Public Health
Master of Public Health
Quick Facts
The Zuckerman College of Public Health has held continuous accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) since 2003 and is accredited through December 31, 2027
This practice-based professional degree offers five concentrations that reflect key disciplines in public health: Applied Epidemiology, Climate Change and Health, Global Health, Health Behavior Health Promotion and Health Services Administration.
Half of the courses are concentration-focused, resulting in a degree that covers foundational knowledge and skills and the opportunity for specialization. All students also complete an applied practice experience that allows students to put their skills to work with organizations to address their real-world needs.
The online program is designed for working professionals to take two years to complete, and alternate plans of study can be designed with our program staff.
We also offer two dual degree options with the College of Nursing. 1) The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty with an MPH in Health Behavior-Health Promotion and 2) The MS-DNP in Executive Health Systems Leadership with an MPH in Health Services Administration. Students take courses in both programs each session. These programs start in the fall semester only and have different admission requirements and deadlines. Applicants interested in these options are advised to consult the College of Nursing first to review eligibility for the DNP program and admission details. Please contact CON-OSAA@arizona.edu (College of Nursing) and coph-onlinemph@arizona.edu (College of Public Health) for more information.
Eligibility: Admissions requirements for this program include: a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and coursework with a grade of C or higher in math (college algebra, precalculus, or calculus) and science (e.g. biology, physiology, or anatomy). Please contact us with questions about eligibility.
*Residents of some U.S. Territories may not be eligible. Please see our Eligibility & State Authorization page for more information.
Why Earn an Online MPH?
Earn a degree that makes a difference, not just in your life and career, but in the well-being of your community. Whether you’re interested in preventing chronic disease, educating underserved communities on healthy behavior, or working to improve health policy, you will graduate with the freedom to choose your own career path.
Eligibility: Admissions requirements for this program include: a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and coursework with a grade of C or higher in math (college algebra, precalculus, or calculus) and science (e.g. biology, physiology, or anatomy). Please contact us for questions about eligibility.
*Residents of some U.S. Territories may not be eligible. Please see our Eligibility & State Authorization page for more information.
The core curriculum for this degree program includes:
This course reviews the fundamentals of budgeting and financial management. Recent surveys have identified financial management expertise as a key area in of need for the current public health workforce.
This course will introduce students to the basic concepts and principles of epidemiology. Students will learn quantitative skills in data analysis and how to interpret results to address public health problems.
This course explores a range of topics including the roles of public health professionals, public health management processes, health services organization, health policy issues and public health trends.
This course explores how to assess, prevent and control environmental hazards that present
risks to human health and safety. Topics include management and regulatory programs, guidelines, and authorities that control environmental health issues in the United States.
This course introduces biostatistical methods, including descriptive statistics, probability theory, and inferential statistical techniques. These methods are used to make practical conclusions about empirical data. Students will learn to use a statistical software package (STATA).
This course reviews the social, cultural and behavioral determinants of health. Students will examine the direct and indirect role that the conditions in which people live, work and play have on health throughout the lifespan.
Outcomes
Skills
Earning your Master of Public Health in Public Health will build core skills, including:
- Collaboration
- Community engagement
- Cultural competency
- Data analysis
- Leadership
- Policy advocacy
- Policy development
- Program design and evaluation
- Research
- Systems thinking
- Verbal and written communication
Potential Career Paths
Graduates of the Master of Public Health concentrations will be prepared to pursue the following careers:
Concentrations
This concentration provides systematic training in measuring and studying the distribution and determinants of diseases and health issues in a range of populations. Epidemiology, a fundamental science of public health, focuses on the prevention of both chronic and rare diseases, disability and premature death. Graduates may work in public, non-profit and private health settings gathering, analyzing, interpreting and communicating data to improve health and quality of life.
Examples of courses that you may take include:
This concentration offers a combination of public health and health care administration courses that provide students with a multifaceted understanding of the administrative and business aspects of healthcare. Graduates of this concentration may take leadership roles in working to improve the quality of policies, programs and services offered in healthcare, social service, academic and public health organizations.
Examples of courses that you may take include:
This concentration examines the sociocultural factors that influence health and health behavior. The program trains future professionals to plan, implement and evaluate effective policies and programs designed to improve community health and well-being. Graduates work to promote healthier lifestyles, prevent premature death, and fight disease in diverse communities large and small.
Examples of courses that you may take include:
This concentration prepares students to identify and address key health and human development issues in complex and culturally diverse settings. Graduates learn to develop policies, programs to improve the health and well-being of children and adults in the U.S. and around the world.
Examples of courses that you may take include:
This interdisciplinary concentration is offered jointly by four Departments. Students in this concentration prepare to respond to climate-driven health crises. They learn to identify and address the complex chronic disease, infectious disease, and mental health effects of climate change on population health. Graduates will develop communication skills and adaptation measures to address climate effects on health and the environment, including ongoing and emergent health challenges.
Member of the Association of Schools and
Programs in Public Health (ASPPH)
Dates & Deadlines
The Master of Public Health program offers rolling admissions throughout the year.
Career Outlook
With an MPH degree, you can work in a variety of settings, including health care delivery and administration, government organizations and nonprofits. You may choose to help write and shape policies for government organizations, become a community advocate for healthier lifestyles through health departments and nonprofits, or conduct scientific research to help prevent the spread of disease. No matter which path you choose, you will have many opportunities to make a positive impact on your community.
Online MPH alumni have worked in county/state health departments, non-profit organizations, university settings, healthcare systems/hospitals, the CDC, for-profit organizations that offer health services or employee wellness programs, insurance companies and a variety of other organizations.
109,000
New Public Health jobs expected by 2024
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Admissions Process
As part of the application process, you will be required to pay a $65 application fee by debit or credit through the application portal.
Step 1:
Applying Through SOPHAS
Apply online through SOPHAS, the centralized application service for all accredited schools of public health. Application materials, including transcripts, statement of purpose, resume, and letters of recommendation, will be submitted through SOPHAS.
Step 2:
Submit Transcripts
Official U.S. and Canadian Transcripts - Transcripts should be submitted from all colleges/universities attended to:
SOPHAS
PO Box 9111
Watertown, MA 02471
International transcripts (not including study abroad transcripts), should be evaluated by the World Evaluation Service at www.wes.org/cas. Please note this process can take several months.
Step 3:
Submit Test Scores
Submit official test scores to SOPHAS
GRE is not required.
GRE: UA College of Public Health/SOPHAS Code 4253, which routes scores directly to SOPHAS
TOEFL (international applicants): SOPHAS code 5688
IELTS (international applicants): SOPHAS code "SOPHAS"
Step 4:
Supplemental Application
Once you have completed your SOPHAS application, submit a short supplemental application through the University of Arizona Graduate College and pay the application fee: apply.grad.arizona.edu.
