Three faculty earn Fulbright Scholar, Specialist awards
May 21, 2024
Grand Valley State University's Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree, offered by the School of Interdisciplinary Health, prepares students by enhancing career opportunities through the acquisition of quantitative and qualitative problem-solving research skills, service, and experiential learning. Public health professionals promote good health and prevent disease within communities. The M.P.H. provides graduate and community-based education and research grounded in social justice to help meet these goals.
The M.P.H. program is offered in two formats:
- Traditional (in-seat)
- Online/Hybrid (remote; meets in-person one weekend per semester)
CEPH ACCREDITED
The Public Health program at GVSU is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
All prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in an M.P.H. Information Event
Median Annual Wage
$80,080
Average
▼
$58,884
$94,913
Source: EMSI, 2020
Public Health Career Outlook and Opportunities
According to 2020 EMSI research, job opportunities are expected to grow 11% in West Michigan, 7% in Michigan, and 13% in the U.S. by 2024. The median annual wage for public health professionals varies per job title but was reported to be between $58,884 and $94,913. M.P.H. graduates often hold the following job titles:
- Health Educator
- Epidemiologist
- Food Inspector
- Infectious Disease Specialist
- Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
- Policy Analyst
- Advocacy Director
- Grant Writer
- Health Department Director
- Environmental Health Inspector
Source: EMSI, 2020
Where can an M.P.H. from GVSU take you?
Our M.P.H. alumni are impacting public health locally, across the country, and globally. Take a peek at our Alumni Directory to see some of the many ways our graduates are using their degree.
The Skills Employers Want
The Master of Public Health degree at GVSU will develop the skills you need to land the job you want. Whether the skills are advanced or general, you will build a resume of qualifications that are sure to attract employers. The following skills correlate with those pulled from actual job postings.
- Strategic Planning
- Performance Improvement
- Health Administration
- Program Development
- Budgeting
- Behavioral Health
- Quality Management
- Managed Care
- Management
- Leadership
- Operations
- Coordinating
- Communications
- Problem Solving
- Innovation
- Presentations
- Research
Source: EMSI, 2020
Perspectives from the Field
You may be wondering...
What can you do with an MPH degree?
How can GVSU's Public Health graduate program best prepare you for your career?
A few of our alumni came together for a special webinar to discuss ways they are using their MPH degree in the field and how their training at Grand Valley State University prepared them for success. Hear about some of the great work they are doing, as well as their advice for those on their way to becoming public health practitioners.
We invite you to view a recording from this recent webinar.
Why Study Public Health at Grand Valley?
- Accredited. The M.P.H. program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (www.ceph.org).
- Relevant. A Master of Public Health degree from GVSU means acquired experience and skills vital for today's public health professional.
- Experience based. Includes field experience in public health practice, optional global learning in public health, and practicum placements within the community. Didactic learning is paired with community-based experiences throughout the curriculum.
- In-Demand. By 2024, public health employment is expected to grow 13 percent nationally and by 11 percent in west Michigan.
- Great location. Close proximity to, and articulation agreements with, a variety of public health-related organizations ensure more effective student learning.
- Convenient. Traditional format students attend class on GVSU's Health Campus, near the Medical Mile in downtown Grand Rapids, MI. Paired courses in the Traditional program = fewer days per week in the classroom. Classes for Hybrid format students meet in-person one weekend per semester.
- Available online. Students in our Hybrid format program complete their courses primarily online, meeting on location (Grand Rapids) only one weekend per semester. This format accommodates students with jobs, families, and other commitments, as well as those in distant locations. Click here to learn more about our MPH Online Hybrid Program.
- Tuition savings. GVSU graduate school tuition is not based on residency - we do not charge out-of-state or international tuition rates.
Important Dates:
Apply to the M.P.H. Traditional Program or Online/Hybrid Program today!
Applications are open for Fall 2025
Priority Admission deadline - November 1
Regular Application deadline - March 1
Rolling admissions will commence for applications received after March 1, if open seats remain.
Note: Rolling admission deadlines for international students
Courses Offered
The Public Health M.P.H. program is a minimum of 48 credits. Upon completion of the five semester M.P.H. program, graduates will be qualified to earn voluntary professional certification by taking the National Board of Public Health Examiners Certified in Public Health (CPH) Exam.
Undergraduates accepted into the Allied Health Sciences (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.) or Exercise Science (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.) Combined Degree programs begin their MPH courses in the fall of their senior year. A minimum total of 126 credits must be completed for the combined degree.
Students in the Traditional and Hybrid programs choose one of two emphasis areas:
- Epidemiology
- Health promotion
Cost
For more information on tuition and fees, please visit the costs portion of the GVSU Financial Aid website. GVSU undergraduate students save tuition when enrolling in a Combined Degree program, such as AHS (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.), EXS (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.), or Student Initiated Combined Degree program!
For financial support, scholarship search, and filing for FAFSA, please visit the GVSU Financial Support website.
M.P.H. students regularly hold graduate assistantships with various GVSU departments and centers. GA position openings are posted on The Graduate School's GA job openings webpage. Public Health typically employs 1 second-year M.P.H. student as a full-time graduate assistant.
Note: Grand Valley does not charge a higher tuition rate based on residency. Tuition is based on the program in which you chose to enroll.
Admissions
The Public Health M.P.H. Application deadline is March 1; applications received after March 1 will be decided for rolling admission.
Secure your seat early by applying before the Priority Admission application deadline, November 1. Priority Admissions applicants receive their decision by early December.
Undergraduate students in GVSU's Allied Health Sciences or Exercise Science can apply in the fall of their junior year (after the completion of 55+ credit hours) for a Combined Degree program:
AHS (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.) Combined Degree program
EXS (B.S.) + Public Health (M.P.H.) Combined Degree program
The $30 application fee is waived if you’ve already applied to Grand Valley.
New Agreement Offers Direct Admittance to LSSU Students!
We are thrilled to officially announce a new partnership between GVSU's Master of Public Health program and Lake Superior State University! Students in LSSU's College of Health and Behavior will now have the opportunity to be directly admitted into our MPH program. This is the second such MPH admissions partnership, following an agreement finalized in 2021 with Northern Michigan University. Read more about the partnership agreement on GVNext.
Are You a GVSU Alum?
When you became a Laker, you opened up a lifetime of learning, and now alumni like you can use your Laker Lifetime Learning (L3) account for classes that provide greater knowledge and new skills. Your account is waiting for you to use for future classes at GVSU. All you have to do is click on the button below to find out more.
Find Out More About Your Laker Lifetime Learning Account (L3)
M.P.H. Information Events
Learn how & why you should earn your M.P.H. at GVSU!
We invite you to attend one of our many information events - choose the format and date which works best for you! We offer several different types of engagement - both on campus and off campus, in-person and remotely.
Events
Master of Public Health (MPH) Virtual Information Session
December 12, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Master of Public Health (MPH) Virtual Information Session
January 10, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Master of Public Health (MPH) Virtual Information Session
January 29, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM