The Best Online MPH Programs
Public health professionals want to make a difference in health practices and policies in their communities. Earning a master of public health (MPH) serves as an entryway to the profession. Students become experts in public health theory and practice and move into careers, such as epidemiology or healthcare consulting.
This page offers insight into the best online MPH programs and guidance on how to choose the best program for your goals.
Best Online MPH Programs
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Florida International University offers a 45-credit master of public health (MPH) degree online. The curriculum blends coursework and lab research with a field practicum learners complete locally. Students end the program with a culminating integrative seminar experience.
Enrollees can earn optional certificates in epidemiology, environmental health sciences, or health policy with minimal additional requirements.
- Program: MPH
- Campus: Miami, FL
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; 3.0 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.7% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $166,710 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
66%
$ 9,119
93%
$21,600
- Acceptance Rate
- 55%
- Students Enrolled
- 54,817
- Institution Type
- Public
Johns Hopkins University
- Baltimore, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
The master of public health (MPH) at Johns Hopkins University emphasizes a population perspective on public health. Johns Hopkins offers an online MPH program with content areas that include food systems, humanitarian health, and infectious diseases.
Students complete a population-based health practicum and a capstone project.
- Program: MPH
- Campus: Baltimore, MD
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health
- Admission Requirements: Two years of post-bachelor's health-related experience or a doctorate in a field underlying public health; strong academic record shown on transcripts or GRE, MCAT, GMAT, or LSAT scores
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97.5% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $95,360 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
58%
$62,840
98%
$62,840
- Acceptance Rate
- 6%
- Students Enrolled
- 30,210
- Institution Type
- Private
The University of West Florida
- Pensacola, FL
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
The online master of public health (MPH) at University of West Florida features a generalist track and concentrations in global health or health promotion, education, and behavior. One of the best online MPH programs, the 42-credit program includes a two-semester practicum and applied practice experience.
Out-of-state learners may qualify for a 90% out-of-state tuition waiver.
- Program: MPH
- Campus: Pensacola, FL
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health
- Admission Requirements: Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution; 3.0 GPA; GRE verbal score of 150, quantitative score of 146 (may be waived for applicants with 3.2 undergraduate GPAs or terminal/advanced professional degrees)
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.5% first-time pass rate
83%
$ 7,088
88%
$22,166
- Acceptance Rate
- 57%
- Students Enrolled
- 14,371
- Institution Type
- Public
University of California-Berkeley
- Berkeley, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
The online master of public health (MPH) at University of California, Berkeley features concentrations in epidemiology and biostatistics, health policy and management, and public health nutrition. Students can also design their own interdisciplinary programs.
Most classes run asynchronously with online group activities and remote faculty office hours. Enrollees complete two on-campus summer intensives.
- Program: MPH
- Campus: Berkeley, CA
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health
- Admission Requirements: 3.0 GPA; college-level statistics and epidemiology with a B+; for health policy and management concentration, two years of work experience
- Minimum Time Commitment: 27 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
23%
$12,264
97%
$27,366
- Acceptance Rate
- 11%
- Students Enrolled
- 46,403
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
University of Florida's master of public health (MPH) degree online requires 42-48 credits. Students complete asynchronous coursework and proctored online exams. The program offers concentrations in public health practice and social and behavioral sciences.
Students select and arrange an applied practice experience at a public health site and complete a capstone project.
- Program: MPH
- Campus: Gainesville, FL
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree; 3.0 GPA; for public health practice concentration, post-bachelor's professional work experience
- Minimum Time Commitment: Self-paced
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.9% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $91,130 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
59%
$10,770
98%
$27,335
- Acceptance Rate
- 24%
- Students Enrolled
- 56,311
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Missouri-Columbia
- Columbia, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
University of Missouri offers a master of public health (MPH) with emphasis areas in health promotion and policy or veterinary public health. The curriculum combines asynchronous and synchronous instruction, internships, and capstones.
Learners can pair this MPH degree online with a doctor of veterinary medicine or master's in journalism, public affairs, and social work.
- Program: MPH
- Campus: Columbia, MO
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health
- Admission Requirements: Postsecondary transcripts; 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours
- Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.4% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $89,560 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
53%
$12,000
93%
$30,000
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Students Enrolled
- 31,559
- Institution Type
- Public
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a master of public health (MPH) degree online. Concentration options include applied epidemiology, leadership, nutrition, and registered dietician.
The 42-credit curriculum includes student-selected practicums in real-world public health environments. Learners complete a comprehensive oral assessment and a project-based culminating experience. The program offers full-time, part-time, and accelerated study.
- Program: MPH
- Campus: Chapel Hill, NC
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; prerequisite classes
- Minimum Time Commitment: 16 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $86,040 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
25%
$10,552
97%
$28,844
- Acceptance Rate
- 15%
- Students Enrolled
- 32,680
- Institution Type
- Public
University of South Florida-Main Campus
- Tampa, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
University of South Florida's online master of public health (MPH) offers seven focus areas. Options include epidemiology, infection control, and social marketing.
Course delivery methods include blogs, discussion forums, podcasting, streaming, web conferencing, and wikis.
- Program: MPH
- Campus: Tampa, FL
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree; 3.0 GPA; for nutrition and dietetics concentration, completion of accredited didactic program in dietetics or registered dietitian with two years of experience
- Minimum Time Commitment: 30 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Minimal for some focus areas
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $97,850 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
68%
$ 8,350
91%
$19,048
- Acceptance Rate
- 43%
- Students Enrolled
- 49,622
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Southern California
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
The University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine offers a fully online master of public health (MPH). One of the best online MPH programs, this program includes synchronous class sessions and industry expert mentorship. Enrollees can choose a one-year accelerated learning option.
Some concentration options include global health, geohealth, and health services and policy. Learners can also customize a generalist track.
- Program: MPH
- Campus: Los Angeles, CA
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree; 3.0 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
30%
$66,640
97%
$66,640
- Acceptance Rate
- 10%
- Students Enrolled
- 47,147
- Institution Type
- Private
How We Rank Schools
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How Do Online MPH Programs Work?
MPH programs prepare students to work in public health. Because the profession is so broad, degrees sometimes require learners to choose concentrations, such as health promotion, global health, epidemiology, health policy, or nutrition and dietetics.The curriculum comprises theory classes and supervised clinical experience.
Online MPH programs include the same curriculum requirements as traditional on-campus options, but students get more autonomy and flexibility with online learning. That said, distance learners still complete any clinical components on site.
Students can find both part- and full-time online MPH programs. Some schools offer accelerated options, and formats can be either synchronous or asynchronous. Students can complete the program in about two years.
Applying to an Online MPH Program
Applicants to online MPH programs need a bachelor’s degree. Although schools don’t always require an undergraduate degree in public health, some education background in the field can help your admission chances. MPH programs typically do not expect applicants to possess work experience, but experience can enhance an application.
Why Is Online MPH Program Accreditation Important?
When researching online MPH programs, always check a program’s accreditation status. Accreditation ensures the school offers students a valuable education and that a degree adequately prepares students for their careers.
Accreditation can impact the graduate’s career opportunities as well. Employers often seek job candidates who hold an accredited degree. Graduate schools do not acknowledge undergraduate credits from unaccredited programs. In the healthcare industry, licensure and certification requirements usually include an accredited degree.
Because of the importance of accreditation, all programs listed in this ranking hold accreditation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online MPH Programs
The average MPH program requires 2-3 years of full-time study. Many online MPH programs offer part-time options, which may take longer to complete. Some schools offer accelerated options that allow candidates to graduate in under two years.
