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Master of Public Health

Department of Environmental & Public Health, Administration & Medical Sciences

College of Health Sciences

Master of Public Health

Department of Environmental & Public Health, Administration & Medical Sciences

College of Health Sciences

On-Campus & Online

Options

42 Credit Hours

to Graduate

On-Campus: $572 Per Credit Hour

Online: $649 Per Credit Hour

Free Books

for All Students

Become a Culturally Competent and Community-Focused Public Health Practitioner

A Master of Public Health (MPH) degree can lead to a variety of career opportunities, higher earning potential, transferable skills and the ability to make a positive impact on the world. The need for qualified, knowledgeable public health professionals is only increasing and EKU’s master of public health (MPH) programs prepare you with the knowledge needed to face public health challenges at any level. Graduates leave the program prepared to take on leadership roles as skilled public health practitioners ready to address global health issues.

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Career Outlook

The NACE Summer 2021 Salary Survey report found that individuals with an MPH had an average starting salary of $60,624. In contrast, the average starting salary for bachelor’s holders was $44,017, a difference of 38%.

An MPH degree offers an impressive variety of career paths. If you are passionate about the health industry, an MPH can position you to take on exciting new roles and play an important part in maintaining the health and safety of your community.

Job Titles Include:

  • Health Education Specialist
  • Epidemiologist
  • Social and Community Service Manager
  • Medical and Health Services Manager

A master of public health (MPH) is a professional degree that can open the door to leadership positions with higher level responsibilities and higher pay.

Employers Include:

  • Local Health Departments
  • University of Kentucky
  • Aetna
  • Vanderbilt Medical Center

The Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all your career and professional development needs.

Services Include:

  • Creating/updating your resume and cover letter
  • Interviewing tips and coaching
  • Career documents review
  • Job search

Why EKU?

  • Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • No application fee
  • Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses
  • No GRE required
  • Complete your degree in as little as 24 months
  • CEPH Accredited
  • Complete an applied practicum experience and network with professionals in the field
  • Free tutoring and career services assistance

Program Options

Tailor your master of public health program to meet your personal and professional goals by choosing from the concentrations listed below.

EKU’s master of public health (MPH) program with a concentration health promotion in prepares you with the knowledge and competencies needed to face public health issues and emergencies at the local, state and national level. Graduates leave the program prepared to take on leadership roles as culturally competent, skilled public health practitioners ready to address global health issues.

EKU’s master of public health (MPH) program with a concentration in environmental/occupational health & sustainability prepares you with the knowledge and competencies needed to protect people and provide communities with healthier environments. Graduates leave the program prepared to take on leadership roles as competent, skilled public health advocates ready to address global health issues or focus on policy designed to mitigate society’s impact on the ecosystem.

Attend Online

Choosing an online program doesn’t mean completing your education alone. EKU Online strives to provide students with unparalleled staff and faculty access, rich engagement opportunities and every resource possible to succeed. We are committed to helping you find success in your coursework, as well as identifying and pursuing employment opportunities upon graduation. We are here to help you every step of the way.

Online students have access to:

  • Accelerated 8-week terms
  • Courses begin 6 times per year
  • No campus visits required
  • Personal advisors stay with you from application to graduation
  • Free online tutoring and career services assistance 

Curriculum & Enrollment

The MPH program offers the opportunity to make a valuable and positive difference in peoples’ lives. Regardless of where you live in the world, public health issues affect us all. With an MPH degree you can play a critical role in strengthening the public health workforce and preventing, preparing, and responding to public health emergencies.

A minimum of 42 credits are required to graduate.

View the degree requirements:

EKU Academic Catalog

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Requests to transfer credits are considered on an individual basis after students are admitted to the program. In order for transfer credits to be given, a course must be a graduate course from an accredited institution, appropriate to the student’s course of study at EKU, and approved by the student’s advisor, the Program Director, and the Graduate School. A maximum of 12 semester hours may be transferred and the 7-year time limit also applies to completion of such.

On-Campus Deadlines
TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
FallAugust 1August
SpringDecember 1January
SummerMay 1May
Online Deadlines
TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
Fall AJuly 5August
Fall BAugust 31October
Spring ANovember 30 January
Spring BJanuary 31March
Summer AApril 5May
Summer BMay 31June

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
  • Graduate school application
  • Official transcripts – Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher – or – 3.25 in their last 60 hours of undergraduate work meet the minimum requirements for eligibility for full-admission consideration. Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate degree GPA of 2.5 or higher, but do not meet the requirements for full-admission consideration, are eligible for provisional admission consideration. Students with provisional admission based upon GPA must maintain a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for their first two academic terms
  • Statement of personal and professional objectives (1 1/2 to 2 pages)
  • Three professional or academic references with current contact information
  • A TOEFL score of at least 550 for paper based, 79 for internet based, or 213 computerized, is required for international applicants. Satisfying the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission

Academic Background Expectations for the Environmental/Occupational Health & Sustainability Concentration

So that timely progress toward the degree can be achieved, the following undergraduate pre-requisite courses are expected to be completed prior to active participation in the program.

At least 1 physical science, 2 chemistry with lab, 2 biology with lab, college algebra, and 1 microbiology course at the undergraduate level.

EKU’s public health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC)

Enrolling & Advising Information

EKU’s College of Health Sciences is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

Interested in enrolling? Reach out to the enrollment counselor for your preferred program.

professional photo of shaker ezaizat

Shaker Ezaizat

Enrollment Advisor

859-622-2316
shaker.ezaizat@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment

Misty Bailey

Online Program Enrollment Advisor

859-622-2628
misty.bailey@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment
CHS Advising Information for Current Students

Additional Contact Info

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Stories & Features

Erin Thompson

EKU Recreation and Park Administration Graduate
I love how much service-learning experiences we have in RPA and that classes are not just lecture. I am building an amazing resume as a result.

Patrick Rood

EKU Recreation and Park Administration Graduate
I love RPA because it is family. If someone is struggling or feeling down, there is always someone to pick you up. You will always find a friendly face and a warm smile when you go into the department. My true and most happy self is all thanks to the department.

Danielle Johnson

EKU Recreation and Parks Administration Student
I love that recreation allows all individuals to have fun. It includes everyone and adapts to individuals with disabilities.

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News & Updates

A Transformational Career Change

EKU’s nationally prominent Master of Public Health (MPH) program is a growing network of highly respected professionals nationwide. While a civilian working in occupational safety and health, in 2015, Sarah […]

EKU Climbs the Ranks for Best Public Affairs Program

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has climbed the ranks in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Graduate School rankings, particularly in the category of Best Public Affairs Programs,  where it […]

At the Frontiers of Science

For Dr. Annabelle Manalo-Morgan, ’06, life’s dance with adversity offered her a gift—ultimately leading to a scientific breakthrough, which saved her son’s life.  Dr. Annabelle’s first major experience with adversity, […]

Related Programs

M.S. in Recreation and Parks Administration

Common Job Titles: entertainment and recreation manager

Modalities: on-campus

Credit Hours: 30

M.S. in Safety, Security & Emergency Management

Common Job Titles: manufacturing manager, environmental health officer
health and safety advisor

Modalities: online and on-campus

Credit Hours: 36

Contact Information

Department of Environmental & Public Health, Administration, and Medical Sciences

521 Lancaster Ave.
Dizney Building, Room 220
Richmond, Kentucky 40475

859-622-3078
Fax: 859-622-1939
ehss@eku.edu
bsph@eku.edu
mph@eku.edu

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