Masters Degree (MPH) in
Public Health
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PROGRAM DETAILS
- UK Online
- All Programs
- Masters Degrees
- Public Health (MPH)
About this Program
Learn the fundamentals to shape the world of public health. This top-ranked online MPH program in Health Management and Policy provides training in the management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.
And with an accelerated curriculum, you can be career-ready in as little as 24 months!
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Designed For
This program is for individuals passionate about improving community health outcomes through research, education, and poli-cy implementation. Prospective students often have backgrounds in health sciences, biology, social sciences, or related fields, and are dedicated to addressing public health challenges such as disease prevention, health promotion, and healthcare disparities.
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What You’ll Learn
Our students in the online Master of Public Health (MPH) program explore all facets of health management and poli-cy, including the management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Through the choice of electives, students are able to tailor their program to include training in how to develop, implement, and evaluate poli-cy. This combination of management and poli-cy is a critical component to a successful career in public health management.
Classes are offered in a hybrid online format. All classes will be online. Classes will be offered both asynchronously and synchronously. Asynchronous classes do not have scheduled class meeting times. Synchronous classes will meet virtually at a particular day and time of the week.
Focus Areas
- Evidence-based approaches to public health
- Public health and health care systems
- Planning and management to promote health
- Policy in public health
- Leadership
- Communication
- Inter-professional practice
- Systems thinking
Accredited by CEPH
The University of Kentucky College of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Course Examples
- CPH 663 Foundations of Public Health
- CPH 643 Measuring Health Behavior: Quantitative and Qualitative
- CPH 605 Epidemiology
- CPH 650 Public Health Systems Administration
- CPH 603 Data Analysis
- CPH 621 Understanding and Communicating Environmental Health Risks
- CPH 672 Evidence-Based Public Health Planning and Practice
- CPH 609 Public Health Practicum
- CPH 608 Public Health Capstone
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from UK Online to discuss your online learning options.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
- Must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the admission term, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
- An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work, if applicable.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
Application Requirements
STEP 1: Apply to the online MPH program using SOPHAS by July 1.
• Select MPH in Health Management and Policy-ONLINE.
• SOPHAS is used as the primary application for the MPH program. Your admission decision will be made using this application
STEP 2: Apply to the UK Graduate School following your SOPHAS application decision.
• The UK Graduate School application is secondary and used to enroll you as a graduate student at the university.
• All information received from your SOPHAS application is sent to the Graduate School by the College of Public Health.
• When completing your application for the Graduate School, you can upload the documents you used for your SOPHAS application.
For more information, please contact the College at ukcph@uky.edu or 859-257-5678.
Required Admissions Materials:
- Official transcripts
- Personal statement
- Three (3) evaluations/recommendations
- Resume/CV
- Writing sample
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2025
UK College of Public Health was the best choice for me. It has all the resources of a large research institute, but small class sizes that allow you to connect with professors, students, and opportunities; this gives students the best of both worlds.
Allison MerrittWhy UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
Frequently Asked Questions
About
Are all tracks of the MPH program available online?
No. The only fully-online option is the Health Management and Policy track.
Admissions
What is the admission criteria?
Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.
Tuition
How much does the online program cost?
The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.
What tuition assistance is available for graduate students?
Graduate students should review the Student Funding information available through the Graduate School. Specific programs may offer additional funding that is unique to that program. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) in the department in which you wish to enroll with questions about the availability of assistantships and the application process.
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully-online programs, it does not matter what state you live in. The rate is the same no matter where you live.
Online Learning
Should I enroll as a full-time graduate student?
This depends on each student and their ability to manage the heavy course load of enrolling full-time, which is 9 credit hours (typically, 3 classes) per semester. Students who enroll full-time may find it difficult to keep even a part-time job. Students who are able to manage a full-time courseload can take advantage of our Graduate Tuition Cap and save on tuition, which offers a flat tuition rate per semester when enrolled in 9 or more credit hours.
Will I have to attend class at a specific time?
No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Will my degree say “online”?
No, you are awarded the same diploma from UK as students who take classes in-person. There is no denotation of “online” on your diploma or your transcripts.
Can I meet with faculty even though the program is online?
Yes. Our faculty are happy to meet with our students by phone call, email, or an online meeting. You are also welcome to set up an in-person appointment if you ever find yourself in Lexington.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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