Four EKU Degrees for Public Health Careers
Eastern Kentucky University appears in our ranking of the 10 Most Affordable MPH Programs Not Requiring GRE.
At the Dizney Building, the College of Health Sciences offers a 120-credit, four-year B.S. in Public Health led by Dr. Michael Ballard where Eastern Kentucky University Colonels choose the Community Health or Pre-Professional concentration to earn CHES certification after 240 internship hours. Chaired by Dr. Sheila Pressley, the B.S. in Environmental Health Science builds a 120-credit, EHAC-accredited curriculum with opportunities to conduct Maywoods Laboratory research, join the SEHA Chapter, travel to Kenya, and intern with the National Park Service.
The B.S. in Health Services Administration follows a 120-credit, CAHIIM-accredited plan headed by Dr. Dawn Jackson with 16-week Richmond courses like Quality Management and Clinical Information Systems for an 84 percent RHIA certification pass rate. Directed by Dr. Derek Holcomb, the Master of Public Health is a 43-credit, CEPH-accredited program with evening or online Blackboard courses plus 300+ fieldwork hours in four emphases: Environmental Health Science, Health Promotion, Industrial Hygiene, or Nutrition. There’s also a Public Child Welfare Certificate.
About Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University originated on March 21, 1906, when the 35th Governor John Crepps Wickliffe Beckham signed the bill to create the Eastern Kentucky State Normal School. In June 1906, President Ruric Nevel Roark welcomed the inaugural class to the former Central University campus. In 1922, it debuted bachelor’s degrees as the Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College. In 1928, Eastern Kentucky received initial regional accreditation. Seven years later, it started graduate studies for the first Master of Arts in Education. In 1948, it became Eastern Kentucky State College for broader majors. On February 26, 1966, Governor Edward T. Breathitt adopted the Eastern Kentucky University name. In 1984, EKU was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1988, the Board of Regents launched the EKU Honors Program. By 2015, EKU had Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification.
Endowed for $69.3 million, Eastern Kentucky University now employs 1,099 faculty training 13,398 undergrad and 2,417 post-grad Colonels from 50 countries on its 892-acre Richmond campus, at four regional centers, or online with 130+ clubs like the Environmental Health Association. In 2016, EKU received an Insight Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence Award. In 2019, Eastern Kentucky won an ABCA Academic Excellence Award. Eastern Kentucky University accepted a 2019 UPCEA South Region Program of Excellence Award too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked EKU the 127th top public health school. On Niche, EKU boasts America’s 287th most Greek life and 226th best dining hall. Money named Eastern Kentucky University the 681st top value. Forbes labeled EKU the 248th best public college. Washington Monthly crowned Eastern Kentucky the 411th top master’s institution.
Eastern Kentucky University Accreditation Details
On February 23, 2017, Eastern Kentucky University hosted a comprehensive evaluation visit from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to reaffirm its Level VI accreditation status through 2026-27 under President Michael T. Benson, Ph.D., who earned the Bluegrass Tomorrow Vision Award for Education. Located 360 miles down Interstate 75 in Decatur, Georgia, this esteemed 11-state Southeast Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to review EKU’s 10 associate, 73 bachelor’s, and 46 graduate degrees. Further, the College of Health Sciences was accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) on April 16, 2013. The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) has accredited EKU since December 2006. Eastern Kentucky is also approved by the Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC) through Fall 2023.
Eastern Kentucky University Application Requirements
Enrollment at Eastern Kentucky University is classified as “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since only 7,213 of the 10,215 Fall 2018 applicants were triumphant for 71 percent acceptance. First-year Colonels seeking the B.S. in Public Health and similar majors need to finish a high school diploma or GED certificate. Four credits of English plus three math and three science credits are prerequisites. The Class of 2022 reported an average GPA of 3.29. Mid-range admitted ACT scores were 20-25. The middle 50th percentile had SAT scores of 950-1180. Full admission requires a minimum 2.5 GPA, 20 ACT, or 950 SAT mark. The Success First Initiative is available for lower scores and 2.0-2.49 GPAs though. Department of Public Health transfers need 24+ accredited college credits with 2.0 or greater GPAs. International students should aim for at least 6.0 IELTS, 530 TOEFL pBT, or 510 SAT English scores. The Master of Public Health requires GPAs over 2.50 in a four-year bachelor’s preparation. Undergrad courses in physics, chemistry, biology, and microbiology topics are prerequisites. MPH cohorts also need a minimum 291 GRE composite score.
Eastern Kentucky University keeps undergrad and Master of Public Health admission rolling year-round. Final deadlines are December 1st for Spring, May 1st for Summer, or August 1st for Fall. Scholarship deadlines are June 15th and April 1st. The FAFSA priority date is November 1st. Accordingly, complete the EKU or Common Application online for $35 ($40 if graduate). Note Free Application Weekend is October 7th to October 10th each year. Send official transcripts to 521 Lancaster Avenue in Richmond, KY 40475. Submit tests using SAT/GRE code 1200 or ACT code 1512. Forward supplemental materials, such as the one-page personal statement, 1-3 recommendation letters, resume or CV, valid passport, and declaration of finances. Contact (859) 622-7566 and admissions@eku.edu or mph@eku.edu with questions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Eastern Kentucky University billed in-state B.S. in Public Health majors $4,633 per semester or $9,266 annually. Non-resident bachelor’s tuition was $9,669 by term or $19,338 by year. Studying part-time incurred $386 to $806 per credit. Undergrads paid the $150 special usage fee and $35 recreation fee each semester. Residing at the Richmond campus’ dorms like Burnam Hall added $1,958 to $4,491 for semester housing. All-access VIP meal plans for Case Food Court were $2,273 extra. EKU budgeted $1,200 for textbooks and $2,800 for personal expenses. Annual undergrad attendance equaled $24,352 in-state and $34,424 out-of-state. Online bachelor’s courses were priced at $421 per credit. The Master of Public Health charged Kentuckians $550 and non-residents $775 per credit. Online MPH classes cost $550 per credit.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Student Financial Assistance in the Whitlock Building Room 251 links 99 percent of new full-time EKU Colonels to tuition aid averaging $8,628 apiece for $21.28 million total. University funds include the E.O. Robinson Mountain Fund Scholarship, Mamie & Tinsley Dizney Memorial Scholarship, Della Clark & Florian Bales Endowed Scholarship, Acacia Scholarship, Ann Daniel Chapman Scholarship, Baptist Health Richmond Scholarship, Bechtel Parsons Scholarship, Cattoi Family Scholarship, Clay Ford Scholarship, Creighton Environmental Health Scholarship, and Danny McNabb Memorial Scholarship. The Top Scholar Award provides $16,000 annually to exemplary freshmen with a minimum 34 ACT or 1520 SAT score. The $4,000 Colonel Plus Scholarship supports qualifying transfers with 24+ credits and GPAs above 3.75. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and Health Professions Loan, require FAFSA applications coded 001963. Kentuckians can also utilize the Mary Jo Young Scholarship, Horatio Alger Scholarship, College Access Grant, KHEAA Excellence Scholarship, Coal County Completion Scholarship, and others.
Learn more about Eastern Kentucky University at the Department of Public Health website.