What is a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree? 

Are you passionate about ensuring people in your community stay safe and healthy?

Healthcare professionals work in a variety of settings, from hospitals and clinics to nonprofit and municipal organizations. If you’re someone who wants to focus more on helping communities as opposed to caring for individual patients, a career in public health might be an option to consider.

Public health departments and others play a vital role in keeping our communities safe. But what kind of education do you need to work in a public health setting?

A Master of Public Health (MPH) is a graduate-level degree that prepares you to play a role in overseeing and maintaining the health of populations. Through an online Master of Public Health degree program, you can develop a comprehensive understanding of public health principles that apply to a wide range of roles.

MPH programs vary by institution, especially their application requirements. Students who want to pursue a graduate degree in healthcare should first consider earning a bachelor’s degree in a related field. While University of Phoenix does not require standardized test scores, other schools may.

We spoke with Heather Steiness, PhD, MPH, associate dean of the College of Health Professions at University of Phoenix, about the program’s approach to education in the public health space.

“Addressing public health problems, particularly disparities in health, benefits from a diverse workforce with deep knowledge of the relationship between inequity and health,” Steiness says. “For that reason, UOPX seeks to remove unnecessary barriers to education and provide opportunities for individuals who may have been shut out by more traditional models.”

Specific MPH coursework will vary by institution. A key focus of public health courses, however, is on evidence-based approaches to public health programs, community health leadership, global health, data analytics, and planning and management. Ultimately, after completing your MPH degree, you should be able to understand, create and implement community programs, connect with leaders and create large-scale change in healthcare.

How long does it take to get an MPH? Again, it depends on the program.

You will need approximately 42 credits to graduate from the MPH program at UOPX. The typical program length for an MPH can be up to 24 months, although with online programs it may be completed in less time. 

Transfer credit and work experience can also affect the length of the program. If you’re interested in pursuing an MPH, earning a bachelor’s degree in an area related to the core competencies of public health can help give you a good educational foundation.

Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. 

While an MPH focuses on understanding and addressing factors that affect community health, a Master of Health Administration (MHA) deals with the business side of healthcare.

MPH programs prepare you for careers that influence public health policy, research and program implementation. They emphasize a broad approach to health promotion and disease prevention in communities.

MHA programs are for people who want to focus on leadership roles within healthcare facilities. Courses typically include healthcare economics, finance, management practices and human resources. MHA graduates typically finish with skills that help them effectively run hospitals, clinics and other healthcare organizations.

While both degrees aim to improve health outcomes, the MPH deals with health issues on a large scale, focusing on upstream events that impact health. The MHA focuses on efficient operation of healthcare facilities.

Curious about available careers with an MPH degree? Generally speaking, they involve advocacy, policymaking, community health and outreach, research, disease surveillance — the list goes on. 

Because of these widespread opportunities, an MPH offers the ability to branch out within the healthcare industry. That includes careers in public health.

Online master’s degrees in healthcare open up several career options. Generally, graduates with a Master of Public Health degree can embark on a variety of public health career opportunities, like policy specialization and community health endeavors.

However, while this program can provide the fundamental public health competencies required for this career, some careers — like medical science — may require a degree with a specific concentration. Below are examples of careers for which some professionals possess at least a bachelor’s degree, but some employers may prefer a master’s degree:

Overview: Public health administrators focus on community welfare by running organizations that promote health information. Many public health administrators focus on government work, although others might have roles at not-for-profit or educational organizations.

Education requirements: The typical entry level education for public health administrators is a bachelor’s degree. However, depending on the position and employer, a master’s degree may be preferred or required.

Overview: Public health program managers oversee, plan and implement various programs and services for public health departments. These broad responsibilities include managing staff, coordinating initiatives and evaluating their programs.

Education requirements: The typical entry level education for public health program managers is a bachelor’s degree. However, depending on the position and employer, a master’s degree may be preferred or required.

Overview: Health education specialists are responsible for addressing the health needs of a population by evaluating and implementing education programs that help members of the community live healthier lifestyles.

National salary ranges: As of May 2023, the annual salary range for health education specialists was between $39,630 and $107,920 (with a median wage of $62,860), according to BLS.

Education requirements: Working in this role typically requires at least a bachelor’s degree in health education; some businesses require employees to have a master’s degree. BLS notes that some employers prefer health education specialists obtain certifications, and some states have certification programs. 

Job outlook: Job growth for these professionals is projected to be 7% between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than the national average for all occupations.

Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.

BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2022–2032 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Overview: Public health officers are the public face of government agencies and other institutions. They typically share information with the public or the media during a health crisis. Other responsibilities involve developing response guidelines and materials that help spread important information.

Education requirements: The typical entry level education for public health officers is a bachelor’s degree. However, depending on the position and employer, a master’s degree may be preferred or required.

Overview: Community health program coordinators have similar job duties to other public health professionals. They help develop and implement programs to address their community’s specific health needs. They also conduct outreach to engage the community on those programs and build partnerships with leaders and stakeholders.

Education requirements: The typical entry level education for a community health program coordinator is a bachelor’s degree. However, depending on the position and employer, a master’s degree may be preferred or required.

Earning an online master’s degree, particularly a Master of Public Health, offers several benefits. An MPH program is a flexible healthcare degree that can prepare graduates for work in public and private sectors, including hospitals, care centers and social advocacy organizations.

But outside of career prospects, what is an MPH degree good for?

Other benefits of earning an MPH include but aren’t limited to:

• Community impact: Because those with MPH degrees work in the public healthcare sector, their work affects communities on a broader scale. Someone interested in making a large, lasting impact may want to consider an MPH.
• Program flexibility: Professionals in this space have the flexibility to work in many industries, but that isn’t the only kind of flexibility an MPH offers. These degrees can be pursued at traditional universities and through online programs alike with equal requirements and accreditation involved in both options.
• Travel opportunities: Many other clinical healthcare jobs require professionals to work out of a hospital or care center to serve patients within that particular setting. However, those with an MPH focus on the broader population, be it a community, state, country or region of the world, meaning that national or global job opportunities may require travel.
• Global impact: Public health isn’t just a local issue. It’s a global concern too. That could allow graduates to find meaningful work at a city, state, national or international level.

An MPH focuses on public health practice and the application of public health principles. An MS in Public Health focuses more on research or specialization, such as in infectious diseases or epidemiology. An MHA focuses on the management and administration of healthcare organizations like clinics, hospitals and broader healthcare systems.

At University of Phoenix, those seeking an MPH must have a valid bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a cumulative GPA of 2.5. You must also be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or present a valid visa. Unlike other institutions, University of Phoenix does not require you to take the GRE or submit an essay. 

For many healthcare professionals, the opportunity to make a difference by positively influencing health outcomes is one of the primary perks of the job. What better way is there to influence those outcomes than to do work that benefits your community? Whether you’re a professional who wants to change to a healthcare career or a current health professional who wants to expand your knowledge and skills, an MPH is one degree path that can help make those goals a reality.

The Master of Public Health program at University of Phoenix offers a flexible way to pursue these goals. In addition to flexible coursework and admissions requirements, our MPH program focuses on developing skills to lead meaningful change.

Steiness notes: “The Master of Public Health in Community Health Leadership degree at the University of Phoenix specifically prepares learners with the skills they need to become leaders in the field, whether it is working at a community health organization, for a city or state health department, or in any public health role that requires a strong leader.”

Access to the University’s Career Services for Life^® can help you leverage those new skills and explore career opportunities in public health.

If you’re considering a community health focus for your next career move, request more information about our Master of Public Health program or apply today.