The George Washington University’s Master of Public Health Online

The George Washington University MPH | OnlineThe George Washington University MPH | OnlineThe George Washington University MPH | Online

Designed for aspiring public health leaders who need a flexible schedule.Designed for aspiring public health leaders who need a flexible schedule.Designed for aspiring public health leaders who need a flexible schedule.

  • Top-Ranked Public Health School – Our online Master of Public Health is ranked No. 6 on Fortune Education’s list of best online MPH programs.1; the Milken Institute SPH is ranked No. 12 on U.S. News and World Report’s list of best public health graduate schools.2
  • Distinguished Faculty – GWSPH faculty are active health care leaders, providing valuable insights and professional network connections to students looking to advance their careers.
  • $10,000 Scholarship – If you’re accepted to the program and you decide to enroll for the upcoming cohort, you’ll automatically qualify for a $10,000 scholarship.

GW’s Online MPH is Bringing DC to You

The George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health connects you with the epicenter of health policy. Our online Master of Public Health is ranked No.6 on Fortune Education’s list of best online MPH programs.1; the Milken Institute SPH is ranked No. 12 on U.S. News and World Report’s list of best public health graduate schools.2

GW Milken Institute SPH’s mission is to protect, improve and optimize the health of people on local, national and global levels. The experienced faculty who teach GW’s online Master of Public Health (MPH@GW) are active health care leaders motivated to help students find their place in advancing the health and wellness of people across the globe.  

As an online MPH student, you will:

  • Learn from health care experts who play an active role in designing and implementing policies for national and international health initiatives, and who serve on influential health agencies, congressional offices or committees in Washington, D.C.
  • Connect with D.C. from anywhere, meet those on the front lines of policy and advocacy through in-person or live-streamed events, and opt to take up to 15 credits on campus.
  • Design your curriculum to fit your career goals and graduate ready to become a leader in the field. Study a variety of topics, such as epidemiology, global health or health policy, through our elective course options. You can also deepen your studies with our three concentrations: Health Informatics & Analytics, Global Health, and Women, Youth and Child Health.
  • Complete the program in as few as 12 months or take advantage of full-time or part-time options.

MPH@GW is guaranteeing a tuition scholarship of $10,000 to students who are accepted and enrolled into the upcoming cohort.

CEPH Accredited logo

Fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), MPH@GW helps you advance your public health career by earning a graduate degree from a top-ranked school without having to relocate.

Jump to:

ACCELERATED MPH

ADMISSIONS

ELECTIVES AND CONCENTRATIONS

PUBLIC HEALTH FIELD

Online Master of Public Health program options

MPH@GW offers several program options to accommodate your individual needs. The curriculum for each of these program options is the same; the only difference is the number of courses you take each semester.

Learn more about our program options below.

This intensive, one-year program requires you to enroll on a full-time basis and take an average of 11.5 credits per quarter. If you qualify for the accelerated program, you will not be permitted to continue employment throughout your time as a student.

GW offers an intensive 18-month, online MPH option that requires you to take an average of 7.5 credits per quarter. If you qualify, you will not be able to work on a full-time basis while enrolled. However, you may be able to work part time.

In addition to the accelerated program options, you can choose to earn your MPH online on a full-time or part-time basis over the course of two, three, four or five years. The curriculum for each of these program options is the same; the only difference is the number of courses you will take each semester.

Regardless of which program option best fits your goals, you will benefit from:

  • Personalized support services, beginning now and continuing through your time in the program and beyond graduation.
  • An extensive alumni network of more than 300,000 located in 170+ countries.
  • Courses designed and delivered by GW faculty, who are active influencers affecting public health on a global scale.
  • Elective course options that empower you to pursue your career interests with a personalized education.
  • Optional concentrations in Health Informatics, Global Health, Climate Health and Women, Youth and Child Health that allow you to specialize in a specific area of public health and gain valuable skills for addressing complex global health issues.

Which Program Option Is Right for You?

If you have any questions, or if you want to learn more about how MPH@GW can prepare you to influence change in the public health field, request information today. GRE scores are not required, but are accepted to strengthen your application.

Request Information

Jump to:

ACCELERATED MPH

ADMISSIONS

ELECTIVES AND CONCENTRATIONS

PUBLIC HEALTH FIELD

MPH@GW Admissions

MPH@GW seeks to educate and foster the next generation of thought leaders, practitioners, policy makers and scientists who aspire to transform public health on a local, national or global scale.

Program start dates are available four times per year, in January, April, July and September. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Learn more about applying to MPH@GW.

GRE scores are not required for admission. If you believe your GRE scores have the potential to strengthen your application, you may send us your official scores.

MPH@GW is guaranteeing a tuition scholarship of $10,000 to students who are accepted and enrolled into the upcoming cohort.

Jump to:

ACCELERATED MPH

ADMISSIONS

ELECTIVES AND CONCENTRATIONS

PUBLIC HEALTH FIELD

Online MPH elective courses and concentration options

Created by the same faculty who teach GW’s on-campus program, the MPH@GW curriculum features a rigorous, interdisciplinary course sequence. Core courses consist of topics such as epidemiology, managing organizations, global health systems and health policy.

As an MPH@GW student, you can pursue an MPH by taking a broad variety of public health courses or focus your coursework on one of six specific electives. This flexibility enables you to match your public health education with your personal and professional aspirations. By combining specific electives, you can pursue an optional concentration in one of the following areas:

  • Health Informatics: Learn how to utilize technology and data analysis to improve health outcomes. This concentration prepares you for roles as a data analyst, health information manager or clinical informatics specialist.
  • Global Health: Examine the complexities of global health systems and how they impact population health. You’ll be prepared for careers in international development, humanitarian aid or global public health research.
  • Climate Health: Explore the intersection of climate change and public health, and learn how to mitigate the effects of environmental changes on human health. This concentration can lead to careers in climate policy, disaster management or environmental health.
  • Women, Youth and Child Health: Focus on the unique health needs of women, youth and children, and learn how to develop effective interventions and policies. This concentration prepares you for careers in maternal and child health, reproductive health or adolescent health.

Explore these public health areas and concentrations for detailed information.

The Online MPH Practicum Experience

As an MPH@GW student, you will complete a planned and supervised applied practice experience at a local, national or international organization. The applied practice experience enables you to address real public health challenges and further your understanding of how public health professionals serve their community.

GW has formed valuable partnerships with organizations and affiliated preceptors across the United States and around the world.

Examples of practicum settings include:

  • Federal and state health agencies
  • Health care startups
  • Health service delivery organizations
  • International development organizations
  • Nonprofits
  • Policy institutes
  • Think tanks
  • Volunteer health agencies

“After looking into numerous programs, I decided on MPH@GW based on our reputation in the health policy world,
the curriculum and the caliber of the professors.”

— Gail Solod, MPH@GW Graduate, Regional Public Sector Senior Manager

Ready to Network With Public Health Influencers Based in D.C.?

Learn more about the MPH@GW academic experience and our in-person practicums by requesting information today.

Request Information

Internationally Renowned Faculty

As an online MPH student, you will study alongside GW’s faculty, who are respected experts working actively in the field. You’ll learn from professionals who have years of experience working in Washington, D.C. — the nexus of global health advocacy.

“The professors are not just academics, but are oftentimes the people who implemented the policies of the classes they are teaching.”

— Nihal Satyadev, MPH@GW ’19

Professors are passionate about training and mentoring future public health leaders. Outside of the classroom, they are scholars, scientists and policy experts conducting cutting-edge research and affecting health policy on Capitol Hill.

Faculty have worked with institutions such as:

  • National Institutes of Health
  • Food and Drug Administration
  • U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • United States Environmental Protection Agency
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration

GW’s public health faculty are frequently called on by congressional committees, federal agencies, international public health entities and the press to discuss environmental hazards and the policies addressing them.

Jump to:

ACCELERATED MPH

ADMISSIONS

ELECTIVES AND CONCENTRATIONS

PUBLIC HEALTH FIELD

How Can You Make a Difference in the Public Health Field?

The coming years will be a critical time for the public health and health care industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for highly skilled health care professionals is expected to increase by 14 percent from 2018 to 2028, adding approximately 1.9 million new jobs.3

This growing need for leaders, scientists, researchers and practitioners in the field can be attributed, in part, to recent technological advances transforming the profession and various public health crises emerging worldwide.

Potential Careers in Public Health

By broadening your knowledge of local, national and global public health practices, an MPH will help you learn core competencies and acquire the skills needed to be an effective leader in the public health field.

For those interested in what public health professionals do, here are a number of careers related to public health:

  • Health and safety engineer
  • Emergency management director
  • Occupational health and safety specialist
  • Health educator
  • Communications and advocacy officer
  • Health psychologist
  • Health insurance specialist
  • Policy analyst
  • Research analyst
  • Grant writer

Learn more about specific public health fields and professions.

Take the Next Step:
The final deadline for the July 2024 cohort is May 2, 2024

Advance your career in public health with the online MPH program from GW. Request information today to discover more reasons to get an MPH online.

Request Information

1 Fortune Education, Best Online Master’s in Public Health, Ranked in 2023arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference
2 U.S. News & World Report, Best Public Health Graduate Schools, Ranked in 2023arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed April 2021 arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference