Yes, there are a few of institutions that offer online MPH programs near Houston, Texas, the closest being Texas A&M University and The University of North Texas. Neither of these programs are located in Houston, but both are within a few hours of driving. There is an on-campus MPH program offered in Houston by the University of Texas’s Health Science Center at Houston, but unfortunately they do not offer an online program. For reference to other great public health degrees in the state of Texas, have a look at the list of Best Public Health Degrees in Texas. Let’s take a closer look at the online MPH programs offered by Texas A&M and The University of North Texas.
Texas A&M University is a public research university based in College Station, Texas. The city of Houston is about an hour and a half drive from College Station, making its resources easily accessible for Texas A&M students. Texas A&M’s School of Public Health offers an online degree in Epidemiology, which follows the same degree plan as their on-campus program. Students are never required to visit Campus Station, but they are welcome on campus anytime as well as at graduation proceedings, however not all of the required courses are offered every semester. Sometimes students have to take courses on the main campus, which are usually statistics courses including Biostatistics I and II, and Categorical Data Analysis. The online degree program is designed to offer working professionals flexible schedules while they complete their academic requirements. Students who take on full-time course loads can complete the program in two years as long as they take the courses suggested by their department or academic advisor, and successfully pass those courses. Graduates will be equipped with broad exposure to public health issues and will have developed the skills necessary to improve the health of large populations. Texas A&M’s online MPH is particularly geared towards the study of epidemiology in rural settings where there is less human interactivity, and where particular policies and practices can effectively limit the spread of contagious diseases.
The University of North Texas is located in Fort Worth Texas, which is about a four-hour drive from Houston. UNT’s School of Public Health offers a 100% online MPH which is designed to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. Students will choose from one of two elective tracks, Global Health or Geographic Information Systems. All students are required to complete 33 credits of core courses which include classes like Theoretical Foundations of Individual and Community Health, Introduction to Health Management and Policy, and Community Assessment and Program Planning. Students will also be required to complete 12 credits of track-specific courses, and three credits of hands-on MPH practice experience, for a total of 48 credit hours. One of the main attractions of UNT’s online MPH program is their practicum opportunities which take advantage of the local Fort Worth community, but they also help distance learners find potential practicum sites in their locality. Graduates of UNT’s online MPH will be well equipped to qualify for a raise or promotion in the field of health services.
