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Master of Public Health
Master of Public Health
Prepare to protect and improve the health of communities and populations with an online Master of Public Health (MPH) from Capella University. Learn about mitigating health disparities, analyzing the epidemiology of specific diseases, and conducting program evaluation and outcomes research.
This program is designed to help prepare you for a broad range of activities and roles. You’ll develop an understanding of fundamental public health concepts, theories, and practices, and grow as a promoter of healthy lifestyles and environments.
At a glance
- Online
- 12 Core courses
- 2 Practicums
- 1 Capstone
- 16 Maximum transfer credits
- 60 Total quarter credits
Reduce your tuition up to $2,500
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $2.5K Capella Progress Reward scholarship to help fund your master's degree.
Explore public health courses
- This degree requires a total of 60 program credits
- You’ll need to complete 12 core courses, two practicums and one capstone
Show all descriptions
MPH5503
Environmental Health Concepts in Public Health
4 quarter credits
This course surveys the major issues related to environmental and occupational health and health hazards. Learners identify the sources of biological, chemical, and physical agents found in the environment and analyze their effects on water, food, and land resources in community and occupational settings. Learners also examine concepts about climate change, as well as the legal framework, policies, and practices associated with controlling environmental and occupational hazards.
4 quarter credits
MPH5512
Principles of Epidemiology
4 quarter credits
This course provides an overview of epidemiology, including an evaluation of the nature of disease, the interaction among agent, host, and environment, and the chain of transmission. Learners examine epidemiological research methods for identifying and describing variables, evaluate measures of disease occurrence, determine key data sources, and formulating interventions to control disease occurrence and transmission. Prerequisite(s): MPH5509.
4 quarter credits
MPH5208
Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners study the core functions of public health program planning and evaluation, including assessment, policy development, programmatic intervention, and quality assurance. Learners identify social and behavioral determinants associated with public health issues, and examine and evaluate programs and their impact on the health of individuals, organizations, communities, and nations. Prerequisite(s): NHS5004 or MPH5002 or PSL5002; MPH5500; MPH5506; MPH5509; completion of or concurrent registration in MPH5512.
4 quarter credits
MPH5220
Social Influences of Health Parity
4 quarter credits
Learners in this course explore the social factors contributing to health on a local, regional, national, and global basis, calculating their impact on overall health status and health service use. Learners also develop community-based intervention strategies.
4 quarter credits
MPH5304
Learning to Lead in Public Health Settings: Personal and Team Development
4 quarter credits
Learners in this coursework with a coach to evaluate their leadership values and vision in order to set goals that support the process of leadership development. Learners also create a motivational team-building model and formulate team leadership strategies that facilitate interprofessional team performance, collaboration, and networking, both inside and outside of public health organizations.
4 quarter credits
*Course has prerequisite(s). See catalog for details.
What you’ll learn
Coursework in this online MPH program helps develop your ability to protect and improve the health of communities and populations. Your public health online courses will include learning about mitigating health disparities, analyzing the epidemiology of specific diseases, and conducting program evaluation and outcomes research.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Apply the fundamentals of biostatistical and epidemiological methods and concepts in addressing public health problems and disparities
- Critically analyze evidence and theory from a broad range of disciplines and sources that affect public health
- Explain the behavioral, social, and cultural factors related to determinants of health, and explain the ethical concepts of social justice and human rights in public health
- Work with people across all life spans and cultures to empower communities and enhance public health
- Evaluate scientific and research concepts, methods, and tools of data collection, to understand evidence- and practice-based strategies in public health
- Create plans to provide fiscally responsible strategic and operational guidance within public and private health organizations
- Explain system-level properties that result from dynamic interactions among human and social systems and influence public health
- Create awareness of community health across the health professions to optimize health outcomes, including emergency preparedness
How much does the MPH cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or quarter
- $530 per credit
- $125 resource kit
- 60 total quarter credits
- 16 max transfer credits
- $32 background check
- $2.99 CastleBranch service fee
$31,800
NO TRANSFER CREDITS 33 months
*This is only an estimate, effective July 7, 2025, and is subject to change.
Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include your resource kit, travel expenses and practicum costs. Compliance requirements are determined by the practicum sites and may pose an additional cost.
By the end of your first billing session or quarter, you must complete a background check through CastleBranch, a third-party vendor.
As of February 13, 2025, CastleBranch imposed a service fee of $2.99, which is subject to change at their discretion.
Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances such as your program specialization, transfer credits and any applicable tuition discounts. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses are not included. Tuition estimates shown for the GuidedPath learning format depend on the number of credits accepted for transfer.
New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs. Review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Get the details
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education.
Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment counselor.
“In my practicum, I studied preventive medicine to address chronic conditions that affect community health outcomes. Through research, I have been able to use models and framework learned to create new strategies toward systems change across the county in which I work.”
Danielle Protivinsky* – MPH
*Actual Capella student who agreed to appear in promotional materials.
Are there scholarships available for master's degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
What are the MPH admission requirements?
Admission requirements
Applicants to the MPH program must provide the following information for admission:
- A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official bachelor’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Admission application – no application fee required
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
Upon admission to the program, a background check is required before enrolling in courses. GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.
Articles and resources
Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.
How to Uncover and Address Inequities in Health Care
When Christopher Holliday speaks about the inequities in health care that plague our society, one word comes up over and over again: avoidable.
Prepare to help protect and improve the health of communities and populations
Develop an understanding of fundamental public health concepts, theories, and practices and grow as a promoter of healthy lifestyles and environments.
The role of public health in keeping communities healthy
Learn about how public health services are leveraged to help prevent and respond to infectious diseases and promote health in communities.
What can you do with an MPH degree?
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with a Master of Public Health.
Job titles to explore*
- Epidemiologist
- Health director
- Public health officer
- Data analyst
- Clinical manager
- Health policy analyst
- Health program analyst
- Health manager
Employment settings to explore*
- Healthcare organization (e.g. hospital or clinic)
- Community health center
- Public health agency
- Professional association
- Health insurance company
- Community-based organization
- Nonprofit organization
- Social welfare organization
- Consulting firm
- Government – local, state, federal
- Land-based or online college or university
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.