By Jennifer W. Eisenberg
September 2019
There’s electricity in the air with the promise of equitably paid positions in healthcare. Because of the heavy push to increase the number of registered nurses, applicants are looking at a greater than the average national job market. As always, burgeoning health services need to be well-administered, and a master of public health online degree appeals to those with the right temperament to make the civic commitment toward public health. An online master of public health degree is a popular option for those professionals who want to make public policy move forward in a way they can believe in. In addition, of course, they will also like the impressive job markets for the related fields and higher salaries. The following list of affordable online public health degrees was researched and ratings were derived from calculating the weighted measure of tuition, accreditation, and ranking by US News & World Report.
Hourly Tuition Rate:
- Under $300 – 5 points
- Under $600 – 4 points
- Under $900 – 3 points
- Under $1,200 – 2 points
- Above $1,500 – 1 point
USN&WR Public Health School Ranking:
-
- Top 20 – 5 points
- Top 50 – 4 points
- Top 100 – 3 points
- Top 200 – 2 points
- Top 300 – 1 point
CEPH Accreditation: 3 points
Regional Accreditation: 5 points
#10 – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Online MPH
CEPH Accreditation: Yes
USNWR Public Health School Ranking: 2
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $1,621
Points: 13
Website
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s master of public health online degree is 42 semester credits long, except for the RD option, which is 49 credits long. The Gillings School of Global Public Health offers four start dates per year with an early admit date and a second hard deadline for application submissions for each, but accepts applications year-round. The online MPH at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill features five concentrations: leadership in practice; health policy; nutrition; applied epidemiology; and preparation for Registered Dietitian certification.
#9 – University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Online MPH in Maternal and Child Health
CEPH Accreditation: Yes
USNWR Public Health School Ranking: 9
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $1,287
Points: 14
Website
The University of Minnesota offers a master of public health in maternal and child health online degree that offers standard and advanced standing admission options. There are three admit dates per year and the school also makes available two dual degrees, the JD/MPH or the MSW/MPH. Students may complete the online degree entirely online or by taking a combination of online and in-person courses. The University of Minnesota MPH in maternal and child health online can be completed with just 48 credits for the standard track and 42 credits with advanced standing.
#8 – University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
MPH Online
CEPH Accreditation: Yes
USNWR Public Health School Ranking: 32
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $950
Points: 14
Website
The University of Arizona online master of public health can be completed in as little time as two years. The 42 credit program operates on an accelerated schedule of 7.5-8 week terms. Fifty percent of the coursework is based in the student’s chosen concentration. A five-unit internship is required for matriculation from the University of Arizona online MPH. With three concentration areas available: applied epidemiology; health promotion; and health services administration, this degree requires an MCAT or GRE score for application, but waivers are available to qualified students.
#7 – Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
Online MPH
CEPH Accreditation: Yes
USNWR Public Health School Ranking: 1
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $912
Points: 14
Website
Johns Hopkins University’s online part-time master of public health allows up to four calendar years to complete the 80 quarter credit degree. With start dates in June, November, and January, this program allows students to choose from around 300 online courses to pair the degree more closely with the students’ interests. The Johns Hopkins University MPH online has an on-campus component to the degree, calling for 1-2 weeks on campus per year. As with other innovative schools, a cohort system is employed, with an average of 50-60 students per group.
#6 – University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
MPH Online
USNWR Public Health School Ranking: 113
CEPH Accreditation: Yes
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $647
Points: 14
Website
The University of Memphis master of public health online degree makes available five concentrations: biostatistics; environmental health; epidemiology; health systems and policy; and social and behavioral sciences. The program is designed with professional life in mind. It has a rolling admissions basis and will waive the GRE requirement for those who already hold a doctoral degree (or the professional equivalent) received in the US. Those involved in a double degree program may substitute another professional standardized test (MCAT, GMAT, etc) for the GRE. The University of Memphis online MPH is a 42 semester hour program that may require prerequisites.
#5 – University of Alabama Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
MPH online
CEPH Accreditation: Yes
USNWR Public Health School Ranking: 19
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $1,150 for the first hour, $927 for each additional hour
Points: 15
Website
The University of Alabama Birmingham master of public health online specializes in epidemiology and offers full or part-time study options. The program has three start dates per year (Spring, Summer, and Fall) and two admissions submit dates per year (April 1 for Fall and November 1 for Spring and Summer). 42 hours in length, the University of Alabama Birmingham online MPH uses SOPHAS.org for all admission purposes. You can receive a GRE waiver as a qualified applicant with an earned master’s or other terminal degree OR five years of professional experience in public health.
#4 – University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
Online MPH
CEPH Accreditation: Yes
USNWR Public Health School Ranking: 32
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $622
Points: 15
Website
The 42 credit online master of public health at the University of Massachusetts offers two concentrations in public health practice and nutrition. The program takes applications twice a year, in the spring and fall. GRE is required unless you have completed an advanced graduate degree or are a qualified foreign medical doctor. The University of Massachusetts MPH online allows students in the nutrition concentration to take classes before admission to see if the program is a good fit for them.
#3 – SUNY Albany
Albany, New York
Online MPH: Public Health Practice Concentration
CEPH Accreditation: Yes
USNWR Public Health School Ranking: 46
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $565
Points: 15
Website
With no on-campus component, the SUNY Albany master of public health: public health practice concentration online is set up for part-time study and generally takes about three years at the rate of five courses a year. The school offers courses for the program in the spring, summer and fall terms. SUNY Albany’s online MPH: public health practice concentration is a 51 credit hour program that calls for a 9 credit internship, that can be waived for those with previous public health experience.
#2 – New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico
MPH Online
CEPH Accreditation: Yes
USNWR Public Health School Ranking: 127
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $269.10
Points: 15
Website
With two concentrations for the New Mexico State University online master of public health in community health education (CHE) and health management administration and policy (HMAP), the degree is a 42 unit of instruction program that requires a brief on-campus experience for the HMAP students. The program also requires a field experience in your home community and gives students thesis and non-thesis options. New Mexico State University’s MPH online program allows qualified students to request a GRE score waiver with admission.
#1 – University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Online MPH
CEPH Accreditation: Yes
USNWR Public Health School Ranking: 37
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $550
Points: 16
Website
The University of Florida master of public health online allows seven calendar years for completion of the coursework for this 48 semester credit degree. Students can opt for an accelerated 42 credit option if they have a US-based health-related doctoral degree. Two concentrations are offered for the University of Florida MPH online: public health practice; and social and behavioral sciences. To apply for this program, students must first apply with the School of Public Health Application System or SOPHAS.
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