Source: NCES College Navigator
Are you interested in protecting and promoting health? If so, then you might want to look into the field of public health. This field is both growing and challenging. Earning a Master’s of Public Health degree is an important step to take to advance in this important field. Accelerated online MPH programs are becoming more readily available. With these new programs emerging, it is possible to earn an MPH in as few as 11 months.
Our list of the 10 fastest online MPH programs available can help you earn this degree much faster than in traditional programs. Traditional programs typically take two years or more. There is a great advantage to earning the degree you need in as little time as possible. It allows you to enter the workplace right away. An accelerated online MPH program is your best option. You will save money learning from home, while saving precious time as you complete your degree in just about one year.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. The CDC further explains that public health workers are involved in a wide range of activities. These activities include things such as:
- research
- disease prevention
- healthy lifestyle promotion
- infectious disease response and prevention.
All of these work together with the goal to promote and protect the health of people and communities. Earning your MPH degree can give you the credentials to be a leader. They also enable you to make an impact on public health at the local, national, or global level. The following list of schools are on our top 10 list of fastest MPH online degrees in public health.
1. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
2. University at Buffalo State University of New York, Buffalo, NY
3. New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
4. The George Washington University, Washington DC
5. The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
6. The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
7. The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
8. University of New England, Biddeford, ME
9. Baylor University, Waco, TX
10. Tufts University, Medford, MA
Ranking the Fastest MPH Programs
This ranking of the fastest Master of Public Health (MPH) programs features the fastest accelerated online MPH programs. Each of the programs listed is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Tuition costs listed here were derived from the College Navigator website. Profile information was found at the individual school program websites. Prospective students should check with their school of choice to confirm the tuition cost. On the website, it is also easy to obtain the most up-to-date information on their program of interest. These 10 fastest online MPH programs are ranked based on the shortest time students are able to complete the program. The shortest program received the highest ranking on the list. Programs completed in the same time frame were ranked based on in-state tuition costs.
10. Tufts University, Medford, MA
Tuition $54,196
This online MPH program is offered through Tufts University’s School of Medicine. It addresses public health issues through evidence-based multidisciplinary instruction. The program does this with an emphasis on equity and social justice. Students can choose from two concentrations:
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Population Health Promotion.
Students can complete this robust program in as few as 20 months. To graduate from Tufts with an MPH, students must complete 42 credits. These credits include 24 credits from required courses and 18 credits related to the student’s chosen concentration. This accelerated online MPH program has a collaborative approach. This means that it features live classes while in an online environment. This allows students the freedom to be able to complete their courses anywhere.
Students also have access to online one-on-one time with faculty. They also have access to virtual collaboration space. This allows online students to reap the benefits of working with other students while completing their studies online. Before graduating, students will complete an applied learning experience. This will work to help solidify their knowledge and skills. It will also be a good opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience.
9. Baylor University, Waco, TX
Tuition $33,408
This accelerated online MPH program is offered by Baylor University. It can be completed in just 18 months for full time students. If you attend part-time, the program can be completed in as few as 24 months. BU’s top accelerated online MPH program promises to teach the skills and knowledge that are needed to address complex public health issues. Students will also graduate prepared to help those in their own community. The program is service oriented. There is a high level of collaboration and student engagement. Students have the option to complete a practicum experience in their own community.
Online students are required to complete an on-campus immersion experience. This online MPH program has an emphasis in community health. It also boasts the same exciting MPH experience that you would get on campus. Additionally, it includes a culminating graduate project. This capstone project is designed to give students hands-on training in this challenging field.
8. University of New England, Biddeford, ME
Tuition $27,466
UNH offers an online MPH program that prepares public health professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to promote health in the field. This accelerated online MPH program can be completed in just 18 months. The 42 credit degree program can be completed 100% online.
Students in this online MPH program can choose from either a health education track or an epidemiology track. There are absolutely no on campus requirements for either track. The health education track prepares students for the Certified Health Education Specialist exam. The program’s asynchronous formatted program is offered both full time and part time. This flexibility enables students to learn anytime and anywhere that there is internet access.
The program is led by a dynamic faculty of:
- public health practitioners
- researchers
- educators
Through their guidance, this interactive program promises to provide students with the essential knowledge and skills to become a leader in the important and growing field of public health. One unique offering of this program is the opportunity for students of the MPH program to travel to Ghana, Africa. This two week cross cultural immersion trip takes place yearly. It allows students to gain experience beyond what they can learn in the classroom. The online MPH program at UNH is an ideal fit for working professionals.
7. The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
In-State Tuition $10,552
Out-of-State Tuition $28,278
You can earn your MPH from UNC’s top-ranked Gillings School of Public Health in just 16-20 months. This can be done through their accelerated online MPH program. The program was ranked #1 public health program for public schools by U.S News and World Report in 2021. This particular program is designed for the professional who is seeking to improve health policy and practice. They will learn to do this while learning to eliminate health inequities on both a local and global scale.
This challenging, accelerated online MPH is offered in both part-time or full-time formats. It’s taught through live online courses. Students can expect a supportive community of academic, technical, and career support staff. This staff will be ready and willing to assist them through this rigorous program. All coursework and UNC academic resources can be accessed at any time, day or night, from anywhere there is internet access. The program offers a convenient app which makes this possible. UNC offers research opportunities focusing on important public health problems faced worldwide.
6. The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
In-State Tuition $12,294
Out-of-State Tuition $30,960
The University of Vermont offers an online MPH degree program. This accelerated online program promises to empower students to discover solutions that will improve the quality of life for people. This can be done through the application of:
- public policy
- research
- population health sciences
This highly ranked, accelerated MPH program can be completed in just 15 months of full-time study. The 42 credit online program offers multiple starting dates throughout the year. Students who begin their studies during the summer session can complete this program in just four semesters. Students also have the option to complete this program on a part-time basis.
When studying part time, they can take up to five years to complete the program. Students will explore important and timely public health and policy issues. They can do this while gaining a strong foundation in population health sciences. This program leads to a generalist MPH degree. This degree focuses on:
- environmental public health
- epidemiology
- quantitative public health sciences
- health policy
- leadership
- advocacy
Graduates will be prepared to become well-rounded professionals who are ready to grow in the area of public health that most interests them.
5. The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Tuition $47,880
This one-year MPH program online is offered through the University of Southern California’s top-ranked Keck School of Medicine. This top online accelerated MPH program gives students six concentrations to choose from. These concentrations include:
- biostatistics and epidemiology
- community health promotion
- global health
- geohealth
- health services and policy
- generalist
No campus residencies are required. Students fulfill their practicum requirements at their location. This means that online students are never required to report to campus at all. There are three entry opportunities each year:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Students can take two to four courses each term. The required practicum is completed during the final semester. Students are encouraged to not be employed during this accelerated online MPH program. As well as their online MPH program, USC also offers an MPH fast-track online program. This program is only offered during the summer semester. It is designed for medical students in their gap year or for those completing residencies. The fast track program can also be beneficial for those who wish to speed up their entrance into the workforce. Graduates of any of their online MPH programs become part of the 400,000-person USC alumni network.
4. The George Washington University, Washington, DC
Tuition $31,770
The George Washington University’s accelerated online MPH program can be completed in just 12 months of intensive study. This top MPH online program gives students the ability to customize their degree. This flexibility allows their degree to align with their personal and professional preferences. This can be done through various elective options that are incorporated into every track. Students have six concentrations to choose from. These concentrations include:
- environmental and occupational health
- epidemiology and public health research methods
- global health
- health communication
- health policy
- program planning and evaluation
With a wide variety of electives, students can tailor their coursework to their specific interests and career focus. Students also have the option to customize this online accelerated MPH degree. This can be done by adding a health informatics concentration.
Students enrolled in the demanding one year program are not permitted to work during their program. This rule is in place so that they can fully devote themselves to their studies and graduate ready to work at their full potential. There are two time frames that full time students can choose from – a 1 year accelerated track program or an 18 month accelerated track program. The one year program requires 60-80 hours of weekly coursework. The 18 month program requires 40-60 hours of weekly coursework. Students in the 18 month program are allowed to work up to 20 hours each week.
3. New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Tuition $25,338
New York Medical College offers this one-year, accelerated MPH program. It gives students the option of two concentrations through their School of Health Sciences and Practice. The health policy and management concentration is offered in both on-campus or online formats. It is to be completed over three consecutive semesters:
- summer
- fall
- spring
This program complements the education of healthcare practitioners. It aims to provide an understanding of principles of:
- public health
- community outreach
- systems management
This program requires the completion of 15 courses (42 credits) and a public health Applied Practice Experience for a total of 43 credits.
The other program option is a one-year accelerated MPH with a concentration in health behavior and community health. This option is a hybrid program with courses both on campus and online. It also includes a residency requirement. This program also requires the completion of 43 credits. Students in this one-year, accelerated MPH program complete an applied practice experience. They also take a comprehensive examination during this demanding, yet rewarding program.
2. University at Buffalo State University of New York, Buffalo, NY
In-State Tuition $11,310
Out-of-State Tuition $23,100
This accelerated MPH degree program at the University of Buffalo can be completed by qualified and highly motivated students in just one year. This robust, online MPH option is designed for students with a terminal degree and significant work or academic experience in public health or a related area. Students complete their:
- academic coursework
- field training
- culminating project
They do this over the fall, winter, spring, and summer semesters. This totals one year of study. This top accelerated MPH program is offered in six concentrations. These six concentrations include:
- biostatistics
- community health and health behavior
- environmental health
- epidemiology
- health services administration
- an individualized MPH.
1. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Tuition $57,010
Johns Hopkins University’s accelerated, full-time MPH program can be completed in just 11 months. With 12 concentrations to choose from, this accelerated program promises to prepare students to become leaders in public health. This is accomplished through its robust curriculum. The full-time program consists of five eight-week terms allowing students to complete 80 credits. Many of these credits need to be completed on site at the East Baltimore campus.
Students are challenged in the diverse and collaborative environment. They also have the opportunity to interact with world-renowned public health faculty members who practice and conduct research around the globe. For those who are not in a rush, the MPH program can be completed part time at a slower pace. When choosing the slower option, it is possible to complete this MPH degree program entirely online. Part time students have up to four years to complete the program. With a capstone project to apply knowledge and skills, students tackle a relevant public health issue. This project helps them to meet their professional interests and goals.
The following is a list of the concentration options that MPH students have. Concentrations include:
- aging and public health
- child and adolescent health
- epidemiologic and biostatistical methods for public health and clinical research
- food nutrition and health
- food systems
- global environmental sustainability and health
- health leadership and management
- health systems and policy
- humanitarian health
- infectious diseases
- social and behavioral sciences in public health
- women’s and reproductive health
JHU’s one-year MPH program is known far and wide. Graduates become part of the largest MPH alumni network in the world.
FAQ
Additional programs not listed may offer students:
- advanced degrees
- accelerated programs
- MPH online programs needing no GRE
- MPH programs with fewer credits than the typical program.
Some schools and programs also provide an accelerated, one-year MPH program following completion of an undergraduate program from that university.
There are five core public health disciplines including: epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioral sciences, health policy and management, and environmental and occupational health. Sub-disciplines in public health may include economics, public policy, reproductive health, community health, nutrition.
An MPH gives you the opportunity to develop as a professional and have additional skills to apply to the public health field. One of the best ways that a MPH degree can advance your career is to open the doors to be able to secure a leadership role in the field. An MPH is the gold standard for gaining job opportunities and higher pay.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention plays a huge part in public health with a staff of over 14,000 public health workers in about 170 different occupations in the US and abroad. The CDC is also involved in food and water safety, predicting and responding to disease outbreaks and public education.
Having your MPH along with applicable experience puts you in a position to get a job with the CDC. Jobs for MPH holders include public health analyst, health scientist, epidemiologist, or research scientist. Federal benefit packages are known to be some of the best offered. Expect competition.
Some of the most common places to work are hospitals, state or local health departments, schools, and health clinics. Research and lab facilities and academic jobs are also places to work.
Having a master’s degree in public health makes you eligible for higher paying jobs. Some of the highest paying jobs in public health include health and safety engineer, medical health and services manager, epidemiologist, and biostatistician and biomedical engineer. Other top paying jobs include natural sciences manager, health and wellness manager, public health director or administrator, or emergency management director.
The American Public Health Association (APHA) is the professional organization for public health workers. APHA works to strengthen the profession and influence federal policies. They have a global membership with members from over 40 countries.
By Carol Dolan BS RN BSN CDCES
MPH staff, 2023
Related rankings:
This concludes our ranking of the 10 fastest online MPH degrees.
Carol graduated with her BS in Nutrition from Montclair State University and her BSN in Nursing from Rowan University. She is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) currently working with adults and children living with diabetes in both outpatient and inpatient settings.