Public Health (MPH)

Public Health (MPH) | Graduate

It is an exciting time to enter the public health field which is expected to grow considerably over the next decade. Our MPH program is designed for students and professionals looking to improve health policy and practice and address current and evolving issues in public health locally, nationally, and globally, with particular emphasis on eliminating health disparities.

The Master of Public Health (MPH) is the core professional degree globally recognized for public health practice. Howard's Master of Public Health (MPH) will prepare you, like many of our graduate alumni, for leadership roles in public health education, research, policy, and administration. Our MPH graduates are employed by state and local health departments, research institutes, nonprofits, and private sector agencies. Others pursue further graduate or clinical study. Areas of research strength include individual, social and structural determinants of health, biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy analysis, maternal and child health, environmental health, global health, and health communication. Our program offers a convenient class schedule and you can earn the degree in 18 months. An integrated learning experience completed in the second year, and a culminating capstone project, allow you to gain practical public health experience and integrate knowledge from your coursework to address an issue or question of public health relevance. As a student in Washington, D.C., you are a short distance away from leading public health organizations like the Pan American Health Organization, American Public Health Association, Public Health Foundation, and Public Health Institute. During your time in the MPH program, you’ll learn to use quantitative and qualitative analysis approaches to interpret evidence that informs best practices in designing, implementing, and evaluating health programs and policies. You’ll work closely with practicing faculty who advance public health for underserved communities through meaningful partnerships with community stakeholders and with national and global organizations. Students interested in careers at the intersection of social services and public health may pursue the dual Master of Social Work (MSW)/MPH degree. 

Accreditation Status

The Howard University Master of Public Health (MPH) program is an applicant for accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The accreditation review will address the generalist MPH (place-based format) and the MPH/MSW joint degrees. Other degrees and areas of study offered by this institution will not be included in the unit of accreditation review.

For additional information about CEPH and the accreditation process, please visit the CEPH website using the following link: https://ceph.org/.

Program Snapshot

      ❱  45 credit hours 
      ❱  Full-time, Part-time
      ❱  On-campus format
      ❱  Degree: MPH
      ❱  Dual degree: MSW/MPH

Application Deadlines

Spring 2025 entry: 
      ❱  No spring entry 

Fall 2025 entry: 
      ❱  Dec. 1, 2024 (early deadline)
      ❱  Feb. 15, 2025 (priority deadline)
      ❱  Apr. 15, 2025 (final deadline)

Applicants should submit their applications as early as possible. Applicants have until the final deadline to apply. However, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle. 

Transfer credits accepted (reviewed by committee)

• Degree Classification: Graduate

Application for Admission 

• Online GradCAS application
• Statement of purpose/ Statement of academic interest (500-1,000 words)
• Official transcripts sent to GradCAS
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or the international equivalent
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Autobiographical statement (500-750 words)

GRE Preferred Minimums

• GRE Verbal Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Quantitative Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Analytical Writing: N/A

GPA Required Minimums

• Overall GPA minimum: 3.0
• Undergrad GPA minimum: 3.0

Prerequisite Courses

No expiration date for course prerequisites

• Science: 2 college-level courses in natural or physical Sciences, 6 semester credit hrs (i.e., Anatomy, Biology, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics, Atmospheric Sciences) 
• Mathematics: 2 college-level courses in Mathematics, 6 semester credit hrs (i.e., Statistics, Algebra, or Calculus)
• Social Science: 2 college-level courses in Social Sciences, 6 semester credit hrs (i.e., Psychology or Sociology) 

Reference Requirements

Evaluator type accepted:

• Professor (Required)
• Supervisor/Manager
• Other

Evaluator type not accepted:

• Clergy
• Friend
• Family Member
• Coworker

Personal Statement Guidance

Statement of purpose/statement of academic interest (500 to1,000 words) should highlight why you wish to pursue a career in public health and address the following:

• What type of work are you currently involved in?  
• How does an MPH degree relate to your current position?
• How will obtaining your MPH enhance you in your current position and/or future career endeavors?
• Describe any life events that may have led to your interest in pursuing an MPH

Autobiographical Sketch Guidance 

The autobiographical statement should provide a brief overview of who you are as a person and your experience in public health. This statement should be between 500 and 750 words.

• How would you describe your background (interests, motivations, family history, social circumstances, personal relationships, or hardships that you’ve overcome)?
• What are your relevant character traits, strengths, and challenges?
• Who or what has impacted you and shaped your goals?
• What relevant lessons or insights have you gained from your experiences?
   

Letter of Recommendation Guidance

One of the three letters of recommendation MUST be from an academic professor. Each letter should address the following: 

• How long have you known the applicant? 
• In what capacity do you know the applicant? 
• Describe the applicant’s ability to do graduate-level work.
• To what degree do the applicant’s grades reflect their academic potential? 
• Describe the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses 
• Describe the overall strength of your endorsement (i.e., highly recommended, recommended with confidence, recommend with reservation, or not recommended)  

For any specific questions unanswered by the information provided above, please email publichealth@howard.edu.