Public Health Online

Check out this description of the profession from This is Public Health!

Our program does not require an undergraduate degree in public health for admission. 

Both programs are aligned with CEPH* (academic program accreditation) and NCHEC criteria (individual certification). You will see some similarity in class titles; however, the work in the Master of Public Health online program classes will be more intense and demanding. One way to think of this is to compare the Tier 1 and Tier 2 Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals revised and adopted by the Council on Linkages Between Academic and Public Health Practice: October 21, 2021.

We are preparing students for different roles, which requires exposure to new topics (compared to the bachelor’s degree), greater content depth in classes, and different format of experiences.

Course descriptions are available in the UWL Graduate Catalog.

*Accreditation is being sought from CEPH as a Public Health Program (PHP) to include both the MPH in Community Health Education and the BS in Public Health and Community Health Education. In April 2024, the program's application to transition from an SBP to PHP was accepted. The process will be ongoing for about two years, which is a typical timeframe for transitioning programs.

Accreditation is being sought from CEPH as a Public Health Program (PHP) to include both the MPH in Community Health Education and the BS in Public Health and Community Health Education. In April 2024, the program's application to transition from an SBP to PHP was accepted. The process will be ongoing for about two years which is a typical timeframe for transitioning programs.

The master's of public health program is an integrated program of study. Individual graduate-level classes with significant overlap to classes in the program of study will be considered for transfer credit towards the program. Students in the program would not have to complete any classes for which transfer credit was granted. Evaluation of classes for transfer credit will be completed through an examination of course syllabi. Applicants should review the program course descriptions to initially identify potential classes to be considered for transfer credit. The request, course syllabi, and any other pertinent materials should be sent directly to the director, Dr. Anders Cedergren.

There are university policies regarding the number of classes and the timing of prior coursework that may impact the granting of transfer credit. If you have additional questions about the ability to transfer in previous graduate coursework toward completion of the Public Health program, please contact the director, Dr. Anders Cedergren.

In general, no. However, we will hold an in-person event on campus each May, for program networking and orientation of new students. If a scheduling conflict prevents you from attending, we will provide the information for you in another format.

In general, no. However, instructors may include occasional synchronous online sessions for specific learning reasons. Instructors may also have online office hours as an opportunity to connect and discuss questions about the class and/or program.

Yes, graduate students in this online program will be eligible for financial aid, internal and external scholarships. Students will be eligible for federal financial aid during all terms.

The degree is completed over the course of 2 years.

No, the curriculum is designed for students to focus on the concepts in one class at a time.

There are a total of 13 classes (one is taken two semesters in a row). Students earn 42 credits to complete the degree.

All classes are taught 100% online, but certain classes do require that you have a connection to an organization where you can carry out applied projects. 

Tuition and fees for the two years of the program totals $24,338. This cost does not include textbooks.

No, the GRE is not required for admission to the program.

No, the program does not include a thesis or comprehensive exam. However, you will complete an integrative learning experience (ILE) that will demonstrate your ability to synthesize foundational and concentration competencies. Faculty will mentor students through the ILE. You can check out the course description in the Graduate Catalog (PH 792). 

The program of study is designed to be completed in two years. UWL has a seven-year completion policy for graduate degrees, meaning that all credits counting toward a graduate degree must be completed within a continuous seven year policy. This includes any transfer credits. Extensions are possible with an appeal to the Graduate Council.

In this cohort-based program, each course is offered just once a year. If you stop out, you may need to wait a year to continue with your coursework, and you will likely become part of the following cohort of students rather than continuing with your current cohort. Furthermore, students re-entering graduate study after more than a semester must re-apply to their graduate program.

If you took fewer than 10 undergraduate semester credits at an institution, you do not have to provide that transcript. Transcripts for all graduate credits must be submitted.