MPH Programs in California - Master's in Public Health Degree Programs

MPH Programs in California

Many options are available to those seeking MPH programs in California. The Masters in Public Health degree focuses on local, national, and global health policies and practices. The prerequisites for enrollment into this particular program usually include the successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, completion of biological or social science courses, and the completion of university-level mathematical or statistical courses. Those interested in pursuing this degree program range from medical students who are interested in the public policy side of health care to business administrators interested in gaining access to health-related careers. Opportunities for public health careers may be found in public health hospitals, veteran’s hospitals, Centers for Disease Control, and other government-run health organizations.

The Top MPH Programs in California

California has 20 graduate schools accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The CEPH is a specialized accrediting agency that enforces quality standards for Master of Public Health programs. Attending a CEPH-accredited college ensures the master’s curriculum will properly prepare public health practitioners. Picking a school with CEPH accreditation also qualifies graduates for taking the Certified in Public Health exam. Here’s a brief introduction to the accredited on-campus and online MPH programs in California.

California Baptist University – The College of Health Science offers a 48-credit, CEPH-accredited Master of Public Health in Riverside for $40,944 total with two concentrations: Health Education & Promotion or Health Policy & Administration. Online on Blackboard, there’s also a 44-credit, 16-month Generalist Master of Public Health.
California State University Fresno – Each Fall, the College of Health & Human Services starts full-time, two-year MPH in Health Promotion cohorts for bachelor’s grads with GPAs above 3.0. The 42-credit, CEPH-accredited track currently costs $2,500 per semester for San Joaquin Valley courses with an 8:1 student-faculty ratio.
California State University Fullerton – Accredited in April 2013, the Department of Public Health provides three MPH specializations: Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Environmental & Occupational Health, or Gerontological Health. The 42-credit, full-time program requires $8,304 each year and 240 practicum hours.
California State University Long Beach – Since 1983, the Department of Health Science has awarded an MPH in Community Health Education with a 42-unit, CEPH-accredited sequence of evening courses after 4:00 pm. Graduates of the $21,490-$28,618 Long Beach program can become Certified Health Education Specialists.
California State University Northridge – The Department of Health Sciences has a December 1st priority deadline for MPH applicants in two 42-credit, CEPH-accredited tracks: Community Health Education or Applied Epidemiology. Current tuition is $4,223 per term for San Fernando Valley courses and 300-hour internships.
California State University San Bernardino – The Department of Health Science & Human Ecology confers a 56-unit MPH in Community Health Education for $4,215 per term during evenings, on Saturdays, and partially online. Majors with 3.0 or better GPAs in the two-year, CEPH-accredited program can pledge Eta Sigma Gamma.
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science – For $961 per unit, the Master of Public Health builds a 45-credit, CEPH-accredited pathway where evening cohorts of 25 earn the Urban Health Disparities concentration. Los Angeles courses lead to 300-hour practicum placements like the City of Hope and Cedar-Sinai Medical Center.
Claremont Graduate University – The School of Community & Global Health charges $2,000 per unit for a 48-credit, CEPH-accredited Master of Public Health with an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. There’s rolling admission into three specialties: Health Promotion, Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology, or Leadership and Management.
Loma Linda University – In the Inland Empire, the School of Public Health provides a 56-unit, CEPH-accredited MPH for $895 per unit with four concentrations: Epidemiology, Global Health, Nutrition, or Population Medicine. There’s also an MPH in Health Education & Wellness Coaching available online with the same 400-hour internship.
National University – Launched in April 2009, the Master of Public Health presents its 72-unit, CEPH-accredited plan with fast four-week courses online or at the Health Sciences Center in San Diego. Students pay $1,989 per 4.5-unit course in three concentrations: Mental Health, Health Promotion, or Healthcare Administration.
San Diego State University – Directed by Dr. Hala Madanat in Hardy Tower, the School of Public Health offers a 51-unit, CEPH-accredited MPH in Biometry, Environmental Health, Health Management & Policy, or Epidemiology. There’s an 18-month MPH in Health Promotion & Behavioral Science for $562 per unit online worldwide too.
San Francisco State University – The College of Health & Social Sciences delivers a 44-unit, CEPH-accredited MPH in Community Health Education with a five-semester plan of 17 courses and two field practica. Students presently spend $4,352 to $6,728 each term unless they qualify for the Graduate Equity Fellowship Program.
San José State University – Accredited since 1974, the Department of Public Health & Recreation grants a 42-unit, 24-month MPH in Community Health Education for CHES certification online or in Silicon Valley for $24,150 total. Both formats require 400 fieldwork hours at partners like Kaiser Permanente and Tri-City Health Center.
Touro University California – Currently priced $900 per unit, the Master of Public Health follows a 42-unit, CEPH-accredited path for Certified in Public Health exam prep with two custom concentrations: Community Action for Health or Global Health. There are Joint MSPAS/MPH, DO/MPH, and PharmD/MPH programs available too.
University of California Berkeley – Ranked ninth by the U.S. News & World Report, the School of Public Health tailors its 48-unit, CEPH-accredited curriculum with 12 MPH concentrations, such as Infectious Diseases, Nutrition, and Biostatistics. Current professionals can pursue a shorter 42-unit Online MPH for $1,277 per unit.
University of California Davis – Each August since 2002, the School of Medicine has admitted Accelerated MPH cohorts of 40 in General Public Health or Epidemiology tracks for 10-12 months, including 240+ practicum hours. The 56-unit, CEPH-accredited program costs $37,980 to $53,082 total with a 96 percent job placement rate.
University of California Irvine – Formed in 2010, the Master of Public Health has a June 1st deadline to begin Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, or Sociocultural Diversity and Health concentrations. The 64-unit, CEPH-accredited sequence spans five quarters and 240 fieldwork hours for $32,828 to $65,656 overall.
University of California Los Angeles – The Fielding School of Public Health ranks 11th on the U.S. News & World Report for a 62-unit, CEPH-accredited MPH with an annual tuition of $16,325 to $28,570. Students specialize in five areas: Biostatistics, Community Health, Epidemiology, Environmental Health, or Health Policy & Management.
University of San Francisco – Online or at three California campuses, the Master of Public Health delivers 45-credit, CEPH-accredited concentrations in Community & Public Health Practice, Health Policy Leadership, and Behavioral Health. The six-semester program integrates courses costing $1,480 per unit and 250 field hours.
University of Southern California – The Keck School of Medicine provides a 42-unit, CEPH-accredited MPH with full-time $38,560 tuition in four Los Angeles tracks: Global Health, Health Services & Policy, Health Promotion, or Biostatistics & Epidemiology. Also check out the Online MPH, Dual MSW/MPH, and Dual MD/MPH.

Scholarships for MPH Programs in California

The “Golden State” has many golden opportunities to save tuition money. Most of the MPH programs in California above offer merit- and need-based financial aid. Third-party California organizations also offer free scholarships to afford a Master of Public Health degree. Let’s look at a few graduate public health scholarships in California.

Charles Senn Scholarship – The California Environmental Health Association in Costa Mesa gives this $1,000 one-time award each Spring to exemplary MPH students who aim to protect people from environmental hazards.
Allied Healthcare Scholarship – The Office of Statewide Health Planning & Development offers this $8,000 prize to future California clinicians, including community health workers, who sign 12-month service obligations.
CANFIT Graduate Scholarship – The Communities, Adolescents, Nutrition, and Fitness Foundation has a March 31st deadline for this $1,000 scholarship that assists minority California MPH students with GPAs above 3.0.
Lynn Adamson Memorial Scholarship – The Women Health Care Executives confers this $5,000 gift to outstanding Master of Public Health majors in California’s San Francisco Bay Area who excel in leadership.

California MPH students can apply for national public health scholarships too. For example, the Foster G. McGaw Graduate Scholarship offers $5,000 to U.S. or Canadian citizens who pursue a Master of Public Health for health administration jobs. The Florence Young Memorial Scholarship gifts $1,500 to Native-American students who pursue MPH degrees to enhance tribal health. The Vivian Drenckhahn Student Scholarship bestows $2,500 each Fall to three SOPHE members who attend public health schools full-time for the Certified Health Education Specialist title.

In-Demand Public Health Jobs in California

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare occupations will see much faster-than-average growth of 14 percent by 2028. Demand in community health education will jump 11 percent. Health management jobs will skyrocket by 18 percent this decade. Environmental health specialists will also see double-digit growth of 10 percent. The World Health Organization expects the health workforce will surpass 12.9 million before 2035. America is predicting a shortage of 250,000 public health practitioners by then. Here are some common MPH jobs in California.

Epidemiologist – California currently employs 720 epidemiologists with an average pay of $91,800. Epidemiologists are public health researchers who investigate infectious diseases and chronic illnesses to find prevention tools.
Health Administrator – California has 36,940 health administrators who report mean $133,040 earnings. Health administrators are upper-level managers who are responsible for coordinating clinical patient services.
Occupational Health Specialist – California has 8,430 occupational health jobs that offer median income of $90,560. Occupational health specialists inspect work environments to protect the well-being of employees.
Health Education Specialist – California employs 7,230 health education specialists who make $64,790 on average. Health education specialists with CHES certification teach the public healthier lifestyle habits.

Other popular MPH careers in California include biostatistician, public health nurse, nutritionist, health policy analyst, environmental health specialist, clinical research analyst, emergency management director, infection control officer, and water quality investigator. Earning a Dual Master of Public Health opens up even more jobs from surgery to social work. Top accredited MPH programs in California lead to diverse vocations helping people stay healthy.