Online MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The Boston University Online Master of Public Health (Online MPH) is a fully online program offered by the nationally recognized, #7 ranked School of Public Health. It features a flexible, skills-based curriculum focused on health equity, designed to prepare working professionals to address real-world public health challenges.

The program boasts a CEPH-accredited curriculum, ensuring adherence to national standards for public health education. Coursework is evidence-based, emphasizing sustainable solutions and practices to improve population health.

Delivery Modes

The Online MPH is delivered fully online, allowing working professionals to continue their careers without disruption. There are no requirements for in-person courses, orientation, seminars, or meetings.

Students engage through weekly live sessions led by Boston University School of Public Health faculty. The program is designed as a part-time option, with students typically taking one module per semester, accommodating busy schedules.

Curriculum Overview

The 42-credit Online MPH program is structured around six sequential online modules, each taken one at a time, plus a 0-credit orientation module (Online MPH Launch) completed before the first semester. The curriculum is focused on health equity.

Core modules include:

• Online MPH Launch (0 cr): Introduction to learning platforms, public health foundations.

• Data, Determinants, and Decision-Making for Health Equity (8 cr): Social determinants, quantitative skills, data analysis, leadership.

• Policy, Programs and Public Health Communication (8 cr): Policymaking, communication strategies, program design, ethics.

• Applied Methods in Population Health Science (8 cr): Quantitative/qualitative research, epidemiologic methods, environmental health.

• Public Health Policy, Advocacy, and Community Organizing (8 cr): Community engagement, advocacy, policy evaluation.

• Applied Public Health Practice (8 cr): Real-world application of skills, including an embedded practicum.

• Integrative Seminar (2 cr): Final capstone module demonstrating acquired skills and knowledge through a written product.

A key component is the practicum, which is integrated directly into Module 5 (Applied Public Health Practice). This project-based practicum fulfills the CEPH requirement without students needing to find their own placements.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the Online MPH program must meet the following criteria:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

• A minimum of two years of full-time work experience at the time of application (public health experience preferred but not required).

• CV or resume.

• Two letters of recommendation.

• Short essay admissions questions.

The GRE is NOT required, and standardized test scores will NOT be considered. International students must submit English language proficiency exam scores. Applications are submitted through the SOPHAS platform.

Cost & Financial Aid

The total tuition cost for the Online MPH program is $24,000 USD, regardless of the time taken to complete the degree.

While institutional scholarships are not available for this accessibly priced program, domestic students may qualify for Federal Unsubsidized Loans. For more details, applicants can visit the Office of Student Financial Services .

Career & Practical Experience

The Online MPH program is designed for working professionals aiming to advance their careers and make an impact on public health. Graduates are prepared to solve complex public health challenges.

Students in the program come from diverse professional backgrounds, including federal and local government, NGOs, community health organizations, healthcare providers, hospital administration, and pharmaceutical companies.

Practical experience is a core part of the curriculum, with a required practicum embedded within Module 5. This project-based experience allows students to apply their learning in real-world settings. The program also highlights partnerships, such as with the Vineyard Health Center, for student practicum experiences.