Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree

Health inequalities related to care access and a population’s quality of life won’t resolve themselves without acknowledgement, intervention, and long-term solutions. As social determinants of public health come to light, the Chicago region and world as a whole require knowledgeable, compassionate professionals ready to tackle these challenges, defend and advocate for vulnerable communities, and enact change not solely through awareness but research-based policy measures as well.

The Department of Health Sciences and Physical Education's Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program is designed to train the next generation of professionals to make an impact and work to overturn current structural inequalities. Accommodating working adults with full- and part-time hybrid formats, the MPH prepares students to serve, lead and conduct public health research in range of public health settings and to address the intersectional factors affecting marginalized communities.

Our MPH is unique in Chicago by taking on an interdisciplinary approach to public health. Courses are taught by faculty across the university. Students can personalize their degree with over 100 elective options, gain a breadth of perspectives, and an opportunity to pursue personal interests.

Program at a Glance

CHES Certification

MPH graduates may sit for the Community Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. CHES certification is a nationally recognized credential for health educators.

Leader in Job Growth

Public health professionals are in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9% to 16% growth in public health jobs through 2026.

Focus on Communities and Health Equity

To improve health equity within communities, students focus on health equity and develop the knowledge and skills needed to help others.

Colleen Lammel-Harmon, student

“I will say the program is extremely challenging, but it’s very broad with different aspects of public health, which is really why I wanted my master’s degree: to take my education to the next level.”

Read Colleen's Story

Jennifer Banas, MPH, EdD, Professor

"The field of public health needs equity minded individuals who are curious, value diversity and are committed to making a difference while serving others."

View Dr. Banas's Profile

Additional Resources

About the MPH Degree Program

NEIU’s MPH degree program is unique to the greater metropolitan Chicago area. For individuals seeking to improve population health through policy, research, and strategy, the program consists of 42 credit hours taught by a multidisciplinary team of faculty members lending their perspective and expertise and providing a degree of flexibility: six credit hours let you explore a wide range of public health topics related to sociology, gerontology, justice studies, and economics. In preparation for a post-graduation career, you’ll pair classroom learning with research and internship opportunities to supplement your knowledge with hands-on experience.

From a holistic perspective, you’ll learn about the social determinants of health, their impact on individual and community quality of life, and the intersectional factors playing a role. Emphasizing reflective, collaborative, and personally and socially transformative practices, our program prepares individuals to serve under-represented, under-resourced populations as public health experts in government institutions, non-profit and private organizations, K-12 schools and higher education, healthcare clinics, research centers, industry, and other settings. In striving to become a dedicated professional aiming to challenge existing systems and shape new legislation that benefit the public, you’ll:

develop a complex understanding of the profession and science of public health;
explore sociological, economic, and policy factors related to human health;
enrich your existing skill set with an evidence-based approach to public health and the healthcare system, including planning, management, communication, policy, systems thinking, and interprofessional practice skills;
gain insight and skills related to biostatistics, epidemiology, healthcare administration and leadership, health literacy and health communications, health promotion programming, social and behavioral health theory, policy and legislation, systems thinking, and environmental health;
explore a wide range of public health topics related to urban community studies, gerontology, human resource development, geographic information science, economics, and more; and
build upon your existing knowledge while preparing to pursue a terminal degree in behavioral health, epidemiology, environmental health issues, or health law and policy.

Through online and on-campus classes at urban locations accessible by car and public transportation, you’ll progress through the MPH program according to the plan of study. Full-time students are ready to take their knowledge out into the world after two years, while part-time students finish the program in under three years.

Our MPH graduates are eligible to sit for the Community Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. The CHES examination is a competency-based assessment used to measure possession, application and interpretation of knowledge in Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists.

MPH Degree Program Curriculum (42 Credit Hours)

The MPH offers three concentrations to choose from depending on student interest:

Healthcare Administration

The Healthcare Administration concentration prepares students for leadership and management positions in various healthcare settings. In addition to learning the basic principles of public health, students explore and apply concepts, processes and theoretical content related to public policy, human resource management, marketing, ﬁnancial planning, health economics, health equity and global health. The program emphasizes the differences between leadership and management and the role of ethics, cultural competency, and social, economic and environmental accountability in effective leadership.

Public Health Promotion

The Public Health Promotion concentration prepares students to educate, lead, conduct research, serve, and advocate for public health in a variety of settings. Additionally, students will be prepared to pursue terminal degrees in the behavioral, epidemiological, or environmental health sciences, as well as health-related law and policy, and health care administration.

School Health

The School Health concentration prepares students for leadership roles in the field of school health. Additionally, the concentration includes coursework that meets Illinois requirements for certified teachers seeking a cross-endorsement in Health Education and prepares them to take the Illinois Health Education content test.

Review the MPH program curriculum, and read all required course and elective descriptions.

Careers With an MPH Degree

The United States Bureau of Labor Statics estimates that employment in healthcare occupations, which includes careers in public health, will continue to increase by 13% from 2021 to 2031. This is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Public health is a broad field and includes multiple areas of expertise, including epidemiology, data science, health education, environmental health, health administration and other health-related areas. Common job titles include but are not limited to:

Healthcare Administrator
Health Educator
Public Health Researcher
Policy Analyst

With an NEIU MPH, you'll be prepared to serve under-represented, under-resourced populations as a public health expert in government institutions, non-profit and private organizations, K-12 schools and higher education, healthcare clinics, research centers, industry and other settings.

MPH Program Admissions

Ready to tackle a new challenge and serve your community? Individuals interested in applying will be evaluated on NEIU’s Graduate Admission standards, in addition to MPH program–specific requirements:

official transcripts;
two letters of recommendation;
a minimum 2.75 GPA; and
an essay addressing three subject areas: 1. what public health means to you, 2. what areas of public health interest you and, 3. how a degree in public health will support or advance your career goals.

Advocate to Improve Your Community’s Health With an MPH Degree From NEIU

Transform into the force of change your community needs to grow and thrive with an MPH degree from NEIU. If you are interested in the program or have questions, please contact the Department of Health Sciences and Physical Education at (773) 442-5581 or email James Ball, Chair and Program Coordinator, at jwball@neiu.edu.