2023 Best Online Master's Degrees in Public Health
An online master's in public health explores ways to protect the public from unhealthy behaviors, diseases, food crises, and environmental disasters. Coursework explores biostatistics, epidemiology, behavioral sciences, environmental health, and health services administration. Professionals are responsible for maintaining public health through comprehensive and inclusive means. For example, disaster relief coordinators and epidemiologists reduce health and safety risks by creating public health plans, promoting healthy behaviors through education, and analyzing health data. Some schools even offer affordable public health master's degrees that students can complete online with lower tuition rates.
View our methodology for more details about our list or learn more about OnlineU.
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Online Public Health Master's Degrees You May Be Interested In
#1 University of Maryland - Baltimore
- Salary Score: 96
- Median Starting Salary: $77,705
- Locations: Baltimore (MD)
- Accreditation: MSCHE
The University of Maryland - Baltimore (UMB) is a public university offering an online Master of Science in Health Science - Global Health Systems that requires 30 credit hours. Students can complete this program in approximately two years while studying full time. The acceptance rate at UMB is unavailable, and the graduation rate is 92%.
At UMB, students use Blackboard for its remote courses, which can be completed 100% online and asynchronously with no scheduled meeting times. This core curriculum focuses on research processes and biostatistics with additional coursework in leadership and communication. The concentration prepares students to work globally by expanding their domestic health skills. These specialized classes include Perspectives on Global Health, Health Responses to Mass Violence and Disaster, and Critical Issues in Global Women’s and Children’s Health. A capstone project is also required. Graduates with this online master's degree may explore roles in health research, public policy, and healthcare planning.
#2 The University of West Florida
- Salary Score: 91
- Median Starting Salary: $72,180
- Locations: Pensacola (FL)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
The University of West Florida (UWF) is a public institution with an online Master of Public Health requiring 42 credit hours. Students studying full time will likely complete the degree within 24 to 30 months. Concentrations are available in Generalist MPH, Global Health or Health Promotion, and Education and Behavior. UWF accepts 53% of its applicants, while 54% of students graduate with degrees.
UWF uses Canvas to deliver its online coursework. This software allows students to finish their degrees entirely online and asynchronously. The foundational core covers environmental health, epidemiology, social and behavioral sciences, biostatistics, and public health policy. Students learn how to create effective public health plans through each area of study. Required core classes include Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health, Environmental Health, and Biostatistics for Public Health. Online students must also complete a practicum/internship. Potential career paths include epidemiologists, emergency management directors, and community health workers.
#3 American Public University System
- Salary Score: 91
- Median Starting Salary: $72,029
- Locations: Charles Town (WV)
- Accreditation: HLC
American Public University System (APUS) is a private university with an online Master of Public Health. This online graduate degree requires 47 credit hours, which full-time students can complete in approximately two years. All students are accepted into APUS, and 18% graduate with a degree.
APUS students use Brightspace as its primary learning management system, where they can complete courses 100% online, asynchronously, and on their schedule. Students learn to use statistics to measure the impact of diseases, evaluate environmental hazards, examine public health policy, and develop social interventions. Among the required classes are Public Health in America, Ethical Issues in Public Health, and Quarantine. Students are also required to complete a capstone project and practicum experience. Graduates of public health degrees often become social workers, emergency management specialists, and biostatisticians.
#4 San Jose State University
- Salary Score: 83
- Median Starting Salary: $66,700
- Locations: San Jose (CA)
- Accreditation: WSCUC
San Jose State University (SJSU) is a public university that hosts an online Master of Public Health. Graduation requirements state that students must complete 42 credit hours. It's a fast-paced program designed to be completed in 24 months. One concentration is available in Community Health. SJSU's acceptance rate is 84%, with 75% of students graduating with degrees.
Online students at SJSU use Canvas to complete their coursework, which is delivered 100% online through synchronous web conferencing. There's a public health core and a health education core, the former covering biostatistics and health policy and the latter exploring practical and theoretical health planning. Required courses include Contemporary Practice in Public Health, Environmental Health, and Public Health Leadership. Students are also required to complete a fieldwork practicum and thesis. Graduates are best suited for community health roles, such as outreach specialists, public health social workers, and community care coordinators.
#5 Arizona State University
- Salary Score: 78
- Median Starting Salary: $64,476
- Locations: Tempe (AZ) (and 4 others)
- Accreditation: HLC
Arizona State University (ASU) is a public institution with an online Master of Science in Global Health requiring 30 credit hours. The completion time for this online degree is approximately two years for full-time students. The acceptance rate at ASU is 70%, and the graduation rate is 47%.
At ASU, students use Canvas as their learning management system, where courses are delivered entirely online and mostly asynchronously. The core curriculum for this program explores medical and non-medical areas of study, including healthcare equity, disease prevention, global health, and healthcare affordability. A few required courses include Evolutionary Medicine and Global Health, Reproductive Ecology, and Maternal and Child Health. Students must also complete a practicum in social sciences. Career opportunities include learning specialists, program managers, and technical advisors.
#6 Johns Hopkins University
- Salary Score: 77
- Median Starting Salary: $63,771
- Locations: Baltimore (MD)
- Accreditation: MSCHE
Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is a private university that offers an online Master of Public Health. This online master's degree requires 80 credit hours, which students can generally complete in approximately three years while studying full time. There are 12 concentrations available — including Food Systems, Humanitarian Health, and Infectious Diseases. JHU accepts 8% of applicants, while 93% of students graduate.
Canvas is the primary learning platform JHU students use for their coursework, which is completed 100% online. Students may choose to take courses synchronously or asynchronously. The multidisciplinary curriculum covers biostatistics, management services, public health problem solving, biological sciences, and computer applications. Among the required credits are Social and Behavioral Foundations of Primary Health Care, Assessment of Nutritional Status, and Program Planning for Health Behavior Change. Additional credits are needed for a capstone project and fieldwork experience. Careers for graduates may be available as clinical research associates, medical officers, and hospital quality managers.
#7 Nova Southeastern University
- Salary Score: 76
- Median Starting Salary: $63,468
- Locations: Fort Lauderdale (FL)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a private institution with an online Master of Public Health requiring the completion of 42 credit hours. NSU notes that students may graduate with transferable credits in as little as one year. However, 42 credits typically take full-time students approximately three years to complete. The acceptance rate is 93%, and the graduation rate is 53%.
All online courses at NSU are delivered through the Canvas learning management system, allowing students to study entirely online and asynchronously. The core curriculum explores public health fundamentals such as behavioral sciences, ethics, biostatistics, and epidemiology. Among the course requirements are Social and Behavioral Sciences Applied to Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, and Research Methods in Public Health. Additionally, students must complete an integrative learning experience. Nonprofits, universities, private corporations, and government health agencies may hire graduates with this master's degree.
#8 University of Maryland - College Park
- Salary Score: 76
- Median Starting Salary: $63,420
- Locations: College Park (MD)
- Accreditation: MSCHE
The University of Maryland - College Park (UMD) is a public university offering an online Master of Public Health in Behavioral and Community Health requiring 45 credit hours. Students studying on a full-time schedule can complete this program in around 18 months. The acceptance rate at UMD is 52%, and the graduation rate is 82%.
Students at UMD use the Canvas learning management system to access their core online courses, which are entirely online. Classes are offered both synchronously and asynchronously. The curriculum explores program planning, health care systems, public health policy, and leadership skills. Required courses include Foundations of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Public Health Ethics, and Core Concepts in Public Health. Additionally, a capstone project and internship are required to graduate.
The Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice and Policy features the same core curriculum with an additional focus on health policy, law, and services. Graduates may earn career opportunities as outreach specialists, community care coordinators, and public health social workers.
#9 University of Illinois at Chicago
- Salary Score: 70
- Median Starting Salary: $60,803
- Locations: Chicago (IL)
- Accreditation: HLC
The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is a public university offering an online Master of Public Health in Community Health Sciences that requires 42 credit hours. Students can complete this degree online in approximately two years while studying full time. There are additional concentrations in Health Policy and Administration and Public Health Informatics. The acceptance rate at UIC is 79%, with 68% of students reaching their degrees.
At UIC, students use Blackboard for its remote courses, which they can complete entirely online on a flexible study schedule. Coursework may be delivered synchronously or asynchronously, depending on the instructor. This core curriculum explores three main components (applied practice, integrative learning, and interprofessional education) designed to provide students with a foundation understanding of public health and the skills to provide real-world impact. Required classes include Determinants of Population Health; Public Health Systems, Policy, and Management; and Analytic and Research Methods in Public Health. A capstone project is also required. Community Health Services graduates may explore roles as community care coordinators, outreach specialists, and peer counselors.
#10 Creighton University
- Salary Score: 70
- Median Starting Salary: $60,783
- Locations: Omaha (NE)
- Accreditation: HLC
Creighton University (CU) is a private institution with an online Master of Public Health requiring 42 credit hours. Students studying full time will likely complete the degree in approximately 2.5 years. There are concentrations in Healthcare Management, Healthcare Ethics, and Global Health Promotion. CU accepts 78% of its applicants, while 72% of students graduate with degrees.
CU uses BlueLine to deliver its online coursework. This software allows students to finish their degrees entirely online, with most courses offered asynchronously. The core curriculum promotes health policy to solve individual and community health issues. Required classes include Organization and Management of Public Health Services, Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health, and Environmental Health. Students must also complete six credits of practice experience and a capstone. Career paths include health education specialists, community health workers, and behavioral data analysts.
2023 Best Online Master's Degrees in Public Health
| Rank | School | Salary Score | Median Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland - Baltimore | $77,705 | ||
| The University of West Florida | 91 | $72,180 | |
| American Public University System | 91 | $72,029 | |
| San Jose State University | 83 | $66,700 | |
| Arizona State University | 78 | $64,476 | |
| Johns Hopkins University | 77 | $63,771 | |
| Nova Southeastern University | 76 | $63,468 | |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 76 | $63,420 | |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 70 | $60,803 | |
| Creighton University | 70 | $60,783 |
What Is a Master’s Degree in Public Health?
An online master's degree in public health teaches the skills to protect communities against and raise awareness for health-related issues. These advanced programs are for working professionals to explore social science, healthcare systems, disease prevention, and the promotion of healthy habits. Specializations may include community nutrition, epidemiology, health education, and behavioral sciences.
Most online master's in public health degrees can be completed in two years of full-time study. Prospective students must hold a bachelor's degree in public health or another health-related field. Even the most affordable public health degrees offer sufficient training to pursue a master's degree. Students may also be interested in a master's in healthcare management, which provides similar career opportunities in hospitals and public health organizations.
For more options, check out OnlineU's list of affordable master's degrees in public health.
Common Courses
A master's degree in public health features online courses related to policy, environmental health, intervention programs, and risk factors. Students use a combination of practical applications, research, theory, and leadership training to meet the course requirements needed for graduation. Many programs also require students to engage with their local community through internships to develop practical experience.
Here are some common courses for a master's degree in public health online:
Public Health Research
In this course, students learn research design methodologies by exploring published studies, research principles, and communication techniques. They also learn measurement fundamentals and evaluation strategies. Students create their research projects at the end of the program.
Epidemiology
An epidemiology course looks at disease prevention, distribution, and control. Students learn the methodologies and principles used in the field and clinical settings. Coursework may include other public health-related issues such as injuries, food safety, occupational hazards, and mental health.
Environmental Health
This course teaches students how to assess and manage environmental hazards, particularly those that affect vulnerable populations. They learn to analyze different conditions, catalog risks, and develop prevention plans. Studies may include wildfire smoke, pesticides, chemicals in consumer products, and infrastructure.
Biostatistics
Biostatistics is the study of data and its uses within biology. Students use mathematical analyses to better understand data samples related to public health trends, such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Areas of focus include statistical reasoning, survey research, data management, and numeric interpretation.
What Can You Do With an Online Master's in Public Health?
There are many degree options beyond a master's in public health online. Students who wish to continue their studies, particularly in public health research and education, can pursue a PhD. Because public health is a broad discipline, doctoral degrees often narrow the scope of their majors to areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, or health behavior. Post-master's certificates are also available, a path most useful for aspiring nurses who need to meet license requirements in their state.
Since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, more and more students have sought healthcare jobs. A master's in public health helps prepare graduates for fulfilling careers serving the public and leading efforts to protect vulnerable and underserved communities.
Entry-Level Jobs for a Master’s in Public Health
Epidemiologists
Epidemiologists are responsible for investigating disease threats and communicating their findings to healthcare professionals. They turn raw data into meaningful information used by doctors, policymakers, and community hospitals to prevent and stop the spread of infectious diseases or other health problems. They may work in government, healthcare programs, and social service agencies.
Health Services Managers
The role of health services managers is to coordinate operations in healthcare settings. Within public health agencies, their tasks include training personnel, supervising nurses, implementing programs, and managing budgets. They must also keep up with public health research and policy to ensure their agency meets the latest standards.
Environmental Scientists
Environmental scientists study the correlation between a community's physical surroundings and health trends. They may take surveys, analyze hospital data, and collect samples to determine the cause of public health crises. These professionals must have excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Degrees similar to public health, such as an MBA in healthcare management or a master's in healthcare administration, fulfill the requirements to work alongside or oversee public health positions. Hospital administrators and health services managers ensure facilities are staffed and supported, allowing public health professionals to service their communities.
Other Master’s in Public Health Jobs
While the aforementioned jobs typically require master's degrees, other roles can be gained through experience.
Below are a couple of these careers:
Health education specialists provide valuable information to individuals, families, and communities, encouraging them to practice healthy habits. They develop programs and distribute materials to educate the public on disease prevention, lifestyle changes, and social programs.
Community health workers work directly with vulnerable communities to address their health needs. Depending on their expertise, they may assist with mental health, education, hearing screenings, and blood pressure tests. They also advocate for populations to ensure local governments hear their concerns.
FAQs About Online Master's in Public Health
Can I Get an Accelerated Master’s Degree in Public Health?
Some online schools offer accelerated master's in public health degrees that can be completed in approximately one year. Sometimes, students can take advanced courses during their bachelor's to earn credits toward their graduate degree or take summer courses to speed up their graduation timeline.
How Long Is a Master’s Degree in Public Health?
Full-time students usually take two years, or four semesters, to complete all requirements needed for a master's degree in public health. Most programs require between 30 and 50 credits.
Does Master’s Degree in Public Health Require an Internship?
Whether or not students complete internships depends on the program because requirements vary from school to school. In many cases, however, students will finish their degree with an internship. Online students intern with public health organizations in their area, pending approval from the school.
How Hard Is Master’s Degree in Public Health?
All graduate programs can be considered hard due to their advanced coursework. However, the difficulty is subjective and depends on the program and how much experience students have in public health. Picking a college based on its GPA requirements can help students ensure they are prepared for the program's academic rigor.
Why Pursue a Master’s in Public Health?
A master's in public health prepares graduates for fulfilling, high-paying careers with plenty of job openings. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, more than 37,000 healthcare workers are needed to fulfill shortages across the country.
Can You Make Money With a Masters in Public Health?
Median annual salaries for typical roles for public health master's graduates range from $78,500 to $104,800. Meanwhile, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for all occupations in 2022 was $44,500.
Is a Master's Degree in Public Health Worth It?
A master's in public health can be considered worth it for several reasons. Although curriculums require extensive research and an advanced understanding of data analysis, biostatistics, and epidemiology, hard work leads to high job satisfaction. Plus, public health professionals are needed in many areas of the country, resulting in job openings in hospitals, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
High-earning salaries are available, although they often require master's degrees and at least a few years of professional experience. There are plenty of opportunities to gain fieldwork through internships or part-time work while studying for a master's degree. Graduates can choose which area of public health they work in, whether educating local communities, providing essential health services, or advocating for health policies.
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By OnlineU Staff Writers | 11/1/2023