Turn Your Desire Into Action with an Online Master of Public Health
Our country needs dedicated public health leaders who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to promote and protect the health of vulnerable communities. As a student at Ohio University, you can prepare in an immersive online learning environment to make a lasting impact.
During your time in Ohio University’s master’s in public health online program, you’ll hone and develop your natural instinct to serve through a curriculum designed for real-world application. Build on your passion by expanding your expertise as you connect with hands-on learning opportunities at public health organizations, work directly with our top-ranked faculty, and engage in a research-focused practicum.
You won’t just be envisioning change from your laptop. Instead, you’ll directly apply what you’ve learned in a community setting outside of the virtual classroom under the guidance of faculty members with measured success in the field — supplying you with the experience you need to make an immediate impact upon graduation.
You’ll emerge from the MPH online not just with an education but also with the advanced communication skills to create a healthier future for all.
One of a handful of MPH programs that provides an understanding of rural disparities
Enjoy the flexibility of 100% online coursework
No GRE required
Graduate in as few as 2 years
Why Choose the Master’s in Public Health Online Program?
The online Master of Public Health at Ohio University stands out from other MPH programs by offering an added level of understanding of health access disparities. Our degree program is focused on building well-rounded, bold leaders who are armed with the skills to face down public health challenges of all varieties — making you a desirable candidate for hire upon graduation.
Communities across the country need your skills. But to initiate positive, enduring change that strengthens our public health systems, you must first lay the foundation with a quality education that prepares you to make an immediate impact. You’ll collaborate with faculty, staff, and public health experts who are active thought leaders working to pioneer innovative solutions to today’s most pressing public health challenges — including access to care for all, equitable care, and educating the public about the best health care practices.
As a student at Ohio University, you’ll have the opportunity to be at the center of research-based, forward-thinking — allowing you to apply what you’ve learned toward your future endeavors as a public health leader. Because when you have the tools to be an effective public health worker who can implement solutions to increase health care access for everyone, our communities grow stronger.
“I had an enriching experience in the OHIO MPH program. The professors were dedicated and passionate,which was clear from their teaching methods andstudent interactions. The coursework was rigorous,which has prepared me for my doctoral coursework.The curriculum is quite comprehensive and offersa focus on rural health which gives you deeperinsights into health equities and disparities.”
— Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong, Alumni, Ohio University
Ohio University has been named “Best College” by Princeton Review.
Ohio University was listed among the top research universities as rated by Forbes for America’s Top Colleges 2018.
Ohio University ranks #1 online college in the state of Ohio.
Accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Ohio University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Career Outlook for MPH Degree Program Graduates
Qualified health officials are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs for medical and health services managers will grow by 32% from 2020 to 2030. Additionally, MPH graduates make an average base salary of $66,000 per year, according to PayScale.
Whether you’re looking to serve in rural or urban areas, our online Master of Public Health will position you for long-term career growth. It will arm you with the skills to be an indispensable contributor in state and local health departments, community-based organizations, and government and global health facilities. No matter your calling, we’ll help you follow it.
The average salary for master’s in public health graduates is $66,000. Here are seven public health careers and their average salaries, according to PayScale and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: community health coordinator ($45,200); public health specialist ($53,700); health educator ($56,500); public health nurse ($61,100); public health administrator ($62,500); environmental scientist or specialist ($73,320); and epidemiologist ($74,560).
MPH Curriculum
OHIO’s online MPH curriculum readies you for the road ahead. Our approach combines the social, behavioral, environmental, and cultural determinants of community health. Your courses will focus on the assessment, design, implementation, and evaluation of interventions in a community setting — preparing you to be a versatile leader who can spark meaningful change.
The 42-credit program comprises 14 seven-week courses (3 credits each). Your coursework culminates with the MPH Integrative Learning Experience (ILE), where you can apply what you’ve learned into a semester-long project.
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Meet the Online Master of Public Health Faculty
Our MPH faculty are highly knowledgeable with years of public health experience, and they leverage their research-focused expertise to guide students in their personal and professional pursuits. They also bring an unwavering commitment to your success. Under their guidance, you’ll soon be able to bring your goals within reach — and qualify for broad career opportunities.
Study public health at Ohio University and learn from distinguished, experienced, and creative faculty members. Dr. Michael Reece, for example, is an assistant professor of instruction in the College of Health Science and Professions who has studied sexual health for over 20 years and published nearly 200 scientific articles on topics related to the subject.
Dr. Reece, who earned a PhD in Health Behavior from the College of Public Health at the University of Georgia, shares his views on the pandemic’s effects on the field of public health and public health professionals and some unexpected workplaces where MPH graduates may land.
What potential employers may come as a surprise to public health graduates?
Individuals with public health training play important roles inside corporations that develop health-related products, ranging from vitamins to condoms, serving in roles related to market and consumer research, product development and testing, education, and marketing. While many students often don’t think about corporations as possible places of employment, we incorporate products into our lives every day, and the companies that produce those products find public health professionals to be integral to their efforts to create products that consumers will find appealing and helpful.
What impact is COVID-19 having on the field of public health and the working lives of public health professionals?
COVID-19 has highlighted the need for health to be a consideration across all sectors of a community. From restaurants to retail stores, public health professionals have had to be innovative in developing policies and programs that promote health. Also, I think that public health professionals have found themselves challenged by the politics of COVID. We often think of ourselves as nonpolitical in professional terms, and I think this is one area where we have been challenged in ways that we were perhaps not well prepared for or comfortable with.
Beyond the pandemic, what are the biggest public health challenges facing our country today?
To me, the single biggest public health challenge is poverty and the growing divide between the rich and poor. Poverty is central to virtually every public health challenge we face, and it is critical to address to solve those challenges.
How can an MPH from Ohio University prepare students to help overcome our biggest public health challenges?
I always say that good public health is about 50% passion and 50% science. We have lots of passion, and we need to continue to work on the science. One of our goals in the MPH program is to provide students with the scientific tools they need to effectively pursue their passions to create change in their communities. We do a good job of that.
What are some of the key principles taught in OU’s MPH program?
One key principle we teach is a philosophy known as “health in all policies.” It encourages communities to consider the health-related impacts of how our society is structured. Transportation policies and systems, for example, have a major influence on the health of a community. Funding for parks, sidewalks, and bike paths is dependent on policies and systems that recognize the critical roles they play in areas ranging from physical activity to community cohesion. Students trained in this philosophy often find themselves exploring roles outside what’s traditionally considered “public health” like parks and recreation departments, schools, and city planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with an online master’s degree in public health?
An online MPH prepares you for a wide variety of career paths, including medical health and services management, health education, epidemiology, environmental protection, health and safety engineering, and health care consulting.
What is the typical salary for online Master of Public Health degree graduates?
According to PayScale, the median salary for MPH graduates is $66,000 per year.
Is the online MPH program accredited?
Yes, the Master of Public Health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
How long is the master’s in public health online degree program?
Students can complete the online MPH in as little as seven semesters.