General MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

Ferris State University's Master of Public Health (MPH) program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to enable communities to address public health challenges and promote health equity. The curriculum is practice-centered, evidence-based, and aligns with core competencies outlined by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). A key feature of the program is a 180-hour capstone experience, conducted at one of several Academic Health Department partners in suburban and rural populations of Michigan. The program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Delivery Modes

The MPH program is delivered 100% online in an asynchronous format, providing flexibility for students. The program offers both a traditional track and an accelerated track, suggesting options for full-time and part-time study.

Curriculum Overview

The program requires the completion of 42 credit hours. Core areas of study include Public Health Concepts, Biostatistics in Public Health, Health Behavior & Health Promotion in Public Health, Health Communication and Mass Media, Environmental Health Sciences in Public Health, Cultural Diversity & Competency in Public Health Practice, Epidemiology in Public Health, Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Health Services Administration & Management in Public Health, and Grant/Research Proposal Writing in Public Health. The program includes elective courses and culminates in a two-part MPH Capstone Project (PUBH 692 & PUBH 694), which involves a 180-hour practical experience.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the MPH program must meet the following criteria:

• Completed application for admission.

• Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a 2.5 or higher GPA (on a 4.00 scale), or admission to/completion of a terminal professional degree (e.g., PharmD, O.D., M.D.).

• Submit official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended.

• Submit a current, professional resume or curriculum vitae.

• Submit a personal statement of interest in public health.

• Request three (3) professional references.

• Successful completion of a college-level mathematics course with a grade of C or higher (equivalent to MATH 115 or higher).

• Successful completion of a basic statistics course with a grade of C or higher (equivalent to COHP 350 or higher).

• International students whose first language is not English must submit English proficiency test scores (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo).

Provisional admission may be granted to students who do not meet all admission requirements.

Career & Practical Experience

The program prepares graduates for a public health workforce that is growing faster than average. Practical experience is a core component, featuring:

• A 180-hour capstone experience conducted at Academic Health Department partners in suburban and rural Michigan.

• Experienceships in rural and suburban practices.

Potential career opportunities include Health Educator, Community Health Administrator, Environmental Health Manager, Nutritionist, and many other health-related career paths.