The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree will prepare graduate students for a variety of career options in public health services and healthcare-related fields. Professionals are already working in healthcare who want to further their careers or specialize in public health sciences often obtain an MPH as a secondary degree. Graduates with an MPH degree are typically interested in applying their knowledge in areas that will positively affect the health of a particular community, be it locally or globally, and may be interested in:
* Developing health education programs for at-risk communities
* Performing epidemiology research to prevent the spread of disease
* Reforming public health policies to include underrepresented groups
* Managing public health programs in hospitals, schools, or nonprofits
* Researching sociological solutions to disease, nutrition, and illness
Because the study of public health is such a broad subject, earning an MPH degree will open up a wide range of career opportunities. According to the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), more than 250,000 public health workers will be needed in the next five years to fill the world’s health needs. Some of these jobs include:
* Health and nutrition educators
* Global disaster relief workers
* Medical researchers and analysts
* Environmental health advocates
* Occupational health and safety specialists
Since careers in the field of public health are in such high demand, earning your MPH degree as quickly as possible might be something you are interested in as a professional. The faster you graduate, the sooner you will be able to advance your career in the field of public health. While many on-campus and online master’s degree programs can take 2-5 years to complete, you may not want to wait that long. That is why we have created this list of The Best Accelerated Online Masters in Public Health degree programs. Each MPH degree program takes between one to two years to complete, and they are all 100% online.
The methodology used to include these 14 schools in this list; we considered the total length of the program, quality and flexibility of the online learning environment, the overall reputation of the institution, and its nationally recognized accreditations. The ranking order also considered membership with the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), their grade on the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), and where they ranked in U.S. News and World Report (USNWR).
14. University of Vermont
The University of Vermont offers a Master of Public Health degree in an accelerated program that takes as little as one year to complete. This 42-credit program leads to a generalist degree that focuses on environmental public health, quantitative sciences, leadership, policy, and advocacy. Graduates will be able to evaluate and improve health conditions in different populations, navigate community resources, and work closely with a network of healthcare, government, and non-profit organizations. Students in the one-year masters program online must start with the summer session and complete their final Culminating Project Experience the following summer.
* Length: 12 months
* MPH Credits: 42
* CEPH: No
13. South New Hampshire University
South New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers an online Master of Public Health degree program grounded in the scientific basis of public health issues. This 36-credit accelerated program takes just 15 months to complete. This purpose-driven curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) and associated with the core functions of the World Health Organization (WHO). This means that you will study the most current health and wellness issues while preparing for a career at the national and global levels.
* Length: 15 months
* MPH Credits: 36
* CEPH: No
12. Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University
The Master of Public Health program offered by Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is the first MPH online degree offered by an HBCU. It is one of the top producers of African American public health graduates in the country. They are also the only accredited public health graduate program taught by a College of Pharmacy and offers public health studies related to pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, medicine, and allied health services. Through training and research, the program focuses on health disparities that affect poor and underserved populations. This 50-credit accelerated program takes as few as five semesters to complete as a full-time student.
* Length: 5 semesters
* MPH Credits: 50
* CEPH: Yes
11. Purdue University Global
Purdue University Global offers a robust 56-credit Master of Public Health degree that is flexible and convenient for working students. This program is designed to help students seeking managerial or leadership positions in private, government, or nonprofit health industry organizations. Graduates will gain the professional, ethical, and administrative skills needed to apply public health principles to a variety of health education, communication, and public service programs. The curriculum offers 4-credit courses that a full-time student can complete in less than two years if taking three classes per semester.
* Length: Less than 2 years
* MPH Credits: 56
* CEPH: No
10. Capella University
Capella University offers an online Master of Public Health degree that takes 18 months or less to complete. With four MPH tracks to choose from, you can focus on General Public Health, Management, and Policy, Leadership, or Social and Behavioral Sciences. This is a 48-credit program with no practicum to complete. The program is fully flexible, so you can adjust the time it takes to finish based on your needs. Capella’s virtual lab provides a unique learning environment where you will use your public health skills to solve real-world challenges in an online environment.
* Length: 18 months
* MPH Credits: 48
* CEPH: No
9. Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University’s Master of Public Health degree program will help students take a leadership role in their careers or become experts in the field of public health. Students will earn advanced understanding the emergence of disease, socio-political issues that affect global health, and the evolving state of the country’s health care system. This generalist degree uses a multidisciplinary approach that focuses on psychology, social behaviors, biostatistics, environmental concepts, administration processes, and economic factors as related to public health. The convenient and flexible program allows students to complete the 48-credit program in under two years.
* Length: Less than 2 years
* MPH Credits: 48
* CEPH: No
8. Liberty University
Liberty University offers a Master of Public Health degree program with three concentration areas, Global Health, Nutrition, or Health Promotion. Students who are seeking a career in public health will receive a broad understanding of the health issues that impact society, develop leadership and communication skills, and gain the practical experience necessary to succeed. Liberty University is a Christ-centered institution, so all courses will come from a uniquely biblical perspective while also applying the latest scientific methods to global health issues. All three 42-credit degree tracks are accelerated and specifically designed for completion in four semesters, including the practicum.
* Length: 4 semesters
* MPH Credits: 42
* CEPH: No
* USNWR: #80 Best Regional (South) University
7. University of New England
The University of New England offers a 46-credit Master of Public Health that takes as little as 18 months to complete. The program is designed to help working professionals enhance their public health skills by providing health leaders with the knowledge they need to prevent disease and promote good health in their communities. This program focuses on providing students with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to get promoted or enter into the field of public health. The flexibility of the program allows students to take classes at your convenience, either full-time or part-time and does not require a GRE to apply.
* Length: 18 months
* MPH Credits: 46
* CEPH: Yes
* USNWR: #83 Best Regional (North) University
6. Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago Health Services Division offers a 44-credit online Master of Public Health degree that concentrates on Public Health Policy and Management. There is also a hybrid concentration in Epidemiology, but it requires in-person evening classes to complete. Designed for students interested in policy and management, courses include politics, law, ethics, and economics to help students navigate the managerial tasks related to public health. The 44-credit program typically takes two years, but full-time students can complete it in 18 months with at least 12 credits per semester, including summer courses.
* Length: 18 months
* MPH Credits: 44
* CEPH: Yes
* USNWR: #99 Best National University
5. University of Florida
The University of Florida offers an accelerated online Master of Public Health degree through the College of Public Health and Health Professions. The 48-hour program is flexible and takes just five semesters to complete a full-time course load. The curriculum is designed to develop competence in essential public health service skills, such as biostatistics, social and behavioral sciences, health policy, and management. An interactive, career-focused internship with a public health related agency and a final project are requirements for completion of the program.
* Length: 5 semesters
* MPH Credits: 48
* CEPH: Yes
* USNWR: #30 Best Grad School for Public Health
4. University of Massachusetts Amherst
http://www.umassonline.net/degrees/online-degree-master-public-health
The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers a Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice. This 42-credit program is for anyone already working as a public health worker, health program administrator, or health care professional who is not pursuing an academic career, but wants to continue working at an advanced level in the field. Courses will give students a greater understanding of current health care dilemmas, applied epidemiology, research methods, and public health laws. While part-time students can take three years to complete the program, full-time students can tailor the program to fit their personal goals and graduate in just five semesters.
* Length: 5 semesters
* MPH Credits: 42
* CEPH: Yes
* USNWR: #25 Best Grad School for Public Health
3. University of South Carolina
The Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina offers a Master of Public Health degree that takes less than two years to complete. It is specifically for students who are already working in a public health related career. The program will appeal to professionals who are concerned about public health and want to create positive change in their community by learning the skills needed to promote, educate, and affect behaviors. This 45-credit program takes just 22 months to complete and is flexible enough to be attainable by working professionals.
Length: 22 months
MPH Credits: 45
CEPH: Yes
USNWR: #23 Best Grad School for Public Health
2. University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama’s online School of Public Health offers a Master of Public Health degree with six specializations, so there is a program that fits your chosen area of focus. The 42-credit Environmental Health Sciences tracks offer core courses that include biostatistics, epidemiology, and social behaviors. The concentration courses provide a rigorous schedule that will prepare students for leadership positions in all areas of public health. Also, an internship is required to give graduates the real-world experiences that employers are looking for and to thoroughly prepare students for career success. Full-time students can complete the program in under two years.
* Length: Less than 2 years
* MPH Credits: 42
* CEPH: Yes
* USNWR: #19 Best Grad School for Public Health
1. George Washington University
George Washington University (GWU) online offers a Master of Public Health degree through the Milken Institute School of Public Health. This intensive one-year program requires students to take approximately 12 credits per quarter. Each course is ten weeks long over the course of four quarters per year. The 45-credit degree includes practicum credits where you will apply what you have learned in a real-world situation. Due to the demanding schedule, it is not recommended for anyone with a full-time job. If one year is too fast, you can take up to four years to complete the degree.
George Washington University was chosen as the top school in this list of the Best Accelerated Online Masters in Public Health Degree Programs because it fulfilled all of the criteria for being the best choice for potential students. It is the most accelerated program at just 12 months to complete, accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, and a highly regarded institution, which is reflected in its ranking as the 14th best graduate school in public health by U.S. News and World Report. Obtaining an online degree from George Washington University will be recognized as a shining achievement and should help you achieve career success quickly in the public health field.
* Length: 12 months
* MPH Credits: 45
* CEPH: Yes
* USNWR: #14 Best Grad School for Public Health
