Compare online Master of Public Health programs

What can you do with an online master’s degree in public health?

You may be wondering, what is public health and what exactly do public health professionals do? Public health professionals advocate for the wellbeing of people in communities across the globe. They coordinate measures to slow infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, develop affordable housing programs to mitigate overcrowding, curb the global effects of climate change, and more. In other words, public health professionals are some of society’s greatest protectors.

With an online master’s in public health, you can actively promote the physical, economic, social, and environmental prosperity of your community. Online MPH programs give learners the tools necessary to make a positive impact.

Online MPH curriculum

An online master’s in public health might take anywhere from 12 months to three years to complete. Timelines vary depending on your program of choice as well as your preferred schedule — full time, part time, accelerated, or extended — and if you decide to pursue a specialization. In addition to online coursework, students are often required to complete 100 to 200 hours of in-person practicums to gain hands-on experience.

When you enter your online MPH program, you will engage with foundational course material that covers the broad scope of public health. As you advance within the program, you will be able to focus your online master’s degree in wide variety of specializations — or pursue a more generalist path — depending on the program and your interests. These courses and specializations may include:

Master of public health jobs

Public health careers are dynamic and include multiple pathways to success. You may be wondering what might be available in terms of MPH jobs for those who hold a degree above a bachelor’s. With an online MPH degree, you could work as a biostatistician to reveal medical knowledge hidden within complex datasets. Your passion might be to spearhead educational campaigns as a health educator. You may even pursue a teaching role in a public health online program. Regardless, there is a job in public health to fulfill your interests. Listed below are the major public health career categories that can shed light on what can you do with a master’s degree in public health:

What to expect in terms of a career in public health: Salary

If you are trying to decide if public health is a good career for you, consider the many different settings in which you can work, such as: global health organizations, federal public health agencies, state and local health departments, colleges and research universities, healthcare settings, and nonprofits.^{Footnote 1} Now is the time to join the millions of other public health workers leading powerful community change. 

Median annual pay for key public health careers can vary depending on the path you choose. In 2022, health education specialists earned median annual wages of nearly $60,000.^{Footnote 2}  Meanwhile, epidemiologists earned more than $78,000.^{Footnote 3}

How to become a public health professional

Public health professionals are leaders. They stand at the frontlines to protect local and global communities, dismantle systemic disparities, and champion equity and health.

To excel in a career in public health, you must be highly motivated to create sustainable, ethical change. Public health professionals often possess a scientific and strategic mindset with clear writing skills and attention to detail.

As a public health specialist, you will leverage your cultural competencies and effective communication skills to meet challenges, big or small, with proficiency and professionalism.

Find the best online MPH program for your public health career

Discover an online MPH program that checks every box. You may consider these factors when you’re evaluating which is the best online MPH program for you:

• School prestige: Explore top-ranked universities and CEPH-accredited programs that will challenge you and develop you into a world-class public health professional.

• Length of study: Choose an online master’s program with a length of study that best suits your busy schedule: full time, part time, accelerated, or extended.

• Field placements: Participate in in-person field placements or practicums that immerse you in the multidisciplinary world of public health.

• Graduation rates: Review graduation rates to better understand the quality of an online master’s program.

• Career outcomes: Learn what to expect from the job market and research post-graduation employment rates of program alumni.