100% Online Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree

Program Description

George Mason University’s Master of Public Health program is designed for professionals who are ready to advance in the public health field. Through an experiential curriculum and in-person fieldwork, students gain valuable public health knowledge and expertise that prepares them to create positive change both locally and globally.

Nationally Recognized, Industry-Connected Learning

The MPH program has recently been recognized in U.S. News & World Report rankings of graduate programs and public health institutions. It also features a partnership with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). This collaboration aims to prepare the next generation of leaders in public health through applied research, workforce training, and executive leadership education.

Study at the First College of Public Health in Virginia

The College of Public Health at George Mason University is the first College of Public Health in Virginia and a national leader in inclusive, interprofessional, public health research, education, and practice. The College’s transdisciplinary research seeks to understand the many factors that influence the public’s health and well-being throughout the lifespan.

With more than 500 partners, the College serves the community through research, practice, and clinical care with a focus on the social determinants of health and health equity. Graduates from the College of Public Health at George Mason University are uniquely prepared to thrive in an increasingly multicultural multidisciplinary, community-focused public health landscape.

Earn a CEPH-Accredited Graduate Degree

Mason’s MPH degree is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools and programs of public health. As a CEPH-accredited program, all graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) examination.

Discover Comprehensive, Future-Focused Public Health Education

Through a core of foundational public health coursework in essential topic areas like epidemiology, health program planning, health care systems, and public health management, students are equipped to address the most pressing and emerging health problems. All courses are led by our interdisciplinary faculty of epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and social and behavioral health experts.

Building on the core curriculum, students also complete a 15-credit Public Health Practice concentration. This focused set of courses examines the social and environmental factors that improve population and community health and trains students to apply evidence-based public health concepts to real-world problems.

To align with CEPH accreditation standards, MPH students are required to complete fieldwork for the Applied Practice Experience. Students complete 200 contact hours in public health placements to experience diverse public health workplaces, gain real-world experience, and expand their professional network by working alongside current professionals in the field.

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Who should apply?

Mason’s online Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program is designed for working professionals. The flexible scheduling and online course delivery ensure you can complete your studies while continuing to work full-time.

A prior health-related bachelor’s degree or field experience is not required to apply but may be helpful in successful completion of this degree. All prior education and field experience will be considered during the application process. Eligible students may transfer up to 12 semester hours from equivalent courses taken at another accredited college or university, pending director approval.

Why choose Mason?

Our online MPH is CEPH-accredited, ensuring you are eligible to sit for the CPH exam.
The online format provides flexibility and accessibility for working professionals everywhere.
Mason is committed to offering a competitive price point for tuition to all students.
Practicum, fieldwork, and internship opportunities are built into the program ensuring you receive a well-rounded, experiential education.
Students learn from renowned faculty in Virginia’s first College of Public Health.
The Mason Public Health Mentor Program pairs graduating students with alumni who provide guidance and career support specific to the public health field.

Program requirements for the Master of Public Health degree are subject to change.

Requirements: 42 total credit hours

Students in the online MPH program complete a public health core, public health practice concentration, and practicum requirement.

Core

GCH 500 Foundations of Public Health
GCH 604 Fundamentals of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
GCH 609 Community Assessment and Partnerships
GCH 611 Health Program Planning and Evaluations
GCH 645 U.S. and Global Public Health Systems
HAP 635 Role of Government in Health Care and Public Health
HAP 680 Applied Public Health Leadership and Management

Electives

GCH 551 Rural Health or GCH 560 Environmental Health

Practicum

GCH 780 Practicum Seminar
GCH 790 Practicum in Public Health

Concentration in Public Health Practice

GCH 535 Public Health Preparedness and Response
GCH 607 Evidence-Based Public Health Practice
GCH 655 Public Health Equity and Justice
GCH 691 Project Management in Public Health
GCH 720 Public Health Problems in a Changing Society

Tuition & Fees (2022-2023):

Tuition is $725 per credit hour. Additional costs include $35 per credit hour for a distance learning fee and a $60 new student fee.

Financial Aid:

For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department.

Careers

Many jobs in the public health field require applicants to hold an MPH degree, making its job outlook strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that community health roles are expected to grow 12% through 2030, much faster than the national average for all occupations.¹ In addition, two million health care jobs are projected to be added to the market over the next decade.²

Mason graduates are prepared to work in government health and social service agencies, health care organizations, private companies, and nonprofits, addressing the most critical health needs of local and global communities.

Possible career paths for graduates include:

Environmental health specialist
Epidemiologist
ORISE Fellow at the Environmental Protection Agency
Research associate
Social science analyst

Mason MPH alumni have worked in leading public health organizations such as:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Booz Allen Hamilton
The United States Food and Drug Administration
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

Meet an alumna of the MPH program.

Learn more about careers in community and public health.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Healthcare Occupations. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm.

If you are unable to find the answers to your questions, submit a Request Information form or contact our admissions representative via the contact information below.

Phone: 703-348-5006
Email: online2@gmu.edu

How do I apply?

All admission applications for the online Master of Public Health (MPH) program are handled online through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOHPAS). If you have more questions, please review our FAQs below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this program accredited?

George Mason University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Mason’s online Master of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

All CEPH-accredited programs must address the 22 foundational competencies in the curriculum. In addition, all students must complete an Applied Practice Experience (practicum) and an Integrative Learning Experience (ILE).

How long does it take to complete the program?

The online Master of Public Health program consists of 42 credit hours and can be completed in 2.5–3 years. Students have up to six years to complete their online MPH degree.

Can I transfer credits from another university?

Graduate students may transfer up to 12 semester hours of approved, equivalent course work from an accredited college or university to the online Master of Public Health program. Transfer credit policies are available in the University Catalog.

How are courses delivered?

Most courses for the Master of Public Health degree are offered fully online in an asynchronous format. For the practicum course, students complete a field placement in a public health organization.

What is included in the practicum requirement?

The required 200-hour practicum gives students the opportunity to apply and improve professional skills in a supervised practice setting and is completed in two parts. Students must have completed at least 21 credits toward the degree program in order to be eligible for their practicum.

The first part is completed while enrolled in GCH 780 Practicum Seminar. This zero-credit course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to identify and arrange their practicum placements in a structured environment. In the subsequent term, students perform work as interns at their selected placement sites for 200 contact hours and make final presentations of their experiences to the faculty and fellow students.

Where can I find course descriptions?

Course descriptions for the online Master of Public Health are available in the University Catalog, though the online course sequence may vary.

How much does it cost to apply?

The SOPHAS application fee is $145.

What are the admissions requirements?

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
3.0 GPA preferred
Official transcripts
Statement of Purpose and objectives
Two letters of recommendation
Resume/CV

In addition to the requirements listed above, international students must submit:

All transcripts translated into English
English proficiency test scores:
- TOEFL: 88 minimum (20 minimum each section)
- IELTS: 7.0 minimum

What tuition assistance is available?

Mason’s Office of Student Financial Aid provides information on potential scholarships and aid packages.

What is the career outlook for graduates?

Job outlook in the public health field is strong, and many entry-level positions require an MPH. Earning a master’s degree in public health may also increase your salary potential, with the BLS reporting that master’s degree holders earn almost 18% more than those with a bachelor’s degree.¹

Public health professionals are typically employed by:

Local, state, and federal government health agencies
Social service agencies
Health care organizations
Private companies
Nonprofit organizations

How do I receive additional information?

Prospective online Master of Public Health degree students can complete an online form to request more information.

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data on Display. Education Pays, 2021. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2022/data-on-display/education-pays.htm.

Master of Public Health (MPH)