Public health has become a hot topic over the years — especially in light of recent events. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in interest in public health and a need for more experts in this field.
Students interested in pursuing careers that focus on disease prevention, public health policy, nutrition, and global health should consider exploring a master's degree in public health. A master's in public health will introduce you to a wide range of topics, from biostatistics, epidemiology, disease control, policy development, and the cultural factors of public health. Tuition for public health master's programs can range from about $18,000 to $70,000, depending on the type of university you attend, the program you choose, and where you live.Career prospects for graduates with MPH degrees also vary depending on the chosen concentration area and career path. Because the majority of MPH programs hold epidemiology as a core component, graduates may go on to work in epidemiologist positions. According to the most recent report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), epidemiologists earned a median wage of about $74,560 per year in 2020, and the field had a projected job growth that was faster than the national average.
Explore these promoted online degree programs.
These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master's or PhD programs.
Best Online Master's Degrees in Public Health in 2021
Master's in Public Health Overview
A master's degree in public health will guide students in exploration of topics like biostatistics, epidemiology, disease control, policy development, and the cultural factors of public health. MPH online programs tend to be non-thesis programs that require field practicum experience. Some offer concentrations or specializations in a specific area of public health, such as epidemiology, community health, global health, nutrition, or policy development.
While some master's in public health programs require individuals to study full-time, many online programs can be completed on a part-time basis. Students typically take anywhere from 2-5 years to graduate with their master's degree in this field.
Admissions Requirements
Each program will have slightly different requirements for admission, as will the colleges or universities you're applying to, but there are some common admissions requirements you can expect to see from program to program.
To earn admission to a master's program, you will need to show proof of a bachelor's degree, and it may need to be in a related field to the program you're applying for entrance into. Some programs will ask for a GPA minimum, usually between a 2.5 to 3.0, though GPA requirements typically vary greatly depending on the competitiveness of the program.
You'll also likely need to submit letters of recommendation and a personal essay for admission into any program. Many universities will require GRE scores, but some will offer options to waive the test or allow you to compensate for a lower score with a high GPA.
Concentrations in Public Health
Many master's in public health programs offer specific concentrations that allow you to specialize your studies. Choosing a concentration can help equip you with knowledge and skills for real-life and career-specific scenarios. There are a wide variety of concentration options within public health, but they will vary by university. Some of the most common include:
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is a scientific concentration that focuses on statistical techniques to discover health trends, determine causes of disease, and evaluate the efficacy of new treatments. This concentration is ideal for students skilled in quantitative subjects and those who are passionate about causes and prevention of disease. Careers related to this concentration include epidemiologist, infection control, research analyst, data science researcher, and pharmaceutical.
Global Health/Disaster
Degrees with this concentration will focus on the impacts of globalization and culture on public health issues. You'll study ethics, human rights, global policies, and international relief, all through the lense of public health and disease. Careers related to this specialization are global health consultant, health systems analyst, and community specialist at organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCl)
Nutrition/Dietitian: overview
If you're passionate about nutrition, you can choose this concentration to apply that passion and newfound knowledge at a public health level. You'll learn about community health, developing dietary guidelines, and the effects of diet culture.
This concentration will prepare you to work for government agencies, nutrition marketing, media companies, public health nutrition programs, and wellness companies.
Health Policy
Public health majors who choose a health policy concentration will study laws, regulations, and policies related to health care. You'll learn about policy-making and implementation at the local and federal levels. This concentration will prepare you for careers as a health policy analyst, legislative associate, regulatory affairs manager, and patient resource specialist.
Career Outlook for Public Health Graduates
Public health graduates can choose from a myriad of careers to pursue. Your education can be applied to careers in public health policy, global health communities, data and program analysis, andhealthcare.
According to the BLS, the annual salary for these fields tends to range between $48,000 to $104,00. Each career is also expected to grow at above-average rates over the next 10 years.
| Career | Average Annual Salary | Projected Growth (2019-2029) |
| Epidemiologists | $74,560 | 5% |
| Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers | $48,140 | 13% |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $63,090 | 8% |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $104,280 | 32% |
What Is the ROI for a Public Health Master's Degree?
Tuition costs for a graduate program in public health can range anywhere from about $18,000 to $70,000 on average. There are a lot of factors that influence tuition costs, like the university's reputation, the competitiveness of the program, your residency status, and the type of program. If you attend a private Ivy League university and live out of state, for example, your tuition price will likely be on the high end.
According to the BLS, a career as a medical and health services manager or epidemiologist will likely result in the best return on investment. The average annual salary for a medical health service manager was about $104,000 per year as of 2020 and the field is expected to grow by about 32% over the next decade.
Certifications and Licenses
Whether or not a certification or license is required to work in this field will depend on the career you pursue with your public health degree. If you wish to become a registered dietitian, for example, there are professional licensing requirements. If you wish to work in health educationor policy analysis, you generally won't need a license.
That said, there are some general certifications you can get once you finish your public health education. They can give you a leg up when looking for a job and help to legitimize your expertise within the industry. Many certifications also come with memberships that allow you to network with other professionals and stay up to date on new education opportunities. These include:
Scholarships, Grants, and Financial Aid for Public Health Students
AHIMA Foundation Merit Scholarships, $1,000-$2,500. This is a scholarship from the American Health Information Management Foundation for students pursuing a degree in information management education or health informatics.
Foster G. McGaw Graduate Student Scholarship, $5,000.The Foundation of the American College of Healthcare Executives offers this scholarship for graduate students in their final year of a healthcare management program. The deadline for applying is March 31st.
HOSA Scholarships, amount varies. HOSA-Future Health Professionals offer a wide variety of scholarships for students pursuing public health degrees. The application deadline is April 15th for most scholarships.
NEHA/AAS Scholarship, $1,000. This is a scholarship from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) and the American Academy of Sanitarians (AA) for students pursuing a graduate degree in public health or environmental health.
Who Can Apply For This Scholarship?
Scholarships are available to any student — regardless of financial need or academic excellence. If you need help funding your education, seek organizations that target specific communities and demographics you're a part of, that will increase your chances of scoring funding because the applicant pool is restricted.
Why Should I Get a Master's in Public Health?
Increase salary potentialAccording to the BLS, master's graduates in the healthcare and social service industry can earn an average of 30-35% more per year than bachelor's graduates. Completing a master's in public health can increase your annual earning potential and provide leverage for negotiating raises
Career advancement Typically, the more education you have, the more qualified you are for senior positions in your field. A master's in public health can set you up to enter the workforce at a higher level or help fast-track a promotion.
Expand expertise Graduate degrees dive deeper into the subject matter and can help you become an expert in your field. If you choose a concentration, your education becomes even further specialized. You'll graduate with advanced skills and knowledge that you can apply to your career field.
Related Programs
Public Health Graduate Degree Growth
The number of graduate public health degree conferrals increased more than 300% from 1992 to 2016. 247,909 degrees have been awarded since 1992 according to the research article, "Trends in the Conferral of Graduate".
Source: Data set from National Center for Education Statistics and the Association of Schools and Programs of Public HealthA more comprehensive evaluation of how each category is determined and scored is accessible through ourRanking Methodology page.
