With one of Grad School Hub's 25 Best Online Master's Degrees in Public Health, students can improve their career prospects and the lives of others in 2020.
A Master's Degree in Public Health will deepen an individuals' understanding of the public field industry, while boosting their career prospects, as well. Online degrees allow students to graduate affordably – with convenience and flexibility – and without having to uproot their lives. The following 25 Best Online Master's Degrees in Public Health can be completed entirely online or through a blended residential program. Most Public Health degrees require individuals to hold a bachelor's degree for admission, while others require a few years of relevant, professional experience.
Core Master of Public Health coursework typically covers the areas of biostatistics; epidemiology, or disease control; policy development; and the behavioral, environmental, and social factors of public health. MPH programs tend to be non-thesis programs that require field practicum experiences. Some offer concentrations or specializations in a specific area of public health, such as community health, global health, health promotion, or policy development. Generally speaking, Public Health programs address health issues relating to diverse human communities and populations. While some require individuals to study full-time, many online programs can be completed on a part-time basis.
Career prospects for individuals with MPH degrees may vary depending on the chosen concentration area or elective coursework. Because the majority of MPH programs hold epidemiology as a core component, graduates may go on to work in Epidemiologist positions. Epidemiologists must hold at least a master's degree. Epidemiologists examine causes and patterns of human disease and injury. They then aim to reduce these negative health outcomes through community education and outreach, policy development, and research. Epidemiologists may work in health-related offices and labs, government agencies, hospitals, or universities. According to the most recent report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, epidemiologists earned a median 2017 salary of $69,660. The demand for epidemiologists is experiencing a projected nine percent growth rate, which is about as fast as the average across all industries.
Methodology
The staff of Grad School Hub has compiled the following 25 Best Online Master's Degrees in Public Health 2020 for the 2019-20 academic school year based on public data released from educational, commercial, and government databases. Data contributed from sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics, and the U.S. Department of Labor plays a significant role in how graduate degree programs are ranked because institutional transparency is essential for deciding which career path is right for you. Based on this data, GSH organizes information into five weighted categories, which are:
- Alumni Feedback: 20%
- Continued Enrollment: 20%
- Degree Selectivity: 10%
- Graduate Expenses: 25%
- Projected Annual Salary: 25%
A more comprehensive evaluation of how each category is determined and scored is accessible through our Ranking Methodology page.
Here are the 25 Best Online Master's Degrees in Public Health 2020 for 2019 – 2020!
#25 – University of Missouri
Master of Public Health in Health Promotion and Policy
Columbia, MO
Website
The University of Missouri offers a Master of Public Health with an emphasis in health promotion and policy. The 45-credit program can be completed 100 percent online. The curriculum covers areas such as community-based public health interventions, epidemiology, and perspectives in global health. Course examples include Health Care in the United States, Human Health and the Environment, and Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health. Students are also required to finish a Public Health capstone along with an internship. Elective offerings include Domestic Violence, Immigrant Health, and Mental Health Policy.
Founded in 1839, Mizzou was the first public institution of higher education west of the Mississippi River. Located in Columbia, it is the biggest university in the state of Missouri by student enrollment. It is also the flagship campus of the University of Missouri System. A land- and space-grant institution, it is a member of the Association of American Universities. Notable alumni include actors Brad Pitt and Jon Hamm, Walmart founder Sam Walton, and playwright Tennessee Williams. U.S. News & World Report ranks Mizzou No. 129 in National Universities, No. 78 in Best Value Schools, and No. 61 in Top Public Schools.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,972 in-state; $27,042 out-of-state
#24 – Michigan State University
Master of Public Health
East Lansing, MI
Website
Michigan State University offers a Master of Public Health through its College of Human Medicine. The online program emphasizes applied professional knowledge. The 43-credit curriculum includes 10 credits of foundational courses, such as Community Engagement and Public Health Practice and Health Equity Framework for Public Health Practice. The 15-credit core curriculum includes courses in biostatistics, environmental factors of health, epidemiology, and social and behavioral aspects of health. Students must choose electives from among five interest groups: Global and Cultural Public Health, Infectious Disease, Epidemiology/Biostatistics/Surveillance, Nutrition, and Policy and Administration. The culminating experience is a supervised field practicum and capstone paper.
MSU was established in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, one of the nation's first institutions to teach scientific agriculture. The institution later served as a model for land-grant universities created under the Morrill Act and expanded its curriculum. Today, the public research university is one of the largest universities in the United States in terms of student enrollment. A land- and sea-grant institution, it is a member of the Association of American Universities. U.S. News & World Report ranks MSU at No. 85 in National Universities, No. 35 in Top Public Schools, and No. 46 in graduate Speech-Language Pathology.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $14,460 in-state; $39,766 out-of-state
#23 – Creighton University
Master of Public Health
Omaha, NE
Website
Creighton University awards an online Master of Public Health through its Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. Creighton's online MPH consists of 22 core-credits, 15-credits for students' concentration, and seven credits involving a degree experience and capstone. The online MPH at Creighton requires applicants to have a 3.0 GPA from a previously earned bachelors degree and professional work experience, amongst other typical materials such as a resume.
The MPH's core classes provide a well-rounded experience for Public Health studies, where they'll complete Writing for Graduate Students, Biostatistics, and Public Health Ethics. All MPH students at Creighton choose a concentration between Health Policy and Ethics or Healthcare Management, where they're also able to earn a concentration-specific Graduate Certificate. Students who are more interested in studying the literary and philosophical elements of Public Health can take multiple ethical classes within the Health Policy and Ethics curriculum. The Healthcare Management concentration appears to be designed for students who are business-oriented and prefer to fill leadership positions.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $39,916
#22 – New Mexico State University
Master of Public Health
Las Cruces, NM
Website
New Mexico State University provides an online Master of Public Health degree through its Department of Public Health Sciences. Students can choose to concentrate in either Community Health Education or Health Management, Administration and Policy. Both concentrated programs can be completed entirely online. Online courses are offered asynchronously, meaning students do not need to participate in live sessions and can study on their own schedules. Distance education technologies used include Adobe Connect, Skype, and Zoom Meeting. The core curriculum includes courses in Community and Psychosocial Aspects of Public Health and Epidemiological Approaches to Disease Control and Prevention. Students must also complete a field experience placement. The 42-credit program culminates in a comprehensive oral and written exam.
Founded in 1888, NM State is the oldest public institution in New Mexico and one of the state's two flagship universities. In addition to the primary location in Las Cruces, the university operates branch campuses in Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Dona Ana County, and Grants. It also operates extension centers and research centers throughout the state. Its research facilities include the Arrowhead Center, the Chile Pepper Institute, and the Leyendecker Plant Science Research Center. It is a land- and space-grant institution and a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution. U.S. News & World Report ranks NM State No. 221 in National Universities, No. 126 in Top Public Schools, and No. 120 in graduate Speech-Language Pathology
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,686 in-state; $21,770 out-of-state
#21 – Texas A&M University
Master of Public Health in Epidemiology
College Station, TX
Website
Texas A&M University offers an online program leading to a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology. Each student is assigned a graduate advisor to help them develop a plan of study, consisting of a minimum of 45 credits of coursework. The core curriculum includes courses in Assessment and Intervention: Wicked Problems in Public Health; Investigation and Control: Acute Public Health Events; and Thinking Populations: The Public Health Mindset. The curriculum also covers biostatistics, data analysis, and data management and computing. The non-thesis program culminates in a practicum experience and capstone class.
Established in 1871, Texas A&M was the first public institution of higher education in the state. Today, the university's student body is the largest in Texas and the second-largest in the United States. A land-, sea-, and space-grant institution, A&M is a member institution of the Association of American Universities. The university's research facilities include the Institute of Biosciences and Technology, the Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine, and the Texas Transportation Institute. The campus is home to the George Bush Presidential Library, the presidential library and burial site of George H.W. Bush. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university No. 66 in National Universities, No. 44 in Best Value Schools, No. 37 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 24 in Top Public Schools.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,870 in-state; $37,495 out-of-state
#20 – University of Illinois at Chicago
Master of Public Health
Chicago, IL
Website
The University of Illinois at Chicago offers two online program options leading to a Master of Public Health. Students can complete an MPH Professional Enhancement Program or an MPH in Public Health Informatics. Core requirements for the MPH degree include Determinants of Population Health; Interprofessional Education; Public Health Systems; and Policy and Management. The Professional Enhancement core includes courses in Public Health Law and Ethics and Strategic Planning and Budgeting. The Public Health Informatics core includes courses in Data-Mining Applications in Public Health and Web-Based Public Health Information Systems. All students must also complete an applied practice experience and an integrative learning experience in public health.
UIC was founded in 1982 when the University of Illinois system consolidated its Congress Circle and Medical Center campuses. It is now the largest university in the Chicago area in terms of student enrollment. The public institution is categorized in the Carnegie Foundation's top tier of research universities. It operates the largest medical school in the United States and is among the nation's most ethnically diverse universities. U.S. News & World Report ranks UIC No. 129 in National Universities, No. 129 in Best Value Schools, and No. 61 in Top Public Schools. It also ranks the university No. 19 in Public Health at the graduate level.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,764 in-state; $26,980 out-of-state
#19 – University of Alabama at Birmingham
Master of Science in Public Health, concentration in Outcomes Research
Birmingham, AL
Website
The University of Alabama at Birmingham provides an online Master of Science in Public Health. Students who choose a concentration in Outcomes Research can complete the program entirely online. The degree program is open to students who hold bachelor's degrees and have strong backgrounds in math. Outcomes research in public health involves clinical decision-making and cost analysis. Graduates with a degree are suited to employment in an academic medical center of a pharmaceutical company. The 43-credit curriculum includes core and concentration course requirements, electives, and project research. Outcomes Research Track courses include Modeling & Simulation, Pharmacoeconomics and Regulation, and Social & Ethical Issues in Public Health. Full-time students typically complete the program in two years or four to five semesters. The degree may take up to five years for part-time students to complete.
UAB was established in 1936 as an extension center of the University of Alabama. It has since evolved into an autonomous four-year public university and member of the University of Alabama System. The Carnegie Foundation categorizes UAB in its top tier of research universities. Its affiliated UAB Health System, which includes a teaching hospital, is one of the largest academic medical centers in the United States. The university is ranked by U.S. News & World Report at No. 157 in National Universities, No. 80 in Top Public Schools, and No. 19 in graduate Public Health.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,568 in-state; $19,704 out-of-state
#18 – University of West Florida
Master of Public Health
Pensacola, FL
Website
The University of West Florida offers an online program leading to a Master of Public Health. The 42-credit program takes an interdisciplinary approach to public health problems from a local to a global level. Students can choose to pursue a generalist Public Health degree or to major in Health Promotion, Education & Behavior. In any case, students must take core courses in biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, public health policy, and social and behavioral sciences. Elective offerings include Bioterrorism, Global Health, and Urbanization and Population Health. All students must complete a six-credit, two-semester supervised field internship in public health. Students must also successfully complete a comprehensive exam.
Established in 1963, UWF is a member institution of the State University System of Florida. It is a public comprehensive research university without faculties of law or medicine. The university specializes in engineering and the humanities. It is a designated space-grant institution and a doctoral research university. Its main suburban campus includes rolling hills and natural woodlands near the downtown area and beaches of Pensacola. The university also operates academic facilities on Santa Rosa Island and in the Historic Pensacola Village. UWF athletic teams compete as the Argonauts, also known as the Fighting Snails.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,360 in-state; $19,241 out-of-state
#17 – University of Maryland
Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice and Policy
College Park, MD
Website
The University of Maryland offers a Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice and Policy through its Department of Health Services Administration. The degree program is offered in a blended learning format, with online courses supplemented by six residency weekends. The multi-disciplinary 45-credit degree is designed to build leadership and problem-solving skills in the public health realm. Core requirements include an Applied Data Laboratory and a course in Public Health Ethics. Major courses include Healthcare Leadership and Communications and Policy and Politics of Health. The curriculum culminates in an internship and capstone experience. The degree can be completed in as few as 18 months.
Founded in 1856, UMD is the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland. Located in College Park, it is the largest university in both Maryland and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. A land-, sea-, and space-grant institution, it is a Carnegie-classified top-tier research university and a member of the Association of American Universities. It is also counted among the nation's "Public Ivy" institutions. The university receives research funding from institutions including the Department of Homeland Security, the FDA, and NASA. U.S. News & World Report ranks UMD No. 63 in National Universities, No. 22 in Top Public Schools, and No. 32 in graduate Public Health.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,595 in-state; $35,216 out-of-state
#16 – Nova Southeastern University
Master of Public Health
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Website
Online students can earn their Master of Public Health through the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University. The Florida-based university provides the MPH online or residentially through the completion of 27 core requirements, although online students are required to attend orientation on-campus. Such classes include Biostatistics, Legal and Ethical Issues in Public Health, and Social and Behavioral Sciences Applied to Health. Nova also provides a broad range of electives such as Public Health Genomics, All Hazards Preparedness, and Tropical Diseases.
Admission requirements include a competitive GRE, PCAT, MCAT, etc. within five years of applying; a previously earned bachelors degree relevant to the study of public health; and professional experience within the public health industry. Nova emphasizes the importance of demonstrating the MPH Core Competencies. Such values and capabilities involve explaining the fundamental history and ethics of public health, factors of influence within public health, and applying the practices of public health through research, policy writing, and student development of health care systems.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $ 30,900
#15 – University of Washington
Executive Master of Public Health
Seattle, WA
Website
The University of Washington offers a blended-format program leading to an Executive Master of Public Health degree. While classes are held mostly online, six sessions are held on-campus throughout the program. The rigorous program has a focus on health equity, leadership, and social justice. Learning is partly team-based, incorporating group projects and team activities. The curriculum covers key areas of public health such as data analysis, evidence-based approaches, policy, and public health ethics. Course examples include Health Systems Leadership, Problems in Global Health, and Social Determinants of Population Health. Students must also complete practicum experience and either a master's thesis or capstone project. The program takes two years to complete.
UW was originally founded in 1861 in downtown Seattle. Now located in the city's University District, it is the flagship institution of the six public universities in the state of Washington. The university operates additional campuses in the Washington towns of Bothell and Tacoma. The main campus is home to one of the largest library systems in the world, which includes more than 26 university libraries. UW is a member of the Association of American Universities and classified as a doctoral research university by the Carnegie Foundation. The university is noted for its research in medicine, computer science, and engineering. It is ranked by U.S. News & World Report at No. 59 in National Universities, No. 37 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 20 in Top Public Schools. It is also ranked No. 7 in graduate Public Health.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,207 in-state; $36,588 out-of-state
#14 – University of North Dakota
Master of Public Health
Grand Forks, ND
Website
The University of North Dakota offers an online program leading to a Master of Public Health degree. Students can choose to specialize in Health Management & Policy, Indigenous Health, or Population Health Research & Analytics. The program prioritizes cultural competency and serving diverse communities through public health. The Indigenous Health specialization is the only online program of its kind in the United States. The core curriculum across all specializations covers biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, and more. All students must complete a supervised practicum experience and a culminating experience. The culminating experience includes a scholarly project and a seminar in leadership and advocacy. The degree program can be completed in one and a half to two years, depending on the students' desired pace.
Founded in 1883, UND is the oldest university in the state of North Dakota. The public flagship university has a historically strong liberal arts foundation and a more recent prioritization on scientific research. Located in Grand Forks, the UND campus is home to research institutions including the Center for Rural Health, the Energy and Environmental Research Center, and the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center. U.S. News & World Report ranks UND No. 205 in national Universities, No. 112 in Top Public Schools, and No. 138 in graduate Public Health
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,695 in-state; $20,759 out-of-state
#13 – Northeastern University
Master of Public Health Program w/ Urban Health
Boston, MA
Website
Northeastern University provides an online Master of Public Health Program with a concentration in Urban Health. The 42-credit MPH is awarded through Northeastern's Bouvé College of Health Science Department of Health Sciences. The MPH consists of two categories, which are Public Health and Urban Health. Core classes within the Public Health core include Introduction to Epidemiology, and Society, Behavior, and Health. The Urban Health core allows students to take a more sociological approach to public health with classes such as Race, Ethnicity, and Health in the United States, or Urban Community Health Assesment.
To graduate, all MPH students are expected to volunteer 200 hours of community service via an internship through a research-based, public health institution. Although Northeastern does not require a thesis for MPH students to graduate, a 3-credit capstone takes the place of such and provides online students with a chance to present their academic research and experiences involving the public health discipline.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $51,522
#12 – San Jose State University
Master of Public Health
San Jose, CA
Website
San Jose State University provides an online 42-credit Master of Public Health program through its College of Health and Human Sciences. The MPH is attainable within 24 months and most classes are available through ZOOM, SJSU's online classroom platform. The online MPH program is encompassed by a 22-credit Public Health core accompanied by a 16-credit Health Education, a four-credit practicum, and a final comprehensive exam. Core classes within the Public Health portion include Principles of Epidemiology and Environmental Health. The Health Education core, however, focuses more on classes such as Theoretical Foundations of Public Health or Applied Data Analysis.
SJSU only admits incoming students once per year and doesn't allow transfer students to apply previous credits toward their online MPH at SJSU. In fact, the university only admits 25 graduate students per application cycle, making the MPH very competitive. Students who are accepted to SJSU are provided a scholarship opportunity involving one's academic contributions toward LGBT equality and HIV awareness. The prestigious honor is awarded by Matthew Staley, who also happened to be an MPH alumnus from SJSU.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $ 7,796; $ 19,676
#11 – George Washington University
Online Master of Public Health
Washington, D.C.
Website
The Online Master of Public Health from George Washington University is available through three different degree formats, which include an accelerated 18-month MPH, an accelerated one-year MPH program, or a customizable MPH completed at one's own pace. Whichever program is chosen, Public Health students of GWU are can apply their MPH toward six different concentrations. Provided concentrations include Health Policy, Global Health; Environmental and Occupational Health; or Epidemiology and Public Health Research Methods. Depending on the concentration chosen, elective courses involving Global Vaccinology; Climate Change and Social Change; or Law, Medicine, and Ethics are available.
While the MPH is completable online, GWU students are expected to finish a form of supervised, in-field residency within the public health industry. The three distinct types of MPHs' available online will determine how quickly online GWU students are capable of finishing practicum requirements via residential services, This is because the university upholds work limitations for students based on enrollment. For example, students enrolled in the 18-month program do not recommend students to work more than a part-time schedule.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $55,230
#10 – Emory University
Executive Master of Public Health
Atlanta, GA
Website
Emory University provides an Executive Master of Public Health through its Rollins School of Public Health. The EMPH is completable online, although, EMPH students are expected to attend two residential sessions for their degree requirements. Incoming students begin their EMPH in the fall semester and are expected to have a minimum of three years of work experience in the health care industry. Critical inquiry, research methodology, biomedical ethics, sociology, and global health consciousness are all important values encompassing the institution's Core Competencies for EMPH students.
Overall, the EMPH consists of 42 credits and provides three different concentrations for Public Health majors to choose from. Among these concentrations are Prevention Science, Applied Epidemiology, and Applied Public Health Informatics. EMPH classes are completed through Canvas, an online university platform for distance learning students. The two-week-long EMPH orientation is also completable online and considered a vital component to student success at Emory. Core classes include Fundamentals of Epidemiology, Applied Biostatistics, and Perspectives in Environmental Health. All EMPH students are required to study classes such as Applied Public Health Informatics or Strategies and Resources for Online Learning.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $51,306
#9 – University of Minnesota
Executive Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice
Minneapolis and Saint Paul, MN
Website
The University of Minnesota offers an executive program leading to a Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice. The degree program is offered in a hybrid on-campus and online format, combining Web-based instruction and on-campus summer courses. Qualified applicants are professionals with an advanced degree such as an MS, JD, or MD. The program also considers public health professionals with significant work experience who have completed the university's Public Health Core Concepts Certificate. Individuals in the program can choose a focus area, such as food safety, global health, or public policy. The program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis in as few as 16 months or as up to five years. The average completion time is three to five years. Students in the program receive in-state tuition rates.
Founded in 1851, UMN is the flagship institution within the University of Minnesota system and the system's oldest and largest campus. It has one of the largest main campus student bodies in the United States. A land- and space-grant institution, UMN is classified as a doctoral university with "highest research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation. The university's research centers include the Center for Cognitive Sciences, the Institute on the Environment, and the Minnesota Population Center. U.S. News & World Report ranks UMN NO. 86 in Best Value Schools, No. 76 in National Universities, and No. 30 in Top Public Schools. The university is also ranked at No. 9 in Public Health at the graduate level.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $14,760
#8 – San Diego State University
Master of Public Health in Health Promotion & Behavioral Science
San Diego, CA
Website
San Diego State University offers a fully online program leading to a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion & Behavioral Science. Individuals must have taken the Graduate Record Examination within the five years prior to application. Prospective applicants must also have a minimum of three years of full-time work experience and be currently employed full-time, preferably in a public health-related profession. The rigorous program spans 18 months, consisting of eight eight-week sessions with week-long breaks in between. The 51-unit curriculum includes courses in Environmental Determinants of Human Health, Health Communication, and Motivating Health Behavior. All students must complete a 180-hour field placement experience and complete a capstone project.
Founded in 1897 as a teacher training school, SDSU is the third-oldest member of the 23-campus California State University system. A public space-grant research university, it is categorized by the Carnegie Foundation among doctoral universities with high research activity. In addition to its main campus in San Diego, SDSU operates two branch campuses: the Imperial Valley Campus in Brawley and Calexico, California, and the SDSU-Georgia campus in Tbilisi, Georgia. The university's off-campus facilities include the Coastal and Marine Institute Laboratory, Mount Laguna Observatory, and the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve. U.S. News & World Report ranks SDSU No. 127 in National Universities, No. 60 in Top Public Schools, and No. 45 in Most Innovative Schools. It also ranks at No. 23 in graduate Public Health.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,488 in-state; $19,340 out-of-state
#7 – Florida International University
Master of Public Health
Greater Miami, FL
Website
Florida International University offers an online program leading to a generalist Master of Public Health degree. The 45-credit interdisciplinary curriculum covers areas such as epidemiology and distribution of diseases, social and environmental health factors, and effective policy development for diverse populations. Core MPH courses include Health Behavior and Public Health and Public Health Statistics. General core courses include Community Health Promotion Planning and Research and Health Demography. Elective offerings include AIDS Epidemiology and Health Promotion in Culturally Diverse Communities. The program culminates in a local field practicum and integrative seminar. The degree is designed to be completed in 18 months.
Established in 1965, FIU has since grown into the fourth-largest university in the United States in terms of student enrollment. It is also the largest university in South Florida and the second-largest in the state. It is a member institution of the 12-campus State University System of Florida. The public university is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with "highest research activity." In addition to its main campus in University Park, also operates a regional Biscayne Bay campus and branch campuses in facilities throughout South Florida. Its research facilities include the Engineering Library Service Center and the International Hurricane Research Center. U.S. News & World Report ranks FIU No. 187 in National Universities, No. 100 in Top Public Schools, and No. 78 in graduate Public Health.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,556 in-state; $18,954 out-of-state
#6– Johns Hopkins University
Master of Public Health
Baltimore, MD
Website
Johns Hopkins University offers a Master of Public Health through its Bloomberg School of Public Health. Applicants should have a health-related doctoral degree or two or more years of full-time health-related work experience. The online program is designed to be completed on a part-time basis. It requires about one to two weeks of on-campus residency each year, which can be completed in Baltimore, Maryland; Washington, D.C.; or Barcelona, Spain. The curriculum consists of 80 quarter credits, which is equal to approximately 53-semester credits. Course offerings include Fundamentals of Health, Behavior & Society; Pharmaceuticals Management for Underserved Populations; and Problem Solving in Public Health. The degree program consists of five eight-week terms per year and can be completed between two and three years.
Founded in 1876, JHU is considered the nation's first research university. It was named after its benefactor, Quaker abolitionist, and entrepreneur Johns Hopkins. Today, JHU is a private research university and founding member of the Association of American Universities. The university's research centers include the Berman Institute of Bioethics, the Center for a Livable Future, and the Space Telescope Science Institute. JHU operates learning facilities in Maryland and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, as well as in China, Italy, and Singapore. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university No. 18 in both Best Value Schools and Most Innovative Schools, and No. 10 in National Universities. The site also ranks Johns Hopkins No. 1 in Public Health at the graduate level.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $53,740
#5 – University of Southern California
Master of Public Health
Los Angeles, CA
Website
The University of Southern California awards a Master of Public Health through its highly-ranked Keck School of Medicine. The program has no residency requirements and can be completed entirely online, with the exception of the field practicum, which can be completed in students' own local communities. Students can choose from six concentrations: Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Community Health Promotion, Generalist, GeoHealth, Global Health, and Health Services and Policy. The Generalist concentration requires four core courses: Foundations in Health Education and Promotion, Health Service and Delivery in the U.S., Principles of Biostatistics, and Principles of Epidemiology. Students may complete the degree through an accelerated format, which involves a 40-hour-per-week course workload throughout one academic year.
Founded in 1880, USC is the oldest private research university in the state of California and the largest private employer in Los Angeles. A sea- and space-grant institution, USC has a very high level of research activity. The university's technological developments include antivirus software, DNA computing, and the Domain Name System. Notable alumni include astronaut Neil Armstrong, Star Wars creator George Lucas, and actors John Wayne and Will Ferrell. USC is ranked by U.S. News & World Report at No. 22 in National Universities, No. 37 in Best Value Schools, and No. 28 in Most Innovative Schools. It is also ranked No. 37 in Public Health at the graduate level.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $56,225
#4 – University of South Florida
Master of Public Health
Tampa, FL
Website
The University of South Florida offers several online programs leading to a Master of Public Health Degree. All applicants should have at least three years of full-time health-related work experience. Students can concentrate in Epidemiology; Global Disaster Management, Humanitarian Relief & Homeland Security; Health, Safety & Environment; Infection Control; Nutrition and Dietetics; Public Health Practice; or Social Marketing. Students must complete a supervised field experience, written report, and comprehensive exam. The field experience can be completed at a location of students' choosing or as part of a group experience with faculty and peers. Such groups have previously traveled to sites in Hawaii, Costa Rica, Cuba, and Panama. The MPH degree program can be completed in two and a half to five years.
Founded in 1956, USF is a member institution of the State University System of Florida. Located in Tampa, it is the fourth-largest public university in Florida by student enrollment. A space-grant institution, USF is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a doctoral research university with very high research activity. USF Health researchers conduct significant research in fields including Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, heart health, and prosthetics. The USF campus is also home to the Shimberg Health Sciences Library. U.S. News & World Report ranks USF No. 124 in National Universities, No. 71 in Best Value Schools, and No. 58 in Top Public Schools. The university is also ranked No. 16 in graduate Public Health.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,410 in-state; $17,324 out-of-state
#3 – Harvard University
Master of Public Health in Epidemiology
Cambridge, MA
Website
Harvard University offers a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology through its Harvard Chan School Department of Epidemiology. The department was rated the most prolific research department in the world by the National Research Council. The program is designed to be completed on a part-time basis within a blended classroom format. Students can expect to earn two-thirds of the program's credit requirements through online case studies, interactive exercises, and video sessions. Online courses include Decision Science for Public Health and Design and Conduct of Trials in Preventive Medicine. The program also includes two intensive on-campus sessions and a self-designed, faculty-mentored, year-long practicum experience. The field experience culminates in a research project and presentation. The 45-credit degree program spans two years.
Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. A private Ivy League research university, it is considered one of the most prestigious universities in the world based on its history, influence, and wealth. It was a founding member of the Association of American Universities. Worth $39.2 billion as of 2018, Harvard has the largest endowment of any academic institution. The Harvard Library is the largest private and academic library system in the world. The university has a main campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and additional campuses throughout the Boston metropolitan area. Several U.S. presidents are among Harvard alumni, including John Adams, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama. U.S. News & World Report ranks Harvard No. 2 in National Universities, Best Value Schools, and graduate Public Health.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $50,420
#2 – The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Master of Public Health
Chapel Hill, NC
Website
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Master of Public Health ranks No. 2 for the 2019-2020 academic year. Offered through the university's Gillings School of Global Public Health, the MPH degree program involves live, interactive online courses each week. Students can choose from five concentrations: Epidemiology, Health Policy, Leadership in Practice, Nutrition, and a Registered Dietitian program. MPH core courses include Conceptualizing Public Health Solutions, Data Analysis for Public Health, and Understanding Public Health Issues. All students must also complete an applied field practicum experience and integrated learning paper. The Leadership and Nutrition concentrated programs can be completed in 20 months of full-time study or 28 months part-time. The Registered Dietitian concentration can be completed in 28 months full-time, or 36 months part-time.
Established in 1789, UNC is one of three schools allowed to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States. It is the flagship institution of the 17-campus University of North Carolina system. The public research university is counted among the nation's "Public Ivy" universities. It operates its own hospital, UNC Health Care, which specializes in cancer care. The UNC nickname is the "Tar Heels," a nod to the state's historical tar production. Kiplinger's Personal Finance named the university "best value" in the nation among public universities 16 times in a row. U.S. News & World Report ranks UNC No. 30 in National Universities, No. 8 in Best Value Schools, and No. 5 in Top Public Schools. The university also ranks second in Public Health at the graduate level.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,987 in-state; $35,170 out-of-state
#1 – University of California, Berkeley
Master of Public Health
Berkeley, CA
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The University of California, Berkeley offers Grad School Hub's top-ranked online master's program in Public Health. Applicants should have a bachelor's degree and a minimum of two years of work experience, not necessarily in the health field. Students can choose between specializations in Community Health Sciences, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Global Health, Health Policy & Management, and Spatial Data Science. The interdisciplinary curriculum includes six required core courses, including Epidemiologic Methods, Health and Social Behavior, and Health Policy and Management. Depending on their chosen specialization, students may also take courses in Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, Global Health Ethics, Infectious Diseases, or Maternal and Child Health Nutrition.
Founded in 1868, Berkeley is the flagship institution of the 10 research universities in the University of California system. The public university is a founding member of the Association of American Universities and is counted among the nation's "Public Ivies." Berkeley faculty and researchers have been involved in significant developments including the atomic bomb, deep-sea diving, and the wetsuit, the flu vaccine, and the polygraph test. Alumni and faculty have founded companies such as Apple, eBay, Gap, Intel, and Tesla. The university is also noted for its historic student-led Anti-Vietnam War Movement and Free Speech Movement. U.S. News & World Report ranks Berkeley No. 24 in Most Innovative Schools, No. 22 in National Universities, and No. 2 in Top Public Schools. The university is also ranked at No. 9 in graduate Public Health.