General MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

Northwestern University's Master of Public Health (MPH) program, offered through the Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, provides premiere, multidisciplinary education. It trains students for a variety of professional roles in public health, clinical care, and health research, with a strong emphasis on data and analytic skills to address complex public health challenges on local, national, and global scales.

The program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), an independent agency dedicated to assuring excellence in public health education. You can learn more about CEPH accreditation and view Northwestern's CEPH accreditation details .

Delivery Modes

The MPH program offers flexible delivery modes to accommodate various student needs:

• Part-time: Designed for working professionals and healthcare practitioners, typically completed in about two years with evening classes.

• Full-time: An intensive, 12-month program for students seeking a comprehensive MPH experience. While some classes are offered in the daytime, the majority of coursework for the full-time program is offered in the evening.

• Accelerated: An Accelerated Program in Public Health (APHP - MPH 4+1) is also available for eligible students.

The program is delivered on-campus in Chicago.

Curriculum Overview

The MPH curriculum requires a total of 16 units. Core areas of study, as reflected in course requirements, include:

• Behavior, Society & Health

• Biostatistics

• Environmental Health Sciences

• Epidemiology

• US Health Care System (Health Policy and Management)

In addition to coursework, students complete an Applied Practice Experience (APEx) , a two-course sequence that includes 160 hours of practice work at an approved site. The program culminates in a Culminating Experience (CE) , where students bridge theory and practice with a synthesis thesis or capstone-style project. The curriculum also includes intermediate-level courses, methodology requirements, and elective units, which vary by chosen concentration. More details can be found on the Curriculum page .

Admissions Requirements

While specific prerequisites and GPA requirements are not detailed in the provided overview, prospective students for a Master of Public Health program typically need a bachelor's degree. The Northwestern MPH program attracts a diverse student body, including physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, specialists in the physical and social sciences, and leaders in community health research.

For detailed application components, procedures, and deadlines, please refer to the MPH Admissions page .

Career & Practical Experience

Graduates of the MPH program are prepared for a variety of professional roles in public health, clinical care, and health research. Alumni testimonials indicate career paths such as Associate/Consultant at McKinsey & Co., Inc., Program Administrator at Northwestern and Illinois Department of Children & Family Services, and medical residencies.

The Applied Practice Experience (APEx) provides 160 hours of hands-on work at approved sites, offering valuable practical experience. The program also collaborates with various Community Partners .