The city of Philadelphia is home to many of the nation’s top colleges and universities, some of which offer degrees in the field of Public Health. With great public schools such as Temple University and Drexel University that offer their students high-quality educational experiences at affordable tuition rates, and prestigious private school options, such as the Ivy League’s University of Pennsylvania, prospective Public Health students in the city of Philadelphia have many degree options to choose from. For reference to the top Public Health degrees in the state of Pennsylvania, be sure to check out our list of the Best Public Health Degrees in Pennsylvania. Let’s take a closer look at a couple of the schools that offer different types of degrees in Public Health within Pennsylvania’s largest metropolitan area.
The University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (also known as Penn or UPenn) is a private Ivy League university that was founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740. The university’s Center for Public Health Initiatives offers an interdisciplinary MPH degree that uses faculty and resources from eight different schools at UPenn, including the Wharton School of Business, the School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Social Policy and Practice. There are three tracks of specialization that UPenn MPH students can choose from: a Generalist track, a Global Health track, or an Environmental Health track. Students are required to complete a fieldwork experience that is relevant to the student’s area of specialization, as well as a Capstone as a final project. UPenn’s elite pedigree makes its MPH program the top ranking Public Health degree in the city of Philadelphia, though it is fairly expensive with a tuition rate of $53,534 for the 2017-18 academic year. If you will need a break on tuition to afford the tuition of your desired MPH program, be sure to check out our list of the Top 36 Best Scholarships for MPH Degrees.
Temple University
Temple University is a public research university that was established in 1884. Temple’s College of Public Health offers many different types of degrees across the academic spectrum. Undergraduates can earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management that prepares students for careers managing electronic health records, or allows them to go on to Temple’s Master of Science degree in Health Informatics (MSHI). Students earning their MSHI can choose to concentrate in Healthcare Data Analysis, Population Health Management, or Cybersecurity for Health Professionals. Graduate students can also earn an MPH on campus or online, in Health Policy and Management which prepares students to engage in the legislative sector of healthcare and insurance; or Social and Behavioral Sciences, which prepares students to work in schools or local organizations to raise awareness of Public Health issues. The university also offers a PhD in Health Policy for students who want to become leaders that advocate for better public healthcare. In addition, Temple offers Graduate Certificate Programs in Health Informatics, Public Health Law Research, and Clinical Health Services Research. Students who live outside of Pennsylvania paid a tuition rate of $28,418 for the 2017-18 school year, while in-state students paid $16,658.
