Public Health, M.P.H.
School of Public Health
Transform your passion for community wellness into systemic change with WVU's online Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with an emphasis in Public Health Practice and Leadership. You will dive deep into the social and political systems shaping population health, gaining the skills to design and manage high-impact strategies that bridge the gap between policy and practice. Whether you pursue a future in government, non-profits, or healthcare leadership, you’ll graduate ready to innovate and lead the way toward a healthier world.
Cost:
$938 / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
18 Courses / 45 Credits
Duration:
Two to four years / 16-week terms
Dates:
Next Start: August 18, 2026 Admission Terms: Fall, Spring
Learning Format:
Online asynchronous
Program Overview
The WVU Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is a multidisciplinary professional degree focused on the application of science, research and theoretical knowledge toward the prevention of disease and improving health and well-being. MPH graduates possess a broad array of skills needed to address challenges affecting communities, including engaging and working with diverse people across sectors, educating the public about best practices in health, and advocating for policy- and systems-level changes that impacts entire populations.
- Balanced Curriculum: Gain a strong foundation in public health theory while applying your skills in real-world settings through hands-on professional practice.
- Leadership-Focused: Prepare for roles as public health leaders, policy analysts, program evaluators, and health advocates.
- Career Versatility: Work in health departments, clinics, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations—or continue on to doctoral study.
- Community Impact: Learn to develop and implement evidence-based solutions that improve health outcomes at the population level.
- Collaborative Skills: Build the ability to engage diverse communities, educate the public, and advocate for systems-level change.
Curriculum
Lead Change. Improve Community Health.
- Explain public health history, philosophy and values
- Identify the core functions of public health and the 10 Essential Services
- Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing and assessing a population’s health
- List major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. or other community relevant to the school or program, with attention to disparities among populations, e.g., socioeconomic, ethnic, gender, racial, etc.
- Discuss the science of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in population health, including health promotion, screening, etc.
- Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge
- Explain effects of environmental factors on a population’s health
- Explain biological and genetic factors that affect a population’s health
- Explain behavioral and psychological factors that affect a population’s health
- Explain the cultural, social, political, and economic determinants of health and how the determinants relate to population health and health inequities
- Explain how globalization affects global burdens of disease
- Explain an ecological perspective on the connections among human health, animal health and ecosystem health (e.g., One Health)
- BIOS 501: Applied Biostatistics I, 3 credit hours
- BIOS 502: Applied Biostatistics Lab, 3 credit hours
- EPID 501: Epidemiology for Public Health, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 510: Contemporary Foundations of Public Health Practice, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 520: Building and Sustaining Public Health Capacity, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 521: Public Health Prevention and Intervention, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 540: Leading and Managing Health Organizations, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 541: Systems Thinking in Public Health Practice, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 613: Public Health Program Evaluation, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 629: MPH Capstone, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 630: MPH Field Practicum, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 696: Graduate Seminar, 3 credit hours
- General Elective, 3 credit hours*
- Public Health Practice and Leadership
- Policy - Select one of the following:
- HPML 510: Health Economics
- HPML 601: Health Policy, Law, and Ethics
- Management and Leadership - Select one of the following:
- HPML 555: Health Services Project Management, 3 credit hours
- HPML 582: Managing Quality Improvement in Healthcare, 3 credit hours
- Managerial Analysis and Decision-Making - Select one of the following:
- HPML 522: Introduction to Data Analytics for Health Administrators, 3 credit hours
- HPML 556: Managerial Epidemiology & Strategy, 3 credit hours
- Electives, 6 credit hours (Approved elective courses available from MPH Director and/or MPH Advisor)
All students in the WVU SPH MPH program are required to maintain a portfolio that demonstrates their ability to meet the competencies associated with the MPH Foundational Courses, the Area of Emphasis Courses, and to apply a selection of those competencies in an approved practice-based setting(s). This portfolio must be submitted for review at the end of each academic year, as well as reviewed and approved prior to the successful completion of the program.
The MPH degree will be awarded based on successful completion of all academic requirements and demonstrated achievement of competencies via the student portfolio system and class-based evaluations of competency attainment.
- BIOS 501, 3 credit hours
- BIOS 502, 1 credit hours
- BIOS 510, 2 credit hours
- PUBH 521 or EPID 501, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 541, 2 credit hours
Year One, Spring Semester
- PUBH 250, 2 credit hours
- PUBH 540, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 696, 1 credit hours
- AoE Course(s) or General Elective, 3 credit hours
Year One, Summer Semester
- PUBH 630, 3 credit hours
Year Two, Fall Semester
- AoE Courses, 6 credit hours
- Elective, 3 credit hours
- EPID 501 or PUBH 521, 3 credit hours
Year Two, Spring Semester
- PUBH 613, 3 credit hours
- PUBH 629, 1 credit hours
- AoE Courses or Electives, 6 credit hours
Grand Total: 45 credit hours
Meet the Faculty
Info Sessions and Events
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- Admissions and Funding Virtual Info Session: Tuesday, January 27 at noon ET. Register now!
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- Program Virtual Info Session: Friday, March 6 at noon ET. Register now!
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- Admissions and Funding Virtual Info Session: Monday, March 30 at noon ET. Register now!
- Program Virtual Info Session: Thursday, April 23 at noon ET. Register now!
Connect With Us
Kristi Lukenich School of Public Health
(304) 293-1376 kristi.lukenich@hsc.wvu.edu
Explore Profile Schedule Chat
Program Requirements and Eligibility
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (preferred)
- WVU requires international students to submit English proficiency scores. Minimum
score requirements are as follows:
Admissions Process and How to Apply
Applicants must apply via the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS).
- Submit as soon as possible. Do not wait for SOPHAS to receive transcripts, recommendations, or test scores.
- Allow up to four weeks for SOPHAS to verify and process your application.
- Applications must be complete and verified by SOPHAS by the following deadlines:
- June 15 for Fall admission (May 15 for international)
- November 20 for Spring admission (October 15 for international)
- Upon acceptance from SOPHAS, students will receive correspondence from the WVU School of Public Health regarding their acceptance and instructions to complete their application.
- All application information submitted to SOPHAS will be transferred directly to WVU Admissions
- Please note: There are both SOPHAS and WVU application fees.
- A statement of purpose and objectives
- Two letters of reference
- A current resume/curriculum vitae
- All university transcripts (SOPHAS requires original transcripts from ALL U.S. institutions attended, even study abroad)
- International students must submit English language proficiency test score(s).
Please note: The GRE requirement has been removed for the current application cycle. However, should you choose to submit your official GRE test scores, use WVU School of Public Health SOPHAS GRE code: 0157
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
- File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
- Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.
Careers and Employment
The online Master of Public Health program will prepare you to address complex health challenges and improve population health through evidence-based strategies. After completing this program, will be able to analyze health data, develop policies, and implement programs that promote wellness and prevent disease. This program aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to lead public health initiatives that make a measurable impact on communities through the exploration of topics such as epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and health policy while engaging in hands-on experiences through applied projects and practicums. These opportunities will allow you to connect classroom learning to real-world public health settings, strengthening your ability to design and evaluate effective interventions.
Career Paths
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Epidemiologist: An epidemiologist studies the causes and patterns of
disease in populations. They design and conduct studies, collect and analyze
data, and communicate findings to policymakers and the public.
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Health Educator: Health educators develop and implement programs that
promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease. They work in a variety of settings,
including schools, community organizations, and healthcare facilities.
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Public Health Consultant: Public health consultants work with organizations
and agencies to develop and implement public health policies and programs. They
may provide guidance on disease prevention, health promotion, or emergency preparedness.
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Biostatistician: Biostatisticians use statistical methods to analyze
public health data and help researchers and policymakers understand health trends
and patterns. They work in a variety of settings, including academic institutions,
government agencies, and healthcare organizations.
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Health Policy Analyst: Health policy analysts’ study and analyze health
policies and programs to assess their effectiveness and make recommendations
for improvement. They may work in government agencies, advocacy organizations,
or consulting firms.
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Environmental Health Specialist: Environmental health specialists investigate
and evaluate environmental factors that can impact human health, such as air
and water quality, food safety, and hazardous waste. They may work in government
agencies, consulting firms, or non-profit organizations.
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Global Health Specialist: Global health specialists work to address
health issues and diseases that affect populations around the world. They may
work for international organizations, government agencies, or non-profit organizations.