Public Health, MPH, Online
Quick Facts
Credit Hours: 36-44 | Estimated Time to Completion: 1-2 years | Cost Per Credit Hour: $734 | Start Dates: Fall, Spring
Program Details
- Location
- Wayne Campus, Akron Campus
- Level
- graduate
- Academic Pathway
- major
- Degree/Program Type
- MPH Master of Public Health
- Format
- online
- Course Info
- Course Sequence
- College
- Health and Human Sciences, College of (Dean's Office)
- School/Department
- School of Allied Health
Program Overview
The University of Akron Online offers a Master of Public Health (MPH) for working professionals seeking to improve population health, advance their careers, and address today's most pressing public health challenges.
Through the Consortium of Eastern Ohio Master of Public Health (CEOMPH), students join a collaborative program offered by The University of Akron, Cleveland State University, Northeastern Ohio Medical University, and Youngstown State University. Together, the consortium advances public health education, research, and service while preparing current and future professionals to improve the health of communities in eastern Ohio and beyond.
Accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the program combines rigorous online coursework, interdisciplinary faculty expertise, community-based learning experiences, and applied research opportunities. Designed for working professionals, students complete core coursework online, participate in optional virtual learning opportunities, select electives from any consortium university, and finish with a two-part capstone that applies classroom learning to real-world public health challenges.
What You'll Learn
The online Master of Public Health curriculum prepares you to analyze population health challenges, evaluate health programs, develop evidence-based solutions, and improve community health through research, policy, leadership, and service.
Skills Gained
Epidemiological analysis
Biostatistics and data interpretation
Community health assessment
Public health program planning
Research and program evaluation
Health policy development
Leadership and collaboration
Grant writing
Core Practice
Assess community and population health needs
Interpret public health data to guide decision-making
Design, implement, and evaluate public health programs
Develop ethical and culturally responsive interventions
Collaborate across organizations to improve community health
Key Topics
Public health concepts
Epidemiology
Biostatistics
Social and behavioral sciences
Health services administration
Environmental health sciences
Grant writing
Public health research and evaluation
Career Outcomes
The online MPH prepares graduates to improve population health, lead public health initiatives, and expand their impact across communities, organizations, and health systems.
Job Titles
Epidemiologist
Public health educator
Community health program manager
Health policy analyst
Population health coordinator
Public health analyst
Environmental health specialist
Health promotion specialist
Where You’ll Work
Local and state health departments
Hospitals and health systems
Government agencies
Community and nonprofit organizations
Research institutions
Universities
Global health organizations
Health care consulting firms
Additional Program Information
Public Health Curriculum
The 36-44 credit-hour curriculum combines foundational public health coursework with specialized study, applied learning experiences, and flexible elective options that allow you to customize your education.
Public Health Core
Develop a strong foundation across the core disciplines of public health through coursework in Public Health Concepts, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Health Services Administration, and Environmental Health Sciences. Core courses are delivered online and include a few days of optional virtual learning.
→ View core course requirements
Generalist Track
Expand your professional expertise through coursework in grant writing, public health practice, and research evaluation. These courses prepare students to develop, implement, and assess programs that improve the health of communities.
→ View generalist track requirements
Capstone Experience
Apply your learning through community-based projects integrated throughout the curriculum before completing a two-part capstone experience. These applied learning opportunities allow you to address real-world public health challenges while demonstrating advanced research, leadership, and analytical skills.
Electives and Practicum
Customize your degree through electives, practicum experiences, independent study, and special topics offered across consortium partner universities. Students may also pursue certificate options that develop expertise in specialized areas of public health practice.
Flexible Learning
Designed for Working Professionals
Complete core coursework online, participate in optional virtual learning sessions, and customize your degree with electives offered through any consortium partner university.
Degree Accreditation
CEPH Accredited
The Consortium of Eastern Ohio Master of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the nationally recognized accrediting body for schools and programs of public health.
Consortium Partnership
Four Universities. One Public Health Community.
Learn from expert faculty across The University of Akron, Cleveland State University, Northeastern Ohio Medical University, and Youngstown State University through a collaborative public health education experience.
Admissions Information
Learn about admission requirements, prerequisites, tuition, and financial aid options.
To apply to the online Master of Public Health program, applicants must:
- Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Meet a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA or 3.00 graduate GPA
- Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.00 must submit GRE scores
- Apply through SOPHAS
- Pay the $150 SOPHAS application fee
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Submit two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic or professional background
- Submit a personal statement describing your educational background, professional experience, interest in public health, and career goals
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores taken within the past two years
Tuition and Cost Considerations
Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis for graduate programs.
- Ohio resident tuition: $734 per credit hour
- Online students benefit from a reduced out-of-state surcharge of $1 per credit hour
→ View tuition and fees for graduate students
→ Estimate your cost of attendance
Financial Aid Options
Students may be eligible for a variety of financial support, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Graduate student loans
- Work-study opportunities (when available)
- Institutional scholarships
The University of Akron provides financial aid to a significant number of graduate students each year.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid offers support throughout the process, including assistance with FAFSA completion, understanding your aid package, and planning for educational costs.
To apply to the online Master of Public Health program, applicants must:
- Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Meet a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA or 3.00 graduate GPA
- Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.00 must submit GRE scores
- Apply through SOPHAS
- Pay the $150 SOPHAS application fee
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Submit two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic or professional background
- Submit a personal statement describing your educational background, professional experience, interest in public health, and career goals
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores taken within the past two years
Tuition and Cost Considerations
Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis for graduate programs.
- Ohio resident tuition: $734 per credit hour
- Online students benefit from a reduced out-of-state surcharge of $1 per credit hour
→ View tuition and fees for graduate students
→ Estimate your cost of attendance
Financial Aid Options
Students may be eligible for a variety of financial support, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Graduate student loans
- Work-study opportunities (when available)
- Institutional scholarships
The University of Akron provides financial aid to a significant number of graduate students each year.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid offers support throughout the process, including assistance with FAFSA completion, understanding your aid package, and planning for educational costs.
Online Allied Health Faculty & Staff
Learn from the same expert faculty who teach on campus while collaborating with experienced public health educators from consortium partner universities.
Online MPH FAQs
A Master of Public Health prepares graduates for careers focused on improving the health of individuals and communities through research, education, policy, and program management. Graduates work in government agencies, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, health systems, universities, and community health organizations. Depending on experience and specialization, careers may include epidemiology, health education, policy analysis, environmental health, and population health management. The degree also prepares students for leadership roles and continued graduate study.
Completion time varies based on course load, transfer credits, and individual scheduling needs. Students complete between 36 and 44 credit hours, and many working professionals complete the program while maintaining full-time employment. Flexible online coursework allows students to balance graduate education with professional and personal responsibilities. An academic advisor can help develop a timeline that aligns with your goals.
Salary potential varies by role, employer, experience, and location. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, epidemiologists earn a median annual salary of approximately $84,000, medical and health services managers earn about $118,000, and health education specialists earn approximately $63,000. Public health professionals may also pursue careers in government, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, and research institutions, with opportunities to earn more as they gain experience and take on leadership responsibilities.
An MPH and an MHA prepare graduates for different career paths. An MPH focuses on improving population health through prevention, research, epidemiology, policy, and community health initiatives, while an MHA emphasizes the management and operation of health care organizations. The right degree depends on your professional interests, career goals, and the type of impact you want to make within the health care field.
Graduate tuition is charged per credit hour, with Ohio residents paying $500 per credit hour. Online students also benefit from a reduced out-of-state surcharge of just $1 per credit hour. Additional costs may include books, course materials, university fees, and the SOPHAS application fee. Financial aid and scholarships are available for eligible students.
Earn Your Public Health Master’s Degree Online
Develop the research, leadership, and analytical skills to improve community health, advance your career, and make a lasting impact on populations locally and around the world.