Online programs offers schedule flexibility for working professionals to complete a higher-education degree that qualifies them for advancement in their field. The advantages of pursuing a degree online instead of on-campus is that classes are scheduled at convenient hours and you don’t have to commute daily, freeing up valuable time to maintain your career. There are however many instances where living in close proximity to the campus where your online school is located can be very beneficial for students who are pursuing a public health degree online. In general, students who live near their institutions can more easily access the resources of their campus, such as networking opportunities with piers and professors. Being able to meet your professors in person allows you to appeal to them on a personal level that is just not available on digital formats. Fortunately, there are many accredited institutions all over the United States that offer online MPH degree programs. To take a look at some of the most well renowned online MPH degree programs, have a look at The Top 25 Online MPH Programs. Let’s consider a few of the other advantages from pursuing a public health degree online at a local school.
Some graduate degree programs are offered in hybrid format, where students take some classes online and some in class, though many degree programs that are almost completely online require some amount of on-site work, so it is useful to be close to your school for those instances. Usually on-site requirements for online degree programs are distilled into short intensive sessions that take place over one or two weeks, so students could find housing on campus if they needed to, but that would add unnecessary room and board fees to their already expensive graduate degree. Many on-site intensives are scheduled in the summer when working professionals have more flexibility with office hours and daily requirements. There are also some online public health degree programs that require students to take certain major exams on campus.
Most online MPH programs require students to participate in hands-on practicum opportunities, which will be easy and convenient for students that live in the same community as their school. Institutions generally have good relationships with their communities where they have a track record of sending motivated students to do field work. It is often more difficult for students who live in distant locations where people are unfamiliar with their institution to find ideal practicum opportunities. Public health practicums usually work with local agencies that are tracking health trends, so students who live nearby will already have a basic understanding of their proximal community. Some health degrees require residencies where students shadow health professionals or doctors, and their institution will be able to give them an ideal mentor for their residency if they live nearby.
Lastly, many online degree programs have different in-state and out-of-state tuition rates, where out-of-state residents are expected to pay a premium, even though they are taking their classes online. Many of the institutions that are large enough to offer online programs are state schools that offer particularly good deals for in-state residents.
