Grand Valley State University's Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, offered by the Department of Public 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. Our MPH provides graduate and community-based education and research grounded in social justice to help meet these goals.

Source: EMSI, 2019

According to 2019 EMSI research, job opportunities are expected to grow 11% in West Michigan, 7% in Michigan, and 10% in the U.S. by 2024. The median annual wage for public health professionals varies per job title but was reported to be between $58,884 and $94,913. 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, 2019

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 in the health sciences field.

Advanced Skills

• Strategic Planning
• Performance Improvement
• Health Administration
• Program Development
• Budgeting
• Behavioral Health
• Quality Management
• Managed Care

Common Skills

• Management
• Leadership
• Operations
• Coordinating
• Communications
• Problem Solving
• Innovation
• Presentations
• Research

Source: EMSI, 2019

• 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.
• In-Demand. By 2022, public health employment is expected to grow 22 percent nationally and by 12 percent in Michigan.
• Great Location. Close proximity to, and articulation agreements with, a variety of clinical settings ensure more effective student learning.
• Convenient. Courses are offered at the Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, in downtown Grand Rapids. Paired courses in the Traditional program = less days per week in the classroom.
• Online. Students in our new MPH Online/Hybrid Program complete courses primarily online, meeting on location (Grand Rapids) one weekend per month. 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 Hybrid Program.

Courses Offered

The Public Health M.P.H. program is a minimum of 51 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.

Students choose 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. 

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

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. Early Application deadline is November 1 for Fall semester; applications received after that date will be decided for rolling admission until March 1. 

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

View the Public Health Admission Requirements

Introducing the Master of Public Health Hybrid Program

Fall 2020 applicants now select from one of two program options: Traditional (In-Seat) Program or Hybrid Program.

The HYBRID program is designed primarily for adult learners and non-traditional students wishing to pursue the MPH degree. Classes meet one Saturday each semester -- 8:00am-6:00pm -- at GVSU's Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall in Grand Rapids, MI. The hybrid format provides the same high-quality, graduate education as the traditional MPH program and is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Read more about our MPH Hybrid Program, then join an Online (webinar) MPH Information Session or in-person MPH Open House (click the link below) to learn more about our programs.

Related Programs

The following program is similar to this one:

• Health Administration, M.H.A.

Use our program comparison tool to find programs that are similar to this one at GVSU.

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