Can You Get a Master’s in Public Health Degree Online?

Master's in Public HealthBusy full-time working professionals seeking to advance their education can get Master’s in Public Health degree online with minimal campus trips. The Master of Public Health (MPH) is the coveted professional degree for individuals seeking practice or research jobs improving the overall well-being of our globe’s communities. Many universities are now offering online MPH programs that cover the fundamentals of public health in a conveniently flexible distance format. Online programs use interactive virtual classrooms to connect students to course materials 24/7 and facilitate learning in a self-paced schedule. If the benefits of online studies weigh in your favor, below is an overview on what you can expect with your master’s in public health degree.

Also see: 10 Best MPH Online Degree Programs

Typical Online Master’s in Public Health Curriculum

Online MPH programs typically have a two to three-year curriculum built on the advanced knowledge required to prevent and manage diseases impacting community health. Online master’s in public health degrees should follow the same high-quality educational path as traditional brick-and-mortar college programs. Make certain the online program is accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH) for excellence. Core MPH curricula is usually centered on the five fundamentals of biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, health policy management, and social/behavioral health. Depending on the program, prerequisites may be required in courses like statistics, research methods, and human anatomy.

Online MPH Practicum Requirements

The majority of reputable online MPH programs will include offline experience in the format of supervised field practicum. Practicum plays a pivotal role in helping public health majors further develop their practical skills in educating people about healthy lifestyle choices. MPH degrees can include practicum and internships that span from a few weeks to a whole semester. Luckily, online programs are typically flexible in allowing students to practice in an approved public health agency in their local hometown. Online MPH learners who are already employed could fulfill their applied clock hours at their place of employment too.

Areas of Online MPH Specialization

Public health is a highly diverse field, so most online MPH programs will give graduate students the valuable opportunity to narrow their career focus, according to US News and World Report. Choosing a specialization is smart for aspiring public health leaders to build niche knowledge. Specializations align the curriculum’s electives into a concentrated public health discipline. For example, online MPH students could potentially specialize in community health education, health services management, occupational safety, epidemiology, nutrition, reproductive health, or infectious diseases. Other programs may take a generalist approach to providing well-rounded career preparation.

Jobs Available with an Online MPH

Graduating with an MPH from an accredited online college will unlock many doors of opportunity in public health. Earning a master’s in public health will prepare you for working in hospitals, private research laboratories, government agencies, universities, social service agencies, non-profit organizations, community clinics, and more. Virtually any health-aligned job not providing direct patient medical services will be available to you. Online MPH graduates often pursue careers as nutritionists, health educators, biostatisticians, environmental scientists, epidemiologists, health policy analysts, health administrators, and industrial hygienists.

Related Resource: Department of Health and Human Services

There’s never been a better time for qualified graduates to pursue an MPH. According to the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH), an additional 250,000 public health workers will be needed through 2020 to dodge a critical workforce shortage. It’s projected that 23 percent of public health practitioners will retire during the next decade. If you’re ready to leap into public health without disrupting your work or family obligations, you can get master’s in public health degree online.