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How to Choose a Top MPH Program

Now, more than ever, there are many different options to choose from when looking to pursue an advanced degree in public health. With the increase of online and hybrid (online and in-person) programs around the world, it can be overwhelming to decide where to earn your Master’s in Public Health (MPH) degree. You may be asking:

  • Which MPH programs and universities are legitimate and accredited?
  • Which ones will offer me the education I need to advance in my career?
  • Which programs will fit with my busy life and schedule?

There are so many questions you may have when trying to figure out the best MPH program for you.  So, where do you start in your search? Here we have outlined a few criteria keep in mind when choosing a top MPH program today.

Accreditation to Ensure Accepted Academic Standards:

First and foremost, you will want to make sure the MPH programs you apply to are accredited. While there may be MPH programs out there that are not accredited, but still offer a solid education, accreditation is what provides employers with the evidence that you attended a top MPH program. Accreditation means the program has been evaluated to ensure it meets widely accepted standards, established by the public health field and boards across the United States.

Comprehensive Public Health Curriculum:

The next thing you will want to consider when choosing a top MPH program is the curriculum. The field of public health covers many areas of specialties, such as biostatistics, epidemiology, global health and environmental health. The top MPH programs will offer a core curriculum of courses that cover these specialties, as well as additional subjects relevant to the field and your career interests. For example, if you have a specific interest in emergency management, or emerging infectious diseases, then the MPH program you choose should offer specific courses on those topics. All in all, the curriculum should prepare you to become an expert in the core public health specialty areas, as well as teach you how to apply the skills you learn in class to hyper local issues and community health problems.

Flexible MPH Program Options:

Fortunately, many of the top MPH programs have been designed with the working professional in mind, and are now offered online or via a hybrid format. Online MPH programs are becoming more common across the globe, and much of that is attributed to the increase in educational technology resources and platforms. Today’s technology gives students the flexibility to access their coursework and interact with their classmates and teachers in the comfort of their own homes, through interactive online discussion boards. All of this flexibility will help you to complete your degree quicker, without the added distractions of commuting to class.

Ongoing Support Post Graduation:

While the need for qualified and educated public health professionals has increased (perhaps now more than ever), it can still be overwhelming when trying to land that advanced position within the field. Whether you have aspirations of becoming a Biostatistician, Disaster and Emergency Specialist, or Public Health Director, the top MPH programs will have career services resources available to you to help navigate the job market. In fact, Goodwin University offers lifetime career services to their MPH students and graduates. The career services team can help with anything from networking, to resume and cover letter writing, to mock interviewing. This is extremely valuable, especially since many of us can expect to change jobs several times throughout our careers

While choosing a top MPH program is certainly a big choice, it does not have to be overwhelming. If you are interested in learning more about Goodwin University’s top MPH program, contact Goodwin today. Call 800-889-3282 or request more information online.