Master of Public Health Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the Population and Health Sciences Master of Public Health (MPH) programs complete 42 credit hours. The MPH program consists of core classes, a course in the concentration of Population and Health Sciences, electives, as well as applied practice and integrative experiences. Students can complete the program in two years. Learn more below about the core curriculum and elective options.

Master of Public Health Degree

Students in the MPH degree program will complete 23 credit hours in core course material (19 didactic credits and 4 experiential learning credits) and choose from 7 elective series options. The MPH program emphasizes skills for public health practice and emphasizes courses in health education, health management and policy, and leadership and communication.

With the Population and Health Sciences degree, we wanted to make sure that there is a solid core foundation including study in epidemiology, biostatistics, program planning, understanding of the health system, understanding of the environment and of environmental risk and policy, and population health. From there, you basically get to choose your own adventure. In that way, students get both this depth and breadth of knowledge at their disposal.”

- Sharon Kardia, Associate Dean for Education

 MPH Core Courses (19 credits)

Applied Practice and Integrative Experience (4 credits)

A key element of the MPH will be an Applied Practice and Integrative Experience (PUBHLTH 680/681), which gives students exposure to the practical demands of working in the public health field and requires the integration of knowledge with skills and the application of competencies in practice. The applied practice and integrated learning experience projects are flexible in order to match students’ interests in public health.

MPH Elective Series (19 -22 credits)

MPH students can choose from over 30 elective courses, which are grouped in series of 4-5 coordinated courses totaling 11 credits per series. Students will typically choose 2 elective series during their degree program in order to focus on their specific areas of interest. See the full list of currently offered elective courses for the Master of Public Health degree.

Application Requirements

To apply for the online MPH in Populations and Health Sciences, follow the School of Public Health Steps to Apply for an MPH.

Your application package will include:

  • Online SOPHAS application
  • Official Transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose and Objectives
  • Reflective Essay (optional)
  • Quantitative Experiences Statement
  • Resume or CV
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Language Proficiency Requirements (only for applicants whose native language is not English)

Guidance from the Online MPH Team

Our team is here to help you decide if the online MPH program is the right fit for you, and we offer additional guidance specific to our program.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants will have:

  • 4-year bachelor's degree conferred from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or equivalent (WES ICAP verification for international degrees)
    • It is recommended that applicants have course experience in areas such as Biology, Chemistry, Algebra, and Statistics (or professional experience using similar quantitative skills.)
  • At least one year of professional experience in any field
    • The majority of our students have 3+ years of professional experience and continue to work full-time while enrolled in the program
  • Volunteer or work experience (or clearly articulated interest) in a public health-related field
  • English language proficiency
    • Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency.  The admissions team offers a full explanation of this requirement, including exemption criteria. Please contact sph-inquiries@umich.edu directly with questions.   

Online Degrees Disclosure

Students pursuing online degrees should note that some countries may not formally recognize foreign online degrees, which can have implications for students who later seek to enroll in other educational programs, or for those who seek employment with their home country's government or other employers requiring specific credentials.  Additionally, some countries may or may not require foreign higher education institutions to comply with distance education regulations. The University of Michigan does not represent or guarantee that its online degree programs are recognized in or meet requirements to comply with distance education regulations in the student's country of residence, if it is outside the United States. It is therefore the student’s responsibility to understand current circumstances or special requirements surrounding whether this online degree will be recognized in the student's country of residence, how the collection of student data may be used in said country, and whether the student will be subject to additional withholding taxes in addition to the price of tuition.