Public Health

Program Type
Master’s Program
Degree
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Mode of Study
Hyflex
Department
Public Health
School
Muskie School of Public Service

Tuition per credit hour

In-state: $445.
Out-of-state tuition break: $757. See details and other costs

Credit hours

45 required credit hours. Most courses are equal to 3 credit hours. Browse course list

Financial aid

Over 150 graduate assistantships available with stipend & tuition assistance, plus scholarship & fellowship opportunities. Explore aid

Admissions

No GRE required. Apply for fall, spring, or summer term. View application process & deadlines

Program Highlights

  • Customize your mode of study with our flexible hybrid (hyflex) program: Courses are held in person while simultaneously being live-streamed online. Attend in person or online during each scheduled meeting time.
  • Earn your degree on your terms: Study full-time and finish in as few as 2 years or study part-time and finish in 4 years.
  • Gain the practical knowledge and skills to address today’s complex population health and health service needs.
  • Study with research and practice-based faculty who are engaged in applied research, evaluation, and policy and program development at the local, state, and national level.
  • Participate in hands-on fieldwork with public health organizations, including state and local health departments, nonprofit agencies, state associations, physician practices, and health systems.
  • Choose to apply for a paid research assistantship with nationally recognized faculty for projects that address public health and health policy problems critical to improving health and health systems.
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Program requirements

Multi-disciplinary in nature, our MPH program offers a generalist curriculum that provides the opportunity to develop core skills for effective performance in public health fields, including management and leadership positions.

Visit course catalog
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Career opportunities

Graduates work in the public and private sectors to apply evidence-based practices and state-of-the-art knowledge and skills to improve population health. Alumni careers include community liaison consultants, access program directors, network contract managers, communications managers, and program coordinators.

View careers
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Engaged faculty

Our faculty offer strong connections with the community, creating opportunities for field placements, capstone projects, and career networking.

Meet our faculty
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Scholarship opportunities

Scholarships offer financial aid that doesn’t need to be repaid. We encourage students in graduate degree programs to apply for scholarship opportunities.

Explore scholarships
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Graduate student support

Our Office of Graduate Studies connects you with opportunities for professional development, scholarships, and graduate assistantships. They also foster our graduate student community through Peer Mentorship and the Graduate Student Board.

Browse resources
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Nationally accredited

Our MPH program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Learn more
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Connect with us

Our monthly Graduate Information Sessions are an excellent way to learn more about the benefits of our program, as well as our admissions and financial process.

Register today
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Next Steps

Our graduate admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.

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Admission information: MPH in Public Health

Application deadlines

We accept applications on a rolling basis and review them continuously.

Application deadlineFall term startSpring term startSummer term start
FinalAugust 1December 15April 15
International applicantsJune 1October 15Not available
  • GPA – 3.0 in undergraduate units or, if the applicant has 12 or more graduate units, the GPA will be based on graduate units.
  • Bachelor’s Degree – Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university.
  • Other – The Muskie MPH program is particularly interested in applicants who have a GPA of 3.2 or higher, applicants with international life experience, and those with paid or unpaid experience working in public health or health care delivery.

Applicants are required to provide the following materials:

General requirements

  • Application: Online application
  • Application fee:
    • In-state, out-of-state, and Canadian applicants: Free to apply
    • International applicants: Submit US $50 fee to apply
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS transcripts are accessible to USM). A transcript is official when sent directly from the institution.
  • Resume: Submit a resume or CV that outlines professional, volunteer, and community experience.
  • Students whose first language is not English may be required to take one of the following: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or Duolingo. Applicants must submit official scores as part of the application process. See additional information regarding test scores and requirements.

Additional requirements

  • Essay: Applicants must submit a brief personal statement (maximum 500 words) describing why they want a degree in public health and why they are interested in this program. Applicants are encouraged to describe their motivation and any emerging career aspirations.
  • Letters of Recommendation (2): Recommendations should be from individuals who are qualified, through direct experience with your academic or professional work, to comment on your ability to undertake graduate study and your chosen profession.

International student instructions

View additional application requirements

English proficiency test scores

View test requirements

Where to send application materials

Get our mailing address and email address