Western Michigan University’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program offers you the interdisciplinary public health knowledge and expertise needed to develop and lead efforts to improve health.
The MPH program offers broad exposure to social, cultural, physical, political and economic aspects of health. The curriculum provides an understanding of public health core competencies such as program planning, grant writing, health communication, education, research methods, and data analysis.
Upon graduation you'll apply these skills and a public health perspective to the professional field, or utilize them to chart a new path in the field of public health.
One Program, Two Formats
You can now choose to complete the entire program online or attend in person (with the flexibility of making the choice to attend virtually if something comes up that weekend). The Master of Public Health program offers two format options designed for working professionals - HyFlex or Fully Online.
If you enroll in the HyFlex option, for the two required Saturday meetings each semester, you can choose to meet with the group in-person at our downtown Grand Rapids location or attend online (synchronously). You will complete the rest of the coursework online (asynchronously). You will pay WMU's in-state or out-of-state tuition rates depending on where you live.
If you enroll in the Fully Online option, you will always join your classmates and instructor online (synchronously) for the two required Saturday meetings each semester. You will complete the rest of the coursework online (asynchronously). You will pay WMU's online tuition rate with this option.
Meetings take place all day Saturday. You can attend the weekend meetings in person at our Downtown Grand Rapids location or join the classes synchronously online.
Note: You must select a format (Hyflex/Grand Rapids or Fully Online) on your application to the MPH program. Your tuition rate is based on the format you choose. WMU's online tuition rate is lower than the out-of-state rate, so the fully online option may be less costly for out-of-state students.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The Master of Public Health program applications are accepted on a rolling basis, though applicants are encouraged to submit a completed application in the spring prior to the start date of the program to assure full consideration.
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Questions
Our Students
Our Current Students
These videos were created in one of our MPH courses in collaboration with the Michigan Poison and Drug Information Center and showcased during a college-wide Health Literacy Day event.
![Image](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/hero_12_5/public/images/u3485/2023/MPH%20photo%20for%20website.jpg?h=15c398de&itok=d37lenfL)
Our Alumni Spotlight
Chad Atwood WMU MPH class of 2018 is an emergency management specialist with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and in 2023 he was chosen as one of only 40 candidates for the FEMA future leaders program.
Job outlook
What do individuals with an MPH do?
- Make decisions based upon scientifically sound evidence from well-constructed research
- Apply skills in the generation, analysis and interpretation of health data
- Develop studies for local and state public health organization, not-for-profit organizations and the corporate sector
- Promote public health in terms of physical, mental and social well-being
- Interact with communities in addressing diverse health issues
- Implement and evaluate public health programs
How much can an individual with an MPH earn?
The starting average salary is $68,000, but that absolutely depends on the type of job and on the agency where the job is located.
Where do individuals with an MPH work?
Western Michigan University's MPH degree doesn't necessarily qualify you for any particular job. However, WMU's MPH degree does guarantee that you will bring a diverse, public health perspective to any traditional health care career. And there are many job titles that fit nicely with the education you'll receive in the MPH program at WMU:
- Public health management analyst
- Director of programs and services
- Health communications specialist
- Environmental health intelligence analyst
- Health initiatives manager
Are jobs available?
Yes! In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics identified MPH holders are expected to increase between 12-20% between 2014 and 2024.
Applying to the MPH program
For full consideration, submit your application by May 15. Applications received after May 15 will be considered if space in the student cohort is available.
WMU's online graduate application system allows you to enter all required information into one system. Before initiating your application, review the summary of program requirements from the WMU Graduate College. You may want to bookmark this information for quick reference while working through the MPH program application process.
The MPH program provides students two format options (Hyflex or Fully online). When you apply, you will need to choose a designation at that time. If you wish to have the option of coming to the Grand Rapids campus for class, you will need to apply to the Hyflex program (i.e., the Grand Rapids regional site). If you wish to be virtual for the entirety of the program, please choose the online format designation. Please email Dr. Mark Kelley, director, (mark.kelley@wmich.edu) with any questions.
Interested in Learning More?
Our team would love the opportunity to discuss and provide more details on the things going on in the MPH program. Let us know how we can connect with you!
International Applicants
Due to the MPH program’s hyflex format, WMU is unable to issue Forms I-20 for prospective F-1 students.