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Master of Public Health

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The Master of Public Health program at UMass Lowell provides students with knowledge essential to the practice of public health on a global scale.

Earn Your MPH Degree With One Of Five Options

  • Dietetics - become a Registered Dietitian through our accredited program
  • Epidemiology - conduct research that identifies health hazards and solutions
  • Healthcare Management - manage public health programs and organizations
  • Nutrition - examine nutrition links to health problems
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences - design programs that improve health

All students study environmental health issues, biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy and management and social and behavioral determinants of health.

Need more information about the Focus Areas? Descriptions and objectives are on the Focus Areas page.

Full Time Part Time BS to MPH
Duration: 2 years

The MPH program is a 42-credit, post-BS program that has been developed to provide a comprehensive public health education to all graduates.

Academic Calendar

Core Courses

All MPH students will take five core public health courses plus a two-semester, six-credit MPH practicum (21 credits total):

  • Environmental Health 
  • Epidemiology & Biostatistics
  • Public Health Policy
  • Leadership & Management in Public Health 
  • Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health 
  • MPH Practicum 
  • Integrated Practical Learning

MPH program details are in the Graduate Catalog:

Program Mission and Outcomes

Degree Pathways
  • Submitted online application
  • BA or BS degree, or senior-year status, with an overall GPA of at least 3.0.
  • Grades of C or better in required, prerequisite college-level courses. These include a minimum one semester of statistics and one semester of either biology or anatomy and physiology. Applicants who are missing prerequisites may be admitted with the provision that they meet with their adviser before or during their first semester and develop a plan of study to complete the prerequisites during the first year.
    • Applicants to the Nutrition option must have taken undergraduate courses in Human Nutrition.
    • Applicants to the Dietetics option must earn grades of B- or better in the following college level pre requisite courses: Human Nutrition, Microbiology, Food Science, Medical Nutrition Therapy I and II, Nutrition and Metabolism, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Statistics, Biology or Anatomy and Physiology, and Psychology or Sociology or Anthropology.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are NOT required for the Master of Public Health program application.
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • $50 application fee
International Applicants
  • Applicants who earned their degree outside of the U.S. must have their transcript evaluated by a credentialing service such as WES or CED.
  • English proficiency testing
    • TOEFL minimum 79
    • IELTS minimum 6.5

UMass Lowell Bachelor's to Master's Applicants

Qualified UMass Lowell undergraduate junior or senior students may apply for admission to the Bachelor's to Master's public health accelerated option. Students accepted into this option may take up to four graduate level Public Health Core courses (500 level) during their senior year that will be credited toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees upon approval by their undergraduate adviser. Please refer to the Graduate Catalog for the latest information about admission, courses, retention, and degree requirements.

Visit Graduate Admissions for more information.

In-state

Cost Per Credit: $842.21*
Total Tuition & Fees (based on 42 credits): $35,373*

Out-of-state/International Students

Cost Per Credit: $1,496.66*
Total Tuition & Fees (based on 42 credits): $62,860*

*These estimated graduate charges are for the 2019-2020 academic year. Tuition costs do not include any pre-requisite courses. These prices are subject to change by vote of the UMass Board of Trustees.

Dietetics Option

Additional annual fees for Dietetics students will add approximately an additional $4,995 the first year and $3,270 the second year of study. 
  • Summer supervised practice (one-time fee) $1,725 
  • Estimated books and supplies $1,200 
  • Estimated travel expenses for supervised practice $2,000 
  • ServSafe Certification (if not already certified) $15
  • Academy membership $58 
  • EHR Go (one-time fee) $45 

Additional annual costs depending on your living situation and health insurance needs.

  • Estimated housing expenses $11,000
  • Estimated health insurance (if not already covered) $1,570

FINANCING

For more information on tuition and financing, visit Costs & Aid for Graduate Programs.

As a graduate of the MPH program, you will be prepared to assume leadership positions in a range of careers in private industry, government, consulting, law, insurance, hospitals and the nonprofit sector. Some students may plan to continue to doctoral programs or seek positions in academia. It is projected that more than 250,000 additional public health workers will be needed in the U.S. by 2020.

Careers include titles such as:

  • Biostatistician
  • Director of Family Health Services
  • Disaster Preparedness Researcher
  • Environmental Health & Safety Manager
  • Health Commissioner
  • Industrial Hygienist
  • Informatics Specialist
  • Injury Prevention Specialist
  • Policy Analyst
  • Program Officer
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Why Study Public Health at UMass Lowell?

Shannon Gray headshot

"The curriculum, professors and internships for the MPH program are excellent."

Shannon Gray started earning her master's degree in Public Health as an undergraduate. Her internship with the Uxbridge Board of Health broadened her exposure to the role public health professionals play and strengthened her skills. Read more
Nicole Haas sits at a table and works at her laptop at Revive Recovery Center in front of a decorated blackboard

"These face-to-face experiences are how I learned so much about the recovery community and how to continue finding ways to help people and prevent fatal outcomes."

Nicole Haas always knew she wanted a career helping people. The Master of Public Health major landed an internship with the Revive Recovery Center and is taking on one of the most challenging public health crises of the last 20 years: the opioid epidemic. Read more
Headshot of Tara Lynch

“Designing studies, analyzing risk factors and human behaviors – that's what I'm doing right now, and it's what I love.”

Tara Lynch's experience during her undergraduate psychology program practicum working with a community agency to improve outcomes for rape survivors led her to pursue a Master of Public Health. Read more

Lawrence age-friendly project team

Well-connected Faculty & Cutting-edge Research

UMass Lowell researchers are collaborating with Lawrence to turn the city into an “Age-Friendly Community” – a place where housing, transportation, green spaces, health care and social services help residents of all ages lead healthier lives. Read more