Master of Public Health (MPH)

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°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍøÖ±²¥â€™s Master of Public Health (MPH) program offers you the interdisciplinary public health knowledge and expertise needed to develop and lead efforts to improve health.

The MPH program offers broad exposure to social, cultural, physical, political and economic aspects of health. The curriculum provides an understanding of public health core competencies such as program planning, grant writing, health communication, education, research methods, and data analysis.

Upon graduation you'll apply these skills and a public health perspective to the professional field, or utilize them to chart a new path in the field of public health.

One Program, Two Ways

Our program:

  • Is completed primarily in an Asynchronous online format.
    • During the fall and spring semesters attendance is required at two Saturday sessions. These sessions may be attended in a Hyflex mode at our Grand Rapids campus or Synchronously online.
    • All summer courses are Asynchronous online.
  • Is a cohort model in which all students begin in the fall semester and complete the program in approximately 28 months (two years plus one semester).
  • Is a generalist program intended to develop public health practitioners.
  • Is designed specifically available for working professionals.

NOTE: You must select a format Hyflex (Grand Rapids campus) or Synchronously online on your application to the MPH program. Your tuition rate is based on the format you choose. °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍøÖ±²¥'s online tuition rate is lower than the out-of-state rate, so the fully online option may be less costly for out-of-state students.

Application Deadline

For full consideration, submit your application by May 15. Applications received after May 15 will be considered if space in the student cohort is available.

APPLY TODAY   REQUIREMENTS

Course Schedule Sample

Fall Semester

  • MPH 6010: Public Health Concepts
  • MPH 6110: Descriptive Epidemiology & Biostatistics

Spring Semester

  • MPH 6030: Social & Behavioral Aspects of Health
  • MPH 6120: Analytic Epidemiology & Biostatistics

Summer I Semester

  • MPH 6070: Environmental Health Services

Summer II Semester

  • MPH 6050: Global & Cultural Issues

Fall Semester

  • MPH 6210: Public Health Planning & Evaluation
  • MPH 6410: Research Methods in Public Health

Spring Semester

  • MPH 6220: Health Education & Promotion Strategies
  • MPH 6230: Public Health Communication Strategies

Summer I Semester

  • MPH 6310: Public Health Policy
  • MPH 6420: Integrative Learning Project Proposal

Summer II Semester

  • Public Health Systems Administration

Fall

  • MPH 6330: Grant & Proposal Writing
  • MPH 6430: Integrated Learning Project Capstone

Tuition

Tuition at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍøÖ±²¥ is set by the Board of Trustees and is due the first day of the semester.

Curriculum

The 42 credit-hour program is delivered across 28 months in a hyflex or fully online format.

Questions

Contact us for more info or to set up an appointment to discuss the program.

Our Students

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Alumni Spotlight

Chad Atwood °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍøÖ±²¥ MPH class of 2018 is an emergency management specialist with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and in 2023 he was chosen as one of only 40 candidates for the FEMA future leaders program. 

 

Job outlook

Where do individuals with an MPH work? What is the job outlook for MPH graduates

°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍøÖ±²¥'s MPH degree doesn't necessarily qualify you for any particular job. However, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍøÖ±²¥'s MPH degree does guarantee that you will bring a diverse, population health perspective to any public health related career, where growth is expected to be 5 – 11% in the next 10 years, or to a health care or clinical health-oriented career. There are many job titles that fit nicely with the education you'll receive in the MPH program at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍøÖ±²¥ which are expected to have higher than average growth rates in the next decade:

  • Epidemiologists: 19% job growth projected by 2033; 2023 median pay - $81,390 per year
  • Health services managers: 29% job growth projected by 2033; 2023 median pay - $110,680 per year
  • Health education specialists: 7% job growth projected by 2032; 2023 median pay - $62,860 per year
  • Occupational health and safety specialists: 13% job growth projected between 2032
  • Biostatisticians: 11% job growth projected between 2033; 2023 median pay - $77,580 per year.

Applying to the MPH program

For full consideration, submit your application by May 15. Applications received after May 15 will be considered if space in the student cohort is available.

°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍøÖ±²¥'s online graduate application system allows you to enter all required information into one system. Before initiating your application, review the summary of program requirements from the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍøÖ±²¥ Graduate College. You may want to bookmark this information for quick reference while working through the MPH program application process.

The MPH program provides students two format options (Hyflex or Fully online). When you apply, you will need to choose a designation at that time. If you wish to have the option of coming to the Grand Rapids campus for class, you will need to apply to the Hyflex program (i.e., the Grand Rapids regional site). If you wish to be virtual for the entirety of the program, please choose the online format designation. Please email Dr. Mark Kelley, director, (mark.kelley@wmich.edu) with any questions. 

The minimum requirements for admission to the Master of Public Health at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍøÖ±²¥ are listed below.  

  1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  2. An official transcript from EACH institution of higher education attended since high school, even if a degree was not conferred or credits were transferred. (°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍøÖ±²¥ graduates: your °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍøÖ±²¥ transcripts will be automatically uploaded)
  3. An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate work.
  4. Undergraduate courses in biology/anatomy & physiology, statistics, psychology/behavior change and communication are strongly recommended.
  5. Current resume or curriculum vitae.
  6. Three references â€“ at least one from an individual who can attest to your academic potential and one from a supervisor or other professional who can attest to your work skills. Ideally, one of the references works in a public health-related field.  
  7. personal statement that includes:
  • What sparked your interest in public health
  • Evidence that your employment, academic or volunteer background is related to public health
  • A concise statement of your career goals and how °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍøÖ±²¥â€™s generalist MPH degree will help you achieve these goals
  • Why you chose to apply for hybrid format program
  • Why you believe you will be successful in a predominantly online educational environment

Interested in Learning More?

Our team would love the opportunity to discuss and provide more details on the things going on in the MPH program. Let us know how we can connect with you!

International Applicants

Due to the MPH program’s hyflex format, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍøÖ±²¥ is unable to issue Forms I-20 for prospective F-1 students.