Earning Your Online Public Health Degree

Public health degrees can be found online at every degree level. Some of these programs exist fully online while others combine online classes with coursework taught at the school’s brick-and-mortar location. Below you’ll find a rundown of the most common public health degrees online, including what they entail and whom they’re best for.

• Online Certificate in Public Health
  Given the breadth of the public health field, many schools offer certificates in more nuanced subjects to help students build skills and knowledge in a particular area. Most certificate programs last anywhere from one to three semesters and require participants to already possess at least a bachelor’s degree. These programs also appeal to individuals with unrelated academic backgrounds who are considering a career change but not yet ready to commit to a degree.
  
• Online MPH Programs
  The most well-known program within the world of public health, master’s of public health (MPH) degrees allow graduate learners to begin specializing their knowledge in niche areas of the field. Most programs require two years of full-time study and offer specializations in areas of community health, health policy, infectious diseases, and global public health, to name a few. Learn more about earning your master’s in public health online.
  
• Online PhD in Public Health
  Students who pursue an online Ph.D. in public health know they want to work in a research and/or faculty role after graduating. These programs provide coursework that emphasizes skills in research methodologies, analytical frameworks, and teaching experience to prepare alumni for positions in colleges or research institutions. A Ph.D. in public health usually takes five to six years to complete and requires you to write a dissertation. See if earning a Ph.D. in public health online is right for you.
  
• Online DrPH Programs
  Offered as a professional degree, the DrPH program exists for students who want to build skills in areas of program direction, leadership, policy development, and advocacy. Learners study topics related to communication strategies, working with diverse populations, leading and managing teams, developing policy proposals, and harnessing health information. Most programs last between four and six years. Read what it takes to earn a doctor of public health online.
  

Admission requirements for public health bachelor’s degrees online vary by school, so students should check with the admissions office or program administrator to learn exactly what is needed. That being said, many departments ask for similar information. Students should be prepared to provide official transcripts from any school previously attended, official ACT/SAT scores, a personal statement outlining why they want to study public health at that particular school, and two or three letters of recommendation from former professors, supervisors, or mentors who can speak to their preparedness for higher education. Particularly competitive programs may also ask you to participate in an online or in-person interview to help differentiate you from other candidates. In terms of academic expectations, many departments set GPA and coursework requirements. Competitive programs usually look for GPAs of 3.0 or higher, while less selective schools accept GPAs of 2.0-2.5. Some schools also want candidates to undertake general education and program-specific prerequisites (typically in science and math) to ensure they possess the skills needed to complete the program.

The cost of an online bachelor’s in public health ranges significantly based on whether learners attend a public or private institution, if they transfer credits from a school previously attended, and if they receive funding. Check out the table below to get a sense of what to expect.

If you decide to continue your studies in public health after finishing a bachelor’s degree, a master of public health (MPH) can help you qualify for more advanced roles with higher levels of responsibility and autonomy. Common titles of MPH holders include public health educator, policy advisor, epidemiologist, healthcare administrator, and researcher. Students with a clear sense of their professional aspirations can take advantage of one of the many specialty tracks offered to further solidify their path and signal to future employers their expertise in a particular area.

To learn more, visit our page dedicated to what jobs you can get with a public health degree.