Create global population health solutions for communities in need.
The Chicago School’s Master of Public Health online program addresses the needs of the evolving landscape of healthcare. By focusing on evidence-based research, quality of life, and building public and private partnerships, this program fosters a global mindset to respond to the challenges of a highly interconnected world.
The online Master of Public Health program offers two distinct concentrations:
Mental Health and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health
Due to the extensive changes enacted by the Affordable Care Act, qualified public health professionals are expected to be in high demand. Through the Mental Health and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health concentration, you will gain an understanding of the psychological aspects of health and wellness and develop effective community public health interventions to support mental health.
Public Policy Development and Advocacy
In this concentration, you will develop skills essential to community engagement, collective policy development, and advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. You will learn to focus on multicultural, regional, legal, and global factors when analyzing the full implications of complex health policy decisions.
Unique to the online MPH at The Chicago School, you will also participate in an international field experience, during which you and your cohort will closely examine a specific public health concern in a global community, giving you unparalleled access and real-world experience.
Upon graduation, you will be able to:
- Conduct evidence-based research to improve the health and well-being of the public and to advance the public health profession
- Evaluate collaborative health promotion and disease prevention programs/interventions using biostatistics, epidemiological principles, and other evidence-based research
- Design public health access and quality strategies/policies for diverse populations
Marianne Jankowski, D.H.Sc.
Admissions Requirements
An undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission, however, GPAs less than 3.0 will be considered. Applicants must submit official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned.
- Online Application
- Application fee: $50
- GPA of 3.0 or higher is required
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Interview with Program Chair of faculty designee
- Two-page personal statement/essay answering the following questions:
- How will your personal and professional accomplishments, academic background, and experience contribute to your success in the MPH program?
- How will the successful completion of the MPH program support your professional career goals?
Accreditation & Licensure
Accreditation
The online Master of Public Health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). To access the final site report, click here.
Licensure
For information on where The Chicago School meets, does not meet, or has not determined if the MPH program meets licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit here.
Fieldwork Experience
International Field Experience
All students participate in an international field experience, for an average of 7-10 days, which typically will not exceed 12 days, including travel time. The goal of this experience is for students to examine the unique and common health challenges of a diverse, yet interconnected world.
Applied Practice Experience
MPH students complete a minimum of 75 hours of fieldwork over an 7-week term. Through supervised applied practice experience, students apply public health principles to real-world challenges. Students registered in this program incur a one-time $195 Experiential Learning Technology Fee.
Sample Courses
Foundations of Public Health and Public Health Policy
This course explores the unique history and evolution of public health; the role and mission of public health organizations; concepts, models and core functions of public health; and public health problems and challenges in communities. Past practices are examined to offer a perspective on current and future public health care strategies needed for disease prevention and health promotion across diverse communities and populations. Also included are the structure of the political processes in making public health policy and the role of the government, agenda setting, and the types and analyses of public health policy. Focus is on the dynamics and challenges of developing and managing policy and the roles that can be played to advocate for and intervene in policy to achieve community capacity, health outcomes, and well-being.
Public Health Law, Regulation, and Ethics
This course examines the critical relationship between health law, regulation, and ethics, focusing specifically on their influence on the practice and delivery of public health. Principles of law, legal sources of power, legal obligations of healthcare providers, and examination of the US. legal system as well as other national and international governmental and private entities are covered. Workplace and environmental regulations such as medical malpractice, public health safety, administrative and public health as they relate to individual rights, substance abuse, communicable disease, and technology are included. Also explored are the basic tenets of bioethics such as human rights, social justice, other ethical principles and theories, and ethical decision-making models. Emphasis is on the contemporary challenges of how public health law and regulation and bioethical decisions impact community capacity and health outcomes.
Research Methods in Public Health
This course explores research design, collection and reporting of data, interpretation of finding, inferential procedures and current public health research. Students also study the fundamental concepts and principles of biostatistics. Applications include a basic introduction to “R” open source statistical software.
Career Pathways
Our graduates are prepared to deliver outstanding professional services, excel as community leaders with the skill sets to respectfully engage as collaborative partners in multicultural and stakeholder-diverse local and international settings. These settings include:
- Government and public sector
- National and international nonprofits
- United Nations
- International development organizations
- Think tanks
- Insurers and other payers
- Pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies
- Hospitals and community-based clinics
- Corporate wellness centers
- Accountable care organizations
- Public Policy and advocacy organizations
- Charitable foundations
Financing Your Education
The Chicago School is dedicated to keeping our professional degree programs accessible to anyone regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid department will provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.
The Future Leaders in Public Health Scholarship is an award available to new students enrolled in the Master of Public Health program at The Chicago School.- Award Amount: $5,000 ($2,500 granted for two terms or two semesters)
The Future Leaders in Public Health Scholarship may not be combined with the Dean’s Scholarship, President’s Scholarship, or Merit Scholarship. Recipients of the Future of Public Health Leaders Scholarship become eligible for Special Tuition Rates once all scholarship funds have been awarded.
