Grand Valley State University's Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree, offered by the School of Interdisciplinary Health, prepares students by enhancing career opportunities through the acquisition of quantitative and qualitative problem-solving research skills, service, and experiential learning. Public health professionals promote good health and prevent disease within communities. The M.P.H. provides graduate and community-based education and research grounded in social justice to help meet these goals.

CEPH ACCREDITED

GVSU's Master of Public Health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health

The Public Health program at GVSU is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) - www.ceph.org/

All prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in an M.P.H. Information Event - click the first button below to sign up!

Attend an M.P.H. Info Event

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up to 25%

Michigan Job Growth by 2032

1st

GVSU Ranking as West Michigan Talent Provider

Median Annual Wage

$80,080 Average

▼

$58,884

$94,913

Source: EMSI, 2022

Public Health Career Outlook and Opportunities

According to 2022 EMSI and USBLS (2024) research, job opportunities are expected to grow 13.5% in Michigan by 2032 and 12.5% in the U.S. by 2034. The median annual wage for public health professionals varies per job title but was reported to be between $63,000 and $117,960 (May, 2024). M.P.H. graduates often hold the following job titles:

Health Educator
Epidemiologist
Food Inspector
Infectious Disease Specialist
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Policy Analyst
Advocacy Director
Grant Writer
Health Department Director
Environmental Health Inspector

Source: EMSI, 2022

Where can an M.P.H. from GVSU take you?

Our M.P.H. alumni are impacting public health locally, across the country, and globally. Take a peek at our Alumni Directory to see some of the many ways our graduates are using their degree.

View our MPH Alumni Directory

The Skills Employers Want

The Master of Public Health degree at GVSU will develop the skills you need to land the job you want. Whether the skills are advanced or general, you will build a resume of qualifications that are sure to attract employers. The following skills correlate with those pulled from actual job postings.

Strategic Planning
Performance Improvement
Health Administration
Program Development
Budgeting
Behavioral Health
Quality Management
Managed Care
Management
Leadership
Operations
Coordinating
Communications
Problem Solving
Innovation
Presentations
Research

Source: EMSI, 2020

Perspectives from the Field

You may be wondering...

What can you do with an MPH degree?

How can GVSU's Public Health graduate program best prepare you for your career?

A few of our alumni came together for a special webinar to discuss ways they are using their MPH degree in the field and how their training at Grand Valley State University prepared them for success. Hear about some of the great work they are doing, as well as their advice for those on their way to becoming public health practitioners.

We invite you to view a recording from this webinar.

Important Dates

Apply Today!

Next New Cohort:
Fall 2026

November 1

PRIORITY Admission
Application deadline

March 1

REGULAR Admission
Application deadline

What to Expect

Applications completed by the November 1 Priority Deadline will be reviewed, and those candidates will receive a decision, by early December.

Why Study Public Health at Grand Valley?

Accredited. The M.P.H. program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (www.ceph.org).
Relevant. A Master of Public Health degree from GVSU means acquired experience and skills vital for today's public health professional.
Experience based. Includes field experience in public health practice, optional global learning in public health, and practicum placements within the community. Didactic learning is paired with community-based experiences throughout the curriculum.
Great location. Close proximity to, and articulation agreements with, a variety of public health-related organizations ensure more effective student learning.
Convenient. Classes for our Hybrid format students meet in person one weekend per semester.
Online. Students complete their courses online, meeting in person (Grand Rapids or Traverse City) once, for a two-day summer intensive at the midpoint of their program. This format accommodates students with jobs, families, and other commitments, as well as those in distant locations. Click here to learn more about our MPH Online Hybrid Program.
Tuition savings. GVSU graduate school tuition is not based on residency - we do not charge out-of-state tuition rates.

Courses Offered

The Public Health M.P.H. program is a minimum of 48 credits. Upon completion of the five semester M.P.H. program, graduates will be qualified to earn voluntary professional certification by taking the National Board of Public Health Examiners Certified in Public Health (CPH) Exam.

Undergraduates accepted into the Allied Health Sciences (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.) or Exercise Science (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.) Combined Degree programs begin their MPH courses in the fall of their senior year. A minimum total of 126 credits must be completed for the combined degree.

Students choose from one of two emphasis areas:

Epidemiology
Health promotion

See the full M.P.H. course list

Cost

For more information on tuition and fees, please visit the costs portion of the GVSU Financial Aid website. GVSU undergraduate students save tuition when enrolling in a Combined Degree program, such as AHS (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.), EXS (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.), or Student Initiated Combined Degree program!

For financial support, scholarship search, and filing for FAFSA, please visit the GVSU Financial Support website.

M.P.H. students regularly hold graduate assistantships with various GVSU departments and centers. GA position openings are posted on The Graduate School's GA job openings webpage. Public Health typically employs 1 second-year M.P.H. student as a full-time graduate assistant.

Note: Grand Valley does not charge a higher tuition rate based on residency. Tuition is based on the program in which you chose to enroll.

Admissions

The Public Health M.P.H. Application deadline is March 1; applications received after March 1 will be decided for rolling admission.

Secure your seat early by applying before the Priority Admission application deadline, November 1. Priority Admissions applicants receive their decision by early December.

Undergraduate students in GVSU's Allied Health Sciences or Exercise Science can apply in the fall of their junior year (after the completion of 55+ credit hours) for a Combined Degree program:
AHS (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.) Combined Degree program
EXS (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.) Combined Degree program

The $30 application fee is waived if you’ve already applied to Grand Valley.

View the Master of Public Health Admission Requirements

Are You a GVSU Alum?

When you became a Laker, you opened up a lifetime of learning, and now alumni like you can use your Laker Lifetime Learning (L3) account for classes that provide greater knowledge and new skills. Your account is waiting for you to use for future classes at GVSU. All you have to do is click on the button below to find out more.

Find Out More About Your Laker Lifetime Learning Account (L3)

M.P.H. Information Events

Learn how & why you should earn your M.P.H. at GVSU!

We invite you to attend one of our many information events - choose the format and date which works best for you! We offer several different types of engagement - both on campus and off campus, in-person and remotely.

Attend an M.P.H. Information Event

Interested in Partnering with GVSU MPH?

GVSU's MPH program recognizes the value of experiential learning and service as we prepare the next generation of leaders in public health. Collaboration in and outside the classroom with our community partners and other experts in the field of public health is vital to our work. There are currently many opportunities for you to share your experience and expertise with students and faculty, and we are excited by the potential to broaden the impact with new and exciting connections for our students. Please take a moment to let us know where your interests lie and share any ideas you'd like us to consider in the future. Thank you!

Complete the GVSU-MPH Community Partner Interest & Support Form