Best Online MPH Programs Of 2024 – Forbes Advisor - Forbes

Consider Your Future Goals

A versatile degree, the MPH lends itself to careers in multiple sectors. Graduates can become epidemiologists, enter the healthcare administration field, work in public policy or provide community education.

With such a wide variety of job options for MPH graduates, you can find online MPH programs with concentrations or electives in nearly any professional specialization. You can also look for public health dual-degree programs, which pair the MPH with a second graduate credential in a field like social work, business, law or nursing.

If you plan to start your job hunt directly after graduation, consider your work experience level. Many MPH programs include experiential learning opportunities like practicums or internships, but these components vary in length. If you already have a professional background in public health, you may not need extensive real-world practice, but if you're new to the field, a lengthier practicum or an internship can help you build important on-the-job skills.

On the other hand, if you plan to apply to doctoral programs in public health you might prioritize programs with robust research components over those that emphasize practical job skills. If a doctorate is in your sights, note that some schools offer combined master's and Ph.D. programs in public health, which can often save you time.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

Like other degrees, MPH programs vary widely in price. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average grad student paid $19,749 in tuition during the 2020-2021 school year. The programs on our list range from below to above that price—from about $9,800 to almost $45,000 a year.

However, tuition prices are only part of the total cost story. Your net educational expenses also depend on how much financial aid you receive. As a graduate student, you can take advantage of these funding sources:

• Graduate assistantships. Graduate assistants work in salaried positions at their institutions. Some universities hire for remote graduate assistant positions.
• Fellowships, scholarships and grants. These forms of aid do not require repayment and come from the government, universities and private organizations. Submitting the FAFSA establishes your eligibility for many gift aid opportunities and federal student loans.
• Student loans. Consider loans as a last resort. Federal loans often provide lower interest rates and more flexible repayment plans than private loans, but both types mean graduating with debt.
• Military tuition benefits. These include Tuition Assistance, which benefits active-duty service members, and the GI Bill®, which provides funding for veterans.
• Employee tuition assistance. Some workplaces help their employees pay for going back to school.

Adblock test (Why?)