still not sure if an online master’s in public health is the right degree program for you, we also take an in-depth look at other one year online master’s programs here.
Earning in one of the many available online MPH programs can help set you on your journey to make a difference in the public health field. Are you ready to take the next step in advancing your career in Public Health?
