20 Best MPH Programs in California – 2025
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
The COVID-19 pandemic reemphasized the need throughout California for public health specialists in all subspecialties. A Master’s of Public Health degree from one of the many MPH programs in California can prepare you for a career as an epidemiologist, a community health educator, a health policy analyst, and more. Most MPH programs in the Golden State offer campus and online learning options. MPH-prepared professionals in the Golden State average $99,000 annually. Interested in finding out more? Check out the descriptions below of the 20 best MPH programs in California for 2025.
FOLLOWING ARE THE 20 BEST MPH PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 20 best campus-based and online MPH programs in California.)
1) University of California-Berkeley - Berkeley
Programs Offered: MPH (On-Campus & Online) and “4+1” (One-year MPH)
MPH On-Campus Concentrations Offered: Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Health & Social Behavior, Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health (One-year MPH), Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health (Two-year MPH), Public Health Nutrition (One-year MPH), Public Health Nutrition (Two-year MPH), Environmental Health Sciences, Global Health & Environment, Epidemiology, Health Policy & Management (One-year MPH), Health Policy & Management (Two-year MPH), Infectious Diseases & Vaccinology, and, Interdisciplinary MPH
MPH Online Concentrations Offered: Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Health Policy & Management, Community Health Sciences, and Spatial Data Science & Global Health
4+1 MPH Concentrations Offered: Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Public Health Nutrition
About the School: Berkeley Public Health School offers one of the best MPH programs in California that has consistently prepared leaders who have been innovators at the national as well as global levels. With more than 75 years of excellence in public health education, the school has built a strong network of 18,000 alumni.
Being located in the Bay Area, the school enjoys solid partnerships with several prominent businesses and organizations that are at the forefront of transforming health. This provides students with internships and promising employment opportunities post-graduation.
Program Details: If you are looking at online MPH programs in California, then, here the college offers an online MPH with 4 concentration options. Additionally, for those who prefer in-person instructions, there is an on-campus MPH with over 13 concentration options. Also, for those who have completed an undergraduate public health BA program at Berkley, the college offers a one-year accelerated track (4+1) with 2 concentration options.
If you opt for any of the on-campus or online MPH concentrations, the time required to complete the program is two years, with around 48 credits needed for graduation.
Furthermore, the college also offers a one-year on-campus interdisciplinary MPH which is open to students from varied professional backgrounds. This is a 42-credit individualized coursework where you choose the courses based on your career goals.
Admission Requirements: At Berkley, the admission process is holistic, so ensure you strengthen every aspect of your application. The minimum GPA to apply to either of these MPH programs in California is 3.0.
Additionally, you are required to submit official transcripts, a statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation. Also, if you are choosing to enroll in the online MPH, you must agree to make yourself available for two campus visits.
Key Highlights
• Berkley’s Public Health School has been recognized by the CDC for being one of the nation’s nine top research centers for health promotion and disease prevention.• The average GPA of applicants admitted to Berkley’s MPH school is 3.7, so ensure you work towards earning a high score in your undergraduate education.
• The college also offers dual degrees, including an MPH/MBA, MPH/MCP, MPH/MJ, MPH/MPP, and MPH/MSW, where you can earn two degrees in lesser time than completing them separately.
2) San Diego State University - San Diego
Programs Offered: MPH (On-Campus & Online)
On-Campus Concentrations Offered: Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Health Management & Policy, and Health Promotion & Behavioral Science
Online Concentrations Offered: Health Promotion & Behavioral Science
About the School: Founded in 1980, San Diego State University offers one of the best MPH programs in California, that focuses on health and human services. Located in a culturally rich area, where you can explore diverse opportunities in public health, students actively engage in various professional activities outside the classroom to gain experience in health improvement. Besides, its faculty engages in research across several countries including the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, and Uganda, providing students with an opportunity to get involved and gain valuable global exposure.
Program Details: The college offers an online and an on-campus MPH program. Both these master of public health programs in California are offered in several specializations. While the on-campus program comes with options in Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Health Management & Policy, and Health Promotion & Behavioral Science, the online program offers the Health Promotion & Behavioral Science concentration.
Regardless of the specialization or program you choose, you will build a solid foundation in the core classes of epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioral and social science in public health, environmental determinants of human health, and health services administration.
After the core courses, the coursework expands your knowledge in your chosen area of specialization. Additionally, the program allows you to choose a minimum of nine additional units of electives that can be selected after approval from the program advisor.
Furthermore, at SDSU you gain practical experience through supervised field placement where you will apply the theoretical knowledge in varied real-world settings.
Both the programs, regardless of the concentration end with a capstone experience either by completing a thesis or project.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for either the on-campus or online MPh program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Also, you must have completed an introductory statistics course before being accepted into the program.
The college also requires applicants to have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.85. Furthermore, a minimum of three years of full-time employment, preferably in a public health organization is required to be eligible to apply to either of SDSU’s MPH programs.
Key Highlights
• You must complete this MPH program within seven years, regardless of the format or concentration.• The college also offers two dual degrees, MPH/Master of Social Work and MPH/MA in Latin American Studies.
3) University of Southern California - Los Angeles
Programs Offered: MPH (On-Campus & Online)
On-Campus Concentrations Offered: Biostatistics-Epidemiology, Community Health Promotion, Global Health, and Health Services & Policy
Online Concentrations Offered: Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Community Health Promotion, Global Health, GeoHealth, Health Services & Policy, and Generalist
About the School: The best MPH programs in California prepare graduates to play impactful roles in the field of public health, nationally as well as on a global level. The University of Southern California offers one such MPH program that equips graduates with professional skills that make them public health leaders.
Furthermore, this MPH school makes a significant contribution towards improving the health of the surrounding areas in Los Angeles and also in the nation. Its active interdisciplinary research allows students to explore learning opportunities across several countries where they closely work towards better population health while gaining valuable hands-on experience.
Program Details: The college offers an online and an on-campus MPH program. Both these programs offer concentration options in Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Community Health Promotion, Global Health, GeoHealth, and Health Services & Policy. Besides, the online MPH program also has an option of a generalist track.
Out of all the accredited MPH programs in California, the generalist track is the only customizable MPH program that requires you to complete the core courses and plan the remaining courses based on your interests. Regardless of whether you choose the generalist track or any of the concentrations, you are required to complete a minimum of 42 credits.
Both the online and on-campus MPH programs are designed to be completed within two years. The common core courses strengthen your knowledge in various core topics of history & philosophy of public health, concepts and methods of data collection in public health, and the cultural context of public health issues.
Admission Requirements: To apply for either of these MPH programs, you must have an accredited bachelor’s degree with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Additionally, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a current resume must be submitted along with your application.
Key Highlights
• The college’s on-campus master’s in public health program in California was founded in 1977. Since then, this MPH school has been among the top 10 public health schools to receive funding from the NIH.• The 300 hours of practicum can be completed either locally or internationally if desired by the student.
• The online MPH program is completely online with no campus visits required. The practicum requirements can be fulfilled within your geographic location. The online program starts thrice a year.
• The college offers several financial aid opportunities, with more than 60% of its students receiving some sort of funding assistance.
4) University of California-Davis - Davis
Programs Offered: MPH
Concentrations Offered: General Public Health, and Epidemiology
About the School: Are you looking at enrolling in one of the best MPH programs in California that can be completed in as little as 10 to 12 months? If yes, then your search may end with the University of California-Davis. Here, you can earn an MPH within as little as 10 to 12 months. This MPH school not only boasts of an accelerated MPH but also takes pride in individualized attention in its small-sized classes.
By designing a curriculum in consultation with the public health community, the college ensures that graduates leave the school as public health leaders. Furthermore, because of a strong partnership with the California Department of Public Health, the college invites individuals from the CDPH for guest lectures, and to serve as co-instructors. The ties with the CDPH and local health departments provide students with valuable real-world exposure.
Program Details: To complete your MPH in California, the college offers two concentration options, a General Public Health and Epidemiology. Both the tracks first start with 40 units of core courses in SAS programming, program planning & evaluation, health service administration, public health informatics, principles of epidemiology, social & behavioral determinants of health, and biostatistics for health sciences.
Thereafter, you must complete the remaining 16 units of electives in your chosen area of focus. The program ends with a practicum where you must apply the theoretical knowledge to practice in a real-world public health setting.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission, the college requires you to have at least a grade “B” or higher in an introductory course, either in mathematics, biological sciences, social sciences, or an introduction to public health course.
Additionally, the college requires you to submit two essays, three letters of recommendation, and all transcripts. Also, you must have experience in the field of public health. The minimum GPA required to apply to this program is 3.0.
Key Highlights
• The placement rate of this MPH program in California is impressive with 94 to 96% of its graduates placed in a public health setting within six months of graduation.• Because of the college’s location, you can expect some interesting internship opportunities in various areas of population health, including chronic disease control, rural health, HIV prevention, environmental health, and maternal & child health.
5) University of San Francisco - San Francisco
Programs Offered: MPH (On-Campus & Online)
On-Campus Concentrations Offered: Applied Epidemiology & Population Health Methods, Community & Public Health Practice, Behavioral Health, and Health Policy Leadership,
Online Concentrations Offered: Community & Public Health Practice
About the School: To make an entry into the field of public health there is no better place than San Francisco, where opportunities in the field of public health are galore. Whether you want to explore internships or placements, with the skills and knowledge you will gain at the University of San Francisco, you will have no dearth of opportunities in San Francisco, Sacramento, Orange County, and beyond.
One of the best MPH programs in California, the college’s MPH is one of the few programs that allows you to pursue your education while working full-time. Furthermore, the small-sized classes with a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1 make the classroom a close-knit environment where you can make meaningful connections with peers and faculty.
Program Details: The college offers an online and on-campus MPH program. The on-campus program comes with four concentration options, Applied Epidemiology & Population Health Methods, Community & Public Health Practice, Behavioral Health, and Health Policy Leadership. If you choose to pursue the online format, the college offers you the Community & Public Health Practice concentration.
Depending on the concentration, the credits range from 42 to 45 that comprise core and concentration courses. Regardless of the concentration you choose, you will complete the program within two years.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for either of these two master of public health programs in California, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Also, the college requires you to submit all your official and unofficial transcripts. The required GPA to gain eligibility to apply must be a minimum of 3.0. Additionally, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and a personal resume are required.
Furthermore, although the college does not require you to complete any prerequisites, it is recommended that you prove your competency in statistics, precalculus math, and basic biological and social sciences.
Key Highlights
• With the being MPH offered in Orange County, Sacramento, in addition to its main campus in San Francisco and in the online format, completing your MPH education can get rather convenient at a location that suits your personal needs.• Hands-on experience is an integral part of this MPH program in California and the college ensures students get the required real-world exposure in a variety of public health settings across California and many other states.
6) University of California-Los Angeles - Los Angeles
Programs Offered: MPH
Concentrations Offered: Biostatistics, Community Health Sciences, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology (2-Year), Epidemiology (1-Year), Health Policy & Management (Health Policy Track), Health Policy & Management (1-Year, postdoctoral), and Health Policy & Management (Health Management Track)
About the School: University of California-Los Angeles, counted among the best master of public health schools in California has been at the forefront of innovative research in various areas of public health including, infectious diseases, health policy, climate change, human nutrition, health equity, social policy, and reproductive health.
Furthermore, through collaborations with institutions in countries including Cambodia, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, Mexico, and the Philippines, as a public health student, you will gain valuable hands-on experience in addressing issues not only at the national but also at a global level.
Program Details: One of the few MPH programs in California, here you can earn a degree in public health in one or two years, depending on your background and the concentration track you choose. Regardless of the track, the coursework comprises core and concentration-specific courses, in addition to electives.
To graduate, you are required to complete around 60 quarter credit units. For the electives, you can opt for courses from varied areas, including social & behavioral sciences, health education, health policy, women’s health, and public health nutrition. Upon completion of the program, graduates can explore a variety of roles in healthcare policy and management.
Admission Requirements: For admission into any of the MPH tracks, you are required to apply to the concentration respective department. Along with your application, you are required to submit your resume, statement of purpose, personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and all official transcripts. Although GRE is not required, you may want to submit a score to enhance your chances of admission as the college follows a holistic admission process.
Key Highlights
• The school ranks among the nation’s top 10 public health schools according to the U.S. News & World Report.• If you are a student of a medical school, you can complete the track in Epidemiology within one year.
• The college offers an executive MPH for full-time working professionals. This is a competency-based curriculum focused on Health Policy & Management. The program offers classes only on weekends and during the summer.
7) University of California-Irvine - Irvine
Programs Offered: MPH
Concentrations Offered: Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, and Sociocultural Diversity & Health
About the School: If you are shortlisting the best MPH programs in California, then you may want to learn about the MPH program offered by the University of California-Irvine. Established in 2010, this MPH program has prepared many public health leaders who are committed to improving health in the culturally diverse region of Southern California as well as across the world.
The college offers its MPH with four concentration options, including Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, and Sociocultural Diversity & Health. Upon completion of the program, graduates find promising job opportunities in both private and government agencies across the country.
Program Details: To graduate with an MPH from the University of California-Irvine, you are required to earn anywhere around 64 units. The number of courses required to graduate is sixteen to seventeen, comprising the required courses and electives.
An integral part of the program is the practicum and culminating experience that requires you to complete 240 hours of supervised internship in a public health setting. Regardless of the concentration track you choose, as a graduate of this program, you will be able to apply the knowledge gained to improve health and reduce the burden of diseases by working with various public health agencies and institutions.
Admission Requirements: To apply, you must have a bachelor’s degree and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Students from various fields are eligible to apply to this program. Along with your application, the college requires you to submit a statement of purpose, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation.
Key Highlights
• This MPH program in California is offered with full-time as well as part-time schedule options. While the full-time program takes two years to complete, if you opt for the part-time schedule, you can complete the program in three years.• The college requires you to earn a minimum grade of B in each of the courses. In case you fail to do so, you must re-take the course.
• The college also offers a dual degree of MD/MPH which is a five-year program. In this 5-year plan, students take the MPH coursework during the fourth year, while the remaining years are spent in the MD school.
8) California State University-Northridge - Northridge
Programs Offered: MPH (On-Campus & Online)
On-Campus Concentrations Offered: Community Health Education and Applied Epidemiology
Online Concentrations Offered: Community Health Education
About the School: When you graduate from one of the best master of public health schools in California, you will not only be trained by accomplished faculty but the knowledge and experience you gain will prepare you to become a leader in the public health field.
Program Details: Whether you are interested in community health education or applied epidemiology, here you can complete an MPH in your chosen area of focus. While both these concentrations are offered on-campus, in the online format only the Community Health Education concentration is available.
Regardless of whether you enroll for the on-campus or online format, the coursework includes core courses in concepts of health behavior, epidemiology, advanced biostatistics for health science, and research design.
If your focus area is community health education, then you gain knowledge in health education program planning and evaluation, curriculum development in health education, and community health action. In the applied epidemiology coursework, you will learn about quantitative demography for health science, advanced biostatistics, public health program evaluation, and advanced epidemiologic research methods.
Also, both, the online and on-campus MPH program include electives and a culminating experience towards the end of the coursework.
Admission Requirements: The college follows a holistic admission process. To gain eligibility for admission, you must have a bachelor’s degree and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Additionally, you must include a resume, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
Key Highlights
• While the majority of students in both these MPH programs in California opt to either take the Comprehensive Exam or the Integrated Learning Experience. If you wish to complete a thesis, you may have to spend more time completing the program, taking the length of study to a total of four years.• The on-campus MPH requires you to attend classes Monday through Thursday from 4 to 7 pm. The electives are offered from 7 to 10 pm. If you are working full-time, you must ensure sufficient time to attend classes throughout the week.
• The online program, counted among the best online MPH programs in California, offers asynchronous online classes to accommodate the busy schedules of working students.
9) San Jose State University - San Jose
Programs Offered: MPH (On-Campus & Online)
On-Campus Concentrations Offered: Community Health Education
Online Concentrations Offered: Community Health Education
About the School: Counted among the best MPH programs in California, San Jose State University’s MPH is a practice-oriented, community-based program. Established in 1974, the MPH program has ever since strived to impart quality public health education and improve population health. Because the college also offers a Recreation Program, its public health graduates enjoy the benefit of partnering with Recreation alumni to transform health through innovative recreational activities.
Here, you can choose between the on-campus and online MPH programs, based on your preference. While the online MPH program offers training through synchronous classes, the college’s on-campus program offers classes once a week, and mostly in the afternoons or evenings.
Program Details: Both these MPH programs in California, the online as well as on-campus are offered with a specialization in community health education. The 42-credit coursework that you must complete to earn your MPH degree includes core public health courses worth 24 units, community health education courses worth 13 units, and 5 units of practicum.
Your coursework includes courses in qualitative & quantitative methods for public health practice, evaluation methods for public health practice, health policy & organization and environmental health, community organization & health promotion, and multicultural communication for health professionals. Additionally, you will learn about contemporary public health education & health promotion, health promotion planning & evaluation, and public health leadership & administration.
Admission Requirements: Similar to most other accredited MPH programs in California, to be eligible to apply, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Furthermore, two years of health-related experience is preferred post completion of baccalaureate education. Also, you must submit two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of purpose.
Key Highlights
• If you choose the online MPH program, the culminating experience that you are required to complete will be a comprehensive exam, whereas on-campus MPH students can choose to either take the exam or complete a project or thesis.• The online MPH program requires you to visit the San Jose campus, once a year for a period of 4 to 5 days.
10) Claremont Graduate University - Claremont
Programs Offered: MPH
Concentrations Offered: Applied Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Health Promotion Education & Evaluation, and Leadership & Management
About the School: If enrolling in one of the best master of public health schools in California is high on your mind, then Claremont Graduate University’s MPH program must not be overlooked. This MPH program is recognized for producing public health leaders who are transforming health in the US and across the globe. The college provides students with international learning experiences by collaborating with partner institutions in countries including India, China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Thailand.
Moreover, here you can find enriching networking opportunities through the Delta Epsilon chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health which provides students with a perfect platform to connect with top professionals from other graduate schools and the public health field.
Program Details: The college offers its MPH with several concentration options, including Applied Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Health Promotion Education & Evaluation, and Leadership & Management. This MPH in California is offered twice a year in fall and spring.
The 48-credit MPH program, regardless of the concentration, takes two years to complete. The program strengthens your core knowledge in health education & promotion, biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental & occupational health, and the foundations of global health.
Furthermore, if you opt for Applied Biostatistics & Epidemiology then you will be educated on the prevalence and incidence of diseases, whereas the Health Promotion Education & Evaluation prepares you to positively impact behaviors at all levels and thereby improve health and well-being.
On the other hand, the Leadership & Management track trains you with leadership skills to overcome challenges faced in public health, both locally and internationally.
Admission Requirements: Because the college accepts applications on a rolling basis, ensure you apply early. To apply, you must submit all official transcripts, a resume, a statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation.
Key Highlights
• The college offers scholarships, paid internships, and research assistantships to eligible MPH students.• The college offers you the opportunity of pursuing its MPH with another degree program. This flexibility not only allows you to complete two programs quickly but also provides the chance of individualizing your education path based on your interests.
11) Loma Linda University - Loma Linda
Programs Offered: MPH (On-Campus & Online)
On-Campus Concentrations Offered: Epidemiology, Global Health, Health Education & Wellness Coaching, Nutrition with a Coordinated Program in Dietetics, and Population Medicine
Online Concentrations Offered: Epidemiology, Health Education & Wellness Coaching, and Population Medicine
About the School: Listed among the best master of public health schools in California, Loma Linda University has more than 50 years of experience in training public health leaders. It is also the only school in the state to offer an online MPH in health education.
Known for its groundbreaking research in various areas of public health, here you will benefit from the close interaction with its faculty in small-sized classes of 1:5. Whether you choose to complete your MPH education in the on-campus or online format, the solid support and unique learning experiences provided by the school ensure you graduate with the utmost professional readiness.
Program Details: If you are keen on enrolling in one of the online MPH programs in California that offer Health Education specialization, then you are in the right place as the college offers its MPH in health education online as well as in the on-campus format. The on-campus program also offers specialization options in Epidemiology, Global Health, Nutrition with a Coordinated Program in Dietetics, and Population Medicine. On the other hand, the online program, in addition to Health Education comes with concentration options in Epidemiology and Population Medicine.
Regardless of your chosen concentration, you will develop a solid understanding of three core areas of public health, including, public health for community resilience, public health for a healthy lifestyle, and public health and health systems. While most students earn the degree within two years, if you opt for a part-time schedule, the timeline will stretch further.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for either of these MPH programs in California, you must have a baccalaureate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, the college requires you to submit a satisfactory GRE score, along with all your official transcripts. You must also submit a statement of purpose, resume, and letters of recommendation.
Key Highlights
• This master’s in public health program in California offers you a unique opportunity of taking additional courses in different areas of public health including Health Care Administration, Health Geoinformatics, Lifestyle Intervention, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Health Policy, and Leadership. Each area includes 4 to 5 courses and adds 12 to 14 units to your total MPH coursework credits.• The MPH school at Loma Lida ranks among the top graduate schools in the nation according to the U.S. News & World Report.
12) San Francisco State University - San Francisco
Programs Offered: MPH
Concentrations Offered: Community Health Education
About the School: Do you find your calling in community health education? Do you feel the need to promote health equity? If yes, then enrolling in San Francisco State University’s MPH program should be high on your priority list. One of the well-known accredited MPH programs in California, as a graduate of this program, you will be prepared to promote health equity at all levels by employing community health education.
This program was founded in 1998 and since then has played a pivotal role in promoting health and health equity. Offered in a cohort learning format, here you will find solid support as you progress through your MPH training.
Program Details: This master’s in public health program in California is a 44-unit coursework comprising 17 courses. The program educates you on various aspects of community health education, including principles of community organizing, theories of social behavioral change, epidemiology, biostatistics, and educational processes. To complete the entire coursework, you will require a minimum of five semesters, including the summer between the first and second years. The program starts in the fall semester and you progress through it as a cohort, taking courses sequentially.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for this program, you must have at least 3,700 hours of health-related work experience. Also, you must have a baccalaureate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Furthermore, you must complete prerequisites in statistics, social science, composition, and social diversity. Additionally, similar to other public health schools in California, the school requires you to submit a resume, a personal statement, and all official transcripts.
Key Highlights
• To suit the needs of working MPH students, classes are offered two days per week, mostly in the evenings.• The MPH coursework offered by the college is carefully designed in partnership with local communities. This helps create a training plan based on evidence and real-world knowledge to effectively address issues of health equity and social justice.
13) Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science - Los Angeles
Programs Offered: MPH
Concentrations Offered: Urban Health Disparities
About the School: If you are looking at MPH programs in California that primarily focus on urban health disparities, then Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science’s MPH program can be your best bet. This MPH program offers a specialization in Urban Health Disparities and is committed to addressing the health and education needs of the urban underserved communities.
Its graduates are making a difference in various public health settings, including the federal & local health agencies, community-based health organizations, research institutions, and hospitals & medical centers.
Program Details: This MPH in california is a 45-credit competency-based coursework. As a student of this program, you progress through it as part of a cohort. The program is offered only once a year and each year the college admits a maximum of 25 students.
The curriculum includes courses in racial & ethnic health disparities, principles of epidemiology & biostatistics, program planning & evaluation, health policy & management, social & behavioral theories in public health, global health disparities and race, cultural competency, and health. In addition to the core courses, you must take one elective, based on your interests. Towards the end of your coursework, you are required to complete an applied learning experience and an interactive learning experience.
Admission Requirements: To be able to apply to this MPH program in California, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The minimum required GPA is 3.0. In addition, you must submit official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal goals statement.
Key Highlights
• This MPH program is designed for working adults and offers classes at a convenient time in the evenings, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.• The college offers scholarships of 60% and an additional $1,666 for supplies to students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
14) National University - La Jolla
Programs Offered: MPH (On-Campus & Online)
Concentrations Offered: Health Promotion, Health Administration, and Community Mental Health
About the School: Are you seeking to enroll in one of the MPH programs in California that is offered by a non-profit school? If so, you may want to learn about National University. Founded in 1971, National University is a veteran-funded non-profit school that offers an MPH program in both, online and on-campus formats. The college is known for its affordable MPH education and military-friendly policies, so if you come from the defense forces, here you will find solid support in terms of funding.
Furthermore, here you can apply all through the year, and once accepted, the program’s four-week course format makes it feasible for you to accommodate school into your busy life.
Program Details: This master’s in public health program in California offers specialization options in Health Promotion, Health Administration, and Community Mental Health. While the specialization in Health Promotion prepares you to plan and implement health promotion programs in the community, if you choose to specialize in Health Administration, you will be trained in managing a health care organization. On the other hand, the Community Mental Health specialization is ideal for those who are inclined toward improving mental health disorders in communities.
Regardless of the specialization, the core courses strengthen your knowledge in public health foundation, U.S. healthcare system, global public health, biostatics, theories of health behavior, epidemiology, public health research methods, and health policy & advocacy.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for National’s MPH program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Also, similar to other MPH programs in California, you are required to submit all official transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
Key Highlights
• Towards the end of this MPH program, the college appoints an advisor to plan out your internship and capstone experience during which you are required to work for three months in a real-world public health setting.• The college allows flexibility in terms of online and on-site classes. You may complete exams online and choose to attend classes on-site or vice versa, depending on your preference.
15) California State University-Long Beach - Long Beach
Programs Offered: MPH
Concentrations Offered: Community Health Education
About the School: Whether your goal is to serve in the field of public health or rise the ranks, by completing an MPH program from California State University-Long Beach you will be able to achieve both these goals. This MPH school strives to prepare leaders who are committed to serving local, national as well as international communities. The school takes pride in its graduates who are relentlessly contributing to the better health of the underserved populations.
Program Details: This master’s in public health program in California that comes with the Community Health Education concentration is a 42-credit coursework that comprises three to six units of electives in addition to the required courses. While the program is completed within two years if taken full-time, on a part-time basis, you can stretch the timeline to a maximum of seven years.
Some of the courses you take include principles of epidemiology, advanced community health statistics, health equity, and health disparities, advanced environmental health, and curriculum development in health education. Some of the electives you may take include courses in health and disease prevention, health promotion & risk reduction, emergency planning & management, and the healthcare system.
To graduate with an MPH, the college requires you to maintain a minimum grade of 3.0 in all the courses.
Admission Requirements: Like all other MPH programs in California, to be eligible for admission, you must have a bachelor's degree. Additionally, you must submit your professional resume, and three letters of recommendation, in addition to all official transcripts.
Key Highlights
• This MPH in California accommodates the needs of working students by offering classes in the evenings from Monday through Thursday. If you are opting for the part-time schedule, it is recommended you take a minimum of six units per semester to complete the program within the seven-year timeline.• The college offers you the opportunity to benefit from the MPH Peer Mentor Program. This is a free program where you can be either the mentee in the first year or the mentor in the second year of the program. If you become a mentor, you receive 40 credits that can be applied to your internship.
16) California State University-Fresno – Fresno
Programs Offered: MPH
Concentrations Offered: Health Promotion
About the School: To complete your MPH in California, you can consider California State University’s MPH program which offers a competency-based curriculum. The program trains graduates to play a significant role in addressing the health needs of diverse communities of the San Joaquin Valley of California.
As a graduate of this program, you will be equipped with skills and knowledge that prepare you for leadership in various types of public health and health education settings.
Program Details: The MPH program at California State University comes with a specialization in Health Promotion. Similar to most other master of public health programs in California, this program is a two-year coursework.
During the first year of the program, you complete core courses that build your knowledge in advanced public health statistics, environment and occupational health, health promotion, advanced concepts in epidemiology, introduction to health policy, health promotion, policy advocacy, and techniques of health research. The core coursework comprises 19 units, after which you complete the courses in the Health Promotion specialization. The 15 units of these courses educate you on community health organization, health planning, program evaluation, and the foundations of health promotion.
Additionally, you are required to complete four units of fieldwork and four units either in a project or thesis.
Admission Requirements: Admissions into this MPH program in California happen only in the fall semester. To be eligible, you must have an accredited bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0, in addition to having some professional experience in the public health field. To apply, you are required to submit official transcripts, a GRE score, and a processing fee.
Key Highlights
• The college offers a 12-unit certificate program in alcohol and drugs studies. If interested, you can combine this program with your MPH, for which you must complete additional coursework.• As an MPH student, you are encouraged to participate in the college’s Student Public Health Association. This platform not only enriches learning but also expands career opportunities for MPH students.
17) Touro University California – Vallejo
Programs Offered: MPH
Concentrations Offered: Community Action for Health, Global Health, and Health Equity & Criminal Justice
About the School: If you are passionate about health equity and criminal justice, then enrolling in Touro University California’s MPH program must be given a thought. Of all the MPH programs in California, this is the only program with a specialization in Health Equity & Criminal Justice. Additionally, the college offers two other concentrations, including Community Action For Health, and Global Health.
The Criminal Justice track is a recently added concentration, preparing graduates to address the impact of criminal justice on health at all levels. On the other hand, the Community Action Health concentration addresses the health needs of vulnerable communities, whereas the Global Health track trains students to be global health professionals.
Program Details: This MPH is a 42-unit coursework comprising 15 units of core and 10 units of specialization courses, in addition to 10 units of electives and 7 units in the culminating experience. The core courses build a solid foundation in five key areas of public health, including, biostatistics, behavioral and social aspects of public health, epidemiology, health policy & management, and environmental health.
Furthermore, depending on your interest you will complete specialization courses in either Community Action for Health, Global Health, or Health Equity & Criminal Justice.
Upon graduation, you can find rewarding career opportunities in various public health settings, including government agencies, voluntary health agencies, and healthcare organizations.
Admission Requirements: To apply to either one of these MPH concentrations, you must have a bachelor's degree and an undergraduate GPA of 2.50. You are required to apply through the SOPHAS. Along with your application, you must submit three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a resume, and all official transcripts.
Key Highlights
• The college offers international learning opportunities, in collaboration with partner institutions in Bolivia, Cambodia, and Ethiopia.• While most students complete this MPH in California within two years on a full-time basis, if you choose the part-time schedule, you can stretch the timeline to a maximum of five years.
18) California State University-Fullerton – Fullerton
Programs Offered: MPH
About the School: A career in public health is not only fulfilling but also highly lucrative, considering the increasing demand for public health professionals in the post-pandemic world. If you are interested in earning a degree from one of the accredited MPH programs in California, then California State University’s MPH can be a good option. Established in 2003, the program was the first accredited MPH program in Orange County.
Besides, the college’s student-centric environment and small-sized classes offer you a personalized learning experience that goes a long way even after you leave school. Also, here you will graduate without a heavy burden of financial debt as the college offers affordable MPH education that is also high quality.
Program Details: This MPH program is an on-campus program that can be completed within 21 months. Based on your interest, here you can choose your area of focus from specialization options, including, Environmental And Occupational Health And Safety, Gerontological Health, and Health Promotion & Disease Prevention.
Regardless of the specialization, the core coursework educates you on core topics such as issues in public health, advanced methods in epidemiology, statistical methods in health science, research methods in health science, advanced environmental health, public health administration, program planning, and evaluation and advanced study in health promotion and disease prevention.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for this MPH in California, you must submit all official transcripts, a current resume, and a statement of purpose. Also, a cumulative GPA of 2.7 is required. Furthermore, any experience in public health or a related field is preferred.
Key Highlights
• Majority of the students in the program come from ethnic minority groups, little wonder that most of the graduates go on to serve the communities where they live, thereby improving the health of diverse populations in the region.• Program graduates find promising employment opportunities at some of the prominent organizations, including the CDC, Orange County Health Care Agency, Cal Optima, and Kaiser Permanente.
19) California State University-San Bernardino - San Bernardino
Programs Offered: MPH
About the School: MPH programs in California that value diversity, equity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation, produce excellent public health professionals who promote public health and social justice. If you are someone who aspires to a public health career, then enrolling in the MPH program offered by California State University-San Bernardino can be a good option. Here, in a student-centric environment, you will be trained for public health leadership.
Program Details: This MPH in California is a 42-credit curriculum that takes two years to complete. The coursework comprises 34 credits of core courses, 4 units of electives, and 4 units of culminating experience.
The core coursework includes courses in professional development & leadership, biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental & occupational health, health promotion, public health policy & administration, and health education program planning & evaluation.
To earn the four units of electives, you can choose from a wide range of course options, some of which include global health, maternal-child health, information literacy in public health, etc.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have completed courses in natural & social sciences. Furthermore, you must submit a resume, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. The college reviews applications on a holistic basis, so ensure you include every aspect that highlights your abilities to become a proficient public health professional.
Key Highlights
• To graduate, the college requires you to earn a minimum grade of B in all courses.• To complete the graduation requirements, you can either take the comprehensive exam plus earn 8 units of electives, or complete a project or thesis.
20) California Baptist University – Riverside
Programs Offered: MPH (On-Campus & Online)
On-Campus Concentrations Offered: Health Education & Promotion and Health Policy & Administration
About the School: Are you keen on applying to one of the MPH programs in California that offer international learning experiences? If so, you may want to find out about the MPH programs offered by California Baptist University. The college offers an online and on-campus MPH program. Here, the college provides you with an opportunity of completing a three-week internship abroad. Through this global health engagement opportunity, you gain valuable learning experiences in public health and also develop cultural competence.
Program Details: While the online MPH program offers the generic MPH coursework, if you enroll in the on-campus format, you can choose between the Health Education & Promotion and Health Policy & Administration concentrations.
While both the on-campus concentrations take two years to complete, the average completion of the online MPH program is sixteen months. To earn your MPH online, you require completing 44 units, whereas if you opt for any of the on-campus MPH concentrations, you must complete 48 units.
Regardless of what concentration you choose from both these MPH programs in California, the common core courses educate you on various public health topics, including the American healthcare system, environment & occupational health, public health promotion & disease intervention, current issues in public health, methods of epidemiology, statistics in public health, health law & ethics, global health, and public health program planning & evaluation.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission into either of these two MPH programs in California, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Furthermore, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required. Additionally, you are required to submit two letters of recommendation and a personal statement.
Key Highlights
• If eligible, you have the opportunity to be part of the Eta Sigma Gamma Honorary Society. This is a professional national society that is committed to health education.• This is one of the few MPH programs in California that allows you to work while learning. Because the MPH classes are held in the evenings and only twice a week, it is feasible for students to balance a job with MPH school.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the Total Number of Accredited MPH programs in California?
According to the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), there are currently accredited Master’s in Public Health programs in California.| Total MPH Programs in California |
| 22 |
MPH Programs in Other Cities & States