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.

The median annual wage was $115,110 for public health professionals in May 2017. The highest 10 percent earned more than $161,890. The annual mean wage in Michigan is $76,000 - $88,560. By 2022, public health employment is expected to grow 22 percent nationally and by 12 percent in Michigan. GVSU M.P.H. graduates often hold the following job titles:

• City managers
• Community developers
• Department heads
• Financial managers
• Foreign service officers
• Fundraisers
• Program or agency directors

• 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.

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. 

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

View the Public Health Admission Requirements

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. 

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 weekend each semester -- Friday evenings from 5:00pm-9:00pm and Saturdays from 8:00am-5:00pm -- at GVSU's Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall in Grand Rapids, MI. More than 50% of course content is presented online. 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.

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