Online MPH programs

Online master's in public health (MPH) programs can prepare you to affect positive change in public wellness. You'll study topics such as global health, health informatics, nutrition, and community health science and learn the foundations of public health research.

Read on for more about online MPH programs, plus career opportunities and salary outlooks for graduates.

What is a master of public health?

A is an interdisciplinary degree that can prepare you for management-level roles focused on improving public health through education, policy, or research. Graduates of MPH programs hold careers such as community health workers, epidemiologists, health educators, and public policy coordinators.

In the study of public health, there are five academically recognized core disciplines: biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences. Public health professionals also study the effects of economic, social, and environmental factors on health outcomes.

Many MPH programs require students to select an area of concentration, such as global health, nutrition, health informatics, or public health management. Additionally, some students pursue a second degree, such as a master of business administration or a , in combination with an MPH.

What can you do with a master's in public health degree?

Below is a list of potential with salary information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Note that some roles require specific areas of study within public health (e.g., epidemiology), further education, or licensure.

Additional career options for MPH graduates include:

• Air quality specialist: Air quality specialists test and analyze air quality against specific standards for governments, nonprofit or private organizations, and companies. These professionals typically specialize in environmental health sciences during a master's in public health program.
• Grant writer: Grant writers working in public health create compelling proposals to secure funding for healthcare facilities, community organizations, and nonprofit organizations.
• Healthcare administrator: These professionals work in hospitals, residential care facilities, outpatient care centers, and other healthcare settings. They may focus on a particular area, such as insurance, staffing, or coordinating patient services. Some healthcare administration roles require state licensure.
• Health data analyst: A health data analyst researches and examines data to provide recommendations for employers, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, health insurance companies, health care providers, and pharmaceutical companies.
• Public health nurse: These professionals collaborate with other healthcare providers to shape policies and services at community health centers, clinics, and schools. To become a PHN, you must also earn a certification from a registered nurse or nurse practitioner training program.

What can you learn in an online MPH program?

An online MPH program can equip you with the skills needed to become a public health leader. You'll learn how to effect positive change through research, policy, and education. In an MPH program, you will typically complete coursework and public health fieldwork. You may also complete a capstone project based on real-world scenarios.

Concentrations offered in master's in public health programs may include:

• Food systems
• Global environmental sustainability
• Health systems and policy
• Maternal, child, and family health
• Nutrition and dietetics
• Public health data science
• Social and behavioral sciences in public health

Learn about admissions requirements

Many master's in public health programs require applicants with only a to have between two to five years of relevant work experience, whether paid or unpaid. Less experience is required of applicants who hold a master's degree, and there is rarely a work experience requirement for those who have a doctorate in a related field.

Additional admissions requirements for MPH programs include:

• Academic transcripts, including math and biology courses
• Statement of purpose
• Reference letters
• Résumé or CV
• Interview with program chair or faculty member (phone or video)
• Application fee ($50-$100)

Discover common MPH courses

Master's in public health programs include core coursework on public health systems and policy, biology and human disease, health law and ethics, research methods, and global issues, among other topics.

Below, you'll find a list of common MPH courses.

• Biostatistics: Learn how to use biostatistical methods for public health research.
• Foundations of public health and public health policy: Study the role of public health from past to present. Analyze current challenges and learn about the future of the field.
• Fundamentals of epidemiology: Learn the principles of gathering and analyzing epidemiologic data.
• Social determinants of health: Evaluate how social, political, and economic factors influence public health, including how they create health disparities.
• Public policy and healthcare systems: Learn about current healthcare systems, as well as how to assess community health programs, improve performance, and meet objectives.

Take the next step in your career

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