Purdue University Online Master of Public Health (MPH)

• Online Master of Public Health (MPH)

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By Sara Navratil Reviewed By Jocelyn Blore

Updated January 9, 2024

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Sponsor

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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.

Purdue University offers an online master of public health (MPH) program through the College of Health and Human Sciences. Coursework is fully online, and no campus visits are required. The MPH program can be completed in a little over two years.

The MPH degree prepares graduates to apply epidemiological methods in public health practice to identify disease trends; use biostatistics, health informatics, and computer programming to analyze quantitative and qualitative data; and interpret data to identify and develop public health solutions. Other outcomes center on knowledge and skills in public health, healthcare systems, public health policy, effective communication, systems thinking, and interprofessional practice.

The degree includes a concentration in family and community health. Competencies focus on factors that affect the health of families and communities, including social, political, economic, legal, and environmental challenges. Students learn to prioritize community needs and resources according to family and community health issues, analyze solutions to eliminate health disparities, and evaluate health programs and policies using quantitative methods.

The online master of public health program includes a 200-hour practicum that can be customized to meet each student’s career goals and areas of interest. Once online coursework is completed, students complete the practicum. A culminating experiential learning project is included in the final course.

Graduates may be eligible to take the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam through the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE).

Purdue University is regionally accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The online MPH is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). This program is offered through Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Admission Requirements: Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The GRE/GMAT is not required. Applicants are expected to be professionals, but no specific work experience is required. The submitted resume or CV should include coursework or training related to professional or leadership positions, research, and field-based experiences.
Application materials include an online application and fee, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a diversity essay, and a resume or CV.

Study Plan: Start dates land in the fall, spring, and summer. The MPH program can be completed in a little over two years. Students should expect to spend 15 to 20 each week on coursework for each course. A 200-hour work experience practicum and a culminating project conclude the program.

Curriculum: The online public health program comprises 42 credits over 14 courses. Core courses include theoretical foundations of health behavior; fundamentals of epidemiology; introduction to quantitative methods of public health; introduction to environmental health; design and analysis of public health interventions; and public health administration.

Family and community health courses include healthcare communication; international health systems: a comparative approach; public health program and policy evaluation; families and health; and public health nutrition. Experiential courses include public health practicum and culminating experience.

During the culminating experience, students participate in experiential learning covering the development of grants for nonprofit organizations. Students choose a topic and partner with a local organization to develop a grant that meets a need of the organization. Students receive one-on-one support from a faculty mentor during this course and produce written and oral presentations.

Online Experience: Purdue University delivers online courses through the Brightspace/Engage learning management system (LMS). Asynchronous course delivery offers more flexibility for working professionals. Online courses are taught by the same faculty that teach on campus. Courses are designed to be relevant, meaningful, and engaging and are regularly evaluated through data analytics and current student feedback for future improvement.

Virtual town hall meetings, professional development workshops, discussion boards, online networking meetings, co-curricular skills development, and special events allow students and faculty to interact and collaborate. Virtual tools may include Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Discord, WhatsApp, and Slack. Online students can contact the Student Accessibility Center for help navigating the online learning experience. Other student services include financial aid, academic advising, career counseling, and technical support.

On-Site Requirements: There are no on-site requirements for the MPH program. A 200-hour local work experience practicum is required.

The Purdue University Online MPH tuition costs are listed in the tables below. Note that Indiana residents will pay less per credit than will non-residents. Interested professionals should contact the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences for cost clarifications and updates.

Purdue University may offer discounts for alumni, Indiana residents, and military personnel. Graduate students may qualify for unsubsidized federal student loans under the FAFSA. MHA students can also inquire with their employers about tuition reimbursement programs or tuition discounts.

Finally, students may seek outside opportunities to fund their graduate degrees through community, religious, and organizational scholarships.

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She's the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online MHA programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.