Easiest MPH Programs

Our country has never been more in need of good public health and a good public health system. This bodes well for the numerous people interested in careers in public health. There are many excellent careers in public health, many of which require degrees. Aspiring public health professionals looking for high-leadership positions often pursue an MPH. Within this article, you will learn more about the MPH as well as a list of some of the easiest MPH programs.

What is an MPH?

The MPH, also known as Master of Public Health, is a graduate degree program that focuses on public health. This interdisciplinary graduate degree is aimed at teaching students and helping them develop skills in various areas of public health, including health policy, epidemiology, program planning and evaluation, biostatistics, and environmental health, among others.

MPH students also learn about current wellness and health trends as well as the best practices and scientific methods to change health habits in various settings. Some of the potential job opportunities for MPH graduates include:

• Clinical
• Administrative
• Research
• Analysis
• Community
• Political Science
• Food Safety
• Education
• Working in specific demographics

People often underestimate the importance of public health. They don’t often realize that without public health, we would not have disease prevention, health promotion, clean drinking water, vaccinations, immunizations, infectious disease control, and so much more.

MPH programs are offered at many colleges and universities. These are typically programs that can take a couple of years to complete. Many MPH programs are offered online. In fact, many online MPH programs are considered as the easiest MPH programs.

Who Needs an MPH?

Deciding to pursue an MPH can be a big decision. However, once you decide to earn the degree, you’ll be amazed at the various career and job opportunities available to MPH graduates. Whether you’re interested in educating individuals and groups; helping develop legislation and policies; performing research; tracking diseases; or working as a school nurse, you’ll have all these possibilities available with an MPH.

It’s hard to decide exactly who the MPH would be best for because this degree opens so many options. An individual interested in food safety, environmental health, or even working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention might find the MPH the perfect degree choice.

This is considered such an exciting degree because it spans so many different directions, and the need for qualified public health professionals is so high. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that a 12 percent job growth is predicted for community health workers and health education specialists during the 2021-2031 decade.

Stats and Facts about MPH Programs

• After the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of students pursuing public health degrees increased by 40 percent according to the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health.
• Just in San Diego State alone, there was a 23 percent increase in MPH applicants from 2020 to 2021 as reported by Fortune.
• MPH programs often offer several areas of concentration.
• There are more than 180 accredited online MPH programs.
• The states with the most MPH programs are California, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

You might wonder why a student would choose from the easiest MPH programs. There are several reasons.

• The tuition might be less.
• The time to complete it might be less.
• They might have fewer admission requirements.
• Entrance exams may not be required.
• The chance of getting into the programs might be better.

Keep in mind that even though they are described as the easiest MPH programs, they are not necessarily easy just some of the easiest. Below you will find 15 of the easiest MPH programs.

15 Easiest MPH Programs

1. Western Kentucky University

Master of Public Health

• Admission Requirements – Must be enrolled in a graduate degree program; must have either a 3.2 GPA or a GRE score of 148 quantitative, 145 verbal, and 3.0 analytical writing; without high scores, the applicant must have at least three years of public health work experience; must provide a resume, two personal references, and a written personal statement
• What Type of MPH Program is it? – This is a 42-credit online program that offers three areas of concentration. Students must complete a capstone project or thesis.
• Time to Graduate – Two to 2 ½ years
• Cost/Value – $607 per credit hour
• What Makes it Easier – It’s a fully online program that students can take at their own pace.

2. University of Southern Mississippi

Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Administration

• Admission Requirements – In addition to having a bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 GPA, applicants must have a resume, three letters of recommendation, transcripts, a statement of purpose, and an application submitted.
• What Type of MPH Program is it? This is an online program that requires completing 45 credits.
• Time to Graduate – The average time is three years, but it can be completed in one to three years depending on the course load the student chooses.
• Cost/Value – At $519 per credit hour, this is one of the more affordable MPH programs.
• What Makes it Easier – It’s fully online, has low fees, and has no GRE requirement.

3. Southern Illinois University

Master of Public Health in Community Health Education

• Admission Requirements – Applicants must have an undergraduate degree with a 3.0 GPA and submit an application, resume, transcripts, application fee, and three letters of recommendation.
• What Type of MPH Program is it? This is a fully online 42-credit program that prepares students to work in positions where they can address public health issues and disparity through its concentration in community health education.
• Time to Graduate – It must be completed in six calendar years but can be completed in much less.
• Cost/Value – $460 per credit hour; out-of-state students pay same tuition as in-state students
• What Makes it Easier – It’s fully online and gives students sufficient time to complete the program. It’s also very easy to get into this program.

4. Georgia Southern University

Master of Public Health

• Admission Requirements – Must have a bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 GPA, a resume, personal statement, and letters of reference, and a good academic record.
• What Type of MPH Program is it? This is a 45-credit-hour program that offers concentrations in health informatics and applied public health. Students must complete a practicum course (20-25 hours weekly) during the last semester.
• Time to Graduate – Two years or less if more courses per semester are taken
• Cost/Value – Very affordable tuition $277 per credit hour
• What Makes it Easier – The curriculum can be customized to meet the student’s area of interest and career goals. There is no GRE requirement.

5. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Master of Public Health

• Admission Requirements – Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with a GPA of 3.0. They must also submit a resume, transcripts, and a 500-word statement of goals.
• What Type of MPH Program is it? – This 42-credit online program has the student not only completing coursework but also completing a practicum course in a real-life setting.
• Time to Graduate – Two years
• Cost/Value – In addition to affordable tuition, this school offers student loans, grants, and opportunities for assistance from work-study programs.
• What Makes it Easier – It’s easier to get into if the individual has prior experience working in public health.

6. Old Dominion University

Master of Public Health

• Admission Requirements – Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and professional experience, and must submit two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a resume.
• What Type of MPH Program is it? This is a 43-credit-hour online program that offers concentrations n global environmental health; applied epidemiology & public health data analytics; and health behavior & health promotion. It requires completing a capstone project.
• Time to Graduate – Two years
• Cost/Value – $571 per credit hour for in-state students; $595 or out-of-state students
• What Makes it Easier – There is no GRE or GMAT requirement. It’s offered both full- and part-time, and students can complete an internship in their community to obtain real-life experience.

7. Kansas City University

Master of Public Health

• Admission Requirements – Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA and submit three letters of reference, transcripts, and a letter or purpose stating why the student chose this program, where their interest is, and any related experiences they might have. They must also sit through a 30-minute interview.
• What Type of MPH Program is it? KSU’s MPH is a 42-credit program that offers concentrations in Food Safety & Biosecurity and Public Health Nutrition. Students also complete a public health project.
• Time to Graduate – It can be completed in two years but does not have a specific time in which it must be completed.
• Cost/Value – $585 per credit hour; students may get financial aid through the school as well as through the public health department.
• What Makes it Easier – It’s a 100 percent online program with no campus visits required. The program has a high (94 percent) acceptance rate.

8. University of South Dakota

Master of Public Health

• Admission Requirements – Completed bachelor’s degree with 3.0 GPA, completed application, resume, transcripts, statement of purpose, application fee, letters of recommendation, and criminal background check.
• What Type of MPH Program is it? – This online program requires completing 42 credits and allows students to choose courses based on career goals and interests.
• Time to Graduate – Two years but can be from one to three years
• Cost/Value – $340 per credit; students also have financial aid and graduate assistantships.
• What Makes it Easier – This program is 100 percent online and allows students to continue working while earning the degree.

9. Georgia Mason University

Master of Public Health

• Admission Requirements – In addition to having a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA, applicants must submit transcripts, a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
• What Type of MPH Program is it? – This fully online 42-credit program offers a concentration in public health practice.
• Time to Graduate – Two years
• Cost/Value – $564 per credit, but does offer discounts for online students
• What Makes it Easier – This is a very flexible program that is easy to get into and allows students to learn at their own pace.

10. University of Arizona

Master of Public Health

• Admission Requirements – official transcripts with 3.0 GPA, submitted online application, resume, two letters of recommendation, and letter of purpose; must also complete prerequisite courses
• What Type of MPH Program is it? – This 42-credit-hour program offers three areas of concentration: health services administration, applied epidemiology, and health behavior health promotion.
• Time to Graduate – Full-time students can complete this program in two years.
• Cost/Value – Approximately $5,930 for six credits; Tuition may be higher than some, but this school is highly ranked.
• What Makes it Easier – It’s fully online but also offers students the opportunity to learn more through an internship.

11. George Washington University

Master of Public Health

• Admission Requirements – Must have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA, official transcripts, resume, personal letter of purpose, letters of recommendation, and related work experience.
• What Type of MPH Program is it? Offered through GWU’s Milken Institute School of Public Health, this highly ranked online program requires the completion of 45 credits. It offers a concentration in health informatics.
• Time to Graduate – One year but can take longer for part-time students.
• Cost/Value – In addition to affordable tuition, applicants can get bonuses for applying early.
• What Makes it Easier – It’s fully online and allows students to choose the courses that best meet their area of interest.

12. University of New England

Master of Public Health –Epidemiology

• Admission Requirements – In addition to providing a resume, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements, applicants must demonstrate high academic ability and performance.
• What Type of MPH Program is it? – This fully online program, which consists of 42 credits, offers a concentration in epidemiology, global health, health education, or a generalized curriculum. Students also can participate in a two-week session in Ghana.
• Time to Graduate – This program can be completed in 18 months.
• Cost/Value– $770 per credit
• What Makes it Easier– It’s a fully online program with no campus visits and offers students more than one area of concentration as well as summer courses.

13. National University

Master of Public Health

• Admission Requirements – Must have a bachelor’s degree with a 2.85 GPA and must have completed a Statistics course. Must also submit an application and a signed enrollment agreement.
• What Type of MPH Program is it? – This MPH requires completion of 72 quarter units and offers three areas of concentration: community mental health, health promotion, and healthcare administration.
• Time to Graduate – This program can be finished in 18 months.
• Cost/Value – $442 per quarter unit
• What Makes it Easier – The four-week courses allow students to begin earlier and finish earlier.

14. University of Toledo

Master of Public Health – Generalist

• Admission Requirements – Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 GPA, resume, three letters of recommendation, an application, transcripts, and a GRE score.
• What Type of MPH Program is it? This 45-credit program, with a generalist concentration, offers students a blended curriculum of theory and practice as well as a focus on health policies, health promotion, and epidemiology.
• Time to Graduate – Four semesters if full-time or eight semesters for part-time
• Cost/Value – $420 per credit hour; Eligible students can get generous financial aid packages.
• What Makes it Easier – It has a very high acceptance rate and allows students to learn and graduate at their own pace. The 300-hour required internship can be completed at the student’s convenience as long as it’s completed by the end of the program.

15. University of Montana

Master of Public Health

• Admission Requirements – Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and must provide an application, letters of recommendation, resume, personal statement, and official transcripts from all schools attended.
• What Type of MPH Program is it? This 42-credit online program requires the completion of six capstone credits, 27 core courses, and nice electives. It offers a concentration in community health and prevention sciences.
• Time to Graduate – Two years with full-time studies
• Cost/Value – $182 per credit hour plus a $50 per credit hour online processing fee; the school also offers loan programs and scholarship offers.
• What Makes it Easier – It’s fully online with no on-campus requirements. Students have the option of completing some courses on campus.

Getting Started

If you want to work in Public Health, starting with a bachelor’s degree in any related field is a great beginning. If you are already in the field and are looking to advance or a make a greater impact, then a Master of Public Health is a great degree for you.