General MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

Grand Canyon University's (GCU) Master of Public Health (MPH) program is designed for individuals aspiring to become leaders in public health, focusing on the prevention of diseases and injuries, promotion of health education, and tracking of infectious diseases. The program explores evidence-based approaches to address modern public health challenges at local, regional, national, and global levels. Key areas of competency development include epidemiology, public health advocacy, and the application of public health data. The curriculum is delivered with a Christian worldview, aiming to graduate servant leaders.

GCU is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Master of Public Health program is an applicant for accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Delivery Modes

The MPH program is offered online, providing flexibility for working professionals. Courses are delivered through an intuitive e-learning platform designed for collaboration and discussion. While coursework is completed online, students are required to complete clinical, practicum, and immersion hours in person at local sites. Online courses are generally 8 weeks in length, with some introductory and capstone/practicum courses being 4 or 16 weeks respectively.

Curriculum Overview

The MPH program requires a total of 48 credit hours. Students may transfer up to 12 credits or one-third of the total program requirements, whichever is less. The curriculum covers core public health disciplines, including:

• Foundations of Public Health

• Social and Behavioral Principles of Public Health

• Principles of Epidemiology

• Application and Interpretation of Public Health Data

• Environmental Impacts on Health

• Communication for Behavior Change

• Planning and Evaluation in Public Health

• Public Health Advocacy and Policy

• International Perspectives in Community Health

• Leadership and Management in Public Health

The program culminates in a Public Health Practicum (minimum 150 supervised field experience hours) and a Public Health Capstone project, where students apply their knowledge to a real-world public health issue aligned with their career interests.

Admissions Requirements

Prospective students should review GCU's graduate admissions requirements . A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is typically required. The admissions process may include a Lopes Evaluation.

Cost & Financial Aid

The tuition rate for the online MPH program is $600 per credit hour. With 48 total credits, the estimated total program tuition is $28,800. For more information on tuition, fees, financial aid, and scholarships, please refer to GCU's Tuition & Financial Aid resources .

Career & Practical Experience

Graduates of the MPH program are prepared for various roles in public health, aiming to improve community health and wellness. Potential career paths include community health worker, medical and health services manager, and health education specialist. The program emphasizes practical skills such as designing and implementing health programs, strategic leadership, cross-cultural competence, and statistical analysis. A key component is the 150-hour Public Health Practicum, providing hands-on experience in a public health setting.