Tackle complex public health challenges and transform lives with an online Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program. You'll learn how to act swiftly to help control illness and disease outbreaks, develop and enact wellness programs for communities, recommend and champion policy changes with global implications and track progress toward your goal of improving the population's health. You'll be ready to implement effective campaigns, shape public policy, analyze evidence-based research and monitor epidemiological findings all while earning the widely recognized credentials needed for elevating the health of individuals and populations globally and locally.

"We look at the issues that are going on in our communities through a social justice lens," said SNHU adjunct instructor Dede Teteh, a certified health education specialist and public health researcher. "The main difference between [public health] and medicine is we don't look at people one by one. We work with communities and examine trends in behaviors and health outcomes."

There is no greater example of the need for public health professionals than the COVID-19 pandemic. In what felt like a blink of an eye, they became a guiding light, sought after by government officials, organizations, and non-profits to provide advice, data, public health updates, and recommendations for various populations on how the public could remain safe, protecting themselves and others. From wearing masks to social distancing to limiting gatherings, they were trusted partners in stopping the spread and keeping populations safe. The shortage of public health professionals was sorely felt throughout the unfolding of COVID-19 as health care facilities struggled to keep up.

In an article published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in relation to the pandemic, one of the key initiatives outlined for 2021 was maintaining appropriate staffing in all healthcare facilities, an essential factor in providing a safe work environment for healthcare personnel and safe patient care1. SNHU has designed our purpose-built program to align with competencies defined by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) and incorporated the World Health Organization (WHO) core functions - so you'll graduate ready to make a difference in a range of industries, from nongovernment industries to national research institutes.

Learn how to:

- Solve population-based health problems through analysis of patterns and trends within public health

- Combine assessment, monitoring, and prevention strategies to improve the wellness of people and communities

- Propose evidence-based programs that improve access, quality, and delivery of healthcare

- Apply research to evaluate the development and implementation of programs

- Analyze policy and create outreach strategies to promote the health and social justice of individuals, communities, and populations

- Develop initiatives that protect and promote healthy lifestyles

CEPH Accreditation: Southern New Hampshire University is an applicant for accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health. The accreditation review will address the Master of Public Health and the Master of Public Health with a concentration in Global Health programs. Other degrees and areas of study offered by this institution will not be included in the unit of accreditation review. Additional information can be found on the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) website. Program vision: Champion public health and health equity globally through education empowerment, inclusivity, and capacity-building. Program mission: Empower professionals across the country to advance their community's health, through the delivery of high quality, affordable, and innovative learning experiences, scholarship, and community engagement. As is the case with many of our programs, authentic learning experiences are a valuable part of the public health curriculum.

"Each course is set up with a project, based on what a real-world person does. We're training them to have the skills to do this out there, said Dr. Gail Tudor, associate dean of health professions at SNHU. "It used to be, the degree focused on five core areas of public health and everyone wrapped their programs around them: statistics, health policy, environmental science, epidemiology, and health behavior/health education. But in 2016, the Council on Education for Public Health introduced 22 competencies students should have as graduates."

"They're very different; they're grouped into eight categories that, instead of focusing solely on course content, focus on specific skills and best practices, Tudor said. For example, learning evidence-based approaches and how public health organizations run. The pillars of public health and what people in that field actually do. It's a different time in academia nowadays; we're teaching people broader skills for a changing world."

Each course is taught by instructors with real-world expertise, such as Dr. Kelley Sams, an adjunct instructor for anthropology and public health programs. "For me, the most impactful moments occur when my students realize that the information we are covering is not just about someone else, but it's about them," she said. "Public health and the cultural aspects of health and illness are about the human experience, which means they are about us all." Dr. Sabrina Pink '18 appreciated the insight from instructors working in the field. "My instructors were very educated and knowledgeable about what it takes to make it across the finish line," she said.

"They were committed to my success as a student. I could tell they genuinely wanted me to win." Kemar Reid '20 said gaining the knowledge recently has better positioned him among his colleagues. "I have spoken to other people that have completed their Master of Public Health years ago, and a lot of the concepts they're not familiar with, or they're not sure how it works in modern-day public health issues," he said.

Applied Practice Experience As part of the MPH program, you must also complete a practical experience over 2 terms, where you'll gain real-world, onsite fieldwork skills. Similar to an internship, this experience offered in both PHE 680 and PHE 685 courses allows you to apply your knowledge in a public health setting and learn from working professionals in the field while networking and adding valuable experience to your resume. You will locate, select and confirm a site along with guidance and support from program staff, faculty and administration prior to enrolling in PHE 680. You'll focus on preventative measures that can help you make a real impact even before you graduate. In addition to required fieldwork, this public health degree program culminates with a capstone project that synthesizes coursework with real-world experiences.

Note: All practical experience must be completed in the U.S. If you'd like to learn more, ask your admission counselor or advisor for more information.

Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That's why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials with no GRE or GMAT required. To apply, use the online application.

$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)