Online Master of Public Health

Yes. The GSU School of Public Health and its programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to accredit schools of public health and programs in public health, including those offered online.

Accreditation is not just a stamp of approval, but a signal to employers and other institutions that the school or program meets certain standards and benchmarks for educational quality, qualified faculty and adequate resources. When a student attends an accredited institution, they can be confident they are learning the skills they need in the workforce. They also can be assured that they are positioning themselves well for a long career in public health. Graduating from an accredited program opens doors to certifications, funding opportunities, and employment. In fact, some employment opportunities, like working for the US Public Health Service, the US military, and some government agencies, are only open to students who have graduated from CEPH-accredited programs.

All programs in the GSU School of Public Health, whether in-person or online, are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Accreditation is not just a stamp of approval, but a signal to employers and other institutions that the school or program meets certain standards and benchmarks for educational quality, qualified faculty and adequate resources.

Georgia State’s online programs are designed and taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus. Their successful completion will earn you the same degree. Our programs are designed with flexibility in mind. In-person students can take online classes, and online students can choose to take in-person classes.

Learning online does require the ability to focus on coursework for a dedicated amount of time each week. Your online class may not have a scheduled time to meet, but your success mindset should include planning for the time you need to participate in online discussions, complete assignments and prepare for projects or presentations.

Learn more about online student success and get tips from the online student success blog.

Online MPH courses offered through the GSU School of Public Health are offered asynchronously or synchronously at the discretion of the faculty members who develop the courses. Please check the catalog to make sure you enroll in the course that’s right for you.

Yes. To meet the needs of students who are working professionals or have family responsibilities, students pursuing an MPH degree at Georgia State can enroll in online or in-person classes. Georgia State's online courses are designed and taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus. Their successful completion will earn you the same degree.

School of Public Health students who take online courses have access to the same networking and career support services available to students taking in-person courses. Networking events include “Meet and Talk” social mixers that bring students, faculty, alumni and other public health leaders together for professional development, breakout sessions, fun activities, raffles and prizes. Students can also network and engage with fellow students and public health leaders through events such as the John R. Lutzker Lecture Series, Grand Rounds Lecture Series, and Kreuter Katz Lecture on Health Equity. These lectures, which bring nationally recognized thought leaders to Georgia State, are typically livestreamed for those who cannot attend in-person and archived online for later viewing.

The Office of Applied Practice Experience and Career Services (APECS) provides a range of services to SPH students—whether on campus or online—including virtual career events, workshops and panels with public health experts. Additional one-on-one career services include counseling, resume analysis and mentorship support. Through the School of Public Health’s online ELEVATE portal, students can connect with their peers, alumni and career opportunities. Whether you are seeking internships, applied practice experiences or jobs, ELEVATE provides a treasure trove of data-driven information.

To facilitate networking and collaboration among students, individual online courses may include discussion forums, group projects and team building activities. Faculty may also host interactive online or hybrid orientation events. Georgia State's online programs are designed and taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus. Their successful completion will earn you the same degree.

Georgia State’s online programs are designed and taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus. The development of online courses is supported by GSU’s Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Online Education (CETLOE). Georgia State is a national model for student success, with more online program options than any other institution in the state.

CETLOE design teams work with faculty to create high-quality online courses and programs. Often spanning multiple semesters, online course and program design projects require significant and sustained commitment from faculty and draw upon the expertise of the full CETLOE team, including learning experience designers, multimedia developers, learning technologists and learning analysts.

Visit the CETLOE website for tips to leverage the learning tools and the resources you have as a student.

School of Public Health students who take online courses have access to the same networking and career support services available to students taking in-person courses. The School of Public Health’s Office of Applied Practice Experiences and Career Services (APECS) hosts career fairs, workshops, seminars and panels with industry experts. It also offers one-on-one career services counseling and resume analysis.

The School of Public Health’s online ELEVATE portal helps connect students with their peers, alumni and career opportunities. Whether you are seeking internships, applied practice experiences or jobs, ELEVATE provides a treasure trove of data-driven information. In addition, GSU’s Student Career Services offers job search tools and resources and hosts events and career fairs.

All MPH students complete an Applied Practice Experience, which enables them to apply the knowledge they have gained through their coursework in real-world settings that position them for career success. Our location in Atlanta gives students unparalleled opportunities for APEs, but students can complete their APE requirement anywhere within the U.S. or even abroad. Students have the flexibility to set up APE projects that are entirely remote, hybrid or in-person.

GSU School of Public Health students have completed APEs in organizations that range from large federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, international agencies such as the World Health Organization, health systems and community based organizations. For a list of additional example sites, visit our APE page.

Public health degree holders are in high demand at federal and state agencies, health care organizations, academic institutions, private companies and non-profit organizations.

Visit our Public Health Careers page to see median salaries for public health professions and, where available, the projected growth in demand for these professions over the next several years.

Yes. The degree you’ll earn online is no different than the one you’d earn in-person, and tuition is priced the same. As a public institution, Georgia State is dedicated to both excellence and affordability. More than 92% of GSU students with demonstrated financial need receive some form of tuition assistance. From scholarships and fellowships to graduate assistantships, federal aid and student loans, there are several options for funding your graduate education at Georgia State. Learn more about funding your education.

iCollege is the name of the learning management system platform (LMS) at Georgia State University. It is where you can review coursework, view lectures, join in class discussions and so much more. Regardless of how you engage with your classes, whether the classes you attend are online, in-person or a mix of the two, iCollege is a vital tool for success during your time at GSU. Learn more about digital learning at Georgia State.

The Applied Practice Experience (APE) is integral to the MPH curriculum, providing a hands-on learning experience that positions students for thriving, impactful careers. Our location in Atlanta gives students unparalleled opportunities for APEs, but students can complete their APE requirement anywhere within the U.S. or even abroad. Online students have the flexibility to set up APE projects that are entirely remote, hybrid or in-person.

GSU School of Public Health students have completed APEs in organizations that range from large federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, international agencies such as the World Health Organization, health systems and community based organizations. In addition, online students can participate in study abroad options that afford APE project opportunities in countries such as Brazil, Ghana and the United Kingdom. For a list of additional example sites, visit our APE page.

Yes. Online students can choose to enroll in in-person courses, including study abroad. The School of Public Health’s study abroad programs allow students to examine firsthand public health issues in countries such as Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Indonesia, Uganda and the United Kingdom. In many cases, study abroad scholarships and financial aid are available.