Master of Public Health Online

Develop your ability to help improve and prolong the quality of health for entire populations by exploring disease prevention, health promotion and healthcare systems management.

Apply by: 12/23/24
Start class: 1/13/25
Apply Now

Program Overview

Get to know your online Master of Public Health degree program

In the Master of Public Health online program from SIU Carbondale, you will learn how to prevent the spread of disease and protect communities from environmental hazards. MPH faculty develop a portion of the program’s curriculum with insight from our School of Medicine, so you graduate with in-depth knowledge and experience that bridges the gap between people and health.

In addition to focusing on grant writing, analytics and effective public communication, you will explore dynamic topics such as epidemiology, leadership in public health and program planning. As a graduate of this CEPH-accredited online MPH degree program, you will be prepared to respond to disasters and foster recovery, spearhead health and wellness education, tackle challenges that affect communities, boost the quality and accessibility of public services, and collaborate with professionals across sectors.

As a student of this Master of Public Health program, you will:

  • Gain an understanding of the basics of biostatistics and how they are used in the field of public health
  • Learn the intricacies of policy formation, budgeting, implementation and evaluation
  • Assess legal and ethical issues that are at the core of the public health field
  • Gain an understanding of the basics of biostatistics and how they are used in the field of public health
  • Learn the intricacies of policy formation, budgeting, implementation and evaluation
  • Assess legal and ethical issues that are at the core of the public health field

Career Opportunities in Public Health:

  • Epidemiologist
  • Public Health Manager
  • Public Health Planner
  • Executive Director for Nonprofits
  • Epidemiologist
  • Public Health Manager
  • Public Health Planner
  • Executive Director for Nonprofits

Also available:

Southern Illinois University Carbondale offers specialized degrees that can help you grow personally and professionally. Learn about our other public health and administration programs.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale offers specialized degrees that can help you grow personally and professionally. Learn about our other public health and administration programs.

Total Tuition $19,719*
Duration As few as 16 months
Credit Hours 42

Accreditation

CEPH Logo

The Master of Public Health at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

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Need More Information?

Call 855-741-0087

Call 855-741-0087

Tuition

Pay for your online program by the course

At SIU, we believe that education should be accessible to all, and that’s why the MPH online program’s tuition is budget-friendly and paid by the course.

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $19,719*
Per Credit Hour $469.50

Calendar

Choose from multiple convenient start dates

Our MPH program is delivered in a 100 percent online format, giving you the freedom to fulfill professional and personal responsibilities while enrolled. Choose the start date that best suits your schedule.

TermStart DateApp DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition DeadlineClass End DateTerm Length
Fall B10/14/249/29/2410/4/2410/9/2410/10/2412/13/248 weeks
Spring A1/13/2512/23/2412/30/241/6/251/9/253/7/258 weeks
Spring B3/17/252/24/253/3/253/10/253/13/255/9/258 weeks
Summer6/9/255/19/255/26/256/2/256/5/258/1/258 weeks
Fall A8/18/257/28/258/4/258/11/258/14/2510/10/258 weeks
Fall B10/13/259/22/259/29/2510/6/2510/9/2512/12/258 Weeks

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 12/23/24
Start Class 1/13/25

Ready to take the next steps toward earning your degree?

Apply Now

Admissions

How to apply to the Master of Public Health online program

Apply to the MPH online degree program and prepare to unleash your potential, discover your passions, and create a future that reflects your unique aspirations.

Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts
  • Resume
  • 2.7 Undergraduate GPA

For admission into the MPH online program, you must meet the streamlined requirements below.

  • Submit graduate application
  • A 2.7 cumulative undergraduate GPA from a regionally accredited institution
  • Transcripts from all institutions attended (official transcripts are needed prior to the second term, but not needed to apply as unofficial are accepted)
  • Resume or CV

Official transcripts and other documents should be sent from the granting institutions to our Graduate School.

Email address: [email protected]

Mailing address:
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Graduate School
1263 Lincoln Drive MC 4716
Carbondale, IL 62901

Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts
  • Resume
  • 2.7 Undergraduate GPA

Courses

Preview the courses in the online MPH degree program

The curriculum for the Master of Public Health online program is comprised of 16 core courses, totaling 42 credit hours.

Students must take all courses for a total of 42 credit hours.

Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the interdisciplinary field of public health. History and ongoing evolution of public health services and delivery systems in the U.S., essentials of public health practice, and federal, state, and local public health functions are considered. Emerging health problems, changing population dynamics, and global health context will be examined. Must be taken as the first or second course.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course assists students in developing skills and identifying opportunities for communicating public health messages through the preparation of technical papers for public health, other health science-related, area-specific, and cross-disciplinary journals, as well as communicating other professional and lay publications. Additional skills relate to the development of press releases, letters to the editor, preparation of posters, development of oral presentations for diverse audiences, estimating readability of written materials, assessing health literacy, preparing pamphlets and other written materials, designing messages for distribution by mass media, including but not limited to social media and social marketing.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
This course will introduce Master of Public Health (MPH) students to public health resource identification and utilization to understand and engage in public health fieldwork and service. MPH students will develop a professional portfolio to build upon through the tenure of the program.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This course provides an overview of the core principles in Public Health Leadership. Major theories and concepts in leadership and methods for applying these to public health will be discussed.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will present theories/models for health promotion program planning and implementation in community/public health settings. Steps to program planning, including: logic models, needs assessment, community organizing, evaluation/assessment, and social marketing will be addressed.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to biostatistics; examination of theories of population projections; collection, organization, interpretation, summarization, and evaluation of data relative to public health happenings with emphasis on graphic presentation.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The application of technology to engage communities and individuals in behavioral and environmental change processes. The course will focus on the use of technology to describe the magnitude of health problems and their sources; analyze risk factors; identify community strengths from which strategies may be defined and tools created to intervene, prevent problems, and promote health and well-being; and continuously evaluate, refine, and implement what works. *Prerequisite: PH 513 with a grade of B or better or consent of instructor.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines health-related motivation and behavior through the study of relevant psychological, sociological, and educational theory and research. Emphasis is on application of behavioral and behavior-change theories and constructs in designing effective health education and promotion programs.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to research and evaluation. Includes survey and analyses of health testing and research/evaluation procedures, uses and limitations of knowledge and attitude tests, behavioral inventories, checklists, questionnaires, interviews, and other techniques. Prerequisite PH 512 with a B or better.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide a broad overview of key administrative issues in public health, including building and sustaining a public health workforce, disease control and prevention, emergency preparedness, legal issues, and financial considerations. Attention will be given to the application of management concepts and principles related to public health organizations at the national, state, and local levels.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines dynamics and trends in organization, financing, and delivery of health care in the United States. Specific current health policy issues and the political, social, and economic forces that affect them are analyzed. Practical implications for public health professionals will be considered.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will present principles and practices related to the study, prevention and control of health-related conditions in the human population. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the principal concepts of epidemiology, including aspects of disease distribution, epidemiologic methods, risk assessment of disease and injury, descriptive and analytic epidemiologic methods and study designs, and application of epidemiologic data to the prevention and control of disease and injury. Format for the class will include lecture and small group seminars.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Consideration is given to funding sources, proposal guidelines, procedures for support, budgetary requirements and evaluation procedures. Students examine different types of funded projects, develop a research proposal and analyze the art of grantsmanship and political action.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
The purpose of the MPH Applied Practice Experience Seminar is to prepare students for their applied practice experience and for a future as a public health professional. This seminar serves as one of the prerequisites for enrolling in the MPH Applied Practical Experience (PH 599B). Through this semester, students will prepare the components of the applied practice experience learning agreement. This seminar provides students with useful skills needed to complete an applied practice experience and to work in a public health or community setting. Students will have a specific topic, project(s) and/or site in mind prior to taking this course, which is typically taken in the second semester of Year 1. *Prerequisite: PH 507 with a grade of B or better.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Master of Public Health (MPH) students will demonstrate competency attainment through applied practice experiences. All MPH students are required to complete a 120-hour experience with a community-based component. The Applied Practice Experience (APE) provides a practical experience in a public health setting where students apply skills and knowledge they gained during didactic courses to attain at least five competencies. Dual degree students have opportunities to integrate and apply their learning from both degree programs through applied practice experiences. Students meet the APE requirements by supporting the Program's mission 2023-2024 Academic Catalog 10 and students' career goals, to the extent possible. *Prerequisite: PH 599A with a grade of B or better.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
During the final semester(s) of study, students are required to complete an integrative learning experience (ILE) that demonstrates synthesis of foundational and program competencies. ILEs require two products: 1) a high-quality written product and 2) a presentation on the ILE. *Prerequisite: PH 599B with a grade of B or better.

*Tuition does not include fees.

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