Those who hold a Master’s degree in Public Health are given the skills and responsibility to assist with the research and implementation needed to improve people’s access to healthcare, health practices, and health information. This can take the form of many jobs including health educators, consultants, researchers, statisticians, medical scientists, health policy lawmakers and lobbyists, and so much more.
What are My chances of Landing a Good Public Health Job Post-Degree?
As the universe expands, the global population expands, and the public health job market expands as well. Professionals who are well-trained and dedicated to the health and wellness of people in communities–rural places, urban areas and everything in between–are needed more than ever. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for professionals who focus their work in the core Public Health disciplines of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Behavioral Science and Health Education, Environmental Health, and Health Policy Management will continue to rise. Of the core Public Health occupations, 109,000 new jobs will become available between 2012 and 2022. Those positions include paid internships, research and educational opportunities, advocacy and administrative positions, and many others.
Health Policy And Management Concentration
Most Master’s in Public Health degree programs have chosen 1 or more discipline from the five core public health focus areas, and offer degrees that follow competency requirements relating specifically to that chosen field or discipline. The programs we have highlighted in this ranking concentrate on Health Policy Management, a focus especially for those interested in working in health law making, or management in a health administrative capacity, such as a hospital or clinic administrator. People who study this discipline also can focus their careers on health regulations, finances, business, laws, policy making, for health institutions. Some of the MPH degrees on this list are called Health Policy and Management, but others are called Healthcare Management, Health Policy and Ethics, Public Health Practice with a focus on policy, or Health Services and Policy. Others still are called Health Promotion and Policy, Healthcare Administration, or Health System Administration and Management. There are even some we found called Global Health Policy and Human Rights or Public Policy Development and Advocacy. The skills and duties of each of these reflect a commitment to the essential core functions of adeptness at policy, advocacy, and management of healthcare institutions.
MPH Online editors have put together a ranking of the 30 best Online or Hybrid format Health Policy Management MPH Programs. Many, but not all, of the colleges and universities ranked here are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The CEPH is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and public health programs. Many are also members of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), a Public Health professional membership organization located in Washington, D.C. Accreditation by CEPH and membership in ASPPH ensures academic rigor and external oversight, but is not required to confer valid MPH degrees.
These colleges and universities are ranked by three metrics, each evenly weighted one-third:
- outcomes (Department of Education’s scorecard data)
- affordability (graduate tuition reported from IPEDS)
- student success (institution grad rates)
The Success criteria was further assessed by the individual MPH program. Many program websites provided a clear, easy-to-access reporting of their employment placement rate for graduates.
All images were sourced from the school’s website.
1. Creighton University
Creighton University was founded in 1878, and has always maintained its Roman Catholic, Jesuit foundation that runs through all of its programs. Established by the Society of Jesus, they are a proud member of the 28 school Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. They are located in Omaha, Nebraska and offer an exquisite campus environment on 140 acres of land in the downtown business district. They have made it on the international map for women’s sports, as their women’s basketball team won the WNIT championship in 2004, and in 1982 and 1986, the women’s softball team participated in the Women’s College World Series.
Creighton offers a variety of Master’s in Public Health Concentrations, including the MPH in Healthcare Management as well as a Health Policy and Ethics, both of which are in a flexible, online format. The Healthcare Management focus allows students to find their niche in with specific coursework that engages concepts of policy with health leadership, and the economics of healthcare. The Health Policy and Ethics track gives students the skills to appropriately and effectively address inequities in healthcare at the state and federal level. There are no residencies required, though towards the end of the program students will apply their studies to a “practice experience,” and work under supervision in the field, in preparation for entrance into the workforce immediately upon graduation.
Degree: MPH Concentrations in Healthcare Management or Health Policy and Ethics
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: no extra public health accreditation
2. Dartmouth College
Located on a hill above the lovely Connecticut River in New Hanover, New Hampshire, Dartmouth College was founded in 1769. The year of its founding makes the institution the ninth oldest college or university in the country. When it first opened its doors, the mission was to train Native American students about English ways of life, including Christian theology. It slowly moved towards secularization over time, but retained an identity as one of the country’s eight Ivy league schools. It is considered by many sources including the US News and World Report, The Princeton Review and the Carnegie Foundation as one of the “most selective” schools in the country for undergraduate admission.
Dartmouth College is home to the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, which offers a online/hybrid Master’s of Public Health Program. This unique program structure is designed exclusively for working professionals, and therefore accounts for the need for a flexible learning schedule. They operate offering one class at a time online, and one three week residency per year where students will receive peer support, as well as faculty advisement. Students will participate in a practicum, that may include policy analysis, management, and development in a healthcare setting. The program is 22 months in length with a requirement of 15 hours per week of active coursework.
Degree: MPH – Health Policy and Management
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: no extra public health accreditation
3. University of California Berkeley
The University of California in Berkeley is the flagship institution for the 10 schools connected to the University of California System. Affectionately they are known as “Cal,” to honor their original name, which was simply the University of California. They are a public university, though consistently ranked as one of the best research institutions in world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, as well as the US News and World Report. They are also one of the fourteen founding institutions in the Association of American Universities, which align schools with high levels of research activities. They were founded in 1868, and are located on a 1,232 acre campus in Berkeley, California.
The University of Berkeley Online Programming is now offering a Master’s in Public Health degree with a concentration in Health Policy and Management. The program was created to plug professionals from a variety of relevant fields into this course of study, including clinicians, policy leaders and managers. Students will be well versed in contemporary skills related to against-the-grain leadership development, as well as Organizational Behavior and Management in Health Care, Health Care finance, Health Economics, Economics of Population Health, and Advanced Health Policy. There are six required courses known as Core and Breadth provide foundations to the discipline.
Degree: MPH Health Policy and Management concentration
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
4. University of Nebraska
The University of Nebraska Medical Center is the state’s only academic medical center, and has been a pivotal body of medical research and outreach for the communities that surround it. Its initial founding was in 1881, and was known as the Omaha Medical College, but in 1902, they joined forces with the University of Nebraska. In the 2016-2017 academic year they received more than $117 million in research grants, and operated an annual budget of $701.5 million. They are committed to promoting quality of life for Nebraskans and beyond, and it shows, as they are known not only for the medical research that has come out of their institution, but also the excellent patient care.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center has its own School of Public Health from which students can achieve a Master’s in Public health, entirely online, with a concentration in Public Health Administration and Policy. The entire program includes 45 credit hours that prepare students to be successful leaders in the fields of public health upon graduation. The program is value based and emphasized the social justice link to the discipline as well as inter-dependency with other disciplines. The Public health focus prepares students to hit the ground running following graduation, in achievement of an administrative, supervisory, or managerial role in the field.
Degree: MPH – Public Health Practice
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was founded in 1789, and is the flagship school of seventeen in the University of North Carolina system. They are the third oldest public school in the country to enroll students, and the first in the state of North Carolina. The UNC Chapel Hill Campus is located in downtown Chapel Hill on 729 acres of land, surrounded by shops and restaurants. In the 1960’s the campus was a site of a great deal of protest regarding the civil rights movement and with relation to local conversations about racial segregation, before the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health was ranked the number one best School for Public Health by the US News and World Report. They offer a unique lens into the philosophies of public health with an online Master’s in Healthcare Administration. This degree focuses on healthcare, management methods, finance and values and policy-related health services management issues. This hybrid program can be completed in as little as 24 months, and can be taken on a full or part time basis, depending on the student’s needs. Students must come to campus once in the fall (6 days), spring (4 days) and summer (4 days). There are unique research opportunities that engage students specific interests. Classes can be accessed through their mobile app 24/7, with full-time access to tech support.
Degree: MHA – Health Policy and Management
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
6. University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles, California. They host a Health Sciences campus that is renowned for specialized care and research in cutting edge health research with sports medicine, regenerative medicine and stem cells, cancer, and orthopedics. UCS is the largest private sector employer in LA, and generates $8 billion each year in economic activity in the Southern California region. USC researchers were responsible for $764 million in research funds in the ‘16-’17 fiscal year, meaning more resources for those interested in graduate research opportunities. There are more than 375,000 alumni in the USC network, many of them in positions of leadership in industries all over the country. More than half of USC alumni are living in California.
The Online Master’s of Public Health degree at USC is hosted by the Keck School of Medicine. Students will have access to world renowned faculty who are experts in their field, who will help guide them into a career of Public Health Services and Policy. Policy-making, as it is understood by USC, is one of the cornerstones of public health. They train students to understand the steps that create policy, allowing public health professionals to improve the delivery of healthcare and services in communities, and remove barriers to accessing that care. The five courses unique to this track at USC include Public Health Policy and Politics, Economics for Policy, Planning and Development, Quality in Health Care, Methods for Policy Analysis, and Program Evaluation and Research. The program is fully on online, with a practicum requirement that can be completed anywhere the student chooses.
Degree: MPH Concentration in Health Services and Policy
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
7. Simmons College
Simmons College was founded in 1899, as a private liberal arts school in the center of Boston, Massachusetts. Their undergraduate programming is women-centered and their graduate programming is coeducational. They pride themselves on being student centered and a value system that is inclusive of the communities with which they engage. Their educational programs regularly are paired with professional work experience, and opportunities for students to engage in their life’s work. Much of their mission includes empowering women and marginalized groups to be successful with the tools they gain from a Simmons Education. Their graduate and undergraduate programs together enroll close to 4,500 students at a time.
Simmons College offers a Master’s in Public Health that emphasizes many key competencies in the field including Health Policy and Management. The program is delivered through the interactive online platform that engages different styles of learning, including sections that are self-paced, and live online classes, all of which connect to the few required in-person immersion experiences that bring students together on campus, and bring a hybrid approach to the coursework. There is a low student to teacher ratio, making it easy for students to access advisement and support. The 45 credit hour program can be completed in 21 months.
Degree: MPH – Health Policy and Management
Cost: $$$$$
Applicant: CEPH Applicant
8. University of Missouri
The University of Missouri is a public research university located in Columbia, Missouri. They were founded in 1839, and were the first university west of the Mississippi river. They are a member of the university of Missouri system as well as a Land-grant and Space-grant university, for their research in these areas. The campus and older campus buildings played a large role in the U.S. Civil War, hosting the Confederate Army on campus, and suffering extensive damage by the Union Army during combat. The faculty at Mizzou are experts in their various fields, and bring that expertize into the classroom. They collectively publish more than 1,600 books and scholarly articles each year. The University spends nearly $248 million annually on scientific research.
The School of Health Professions at Mizzou offers an online Master’s of Public Health degree with a focus on Health Promotion and Policy. Online or on campus, the MPH program at MU is naturally interdisciplinary and reflects the future of public health research and service. The goal of the the MPH Program is “to address the needs of global populations and prepare public health leaders to serve on the local, state, national, and international levels”. They do this with careful attention to their emphasis areas, and by employing highly trained and published faculty. The program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Degree: MPH Health Promotion and Policy
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited
9. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876, and was named for the benefactor John Hopkins, who gave the founding donation to the school. He was a philanthropist, entrepreneur and abolitionist. His funding also contributed to half of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, and at the time this was the largest donation of its kind in the history of the country. This institution, quite possibly due to the abolitionist politics of its namesake, was the first in the country to offer admission to an African American student, who was a math, physics, and astronomy graduate student named Kelly Miller. The Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins is the largest public health training entity in the country, and is known for its research in epidemiology.
Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health offers Master’s in Public Health Program that follows a hybrid model which is mostly online. The program is geared towards working professionals who require flexibility to achieve their degree. Classes are offered on a part-time basis, and therefore, students complete the program in a 2-3 years, with a courseload made up of 1-3 classes per term. Lectures are pre-recorded, giving students to opportunity to engage with them at their convenience, and 1-2 weeks per year students will convene on campus for intensive residencies. Students can craft their focus, with many opportunities to study Health Policy and Management.
Degree: MPH Health Policy and Management
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited
10. University of Maryland
The University of Maryland School of Public Health was founded in 2007, and became fully accredited by CEPH in 2010. In 2015 they were ranked 22nd in among all schools of public health in the country. Their departments include: The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The Department of Health Services Administration, The Department of Family Science, The Department of Kinesiology, as well as the Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health. Institutionally, they hold true to their values that include interdisciplinary education, practice, research, leadership, and public policy in service to health and wellness amongst diverse communities in the state of Maryland, the country and the world.
The University of Maryland has a unique School of Public Health located in the Department of Health Services Administration. One of their offerings is the Master’s of Public Health (MPH) Program focused on Public Health Practice and Policy, which is offered in a hybrid format. It is designed for working professionals to experience few disruptions while completing the program in as little as 18 months. Along with online classes, students will come to campus for six weekends of intensive instruction and leadership driven practice. Students will have the opportunity to engage with a capstone project as well as an internship, enabling a hands-on learning approach.
Degree: MPH in Public Health Practice and Policy
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
11. Augusta University
Augusta University is a public academic health center with its main campus located in Augusta, Georgia. AU is a part of the University System of Georgia and is one of the four universities that comprise this system. They receive over $99 million annually in research funding, allowing vast research opportunities to graduate programs. In 2012 Augusta State University and Georgia Health Sciences University merged to create Augusta University as it is today. They are now feature 9 colleges, including the College of Allied Health Sciences, the Dental College of Georgia, and the Medical College of Georgia, as well as non-medically focused undergraduate and graduate programs.
Within the College of Allied Health Sciences, AU offers a Master’s of Public Health with a Concentration in Health Management program. This concentration is for those students interested in a career in helping health systems become more sustainable and accessible to those who need it. Students in this online program are expected to complete a public health internship and a Capstone research experience. The program can be completed in less than 24 months, and while almost all the courses can be completed online, there are a few in-person requirements to complete. Once accepted into the program, these will be explained in detail. The MPH Program is accredited by the Council for Education in Public Health (CEPH).
Degree: MPH – Health Policy and Management
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: ASPPH member
12. Walden University
Walden University is a Public Benefit Corporation University, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They offer many online bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in several disciplines. Walden is one member of an 80 member international network of higher education institutions managed by Laureate Education. Laureate has become a global leader in non-traditional educational models, and offers some degrees that other schools do not offer in an online format. Walden was born out of a desire to educate people who did not think they could get a post-secondary education elsewhere, by two teachers from New York. The university consists of 5 colleges; the College of Education and Leadership, the College of Management and Technology, the College of Health Sciences, the School of Social Work and Human Services, and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Located within the College of Health Sciences, Walden offers a Master’s of Public Health degree with the option to focus in the areas of policy and management. Walden provides students with a the basics in the common areas of public health, and offering research opportunities that are on the cutting edges of current academic pursuits. They specialize in online curriculum, and have therefore perfected interactive and enhanced media programs. These not only increase students’ flexibility but are also able to simulate public health problems and solutions in a real-world way. A Master’s in Public health is a great value from Walden University.
Degree: MPH with a focus on policy
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: ASPPH member
13. University of Florida
The University of Florida is a public research university located in Gainesville, FL where it has been in operation since 1906. UF is a land-grant, sea-grant, and space grant university due to its highly recognized research in these areas. They offer 16 colleges and more than 150, education and service centers, institutes, and research bureaus. They also have more than 200 graduate degrees for students to choose from. As an institution, the University of Florida provides more than 100,000 jobs in Florida and contribute more than $8 billion to the economy of the sunshine state. An interesting fact is that the popular sports drink Gatorade was invented by a researcher in the university’s College of Medicine. It was developed as a hydration supplement for athletics teams at UF in the 1965–66 football season.
The College of Public Health and Health Professions offers a Master’s of Public Health degree with an emphasis on Public Health Management and Policy. The program is hybrid with some courses offered online and others on campus. Students in the program are expected to complete an internship at public health agencies, policy analysis and evaluation institutes, or agencies that offer public health services. They are also expected to complete a special project within their internship that is of special interest to them personally. Examples of special projects could include Strategic planning, Project management, Financial management, Program evaluation/performance measurement, or others.
Degree: MPH Public Health Management and Policy
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
14. George Washington University
George Washington University is home to the Milken Institute School of Public Health that offers many flexible online programs that are monumental to the field of public health in the United States. The US News and World Report ranked the Milken Institute number 14 in the 2015 list of best public health graduate schools in the country. Their online and traditional public health programming is said to be comparable, as students have access to the same resources, including faculty, advisement, and library services, as well as commencement. The school was founded in 1996, as a synthesis of the Medicine, Business, and Education programs at George Washington.
George Washington University features a Public Health School with online coursework that offers a Master’s of Public Health Program program with a focus on Health Policy. This degree concentration is geared towards students who are interested in playing a leadership role in the evolving fields of public health, which comes with the skill set of improving health systems, and implementing policy change and strategy. Graduates of the program will have options of working within a variety of policy oriented fields including children’s health policy, immunization law and policy, women’s health policy, among many other niches. Students will learn how to conduct research that can be a transformational catalyst to a variety of public health sectors.
Degree: MPH Health Policy focus
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
15. Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit Catholic institution of higher learning, and one of the largest within this denomination in the country. Established in 1870, they have always prided themselves on an Ignatian heritage. Service, justice, and faith are tenants that run through their mission. Close to 17,000 students are enrolled as undergraduates and graduates, and they are committed to a 14:1 student to faculty ratio. Their main campus is located on the picturesque edge of Lake Michigan in an environmentally friendly buildings. They have the number 1 graduate success rate out of any other school in the country.
Loyola University in Chicago offers a Master’s of Public Health Degree program that is driven by research and community engagement, and can be taken entirely online. The program has a concentration in Public Health Policy and Management, providing students with the skills to be successful leaders in the public health arena, including at government health and research oriented institutions. Students will be well versed in politics, ethics, management, law, and economics. The flexibility that the online format provides enables students to study at their own pace, on a timeline that works for them. The program includes a practicum and a culminating experience that allows students to apply all of their skills in a “practice setting.”
Degree: MPH – Public Health Policy & Management
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
16. National University
National University is a unique institution of higher learning, as it was designed for veterans as a non-profit university to cater to adult learners with non-traditional academic needs. They were originally established in 1971 as a provider of primarily distance learning programs, with some on campus offerings. For over 20 years National University has been providing high quality online educations to a diversity of students from around the country and the world. Due to their history of supporting veterans, they offer a lot of incentives for military vets and those currently serving to attend classes, including classes on military bases around the country.
National University offer a Master’s in Public Health Degree Program with a Specialization in Healthcare Administration that is administered entirely online. Students in the program will emerge with the skills to hold leadership and managerial positions in global and public health organizations. Coursework includes competencies in financial analysis, with the embolden with the distinct skillset of making long term investment decisions for healthcare organizations. Students will learn how to apply healthcare management information to the organizations that need it the most, and engage research and ideas related to quality management. Graduates of the program will be able to enter the field from a variety of angles and bring a unique lens to the world of public health.
Degree: MPH Specialization in Healthcare Administration
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited
17. New York University
New York University was established in 1831 as a private non-profit research institution of higher learning. Their main campus is in the heart of Manhattan, with many opportunities to use the global city as a classroom. Their campus is spread throughout New York City with the core buildings located in Greenwich Village. They also operate internationally, with sites all over the world, including NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU Shanghai, and Buenos Aires, and Florence, among others. Their logo is the torch that belongs to lady liberty, as symbol of the institution’s commitment to the city of New York. They also have a School of Medicine that can be found near the East River Waterfront.
New York University is the home to The College of Global Public Health that offers a Master’s in Public Health Program with an emphasis on Public Health Policy and Management. This concentration develops leaders in the field who are invested in influencing policy and managing organizations in protection of the communities health. Students will take the same core classes as those in other public health disciplines, prior to choosing between policy and health management as their primary focus. The management specialization will have a deeper focus on budgets and healthcare delivery, and policy will focus on implementation of policies that impact a variety of populations, including those that are the most vulnerable.
Degree: MPH – Global Health Health Policy Health and Human Rights
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
18. Purdue University
Purdue University was founded in 1869 as a public university with an emphasis on research. It is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, on a 2,602 acre campus near the Wabash River. Their undergraduate offerings are vast, as there are over 200 degree options, and 69 programs for master’s and doctoral students. They have the second largest enrollment body out of any other school in the state with over 40,000 students from all disciplines. They are organized into 10 distinct schools in order to create more intimacy among disciplines. Their library system is spread throughout 15 locations on campus.
Purdue University offers an online Master’s of Public Health program that is rich with research and tactical education to understand and create health solutions on a local, national, and global level. The curriculum is packed with real world examples and experiences, The emphasis on Health System Administration and Management will train students for managerial and administrative positions at a variety of public health organizations that tackle the most pressing health issues of our time. An emphasis on budgets, communications, and ethics are embedded into the coursework. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Degree: MPH Health system administration and management concentration
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited
19. University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university in Lawrence, Kansas. They also operate campuses in Overland Park and Kansas City. The university was founded in 1865, but not opened until 1866. Of the many offerings KU students have to choose from the Medical Center is one of the best. The KU Medical Center features three schools: the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and School of Health Professions. Each of these have their own programs of graduate study. The Medical Campus is located in Kansas City and serves more than 3,349 students as of 2016. Many well-known alumni have graduated from KU including the actor Paul Rudd and the late politician Bob Dole.
The University of Kansas KU Medical Center offers a hybrid option Master’s of Public Health Program. The program has been accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) since 1998 and is offered through the Departments of Preventive Medicine and Public Health. KU-MPH is also the only fully accredited MPH program in the state to become member of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). Students can choose from a variety of options of coursework online, but KU-MPH students must complete some of the required courses on campus as well as complete a minimum of 96 hours at an internship site.
Degree: MPH-Public Health Administration
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
20. University of New England
The University of New England is a private university located in Biddeford, Maine, with additional campuses scattered throughout the state. They first opened their doors in 1831, and have undergone many transformations since, including going from a Seminary and a merge with the New England Foundation for Osteopathic Medicine. They are the largest private university in the state of Maine, with an enrollment of close to 14,000 students. They are also the largest educator of healthcare professionals in this state. They offer a comprehensive online distance learning school geared towards both traditional and non-traditional learners, and include a myriad of degree options.
The University of New England has an online school called UNE ONLINE, where they offer a fully online Master’s in Public Health Program, with a focus on Public Health Policy. There are no on-campus residencies or visits required for this program, meaning that students can complete all of the course with computer access. Students can choose to participate in the program in a full time or part time basis, based on the desire and life circumstances of the student. Coursework includes analysis, financial management, leadership, law, ethics, public health policy, among other things. Each student will participate in a practicum that will give them the opportunity to put their learned skills into action in real world situations.
Degree: MPH with a focus in public health policy
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited
21. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
The University of Texas Health Science Center is a graduate-level university and academic health center in Houston. They offer 6 world- renowned schools of study. These include the Cizik School of Nursing, McGovern Medical School, MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School, School of Biomedical Informatics, School of Dentistry, School of Public Health, and the Texas Medical Center. The focus on health science research has put researchers and students on the map. In 2015 alone, UT Health researchers applied for and were issued 12 U.S. patents. They were awarded more than $227 million in research grants, and were awarded over 1,000 contracts and grants for their research.
The MPH in Healthcare Management from UT Health is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in an interdisciplinary public health environment, with a specific focus on management. Students will also develop a basis for understanding key managerial functions within the vast spectrum of public health systems. Something unique about this degree program is the importance placed on private with public healthcare institutional management and allowing for the intersection to only improve access the community has to medical needs. By grouping these two otherwise distinct fields, MPH students have a more flexible and resourced background with which to solve everyday Public Health dilemmas. Many of the UT Health MPH courses can be taken online, but several cannot, making this program Hybrid, if students choose.
Degree: MPH – Healthcare Management
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
22. Des Moines University
Des Moines University was founded in 1898, and is the second oldest Osteopathic medical school in the United States. The campus is located in Des Moines, Iowa on a 22 acre urban campus. They have a small scope as they enroll less than 2,000 students at a time, and employ fewer than 80 full-time faculty members. They are fully accredited by The American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), by The Higher Learning Commission, and by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Their Master’s in Public Health Program is among nine academic programs offered, all of which center osteopathy.
Des Moines University offers an online Master’s in Public Health program with three focuses, including Health Management. This distinct concentration emphasizes the financial underpinnings of the Public Health sectors, as well as the complex realm of administration. The curriculum includes skill building in managerial knowledge, analysis, as well as quality, efficiency, and effectiveness. Students will be prepared to work in a variety of settings, including clinics, hospitals, public health departments, health insurance corporations, and organizations that support long-term care. The program can be completed in as little as two years, and includes an internship experience, as well as a capstone project, both of which ensure students have hands on experience.
Degree: MPH – Health Management
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: ASPPH member
23. Benedictine University
Benedictine University is committed to fostering and educating students from diverse backgrounds and ranges of experience. They are a private liberal arts school based on Catholic and Benedictine traditions. They have become known as a leader in online education, enabling students who require flexibility as a result of their personal and/ or professional lives to have access to high quality post secondary education. Their online courses are built on the most current research, and engage research from the Community of Inquiry Framework, which ensure that students who study online don’t learn in isolation. Part of this model includes virtual coffee chats with peers and faculty, online student groups, and virtual webinars.
Benedictine University has an online Master’s in Public Health Degree program that emphasizes Health Management and Policy. Students will learn all of the critical skills to lead organizations, as well as build inroads for greater healthcare access for all. There will be opportunities for students to participate in coursework related to policy influence and development, and learn to work within a variety of healthcare settings. Many students can qualify to waive the GRE component of the application. The program is fully accredited by the Council of Education for Public Health (CEPH), which highlights the quality of the faculty and curriculum. The program can be completed in 2 years.
Degree: MPH focus on Health Management & Policy
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited
24. University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham, also known as UAB, came out of an academic extension center that was founded in 1936, and in 1966 it became a full-time four year institution of higher learning. It is a public research institution, and one of three schools in the University of Alabama System, and is the only R1 research school in the state. They are also the home to the University of Alabama Health System, which is one of the largest academic health centers in the country. The University of Alabama considers itself to have the most innovative school of public health in the country. They also pride themselves as having the only accredited school of public health in the state.
The University of Alabama at Birmington is has its own School of Public health that has a number of specific concentrations in conjunction with Master’s in Public Health Degree Programs. One of their offerings is an online MPH in Healthcare organization, geared towards students who are interested in managerial and leadership roles in the public health sector. The course of study includes classes in fundamentals of management, marketing, law, economics, and health insurance. This program can be completed by full-time students in 2 years or less, and part time students are able to take as many as 5 years to complete the program.
Degree: MPH – Health Policy and Management
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
25. University of South Florida
The University of South Florida is one of the campuses associated with the University of Florida System. Established in 1956, they are the fourth largest institution of higher learning in the state. They enroll over 48,000 students per year. Their campus, which is located in Tampa Florida is on 1,913 acres of land along Florida’s Gulf Coast. They were ranked by the US News and World Report in 2018 as number 68 in the top public schools in the country. In the Guide to Online Schools, they were named a national leader in online education. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching considers the University of South Florida a top-tier research university.
The University of South Florida offers a far-reaching College of Public health, and among their program offerings is Master’s of Public Health with a concentration in Public Health Administration. This course of study can be taken online, and caters specifically to students who are already working in the field, and interested in administrative and leadership positions in public health. One of the prerequisites for applicants is a minimum of two years with relevant work experience in the field, or in a related discipline, as well as a 3.0 GPA or above in undergraduate work. Students will undergo coursework in law and ethics, as well as financial management.
Degree: MPH-Public Health Administration
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
26. Temple University
Temple University opened their College of Public health in 2015, in response to the expanse of the Health Services Administration and Policy discipline and need. This segment of the university enrolls close to 200 students at a time, who are overseen by 13 full-time faculty members for whom are actively engaged in research along with their own entrepreneurial activities. Temple University is located in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and their College of Public Health is one of the biggest of its kind in the country. As a result of the extensive program offerings at Temple, public health students have many opportunities for relevant interdisciplinary collaboration.
The Temple University College of Public Health offers a specialized Health Policy and Management Master’s in Public Health Degree program that is offered entirely online. The program is designed for students who are already leading the way in the multi-dimensional field of public health. This is one of five distinct MPH degree that Temple offers, and this distinction trains students for managerial roles at complex health organizations, as well as manage governmental and organizational health policy. The program is made up of 45 credit hours, which includes a capstone project that requires hands on field work. Classes are taught by renowned leaders in the field.
Degree: MPH Health Policy and Management
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
27. University of Illinois at Chicago
The University of Illinois at Chicago is known as UIC, and is located in the Near West Side neighborhood, beside the Chicago Loop. One of the things for which they are most known is their medical school, which is the largest in the nation. It also has a research expenditure to match the size, at over $6 billion. They are known for the high level of research activity conducted on their campus, as noted by the Carnegie Classification. This university is considered one of the most ethnically diverse institutions of higher learning in the United States, and is federally designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).
The University of Illinois at Chicago has its own School of Public Health UIC. Much of their mission includes that fact that up to 45% of public health workers are predicted to retire within the next five years, meaning there is a need for qualified innovators to fill those roles. One of their exciting programs is the online Master’s of Public Health in Health Policy Administration. Upon graduation, students will be experts in public health law and administration, as well as communication and public health ethics. Students are given personal advisement to tailor their degree to their personal and career goals.
Degree: MPH Health Policy and Administration, Professional Enhancement Program
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
28. The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi is referred to by students affectionately as Southern Miss. They are a public research focused university, located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, just over an hour north of Gulfport, Mississippi. In 1910 USM was established as a Normal School, and it was the first teacher training school funded by the state. They are known for their research activity, with five sites where research is conducted, including the John C. Stennis Space Center. Southern Miss graduated its 100,000th student in 2000, the same year the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classified Southern Miss as a Doctoral/Research Extensive Institution.
The University of Southern Mississippi is the home to a comprehensive Department of Public Health which offers a specialized MPH degree in Health Policy Administration. Students who apply for this program have the opportunity to apply for a dual degree that includes a Masters in Business Administration. The MPH program can be taken in the online format, enabling a flexibility that allows students to continue with their professional lives while completing this course of study. Classes included Introduction to Health Systems, Health Policy, and an internship that consists of three-nine course credit hours. With this emphasis, students will learn how to analyze the various components of an organization, the delivery of health services and financing.
Degree: MPH Health Policy and Administration
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited
29. SUNY at Albany
The State University of New York in Albany is a public research university located in New York’s capital city. It serves more than 17,000 students per year, and efforts to provide individual success to everyone, offering the resources only a large university can. They offer over 150 undergraduate programs, and 125 graduate programs in 9 colleges and schools. One of these is the School of Public Health that offers a research-oriented faculty, an asset to graduate students. The location of the school in the state’s capital city offers students countless opportunities for employment upon graduation as well as internships and public service opportunities. These give important hands on experience, and prepare students to launch a successful career.
With a concentration in Public Health Practice, students will become familiar with the development of theory- and evidence-based public health interventions, and the steps of program planning and evaluation. Graduates will be qualified to assess public health needs and develop prevention and disease control initiatives, and will understand the uses and principles of evaluation models and methodologies. Graduates will have developed the skills and attributes associated with effective public health leadership and will be prepared to lead communities towards improved health status. The School of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The school is also affiliated with Albany Medical Center and Bassett Healthcare.
Degree: MPH – Public Health Practice
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited, ASPPH member
30. University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is also called UND or simply North Dakota and is a public research university in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school was founded in 1883 by the Dakota Territorial Assembly. This was six years before the 1889 establishment of the state of North Dakota. Although the focus of the school initially was that of a solidly liberal arts school, UND has grown into a scientific research university. The Carnegie Foundation has classified it as having high research activity, and is considered one of the top academic and research universities in the northern Midwest. It is also considered a Space-grant university, due to the focus of its research.
The Master’s of Public Health Degree from UND is one of only a few in the country that places an emphasis on Big Data and Analytics with their Health Management & Policy concentration. This online degree option prepares students for the work of population health improvement in the diverse communities of the Northern Plains and similar regions.They even offer students a Center for Comparative Effectiveness, a laboratory for training in analytics. The MPH program also offers an emphasis on faculty-student research collaboration and an application of system dynamics to public health. The program can be offered either partially or fully online.
Degree: MPH – Health Policy and Management
Cost: $$$$$
Accreditation: CEPH accredited