Best Online MPH Programs in Georgia (GA)

In the event of a global pandemic, like the one we lived through in 2020, public health becomes even more important on a national and a global scale. If you live in Georgia and are interested in a career in public health as a result of living through such interesting times, you are in the right place. One of the best ways to advance in this field is by earning your master’s degree in public health, or MPH, and this guide will show you how to do that..

Georgia in particular is a public health hotspot for students and professionals alike. It’s the headquarters for the Center for Disease Control (CDC), private organizations like Doctors for Global Health, and multiple world-class research universities. With those opportunities in mind, let’s look at some of the best campus and online MPH programs in Georgia to see if they may be right for you.

Top Online MPH Programs in Georgia

You want to earn your MPH but maybe you aren’t a fan of moving to campus. Whether you’re looking to save money, have family or professional responsibilities that make relocating to campus a challenge, or just prefer to study from home, you might be a good candidate for a Georgia online MPH. Studying your MPH online allows you to earn your degree with greater convenience and flexibility.

University of Georgia (UGA)

This is the flagship institution in Georgia’s state university system, and UGA has a wide range of online degree offerings, including their online MPH program. This 44-credit degree, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, includes traditional lecture courses to be completed online in a cohort model, and a required internship that can take place in your local community, although you will need advance approval.

To apply for the online MPH at UGA, you should have a 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA as well as a current resume, letters of recommendation, and an online application. Online MPH tuition is at a set rate regardless of residency status. Applications are open once per year for an annual autumn start date.

Morehouse School of Medicine

Morehouse School of Medicine is a private Historically Black College and University with a campus in Atlanta specializing in healthcare and health sciences. It offers an online MPH program which is referred to as an Executive MPH, or eMPH. You can complete this two-year program, which is designed for working professionals with some relevant experience, entirely online, although you will have to attend an on-campus orientation when the program begins. Once enrolled, you will be completing between 45 and 48 credits to graduate.

To apply for this program, you should have earned an accredited bachelor’s degree and have a minimum of five years’ work experience in healthcare. You should also have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher and have successfully completed at least one college-level math or statistics course.

Georgia Southern University

Apublic university with a main campus in Savannah and several satellite campuses, GSU offers a fully online MPH through its Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health. In this program, you can choose between two different specializations, applied public health and public health informatics. Either way, you’ll be completing your coursework entirely online, in addition to hands-on field experiences through your integrated capstone project and your practicum courses. Classes are flexible so you can work while you study.

Students new to online learning may benefit from Georgia Southern’s online student support system. Georgia Southern does not require GRE scores for applicants to the online MPH program. Courses start every fall, and priority admission deadlines increase your odds to be accepted.

Financial Aid for MPH Students in Georgia

Before you begin your MPH, it’s valid and important to think about how you’re going to pay for it. Be sure to check out your school’s financial aid options, and any school-specific scholarships, fellowships, and research or teaching assistantships for which you may be eligible, although you should note that many assistantships are only for on-campus students.

Beyond that, look into outside funding opportunities, including filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid by the deadline to secure any federally-subsidized grants or even loans for which you might be eligible.

In Georgia, financial aid may include grants and loans funded or supported by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. However, you should also look into private scholarship opportunities, such as those sponsored by charitable foundations or professional organizations. Check out our Public Health Scholarships page for a collection of those for you to explore.

Job Outlook for MPH Graduates in Georgia

While many people pursue MPH degrees out of the desire to make the world a better place, or for personal fulfillment, it’s also natural to wonder about your job prospects after graduation. The good news for future MPH holders is that Georgia is a great place to work, whether for the Georgia Department of Public Health or one of the many health organizations that call the state home.

After you’ve completed your MPH, you’ll have a variety of possible jobs from which to choose in both the public and private sectors, and they can pay excellent wages, with some averaging six-figure salaries. Here’s a look at some potential careers you can pursue once you’ve finished your MPH:

Sources: Projections Central; Bureau of Labor Statistics

Georgia Public Health Professional & Student Resources

As a public health professional, you’ll want to build your network and connect with others in your field, and that starts as a student. Luckily, Georgia has a wealth of public and private organizations that can help you make connections and find professional opportunities. Check out just a few of them here:

• Georgia Public Health Association
  This non-profit organization is dedicated to promoting the health of Georgia citizens and advocating for best practices in the state’s public health policy. They host regular meetings as well as an annual conference where you connect with fellow members and learn about plans for the year.
• Georgia Department of Public Health
  The Georgia Department of Public Health is a state government entity that promotes public health through efforts including disease prevention initiatives, emergency preparedness and response, and immunization and child health. They also collaborate with 159 county health departments across the state.
• Georgia Global Health Alliance
  Headquartered in Atlanta, the Georgia Global Health Alliance seeks collaboration with the many world-class health institutions in the state. They are a membership group for Georgia’s health organizations that have been growing for decades. They promote cross-organizational teamwork, including workshops and initiatives for public-private partnerships.
• Task Force for Global Health
  Founded in 1984, the Task Force for Global Health, originally named the Task Force for Child Survival, was initially an organization to promote childhood immunizations in underserved areas. It has since expanded to a more general vision of fostering global health initiatives. Today, they fund initiatives such as vaccination programs and health research.
• Georgia Society for Public Health Education
  A membership organization, the Georgia Society for Public Health Education works with students, professionals, and other community partners to advance public health education across the state. They promote professional development as well as advocacy for health equity, and host networking and continuing education events around Georgia.