Disclaimers and Sources of Information

OnlineMPHPrograms.com contains a comprehensive database of online master’s in public health programs offered by non-profit, accredited institutions of higher education. The site’s database was created using multiple data sources including the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). All research pertaining to schools and program information in the database is conducted in-house and by hand to ensure data accuracy and integrity. In addition, data is routinely audited, reviewed, and updated to ensure that all entries are accurate and reflect the latest program information.

To qualify for inclusion in our comprehensive directory, an educational institution must offer an online Master of Public Health or a closely related degree such as a Master of Science in Public Health. Master’s degree programs that have one or more courses or electives in public health concepts and practices, but which do not have a formal degree program in public health, are not included in our directory. While the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredits master’s in public health programs, CEPH accreditation is not required for schools to offer MPH programs; therefore, not all programs in the site’s database are CEPH accredited. However, schools that have been granted CEPH accreditation are clearly annotated across the site. Students should note that many schools use the CEPH’s guidelines when developing their curriculum, even if they do not seek CEPH accreditation.

At this time, the site’s database does not contain a comprehensive directory of schools offering degree programs related to the field of public health, such as master’s in epidemiology, health care policy, health science, or health education. For pages on the site with information about related degree programs, any mention of schools and their respective programs is for example purposes only, as the site does not contain a comprehensive database of these degree programs.

• Definition of Online Programs: On OnlineMPHPrograms.com, we define an online program as one that requires no more than three in-person visits per year. This encompasses 100% online MPH programs that have no campus visits, and programs that require one to three visits to campus per academic year. Programs that have online instruction but which require more than three campus visits per academic year are classified as hybrid or campus programs, and are not included in our databases.
• Campus Visits or Intensives: A campus visit, sometimes referred to as an intensive or residency, is defined as any required in-person session that spans consecutive days without a break in between. For example, a campus visit might be as short as a weekend or as long as a week to 10 days, with both being classified as one campus visit for categorization purposes.
• Specializations/Concentrations: The online MPH programs listed on this site are categorized into different specializations and concentrations according to their stated area(s) of focus, as well as their curriculum content. Programs that do not have an explicit specialization are typically listed as generalist MPH programs unless they have significant coursework in a particular area, or have substantial elective courses that align with a specialization included on the site.
• Tuition Costs: Tuition costs listed on this site should be considered estimates only. OnlineMPHPrograms.com calculates tuition costs by multiplying the number of credits in a given program by the cost per credit hour, unless an overall tuition cost can be easily determined on a school’s website. Prospective students should bear in mind that many programs also require additional fees, and may charge different rates depending on whether a student enrolls full or part time. For the most updated and detailed information regarding MPH program costs, students should contact an admissions representative at their programs of interest.
• Tuition Costs for Out-of-State Programs: While many online MPH programs charge the same tuition for in-state and out-of-state online students, some programs do charge different tuition rates for students who are not residents of the state in which the school has its physical campus. Students considering out-of-state programs should check with an admission representative to determine if the school charges differential tuition for non-residents.
• Additional Expenses for Campus Visits: For online MPH programs that require campus visits, students are generally expected to cover their own travel and lodging costs. These costs are typically not included in a program’s listed tuition and fees. Therefore, students should make sure to research and account for these and other additional expenses relating to campus visit requirements.
• Admission Requirements: Admissions to online MPH programs is typically selective and often competitive. Even if an applicant meets the minimum requirements for admission to an online MPH program, it does not guarantee they will be accepted into the program. Students are advised to reach out to a program director or admissions advisor to discuss the application process before applying to get a better idea if they will be accepted into the program based on their academic and professional background and credentials.

While we work daily to ensure that the data on this website is accurate and up-to-date, schools evaluate and adjust their programs on a regular basis. As a result, we cannot guarantee that all the information on OnlineMPHPrograms.com is correct at a given point in time. If we determine that any data is outdated, we do our best to immediately update the information. However, prospective students should always refer to a school’s website and speak with a school representative for the most accurate and updated information regarding the application process, specific degree requirements, tuition and associated costs, state restrictions, and more.

The majority of online MPH programs accept students nationwide. However, there are some programs that are restricted from accepting students from certain states, due to the fact that online programs must seek state authorization to accept students from states in which they do not have a physical campus location. When state authorization data on an online MPH program is available, this information will be included along with other program information on the site. However, state restrictions and state authorizations can change over time. As a result, we do not guarantee that the state authorization data on the website for a given program is accurate at any specific point in time. We recommend students speak with a school representative to confirm their programs of interest accept students residing in their state before applying to an out-of-state online program.

If you have any questions about our sources of data, the disclaimers outlined on this page, or our website’s content, please contact us using our Contact Us form and we will respond as soon as possible.