Search for:


ONLINE MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Department of Public Health

View Department

Sharpen your public health skills through Purdue’s CEPH-accredited online Master of Public Health program

Take your next giant leap in your commitment to public health with the online MPH program at Purdue University.

Our robust program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) — the nationally recognized accrediting body for schools of public health and public health programs — and is backed by Purdue’s rich research expertise.

Apply Now

Gain Real-World Public Health Experience

The program is designed to help you advance your career and learn to identify and enact public health solutions locally, nationally and globally.

As a student, you’ll learn from an accomplished team of practitioners who provide training in science-based knowledge, empowering you to develop effective, evidence-based programs and policies. Coursework incorporates actual examples of public health intervention design so you’ll learn how to analyze research studies and translate them into real-world settings.

Concentrate your knowledge in family and community health

The online Master of Public Health curriculum includes a family and community health concentration that focuses on issues related to the family unit. As the definition of “family” continues to evolve and racial and economic disparities grow, demand is increasing for public health professionals who can evaluate and address the changing dynamics affecting health and access to services. In this concentration, you will focus on public health through the lens of contemporary families and communities by studying social factors, nutrition and communication as well as the elements contributing to health disparities. By identifying and assessing family and community health in this context, you will be well-prepared to develop effective public health programs and initiatives.

View All MPH Courses

Program Quick Facts

Degree Type:
Master of Public Health

Format:
100% Online

Program Length:

6 semesters or 2 years*

*Classes are 8 weeks in length, the practicum is 16 weeks.

Weekly Commitment:
15-20 hours

Cost

Department/School: Public Health

Apply NowRequest InformationFacultyVirtual Events
Admissions and Costs
Courses
Career Outlook

Develop the skills needed for successful outcomes

This program is designed for both individuals who wish to start a career in the public health field as well as public health professionals who want to expand their knowledge and abilities. Upon graduating, alumni of the online MPH program have gained a broad understanding of public health issues and have acquired the skills to address them, including:

  • Using epidemiology to identify disease trends.
  • Evaluating health trends and intervention approaches through biostatistics.
  • Organizing public health resources using health system administration and management.
  • Understanding environmental health sciences, including the threats and opportunities presented by environmental factors.

Engaging members of the community and encouraging individual and group actions that support public health using principles of behavioral and social sciences.

Apply Now

Complete a public health practicum

Practical knowledge and skills are essential to a successful career in public health. To strengthen your knowledge base and ensure it can be applied, you will be required to complete a planned, supervised and evaluated practicum. In this hands-on experience, you will translate the theory and core competencies you have learned into real-world public health practice.

The 200-hour (or 160-hour with approved prior work experience) public health practicum will be completed under the mentorship of a qualified preceptor identified by the student. The goal of the practicum experience — in accordance with the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) degree accreditation process — is to understand, implement and evaluate the processes involved in public health interventions. 

The practicum can be tailored to your area of interest, helping to build a foundation for future career goals while also serving the following needs:

  • Provide training in core disciplines.
  • Add to your comprehensive education of public health practice and policy.
  • Facilitate translation of basic science to application.
  • Position you as a successful leader in the public health arena.

Faculty

Education

  • EdD in Health Education, AT Still University of Health Sciences
  • MA in Historical Studies, Norwich University – Military College of Vermont
  • MPH in Health Promotion & Behavioral Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • MS in Nutrition Education, Texas Woman’s University
  • BS in Human Ecology, University of Central Arkansas

Research Interests

  • Global Health Issues
  • Obesity Prevention and Interventions
  • Public Health Nutrition
  • Cultural Competency in the Health Professions
  • Medical Humanities
  • History of Medicine
  • International Health (North Africa/Near East Focus)
  • Social Justice in Public Health

View Full Bio

Education

  • PhD in Environmental Chemistry & Toxicology, Michigan State University
  • MS in Environmental Science, University of Maryland
  • BS in Natural Sciences, University of West Indies, St. Augustine

Research Interests

  • Developmental Health and Wellness
  • Healthy Lifestyles and Vital Longevity
  • Sustainable Organizations and Thriving Communities

View Full Bio

Education

  • DrPH in Sociomedical Science, Columbia University, 2014
  • MSPH in Health Promotion and Education, University of South Carolina, 1998
  • BS in Human Ecology and Print Journalism, The Ohio State University, 1996

Research Interests

  • Public health promotion
  • Leadership development
  • Program development
  • Evaluation
  • Connection between health and learning

View Full Bio

Education

  • PhD in Epidemiology, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, 2014
  • MPH in Epidemiology, Indiana University, 2009
  • BS in Health Science, Purdue University, 2005

Research Interests

  • Modifiable risk factors
  • Nutritional factors associated with increased or decreased risk of specific chronic conditions (cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer).
  • Association between total and inpidual phytoestrogens and the risk of incidence and mortality of chronic conditions in the U.S. population

View Full Bio

FAQS

No specific undergraduate degree or experience is required. Contact us to learn more about application requirements.

The online Master of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

The MPH Program at Purdue University is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). This accreditation ensures that your degree has completed a rigorous review process and was found to meet nationally-agreed-upon standards developed by public health practitioners and academics who are experts in the field. It certifies the quality of your degree, enhances your employment opportunities, and strengthens your contribution to the field of public health by preparing you with the knowledge and skills needed by today’s public health workforce.

All of your coursework will be completed online except for a required practicum, a 200-hour work experience in a real-world location consistent with your professional goals. The practicum will help you apply what you have learned in your classes to the real-world environment.

 

No, the GRE is no longer a requirement to be considered for admission.

Yes, the curriculum includes a Family and Community Health concentration, which focuses on public health issues related to the family unit. Students explore social factors, nutrition, and communication related to family and community health as well as elements contributing to health disparities.

Most coursework is asynchronous, meaning that there are not specific times that you need to be online. You’ll log into a virtual online classroom interface that includes areas for assignments, discussion boards, e-mail, and more. Just like in a traditional classroom, you’ll complete coursework and exams and interact with your instructor and classmates, but it will all be online. You can access and work on your coursework at any time — you just need to complete your assignments by the deadlines communicated by your professor.

The online MPH consists of 14 classes for a total of 42 credit hours.

Each student is different; however, we recommend that you plan to spend 15 to 20 hours per week on each course.

As an online student, you will have access to several types of support resources when you need help or guidance, beginning with new student orientation. Other services include a help desk for technical issues, a student services coordinator, financial aid advisors and more.

No. Both on-campus and online programs earn the same diploma. Online students are also invited to participate in the graduation ceremony on campus upon program completion.

Yes. Students are always encouraged to visit campus and experience all that Purdue has to offer.

Using the online learning interface and system successfully requires you to have a computer with certain software and hardware. Be sure your equipment meets the minimum requirements, listed below.

Minimum Hardware Requirements
700 MHZ Pentium III Processor computer, with sound card and speakers
256 MB RAM
20 GB free hard drive space
CD-ROM drive
56k modem, or higher (such as cable modem or DSL), for broadband access
Recommended Software
Windows XP or later / Mac OS X
MS Office 2000 or later (MS Office includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Internet access
E-mail account
Internet Explorer 6.x(PC), Netscape 7.2 (PC), or later, or Mozilla Firefox (PC/Mac)
Safari 1.2 or higher (Mac)
High-speed, broadband connection
Utilities
Acrobat Reader 7.0 or later (free download)
Virus Protection Software: McAfee/Norton Antivirus or similar software
Plug-ins
Java, Shockwave, or Flash Plug-in (latest version)
Mac System Requirements
500 MHZ iMac or iBook 63 or faster (minimum)