Public health professionals confront complex health issues, including access to health care for the public, reducing environmental hazards and violence, controlling and treating infectious disease and providing treatment for substance abuse. Public health professionals serve our local, national and international communities, organizations and health care systems.
American Universities
Choosing a University
When choosing an online master's of public health degree, it is important to compare the degree programs, educational institutions and degree requirements. Make sure the degree is regionally accredited. Regional accreditation is the type of accreditation that all public and private universities should have. This accreditation allows college credits to be transferred between institutions. National accrediting bodies are much less important or prestigious. Look for an institution with a good reputation and academic record.
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
John Hopkins offers an online master's of public health degree. This degree takes 11 months to complete, and requires the completion of the Introduction to Online Learning course first. This program has been ranked as the number one public health program in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. This is a very intense program that requires a full-time commitment. However, the online program can be taken on a part-time basis to accommodate working professionals. This program requires applicants to hold a bachelor's degree and have two years of health care work experience. As of October 2009, the cost per course unit is $815. The cost for a 12-unit semester is $9,780. Twelve units is considered full time.
Walden University
Walden University also offers the public health degree. This university is online and allows the student to complete the degree on a part-time or full-time schedule. This degree requires the completion of 56 quarter credits. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0. The tuition cost for this program is $430 per quarter credit hour as of October 2009. The total degree cost is $24,080. Walden University is a regionally accredited university.
Capella University
Capella University is an online school that offers a master of science (MS) in public health, management and policy. This degree is offered completely online and can be taken at the student's own pace. This degree requires the completion of approximately 14 classes. The cost of each four-credit course is $1,692 as of October 2009. The cost of the program is approximately $24,000, plus a $350 graduation fee. Capella University is a regionally accredited university.
Ohio University
Ohio University offers the master's of public health degree through distance learning. This program requires the completion of 42 semester credit hours. According to Ohio University, the program will "Provide graduates with a foundation of public health skills and knowledge, including community assessment methods, analytic skills, research strategies, program implementation, evaluation, and policy development within an ethical and culturally sensitive perspective." The cost of the program is not listed on the website and potential students are encouraged to call the university at (740) 593-4675. This program is not regionally accredited. This will affect the graduating student if their career choice will require a state license or certificate.
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