Online and Distance Learning

A campus-based or online masters in public health degree provides the skills and knowledge required for a career in the public or private health sector.

Public health officials are important members of society, teaching others to be healthier by empowering them with information and access to educated professionals who can answer their questions.

A person with a master in public health can work in either the private sector or for some form of government - local, national, or state. The largest proportion of people with this degree work for the government, while the next most common employers are private non-profits.

This page gives you more information about what is involved in studying public health, where you can study it by online and distance learning, and the job and salary prospects after completion.

Several other degrees are related, so you might like to check out the pages on: Dietetics, Health Education, Health Promotion, and Nutrition.

Where can you study masters in public health programs?

Here are some selected universities where you can study public health masters programs or closely related graduate programs:

• Capella University
  • MHA – Health Policy
  • MPH - General Public Health
  • MPH - Health Management and Policy
  • MPH - Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • DHA – Health Policy and Advocacy
  • DrPH – Epidemiology
  • DrPH – Health Advocacy and Leadership

• Walden University
  • Master of Public Health
  • Ph.D. in Public Health - Community Health Promotion and Education
  • Ph.D. in Public Health - Epidemiology
  • Ph.D. in Public Health - General
  • Ph.D. in Health Services - Community Health Education & Advocacy
  • Ph.D. in Health Services - Public Health Policy

• The University of Liverpool
  • Master of Public Health
  • Master of Public Health - Epidemiology
  • Master of Public Health - International Public Health
  • Master of Public Health - Management of Health Systems

• Grand Canyon University
  • Master of Public Health
  • M.S. Nursing: Public Health

• Kaplan University Online
  • Master of Public Health

It is particularly important to select a public health grad school and program that will suit you, so request details from several and consider carefully the entrance requirements and curriculum of each.

Use this search link to explore more masters of public health programs

What are the education requirements for jobs in public health?

While the bachelors degree is technically the minimum requirement to work in the field, many jobs require a masters in public health. People with graduate degrees can expect to find more jobs open to them, and more advancements possible as they continue in their careers. Some employers will even finance the completion of a graduate degree in the field for existing employees without it.
Some students do have bachelors degrees in public health, but it is more common for students to have their bachelors in a natural science or math and then complete a public health master program.  Biology, chemistry and environmental sciences are the most common. Because communication skills are so essential to the field, a few students come from those programs.

What credentials are required and what is included in the programs?

Programs that are accredited by the CEPH (the Council on Education for Public Health) are rigorous and educational experiences that will prepare students for their new jobs. Be wary of courses offered by schools that do not have CEPH accreditation-- while some are simply too small or too new, others offer a sub-par education. The CEPH website offers a list of all their accredited programs and schools.
CEPH accredited programs require a minimum of 42 semester credits be completed for the award of the degree. Five "areas of knowledge" must be covered in these courses, though they do not necessarily each require their own course. The areas are biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental, and social and behavioral health sciences. Accelerated study is possible in some cases, but this requires taking a higher-than-normal number of credits, as all 42 must be completed.
A credential program administered by the NBPHE (the National Board for Public Health Education) was started in 2008. It is completely voluntary and so far, not required for any job or position. Only those with a graduate degree (masters or doctorate) from a CEPH-accredited school may take the exam.

What are the prospects after graduating with a masters in public health degree?

Students who successfully graduate from on of these programs can find work in a wide variety of fields. Employment as a "pure" scientist in the research field is possible, as well as employment in the education field. The main difference between these professionals and medical professionals is that doctors and nurses treat a single patient, while the wider picture is of concern for public health officials.

The field is growing, with an increasing need for professionals to fill positions related to education and research. The median for a master of public health salary would be around $44,000 a year, though different jobs and different parts of the field command a variety of salaries.  The outlook for jobs with masters in public health is generally good, but heavily weighted by experience, so prospective employees should gain as much volunteer and internship experience as possible in order to land a job.

More information about masters in public health programs

Click here to find more online masters in public health programs.

Related professional areas to check are Dietetics, Health Education, Health Promotion, and Nutrition.

If you don't find what you want here, you can use the search facility on this site.

Campus Programs

For those students who feel that online learning and distance education is not for them, the web site also has a section on campus programs. 

You can also search for a program or a school near you.