Public Health
Master of Public Health
Online
Course Delivery
43
Total Credits
$725
Credit Hour
19 months
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The College of Human Medicine’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program is a pathway for forward-thinkers like you to establish a lifelong commitment to something bigger. As the world continues to evolve around us, so does the need for public health professionals who aim to mobilize change.
At Michigan State University, we offer three online public health concentrations that can be customized to your public health interests.
- Generalist
- Rural Public Health
- Public Health Data Management and Analytics
The online Generalist Concentration is a traditional MPH program that prepares students for the practice of public health in many different settings. With an emphasis on applied education and learning, courses provide students with knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in a range of public health careers, including program and intervention design, implementation and evaluation, health promotion, disease prevention, and other community health roles.
The online Rural Public Health Concentration equips students with the skills and knowledge to work effectively as public health leaders and practitioners in rural communities, both locally and globally. With an emphasis on applied education and learning, students will gain an understanding of how unique social, cultural, political, and environmental characteristics of rural communities, as well as structural, systemic, and historical influences.
The online Public Health Data Management and Analytics Concentration equips students with the skills to use various public health and health care data sources for applied public health practice. A data equity framework is integrated into this concentration to ensure fairness and equality. Graduates of this concentration will access, manage, assess, analyze, and report findings from different data sources commonly used in public health, such as vital records, surveys, and surveillance, as well as health care delivery settings, such as administrative claims and electronic medical records.
All required courses and advising are online. Studies may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.
The Master of Public Health program offers dual enrollment and undergraduate shared programs:
- MSU graduate students can share up to 10 credits between the MPH program and MSU’s Master of Social Work or Master of Science in Food Safety programs.
- MSU undergraduate students can share up to 9 credits from the MPH program with their undergraduate program.
- Applications to the MPH program are required; additional information can be found on mph.msu.edu, under Academics, then Master of Public Health
Program Outcomes
Our program places you in the driver’s seat by providing you the flexibility, value and increased opportunity to engage in experience-based education. This program has been crafted with students in mind to ensure you’re on a path to immediate success within the public health-adjacent industry that you are most passionate about pursuing.
Root values
- Leadership
- Health equity
- Practical application coursework
- Practical methodology
- Practicum orientation
- Program evaluation and systematic review
- Use of public health information for enhancing communication
Career Outlook
Spartans in public health are working hard to protect the health of people and communities. These individuals enhance the quality of care available on a global scale by lending their passion for public health and educational experience to those in need.
Public health professionals are at the forefront of creating solutions to many of the world's immediate health-related issues. Here are some of the common areas public health professionals are focused on addressing today.
- Health equity
- Social determinants of health
- Community health
- Mental health
- Maternal and child health
- Reproductive and sexual health
- Health policy and management
- Health communication and promotion
- Climate change on human health
- Lead contamination
- Gun violence
- Substance abuse
- Nutrition
- Biostatistics
- Communicable disease
- Infectious disease
- Chronic disease
- Global health
Will you join in shaping a healthier tomorrow?
A Top-Ranked Education
- 63rd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #8 Best Online Master's in Business Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Dr. Darline El Reda
Director of Master of Public Health Program
At Michigan State University, we are investing in the next generation of public health professionals while responding to the workforce needs informed by local health departments, private health sectors, and our alumni.” Dr. El Reda is an applied public health practitioner with nearly 20 years of experience working in both the public (i.e., city, county, and state health departments) and private sector (health insurance industry) in the United States. Dr. El Reda is an epidemiologist and alumni of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Epidemic Intelligence Service (2003-2005). She has published on a variety of topic areas, such as infectious disease outbreaks, maternal and child health, patient-centered medical homes, immunization, obesity, cancer, and menstrual health and hygiene. Dr. El Reda has extensive experience in the use of healthcare administrative claims data in the design, implementation, and evaluation of value-based care programs. Dr. El Reda joined the MPH program in 2012, as an assistant professor, teaching numerous courses such as Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Informatics, and Poverty before expanding her roles to associate director in 2023, and MPH program director in 2025.
Course Information
Foundational and Core Courses (34 Credits)
PH 801 - Introduction to Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 802 - Biostatistics for Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 803 - Epidemiology for Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 804 - Public Health Policy and Administration (3 Credits)
PH 805 - Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 806 - Environmental Factors of Health (3 Credits)
PH 827 – Principles of Public Health Leadership (1 Credit)
PH 828 – Community Engagement in Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 843 – Public Health Research Methods (3 Credits)
PH 854 – Health Equity Framework for Public Health Practice (3 Credits)
PH 892 – Public Health Applied Practice Experience (3 Credits)
PH 893 – Public Health Integrative Learning Experience (3 Credits)
Generalist Concentration Curriculum
Generalist Concentration Course (3 credits)
PH 853 Public Health Program/Intervention Evaluation (3 Credits)
Complete ONE of the following elective courses (3 credits)
PH 832 – Global Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 833 – Introduction to Pharmaceutical Counterfeiting and Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 838 – Cultural Aspects of Public Health Practice (3 Credits)
PH 847 – Public Health in Ghana: A one Health Perspective (3 Credits)
PH 861 – Introduction to Public Health Nutrition (3 Credits)
PH 863 – Parasitic Diseases and Public Health in Developing Countries (3 credits)
PH 865 – Vitamins and Minerals: Risks to Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 871 – Vaccine Preventable Diseases of Public Health Importance (3 Credits)
PH 873 – Maternal and Child Health: A Global Public Health Perspective (3 Credits)
PH 877 – Public Health Nutrition and the Life Stages (3 Credits)
PH 882 – PH Nutrition: Assessment & Development of Population-Base Interventions (3 Credits)
Complete ONE of the following elective courses (3 Credits)
PH 808 – Public Health Surveillance (3 Credits)
PH 831 – Communicable Diseases in Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 836 – Comparative Global Health Systems (3 Credits)
PH 840 – Public Health Finance (3 Credits)
PH 852 - Outbreak Investigations in Public Health
PH 862 – Global Pandemics and Public Health Systems, Law, and Community Impacts (3 Credits)
PH 864 – Intersection of Human and Animal Health (3 Credits)
PH 876 – Nutrition and Chronic Diseases: Living Longer and Healthier (3 Credits)
PH 889 – Applied Epidemiology Methods for Public Health Practitioners (3 Credits)
Rural Public Health Curriculum
Complete THREE Rural Public Health courses (9 Credits)
PH 830 – Foundations of Rural Public Health
PH 834 – Drivers of Rural Health
PH 839 – Rural Public Health Policy and Advocacy
Public Health Data Management and Analytics Curriculum
Complete THREE Data Management and Analytics courses (9 Credits)
PH 826 – Data Management and Public Health Practice (3 Credits)
PH 878 – Applied Biostatics for Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 829 – Public Health and Healthcare Delivery Data (3 Credits)
Admission Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Bachelor of applied science is not acceptable
- Résumé or CV
- Volunteer or student organization experience is encouraged
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Transcripts from international institutions must be sent directly to the MSU Office of Admissions from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope. WES evaluations are not accepted.
- Personal statement discussing your interests and goals in public health
- 3 letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources
- Academic statement (optional)
- For applicants who have academic situations, they would like to discuss with the Admissions Committee (e.g., low GPA, withdrawals, etc.)
- GRE (optional)
- International Applicants Only: English language proficiency test scores
To apply to this program:
We recommend applicants review our website, mph.msu.edu, before starting an application.
To apply to the MPH program:
- Complete an application in SOPHAS
- Submit required materials through the SOPHAS application
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume or CV
- Official Transcript(s)
- Submit MSU supplemental application
State Authorization: Distance Education Restrictions Based on Permanent Residence. Michigan State University is obligated to comply with existing state laws regarding distance education (programs/departments offering courses delivered exclusively online). State laws regarding distance education vary state-by-state, and even program-by-program within a state. The Master of Public Health offered through the College of Human Medicine’s Division of Public Health at Michigan State University requires a practicum experience that constitutes a physical presence in some states, therefore restricting enrollment in our program to residents of those states. Prior to applying, please access the State-by-State Summary, for the most up-to-date approved and restricted states. For more information, please visit MSU's State Authorization website. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
June 1st
Summer
Application Deadline
March 1st
Spring
Application Deadline
October 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$725 plus university fees
$725 plus university fees
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
Program Overview
The College of Human Medicine’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program is a pathway for forward-thinkers like you to establish a lifelong commitment to something bigger. As the world continues to evolve around us, so does the need for public health professionals who aim to mobilize change.
At Michigan State University, we offer three online public health concentrations that can be customized to your public health interests.
- Generalist
- Rural Public Health
- Public Health Data Management and Analytics
The online Generalist Concentration is a traditional MPH program that prepares students for the practice of public health in many different settings. With an emphasis on applied education and learning, courses provide students with knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in a range of public health careers, including program and intervention design, implementation and evaluation, health promotion, disease prevention, and other community health roles.
The online Rural Public Health Concentration equips students with the skills and knowledge to work effectively as public health leaders and practitioners in rural communities, both locally and globally. With an emphasis on applied education and learning, students will gain an understanding of how unique social, cultural, political, and environmental characteristics of rural communities, as well as structural, systemic, and historical influences.
The online Public Health Data Management and Analytics Concentration equips students with the skills to use various public health and health care data sources for applied public health practice. A data equity framework is integrated into this concentration to ensure fairness and equality. Graduates of this concentration will access, manage, assess, analyze, and report findings from different data sources commonly used in public health, such as vital records, surveys, and surveillance, as well as health care delivery settings, such as administrative claims and electronic medical records.
All required courses and advising are online. Studies may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.
The Master of Public Health program offers dual enrollment and undergraduate shared programs:
- MSU graduate students can share up to 10 credits between the MPH program and MSU’s Master of Social Work or Master of Science in Food Safety programs.
- MSU undergraduate students can share up to 9 credits from the MPH program with their undergraduate program.
- Applications to the MPH program are required; additional information can be found on mph.msu.edu, under Academics, then Master of Public Health
Program Outcomes
Our program places you in the driver’s seat by providing you the flexibility, value and increased opportunity to engage in experience-based education. This program has been crafted with students in mind to ensure you’re on a path to immediate success within the public health-adjacent industry that you are most passionate about pursuing.
Root values
- Leadership
- Health equity
- Practical application coursework
- Practical methodology
- Practicum orientation
- Program evaluation and systematic review
- Use of public health information for enhancing communication
Career Outlook
Spartans in public health are working hard to protect the health of people and communities. These individuals enhance the quality of care available on a global scale by lending their passion for public health and educational experience to those in need.
Public health professionals are at the forefront of creating solutions to many of the world's immediate health-related issues. Here are some of the common areas public health professionals are focused on addressing today.
- Health equity
- Social determinants of health
- Community health
- Mental health
- Maternal and child health
- Reproductive and sexual health
- Health policy and management
- Health communication and promotion
- Climate change on human health
- Lead contamination
- Gun violence
- Substance abuse
- Nutrition
- Biostatistics
- Communicable disease
- Infectious disease
- Chronic disease
- Global health
Will you join in shaping a healthier tomorrow?
A Top-Ranked Education
- 63rd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #8 Best Online Master's in Business Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Dr. Darline El Reda
Director of Master of Public Health Program
At Michigan State University, we are investing in the next generation of public health professionals while responding to the workforce needs informed by local health departments, private health sectors, and our alumni.” Dr. El Reda is an applied public health practitioner with nearly 20 years of experience working in both the public (i.e., city, county, and state health departments) and private sector (health insurance industry) in the United States. Dr. El Reda is an epidemiologist and alumni of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Epidemic Intelligence Service (2003-2005). She has published on a variety of topic areas, such as infectious disease outbreaks, maternal and child health, patient-centered medical homes, immunization, obesity, cancer, and menstrual health and hygiene. Dr. El Reda has extensive experience in the use of healthcare administrative claims data in the design, implementation, and evaluation of value-based care programs. Dr. El Reda joined the MPH program in 2012, as an assistant professor, teaching numerous courses such as Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Informatics, and Poverty before expanding her roles to associate director in 2023, and MPH program director in 2025.
Course Information
Foundational and Core Courses (34 Credits)
PH 801 - Introduction to Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 802 - Biostatistics for Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 803 - Epidemiology for Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 804 - Public Health Policy and Administration (3 Credits)
PH 805 - Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 806 - Environmental Factors of Health (3 Credits)
PH 827 – Principles of Public Health Leadership (1 Credit)
PH 828 – Community Engagement in Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 843 – Public Health Research Methods (3 Credits)
PH 854 – Health Equity Framework for Public Health Practice (3 Credits)
PH 892 – Public Health Applied Practice Experience (3 Credits)
PH 893 – Public Health Integrative Learning Experience (3 Credits)
Generalist Concentration Curriculum
Generalist Concentration Course (3 credits)
PH 853 Public Health Program/Intervention Evaluation (3 Credits)
Complete ONE of the following elective courses (3 credits)
PH 832 – Global Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 833 – Introduction to Pharmaceutical Counterfeiting and Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 838 – Cultural Aspects of Public Health Practice (3 Credits)
PH 847 – Public Health in Ghana: A one Health Perspective (3 Credits)
PH 861 – Introduction to Public Health Nutrition (3 Credits)
PH 863 – Parasitic Diseases and Public Health in Developing Countries (3 credits)
PH 865 – Vitamins and Minerals: Risks to Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 871 – Vaccine Preventable Diseases of Public Health Importance (3 Credits)
PH 873 – Maternal and Child Health: A Global Public Health Perspective (3 Credits)
PH 877 – Public Health Nutrition and the Life Stages (3 Credits)
PH 882 – PH Nutrition: Assessment & Development of Population-Base Interventions (3 Credits)
Complete ONE of the following elective courses (3 Credits)
PH 808 – Public Health Surveillance (3 Credits)
PH 831 – Communicable Diseases in Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 836 – Comparative Global Health Systems (3 Credits)
PH 840 – Public Health Finance (3 Credits)
PH 852 - Outbreak Investigations in Public Health
PH 862 – Global Pandemics and Public Health Systems, Law, and Community Impacts (3 Credits)
PH 864 – Intersection of Human and Animal Health (3 Credits)
PH 876 – Nutrition and Chronic Diseases: Living Longer and Healthier (3 Credits)
PH 889 – Applied Epidemiology Methods for Public Health Practitioners (3 Credits)
Rural Public Health Curriculum
Complete THREE Rural Public Health courses (9 Credits)
PH 830 – Foundations of Rural Public Health
PH 834 – Drivers of Rural Health
PH 839 – Rural Public Health Policy and Advocacy
Public Health Data Management and Analytics Curriculum
Complete THREE Data Management and Analytics courses (9 Credits)
PH 826 – Data Management and Public Health Practice (3 Credits)
PH 878 – Applied Biostatics for Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 829 – Public Health and Healthcare Delivery Data (3 Credits)
Admission Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Bachelor of applied science is not acceptable
- Résumé or CV
- Volunteer or student organization experience is encouraged
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Transcripts from international institutions must be sent directly to the MSU Office of Admissions from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope. WES evaluations are not accepted.
- Personal statement discussing your interests and goals in public health
- 3 letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources
- Academic statement (optional)
- For applicants who have academic situations, they would like to discuss with the Admissions Committee (e.g., low GPA, withdrawals, etc.)
- GRE (optional)
- International Applicants Only: English language proficiency test scores
To apply to this program:
We recommend applicants review our website, mph.msu.edu, before starting an application.
To apply to the MPH program:
- Complete an application in SOPHAS
- Submit required materials through the SOPHAS application
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume or CV
- Official Transcript(s)
- Submit MSU supplemental application
State Authorization: Distance Education Restrictions Based on Permanent Residence. Michigan State University is obligated to comply with existing state laws regarding distance education (programs/departments offering courses delivered exclusively online). State laws regarding distance education vary state-by-state, and even program-by-program within a state. The Master of Public Health offered through the College of Human Medicine’s Division of Public Health at Michigan State University requires a practicum experience that constitutes a physical presence in some states, therefore restricting enrollment in our program to residents of those states. Prior to applying, please access the State-by-State Summary, for the most up-to-date approved and restricted states. For more information, please visit MSU's State Authorization website. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
June 1st
Summer
Application Deadline
March 1st
Spring
Application Deadline
October 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$725 plus university fees
$725 plus university fees
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
The MSU Value Promise
You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.
As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years.
MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.
MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.
MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.