Earning a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) is a powerful step toward making a lasting impact on communities and health systems around the world. Whether you’re passionate about disease prevention, health policy, or global health equity, an MPH degree can equip you with the knowledge and skills to lead meaningful change. Whether you’re currently working in healthcare, just finishing your undergraduate studies, or seeking a career shift into the public health field, an MPH can equip you with the interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills needed to lead in this vital area.
With an MPH, you prepare to face and resolve real-life health issues, and in the same way, help your community. Through careers like health educator, public health analyst, epidemiologist, and program manager, MPH graduates can do it all. From positions in government and nonprofit organizations to more healthcare and research-focused positions.
All that aside, where do you start?
Step-by-step process to earning an MPH
Though graduate school can be intimidating, the path to pursuing a Master’s in Public Health program is clear and achievable. Here, we have a breakdown of the process so you can see your goals as they are—tangible and clear.
Research accredited programs
To start, you need to make sure you pick the right school—one that is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). These credentials will tell you and future employers that your education meets the demanding standards of the industry, and that you are well prepared for almost anything that comes your way. Some employers even require that you graduate from a NECHE-accredited program, especially those relating to public health, including federal and state agencies.
Once you’ve selected your desired school, or have whittled it down to a few options, your next task will be to choose the format in which you’ll attend your program: online, hybrid, or in-person. You should aim to join a program that suits your lifestyle and preferred type of environment, so check what you like and dislike from these options, and move from there!
Meet MPH admissions requirements
The basic and most common admission requirements for an MPH are as follows:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum GPA (typically 3.0 or higher)
- Standardized test scores (GRE, sometimes optional)
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume or CV
- Statement of purpose or personal statement
Submit a strong Master’s in Public Health application
Meeting the basic requirements allows you to submit an application, but you need to stand out and demonstrate you’re grad-school-ready if you want to get into your dream program. The personal statement is the requirement with the most capacity to let you shine, so craft a thoughtful statement.
If you apply to multiple programs, make sure each essay is unique. You can write about why you want to pursue an MPH, your experiences, interests, and specific professional goals, but also reference faculty in the program you are excited to meet or work with, and research opportunities you seek.
Once you’ve set yourself apart with your statement of purpose, your letters of recommendation need to be on par. Choose professors, supervisors, or colleagues who can speak well of you and your abilities relating to public health. Lastly, ensure your resume or CV is up to date with all your relevant experiences in public health, including work experience, internships, research projects, and community service.
Polishing these three character references for admissions committees will show that you are a strong applicant and that you are ready to complete your degree.
Make a Meaningful Difference with a Master’s in Public Health!
Completing your MPH degree
All your diligent work will likely gain you acceptance into the perfect MPH program for you, but that’s just the beginning of the fun. Tailored coursework, hands-on experience, and professional growth are waiting for you once classes begin.
Typical program structure
The core MPH curriculum structures a solid foundation across public health disciplines. At University of Bridgeport, for example, the MPH curriculum requires the completion of 42 credits, which can be distributed in classes such as epidemiology, biostatistics, public health policy, environmental health, social and behavioral sciences, and research methods. As well as global public health and emergency management topics.
In addition to your core coursework, many programs offer an opportunity to specialize in an area of your choice through elective classes. Some concentrations include global health, community health, or health policy and management. You will finalize your degree by completing a capstone project or practicum, preparing your practical skills for the professional field.
Potential MPH concentrations
As mentioned, concentrations within public health are available through carefully selecting your elective classes. Some of the most common MPH concentrations are as follows:
- Global Health: Students with this concentration study health issues that span the whole globe, and take on professional roles like safety coordinator ($78,900) or global policy analyst ($78,300).
- Community Health: With this concentration, you’d work directly with your community to improve their health. You can become a healthcare manager ($117,960) to coordinate the activities of a service provider in a local neighborhood, or a substance abuse counselor ($59,190) to support your community.
- Epidemiology: The study and control of disease patterns. Though you will grow into an epidemiologist ($83,980), you can operate in different fields to fulfill positions like infection control, pharmaceutical, molecular, and many more.
- Biostatistics: analyzing health-related data and quantitative research, you can become a biological technician ($52,000) or a data scientist ($112,590).
Environmental Public Health: You will study the impacts of environmental factors on health in the field in positions like environmental scientists ($80,060) or environmental engineers ($104,170). - Public Health Policy: Influence and development of health-related legislation and systems in roles like political scientist ($139,380) or legal assistant ($61,010).
Other concentrations also include public health nutrition, management, and social and behavioral sciences. Each concentration offers focused knowledge and skills for their particular roles. It’s just a matter of which one speaks the most to you! A career concentration will offer you a competitive edge in the job market, but it has to be something you are interested in, so take some time to make your choices. A Master’s in Public Health is waiting for you.
Ready to start your journey?
At University of Bridgeport, you can explore your professional goals through many flexible careers.