Online MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

San Diego State University’s fully online Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science program is a rigorous 22-month program designed for early-career professionals. It focuses on the unique interactions of health science and public policy, with a specific emphasis on group behaviors and health-related issues in diverse communities. The program aims to equip students to develop, implement, evaluate, and critique public health programs.

The program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). SDSU's School of Public Health was also awarded the Harrison C. Spencer Award for Outstanding Community Service by the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), a national award recognizing commitment to addressing community needs.

Delivery Modes

The MPH program is delivered fully online, with mostly asynchronous coursework, offering flexibility for busy professionals. While primarily asynchronous, some courses may require group activities and arranged meetings with faculty. It is a full-time program with no part-time option, designed to be completed in 22 months.

Curriculum Overview

The program requires completion of 51 units. Students typically take two 3-unit courses every eight weeks. The curriculum includes:

Public Health Core Courses (18 Units):

• PH 601: Epidemiology (3 Units)

• PH 602: Biostatistics (3 Units)

• PH 603: Behavioral and Social Science in Public Health (3 Units)

• PH 604: Environmental Determinants of Human Health Elective (3 Units)

• PH 605: Health Services Administration (3 Units)

• PH 606: Applied Research Methods in Public Health (3 Units)

Health Promotion And Behavioral Science Concentration Courses (15 Units):

• PH 607: Research Methods (3 Units)

• PH 661: Theoretical Foundations of Health Promotion (3 Units)

• PH 662: Motivating Health Behavior (3 Units)

• PH 663: Health Communication (3 Units)

• PH 672: Public Health Program Evaluation (3 Units)

Supervised Field Placement (3 Units): PH 650R: Field Practice: Required Community Practice (3 Units). This involves a 180-hour field placement experience.

Integrated Learning Experience (6 Units): PH 797: Research for Graduate Studies (3 units) and PH 798: Special Studies (Alternative Capstone) (3 Units).

Prescribed Elective Courses (A minimum of 9 additional units): Offerings are determined term-by-term. Examples include PH 700F Seminar: Health Disparities, PH 667 Seminar: Prevention & Control Chronic Illnesses, PH 700F Seminar: Women, Children, & Adolescent Health, PH 700A Seminar: Migration and Global Health, and PH 700F Seminar: Qualitative Methods.

Admissions Requirements

General admission requirements include:

• A bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited university.

• Satisfactory completion of an introductory statistics course prior to admission.

• An undergraduate GPA of at least 2.85 (overall, or in the last 60 semester/90 quarter units). International students require a GPA of at least 3.0. The average GPA for students enrolling in the School of Public Health is 3.3.

• Current employment of at least 30 hours per week (75% full-time), preferably in a public health-related position/organization, and a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience, preferably in a public health-related field.

• Demonstrated English proficiency for international applicants (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo scores).

The application process involves completing a SOPHAS Application (including a personal statement, proof of English proficiency, official transcripts or WES evaluation for international coursework, three letters of recommendation, and a résumé/CV) and an SDSU Application via Cal State Apply (including official documents and test scores as required).

Cost & Financial Aid

The total estimated cost for the program is $30,804. This program is approved for financial aid. Prospective students can begin the financial aid process by visiting the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website and accessing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Career & Practical Experience

Graduates are prepared for high-level positions in fields such as nonprofits, research, education, public policy, and corporate wellness. The program features expert faculty from SDSU’s School of Public Health and practitioners from various professional settings.

A key component is the 180-hour supervised field placement, providing hands-on experience with public health organizations in the student's own community. This non-residential practicum can take place in diverse environments like hospitals, government agencies, community organizations, and research institutions.

According to a labor analysis by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) for MPH graduates nationwide, there were 46,052 job postings in the last 12 months, with a projected job growth of 7% in the next 10 years, and an average salary of $90,363.