Public Health

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Applications to the MPH program are currently suspended.

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 Ways

Our program:

Is completed primarily in an Asynchronous online format.
- During the fall and spring semesters attendance is required at two Saturday sessions. These sessions may be attended in a Hyflex mode at our Grand Rapids campus or Synchronously online.
- All summer courses are Asynchronous online.
Is a cohort model in which all students begin in the fall semester and complete the program in approximately 28 months (two years plus one semester).
Is a generalist program intended to develop public health practitioners.
Is designed specifically available for working professionals.

NOTE: You must select a format Hyflex (Grand Rapids campus) or Synchronously 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

Applications to the MPH program are currently suspended.

REQUIREMENTS

Course Schedule Sample

Sample of Year One

Fall Semester

MPH 6010: Public Health Concepts
MPH 6110: Descriptive Epidemiology & Biostatistics

Spring Semester

MPH 6030: Social & Behavioral Aspects of Health
MPH 6120: Analytic Epidemiology & Biostatistics

Summer I Semester

MPH 6070: Environmental Health Services

Summer II Semester

MPH 6050: Global & Cultural Issues

Sample of Year Two

Fall Semester

MPH 6210: Public Health Planning & Evaluation
MPH 6410: Research Methods in Public Health

Spring Semester

MPH 6220: Health Education & Promotion Strategies
MPH 6230: Public Health Communication Strategies

Summer I Semester

MPH 6310: Public Health Policy
MPH 6420: Integrative Learning Project Proposal

Summer II Semester

Public Health Systems Administration

Sample of Final Semester

Fall

MPH 6330: Grant & Proposal Writing
MPH 6430: Integrated Learning Project Capstone

Tuition

Tuition at WMU is set by the Board of Trustees and is due the first day of the semester.

Tuition

Curriculum

The 42 credit-hour program is delivered across 28 months in a hyflex or fully online format.

Curriculum

Questions

Email Dr. Kelley

Our Students

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

Where do individuals with an MPH work? What is the job outlook for MPH graduates

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, population health perspective to any public health related career, where growth is expected to be 5 – 11% in the next 10 years, or to a health care or clinical health-oriented career. There are many job titles that fit nicely with the education you'll receive in the MPH program at WMU which are expected to have higher than average growth rates in the next decade:

Epidemiologists: 19% job growth projected by 2033; 2023 median pay - $81,390 per year
Health services managers: 29% job growth projected by 2033; 2023 median pay - $110,680 per year
Health education specialists: 7% job growth projected by 2032; 2023 median pay - $62,860 per year
Occupational health and safety specialists: 13% job growth projected between 2032
Biostatisticians: 11% job growth projected between 2033; 2023 median pay - $77,580 per year.

Applying to the MPH program

Applications to the MPH program are currently suspended.

Application Requirements

The minimum requirements for admission to the Master of Public Health at WMU are listed below.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
An official transcript from EACH institution of higher education attended since high school, even if a degree was not conferred or credits were transferred. (WMU graduates: your WMU transcripts will be automatically uploaded)
An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate work.
Undergraduate courses in biology/anatomy & physiology, statistics, psychology/behavior change and communication are strongly recommended.
Current resume or curriculum vitae.
Three references – at least one from an individual who can attest to your academic potential and one from a supervisor or other professional who can attest to your work skills. Ideally, one of the references works in a public health-related field.
A personal statement that includes:

What sparked your interest in public health
Evidence that your employment, academic or volunteer background is related to public health
A concise statement of your career goals and how WMU’s generalist MPH degree will help you achieve these goals
Why you chose to apply for hybrid format program
Why you believe you will be successful in a predominantly online educational environment

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!

Connect with us

International Applicants

Due to the MPH program’s hyflex format, WMU is unable to issue Forms I-20 for prospective F-1 students.