Western Michigan University’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program offers you the interdisciplinary public health knowledge and expertise needed to develop and lead efforts to improve health.
The MPH program offers broad exposure to social, cultural, physical, political and economic aspects of health. The curriculum provides an understanding of public health core competencies such as program planning, grant writing, health communication, education, research methods, and data analysis.
Upon graduation you'll apply these skills and a public health perspective to the professional field, or utilize them to chart a new path in the field of public health.
One Program, Two Formats
You can now choose to complete the entire program online or attend in person (with the flexibility of making the choice to attend virtually if something comes up that weekend). The Master of Public Health program offers two format options designed for working professionals - HyFlex or Fully Online.
If you enroll in the HyFlex option, for the two required Saturday meetings each semester, you can choose to meet with the group in-person at our downtown Grand Rapids location or attend online (synchronously). You will complete the rest of the coursework online (asynchronously). You will pay 51¸£ÀûÉç's in-state or out-of-state tuition rates depending on where you live.
If you enroll in the Fully Online option, you will always join your classmates and instructor online (synchronously) for the two required Saturday meetings each semester. You will complete the rest of the coursework online (asynchronously). You will pay 51¸£ÀûÉç's online tuition rate with this option.
Meetings take place all day Saturday. You can attend the weekend meetings in person at our Downtown Grand Rapids location or join the classes synchronously online.
Note: You must select a format (Hyflex/Grand Rapids or Fully Online) on your application to the MPH program. Your tuition rate is based on the format you choose. 51¸£ÀûÉç's online tuition rate is lower than the out-of-state rate, so the fully online option may be less costly for out-of-state students.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The Master of Public Health program applications are accepted on a rolling basis, though applicants are encouraged to submit a completed application in the spring prior to the start date of the program to assure full consideration.
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Alumni Spotlight
Chad Atwood 51¸£ÀûÉç MPH class of 2018 is an emergency management specialist with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and in 2023 he was chosen as one of only 40 candidates for the FEMA future leaders program.
Job outlook
Where do individuals with an MPH work? What is the job outlook for MPH graduates
Western Michigan University's MPH degree doesn't necessarily qualify you for any particular job. However, 51¸£ÀûÉç's MPH degree does guarantee that you will bring a diverse, population health perspective to any public health related career, where growth is expected to be 5 – 11% in the next 10 years, or to a health care or clinical health-oriented career. There are many job titles that fit nicely with the education you'll receive in the MPH program at 51¸£ÀûÉç which are expected to have higher than average growth rates in the next decade:
- Epidemiologists: 19% job growth projected by 2033; 2023 median pay - $81,390 per year
- Health services managers: 29% job growth projected by 2033; 2023 median pay - $110,680 per year
- Health education specialists: 7% job growth projected by 2032; 2023 median pay - $62,860 per year
- Occupational health and safety specialists: 13% job growth projected between 2032
- Biostatisticians: 11% job growth projected between 2033; 2023 median pay - $77,580 per year.
Applying to the MPH program
For full consideration, submit your application by May 15. Applications received after May 15 will be considered if space in the student cohort is available.
51¸£ÀûÉç's online graduate application system allows you to enter all required information into one system. Before initiating your application, review the summary of program requirements from the 51¸£ÀûÉç Graduate College. You may want to bookmark this information for quick reference while working through the MPH program application process.
The MPH program provides students two format options (Hyflex or Fully online). When you apply, you will need to choose a designation at that time. If you wish to have the option of coming to the Grand Rapids campus for class, you will need to apply to the Hyflex program (i.e., the Grand Rapids regional site). If you wish to be virtual for the entirety of the program, please choose the online format designation. Please email Dr. Mark Kelley, director, (mark.kelley@wmich.edu) with any questions.
Interested in Learning More?
Our team would love the opportunity to discuss and provide more details on the things going on in the MPH program. Let us know how we can connect with you!
International Applicants
Due to the MPH program’s hyflex format, 51¸£ÀûÉç is unable to issue Forms I-20 for prospective F-1 students.