Best Online Master’s in Public Health (MPH)
Earning a master’s in public health (MPH) can help you positively impact your community. With this degree, you can work across a variety of fields related to healthcare, including as a community educator, biostatistician, or epidemiologist.
This interdisciplinary master’s degree builds on various skills and offers you the opportunity to impact individuals, communities, and even national policy for generations to come. Additionally, the program’s scope widens your options and gives you transferable skills to work on many different issues.
Let’s dive into some of the best online MPH programs, how to choose one, and what you can do with your degree.
Best Online MPH Programs
How We Chose These Schools
At TheBestSchools, we pride ourselves on our proprietary ranking methodology to help prospective students like you find the best fit. Our ranking system uses data from the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate schools without bias while accounting for key factors like academic quality, online offerings, and affordability.
This ranking is from 2023. Learn more about how our formula works on our ranking methodology page.
Program Overview
An online master’s degree in public health trains you in epidemiology, public health policy, and environmental health. While pursuing your MPH degree, you can often choose a specialization like biostatistics, public health policy, or health administration.
Most online MPH programs incorporate an internship or practicum experience. Depending on the program, your internship may require 6-12 months to complete. Earning a master’s in public health degree online typically takes two years of full-time study. However, some programs offer accelerated options to expedite the graduation timeline.
Common Courses in Online MPH Programs
- Biostatistics: This course introduces the methods that public health researchers use to design research studies and analyze data to address public health challenges.
- Epidemiology: This course explores the causes and impacts of diseases in humans. Coursework may cover examples of disease outbreaks and relevant case studies.
- Public Health Policy: This course provides a foundation in current health policy, including the development of existing laws and programs.
- Public Health Factors: This course discusses prevalent public health theories. You’ll explore the cultural, social, and environmental factors that affect public health.
- Public Health Program Development: This course covers techniques for creating and implementing effective public health intervention programs.
MPH Joint/Dual Degrees
Earning an MPH joint/dual degree can prepare you for specialized roles. For example, a dual MPH/master’s in healthcare administration program offers training for management roles in healthcare.
MPH dual degrees offer complementary graduate training in less time. Earning an MPH and a master of business administration (MBA) individually would likely take at least 3-4 years, but joint MBA-MPH programs usually require just two years. MPH dual-degree program options include:
- Master’s in Business Administration (MBA)
- Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA)
- Master’s in Public Policy
- Master’s in Social Work (MSW)
How to Choose an Online Master’s in Public Health Program
When choosing an online MPH program, you should consider factors like cost, program length, and specialization options. It’s also important to consider your career goals. By considering these factors, you can find the best fit for your professional goals.
Program Format
The program format is an important consideration as you look at online MPH programs. Some questions to consider include:
- Can you complete the program part time or must you attend full time?
- What are the considerations and accommodations for students with a learning disability?
- What financial aid options does a program offer?
- Are there additional academic help or tutoring resources available?
- Does your program offer synchronous or asynchronous classes?
- Is there a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion?
Accreditation
You should also research institutional and programmatic accreditation before submitting any applications. Accredited programs meet industry-specific standards for educating students in public health, and only accredited universities can distribute federal financial aid to students.
The Council on Education for Public Health grants programmatic accreditation to schools of public health and public health programs. Only graduates from accredited MPH programs qualify for professional certifications and licenses.
Cost
Online programs often cost less than traditional on-campus programs. One contributing factor to lower fees is far lower overhead costs, including building maintenance, student health, and campus security. Additionally, some public schools charge all online learners the same tuition rate, regardless of where they live.
Specializations
As an MPH candidate, you can focus your education on specializations that prepare you for unique roles within the public health sector. It is crucial to check that your prospective program has the specialization you want to pursue. Common specializations include:
- Biostatistics: Professionals in this field use statistics to answer research questions in medicine, biology, and public health.
- Epidemiology: Epidemiologists produce research-backed data to help public health professionals make decisions about ongoing events and health policy.
- Environmental Health: These workers focus on the relationship between the environment and people to promote human health and well-being and create safe communities.
- Health Policy and Administration: These professionals deal with critical policies and program issues that impact illness prevention and health promotion in individuals and communities.
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Public Health?
Earning a master’s in public health degree prepares you for careers in healthcare settings, nonprofit organizations, and the public sector. An MPH degree can lead to job opportunities as a health educator, public health specialist, epidemiologist, or healthcare administrator. This degree can also prepare you to pursue a doctorate in public health.
The following table summarizes common public health careers, including median annual salaries and projected job growth rates.
| Public Health Careers | Median Annual Salary (2022) | Projected Growth (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Epidemiologist | $81,390 | 27% |
| Health Education Specialist | $62,860 | 7% |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | 110,680 | 28% |
| Social and Community Service Manager | $77,030 | 9% |
| Statistician (Biostatistician) | $104,860 | 30% |
Public Health Job and Salary Outlook
The typical salaries for MPH graduates encompass a wide range that depends on your position, geographical location, and experience. However, according to Payscale data from May 2024, the average annual salary for workers with an MPH was about $73,000.
Many jobs in the healthcare field are projected to see increased demand in the coming years. This is especially true for epidemiologists, medical and health services managers, and biostatisticians — these positions are each projected to grow ~5-6 times faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
Is a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) Worth It?
Many professionals in the public health space have either an MPH or Ph.D. MPH programs emphasize the practical aspects of public health necessary to work as a researcher, disease investigator, educator, and/or advocate.
With a master’s in public health, you can qualify for advanced positions in public health, including within healthcare centers, nonprofits, and government agencies. An MPH degree is often well worth the time and effort for those seeking a career in public health.
Frequently Asked Questions About MPH Degrees
How long are MPH programs?
Most MPH programs take around two years for full-time students. Programs that incorporate internships may require additional time. Incoming students with transfer credits and those who choose accelerated programs can earn MPH degrees in less time.
What is an MPH degree?
A master’s degree in public health (MPH) helps qualify you for meaningful public health leadership roles in the private and public sectors. The curriculum for a public health degree varies between programs, but most schools offer similar foundational coursework.
This typically includes training in areas like infectious diseases, public health policy, and public health education. These courses help strengthen your research and analytical skills to prepare you for advanced careers in the public health field.
MPH vs. MHA: Which is better?
The answer to this question depends on your goals. A master’s in healthcare administration is a more business-focused credential. However, both MPH and MHA degrees provide leadership skills and can be earned through an online program. Additionally, some dual-degree MPH programs also give you the option of completing an MHA degree.