Master of Public Health
Fully Online
Overview
The fully online Master of Public Health (MPH) program prepares individuals for the numerous challenges facing future health professionals. This interdisciplinary program develops essential public health skills in epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health behavior, and public health leadership. You will also have an opportunity to study important health issues from diverse disciplinary perspectives such as nursing, geography, economics, sociology, and business.
The MPH will enhance your ability to effectively address complex health problems from dedicated and distinguished faculty who are focused on preparing you to be the next generation of public health leaders. Our highly knowledgeable and skilled faculty utilize their public health experience and research-focused expertise to guide students in their personal and professional goals.
With an MPH degree, professionals work in a wide variety of meaningful careers. There is a vast diversity of subject matter, populations served, and settings for graduates with an MPH from Illinois State University to apply their skills and knowledge.
The following are just a few examples of the careers for an MPH graduate:
- Research Coordinator
- Disease Program Coordinator
- Public Health Consultant
- Data or Research Analyst
- Epidemiologist
- Environmental Health Coordinator
- Healthcare Analyst
- Community Health Educator
- Public Health Case Manager
- Worksite Wellness Coordinator
- Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
- Health Policy Analyst
- Social Services Manager
Students pursuing a Public Health Masters degree at Illinois State have found success in the field.
Mahalia, ’24, Evanston, IL
Why Health Sciences? I chose the Health Sciences because of its widespread values that are focused on driving community and global health forward. I initially wanted to be a clinician in healthcare, but I've found so much more fulfillment in Public Health, where the focus is reaching communities and individuals in a more direct way before they even get to the doctor's office. Public Health is present in some capacity in every field and there are significant transferrable skills that you develop in the field, that can be applied in any position. My professional goals are to do work that creates long-lasting and effective change in social systems, I'm very open to how that will translate in my future career(s). I feel incredibly equipped for this because of the lessons I've learned in the Health Sciences.
Core courses are eight weeks long. View a sample plan of study.
Point of Pride
Our program enables you to develop real relationships with classmates and professors through self-paced coursework and some face-to-face online meetings.
Graduate Advisor
Jacqueline Lanier
(309) 438-8285
Felmley Hall of Science Annex 329
Schedule a Visit
Discover what life as an Illinois State graduate student is like.
How to Apply
University Admission Requirements
A student applying to this program must:
- Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
- Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
- If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
- If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to InternationalAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL 61790-6180.
International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Graduate School Admission Requirements.
Additional Program Admission Requirements
To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements.
GPA
You must have a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
Letters of Recommendation
Include two academic or professional letters of recommendation. All letters must be less than a year old and on department letterhead. At least one letter must be academic.
Statement of Purpose
Submit a statement of purpose of approximately 2-3 pages addressing the following questions
- Why are you interested in pursuing the MPH degree?
- How will an MPH degree affect or enhance your career aspirations and goals?
Resume
Provide your current professional resume or curriculum vitae.
Global Access to Online Degree Programs
When applying, international students applying to a fully online program must agree to our international online and hybrid programs disclosure and disclaimer statements. Due to limited on-campus courses, immigration documentation cannot be issued for students seeking F-1 or J-1 status.
Application Deadlines
- Fall (August) Term — March 1
- Spring (January) Term — November 1
Graduate Assistantships
The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.
Eligibility
To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,
- be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
- be in good-standing
- be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).
Benefits
Graduate assistants receive
- monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
- a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
- a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment
Costs & Funding
See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.
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