Navigating the Best MPH Programs in California: A Personalized Approach

This article provides information, guiding questions to consider, and profiles of top public health programs in California.

Factors to Consider when Selecting an MPH Program:

• Learning style and program structure

When selecting an MPH program, it is important to choose a school and program that can be tailored to your preferred learning style and structure. Below are a few questions to consider.

• Will you be working full time while enrolled in an MPH program? If so, you should consider a program that has a flexible class schedule and targets mid-career working professionals. Many schools offer night classes that enable individuals to balance full-time work and public health classes. If you want to be a full-time student, you should look into programs that offer daytime classes to efficiently complete your degree.

• Do you prefer online, hybrid, or in-person classes? There are 12 accredited online only MPH degree programs in California, and many other hybrid and in-person programs. Online only programs, such as National University’s 100% online MPH program, offer more flexibility, with asynchronous courses and freedom to complete lectures and assignments on your own time. This type of program is especially helpful for individuals that work full time, have families, or cannot transport to their campus. In-person programs are great for folks that want to fully delve into their public health education, as they often enable more socialization, networking, and engagement with your professors and cohort.

• Do you have interests outside of public health sciences? Many programs enable you to take electives outside of your public health courses. This allows you to explore other interests and better shape your knowledge base for your future public health career. Take a look at the courses included in each public health program and note how many electives are required. If you are interested in completing the elective requirements outside of your public health school, make sure your university has other course programs that fit these interests. Additionally, many schools offer dual degree programs in subjects like business, medicine, and law.

• Area of Specialization and Concentrations

California has numerous public health programs with diverse concentrations including, but not limited to, health policy, global health, environmental health, community health, health education & promotion, healthcare administration, and nutrition. In addition to concentrations, individuals can also participate in joint degree programs, including but not limited to: social work (MPH-MSW), medicine (MPH-MD), philosophy (MPH-PhD), pharmacology (MPH-PharmaD), public policy (MPH-MPP) and business (MPH-MBA).

If you are not sure what program is right for you, take a look at the type of organization, job, or career path you want to pursue. What is the focus of this pathway? Are you interested in working overseas? Take a look at global public health. Do you want to impact policy? Many schools offer health policy concentrations. Are you interested in managing a hospital? Health care management may be a great option. Interested in how information technology affects public health? Consider an MPH program that specializes in health informatics.

With over 70 accredited programs in California, chances are there is a concentration that will fit your specific public health interest. You can also look at the curriculum for each program and concentration, which should list core required courses, and choose one that fits your interests. If none of the concentrations appeal to you, or if you want to keep your public health education broad, generalist tracks offer courses that span the entire field of public health without niching yourself into a specialization. California has at least five accredited public health programs with this generalist focus.

• Accreditation and Program Quality

California is home to over 70 accredited public health programs and 10 of the top 100 U.S. News & World Report best public health programs in the country. Programs become accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), an independent accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. These programs were rated by the U.S. News & World Report for their academic quality and ranked against all 206 accredited national public health degree programs.

• Location and Proximity to Desired Resources

California is the most populous state in the country². With a surplus of public health programs in a variety of geographic environments, it’s important to consider location and proximity to desired resources in your search. Some questions to consider:

• Where do you want to live after graduating? If you want to live in an urban, suburban, or rural environment, consider a school located near where you want to live.

• What type of job do you want to have after graduating? If you want to work for the state government, consider a program near Sacramento. If you want to work for a hospital, consider an academic medical institution (ex: University of San Francisco or University of North Carolina), or a school near a large hospital system (ex: schools that have affiliations with Kaiser Permanente).

• Financial Considerations and Scholarships

It is no secret that public health is not the highest paying field. As of June, 2023 the median salary for a public health practitioner in the United States was $69,7743. We don’t want a public health program to break the bank, so it’s important to take finances and scholarships into consideration when considering graduate school.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This federal initiative provides loan forgiveness for individuals employed by the government or qualifying nonprofit organizations. After making income-based payments for 120 months (which don’t need to be consecutive), the remaining balance on your federal loans may be forgiven. This can provide significant financial relief for graduates entering public sector roles.

• Graduate Assistant and Teaching Assistant Positions. Many MPH programs offer opportunities to work as a GA or TA, providing tuition assistance and a stipend in exchange for supporting faculty with research, teaching, or administrative duties. These roles typically range from 5 to 20 hours per week and are sometimes remote or asynchronous. Keep an eye on your school’s job board or graduate program page for openings.

• Scholarships. There are numerous  MPH scholarships available. Alongside institutional awards, there are more than 70 private foundations, nonprofits, and government entities that support public health students across a range of interests. Many scholarships target specific public health concentration areas, such as health administration, public health practice, health policy, and environmental health science, while others focus on serving underrepresented communities or advancing health equity.

• Networking Opportunities and Career Services

Establishing a strong professional network is a critical part of advancing in any career, and graduate school offers a valuable setting to do just that. As an MPH student, you’ll be surrounded by faculty, peers, and public health professionals who can become mentors, collaborators, and future colleagues.

Most public health programs integrate real-world experience into the curriculum through internships or practicum placements. Be sure to explore where students have completed their placements and the types of roles alumni have secured after graduation. Many schools maintain partnerships with local hospitals, government agencies, K-12 school districts, and nonprofits, giving students exposure to diverse public health environments.

Universities also support career development in other meaningful ways. From hosting career fairs and speaker panels to facilitating alumni mentorship programs, these events can help you clarify your goals and make meaningful professional connections. Some programs even employ dedicated staff focused entirely on student career support and employer engagement.

And there’s good news for job seekers—data from 2018 shows that just 6% of public health graduates were unemployed post-degree⁵. With the right guidance and proactive networking, you won’t be asking whether you’ll find a job, but which opportunity will best align with your goals and passions.

Conduct Thorough Research

1. Utilize Official University Websites

Each public health program has an established section of the university’s website. Explore the websites and note the concentrations, curriculum, course schedules, faculty, length of program, job placement, and partnerships offered. Many public health programs are housed within schools of medicine, such as UC Davis and University of Southern California, while others have standalone public health schools, like George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine is dedicated solely to educating health professionals and has an MPH program alongside many other graduate health science degrees. Take a look at the programs website and get a sense of the type of degree program, school, or university that is right for you.

2. Explore Rankings and Reputations

US News and World Report publishes rankings for every accredited public health program in the country. Explore where your prospective programs fall in this ranking system. In addition to rankings, you can often gauge a program’s reputation through  google searches. Look into the history of the program, what the school is known for, and job placement statistics after graduation, and seek out verified reviews or testimonials from graduates.

3. Gather Information from Current and Former Students

Utilize the network of current and former students for personalized data gathering. You are considering joining their network, so set up informational interviews to pick their brains about their experience in the MPH program, finding a job, and so on.

4. Attend Virtual or In-Person Information Sessions

Most schools offer virtual or in-person information sessions for prospective students. Attend these sessions to gather information and ask any questions you may have. This also allows you to develop relationships with the program administrators and can increase your chances of getting accepted into the program.

5. Seek Guidance from Academic Advisors or Professionals in the Field

Your graduate school professors will likely be established and renowned individuals in the field.  Utilize them for advice, networking opportunities, and mentorship. Take a look at their bios or LinkedIn profiles. These faculty will be your advisors and resources while you are in the public health program; take advantage of their knowledge and networks, and choose a program with professors that have common interests, research publications, or experiences that appeal to you.

Profiling the Best MPH Programs in California

Featured

University of California, Berkeley

History: University of California’s Berkeley School of Public Health is rated ninth best public health school in the country, and #1 best public health school in California by US News & World Report. Berkeley Public Health has been around for over 75 years.

Specialization/Concentration: Berkeley Public Health offers MPH degrees in six division areas: Community Health Sciences, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Policy & Management, and Infectious Diseases & Vaccinology. Each division includes multiple concentrations to offer a diverse range of focus areas, with an Interdisciplinary division available for folks that prefer a more general graduate public health education.

Program Structure/Length: Most programs are full-time and require students to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units of coursework per semester. Programs range from ten months to two years depending on division and concentration.

Notable Features: Berkeley Public Health prefers prospective students with one to two years of work experience; however, they offer a 4+1 program for qualifying undergraduate public health students to accelerate their completion of an MPH degree. Alternatively, to appeal to mid-career professionals, Berkeley Public Health offers a 27 month online Master of Public Health degree program that allows for increased flexibility and curriculum customization.UC Berkeley also offers concurrent graduate degrees in business administration, city planning, journalism, public policy, and social welfare. For students interested in the intersection of public health and medicine, there is a joint degree program with UC Berkeley Public Health and UC San Francisco. This five-year MD/MS degree focuses on educating physicians to engage in broad issues surrounding health equity and social determinants of health to contribute to a more equitable caregiving of their patients and communities.

1. University of California, Davis also has a top public health program in California. If you are interested in an accelerated degree focusing on either General Public Health or Epidemiology, the UC Davis MPH program is another great option to consider.

2. University of California, Los Angeles offers 8 MPH program concentrations. The program is typically two years and caters to working individuals. For folks that want flexibility in their degree, the UCLA MPH program may be for you.

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University of Southern California

History: University of Southern California’s MPH program is tied with San Diego State University for #28 best public health school in the nation and fifth best public health program in California. USC’s MPH program became accredited in 2003 and is housed within the Keck School of Medicine.

Specialization/Concentration: USC offers MPH concentrations in Biostatistics-Epidemiology, Community Health Promotion, Global Health, and Health Services and Policy.

Program Structure/Length: The MPH program is a two-year full-time program, but some concentrations can be completed in 3 consecutive semesters. In addition to 16 units of core courses (degrees are 42 units total), students are required to complete 260 hours of practicum and a capstone project. Additionally, USC offers a fully online Master of Public Health program that can be completed in four semesters.

Notable Features: USC has relationships with international partners to allow students to complete their practicum internationally. This is especially beneficial for individuals that are interested in pursuing a global public health career overseas. Additionally, USC offers practicum experience with county, state, and federal agencies for folks interested in working for the government. Lastly, USC has a notoriously strong alumni network, something that proves invaluable throughout one's life and professional career.

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San Diego State University

History: San Diego State University is tied with USC’s MPH program as #28 best public health school in the nation and #5 best public health program in California. SDSU’s School of Public Health was established in 1980 and offers a number of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral public health degrees.

Specialization/Concentration: San Diego State University offers MPH degrees in 4 concentrations, with two concentrations having fully online options. The concentrations are Environmental Health, Epidemiology ( online format available), Health Management & Policy, and Health Promotion & Behavioral Science ( online format available).

Program Structure/Length: SDSU’s MPH degree ranges from 51 to 59 credit units depending on concentration and include at least three fieldwork credits. All MPH programs can be completed in two years.

Notable Features: San Diego State University offers dual degrees in Social Work (MSW/MPH) and Latin American Studies (MPH/MA). GRE scores are not required for MPH program applications.

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California State University, Long Beach

History: California State University, Long Beach’s MPH program is ranked #122 best public health program by US News & World Report and has been accredited since 1983.

Specialization/Concentration: California State University, Long Beach offers MPH degrees with concentrations in Community Health, Global Health, and Latino Health.

Program Structure/Length: CSULB offers both in person and online classes. All MPH concentrations require 42 units of coursework, which include three units of electives and up to six units of internship. Most students are enrolled in California State University, Long Beach MPH program part-time; however, full time students can complete their MPH degree in two years. Since the program caters to working individuals, most courses are offered in the evenings, between 4pm and 9:45pm.

Notable Features: There is also a peer-mentorship program available for first-year MPH students to be assigned a second-year MPH student mentor to provide advice and support pertinent to academic and professional endeavors. There is a 60-70% acceptance rate into California State University, Long Beach’s MPH program.

1. California State University, Los Angeles focuses on delivering public health in an urban, community environment. If you are interested in urban population health, CSU Los Angeles MPH program may be a great fit.

2. California State University, San Bernardino also has a great accredited MPH program. It caters to folks interested in becoming Health Educators or government officials. Click to read more about CSU San Bernardino MPH program.

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San Francisco State University

History: SFSU was founded in 1998 and is ranked #92 best public health program in the nation.

Specialization/Concentration: San Francisco State University offers one MPH degree program with a concentration in Community Health Education. The curriculum takes an ecological approach and emphasizes social justice, health equity, and advocacy.

Program Structure/Length: The MPH program consists of 17 courses (totaling 44 units), and can be completed in as little as four semesters and one summer. SFSU also offers longer timelines for individuals that choose to spread out their course load over multiple years.  In order to accommodate working individuals, synchronous classes are concentrated to two days per week. Currently, Thursdays are the principal day of courses with either Monday or Tuesday evenings as second coursework day.

Notable Features: SFSU requires a minimum of 3,700 hours (two years full-time) of previous health-related work experience before entering their MPH program.

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Loma Linda University

History: Opening its doors in 1905, Loma Linda University is a Christ-centered Seventh-day Adventist organization.

Specialization/Concentration: Loma Linda University offers Master of Public Health degrees in Epidemiology, Global Health (in-person only), Health Education & Wellness Coaching (online only), Nutrition (in-person only, with a coordinated program in Dietetics) and Population Medicine.

Program Structure/Length: MPH degree programs can be completed either in person or fully online depending on concentration. Program length ranges from 1.5 years to 2 years.

Notable Features: Loma Linda also has an academic medical center, Loma Linda University Health, that operates various hospitals and clinics around the world. Additionally, Loma Linda University has a strong focus on research and has conducted over 280 clinical trials and published close to 700 peer-reviewed publications. The GRE examination is not required for admission to Loma Linda University’s MPH program.

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San Jose State University

History: San Jose State University’s MPH program was established in 1970 and has been accredited since 1974.

Specialization/Concentration: San Jose State University offers one MPH degree program with a focus in Community Health Education.

Program Structure/Length: San Jose State University offers an on-campus MPH degree and a fully online MPH degree. Both formats can be completed in as little as 2 years. The program is designed for working individuals, so most courses are offered in the afternoons and evenings.

Notable Features: San Jose State University is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, and has relationships with many top tech companies such as Apple and Google. If you are interested in your public health practice being in technology or health care startup, SJSU could be a great fit.

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Touro University California

History: Touro University California was founded in 1997 as a non-profit graduate institution focused on educating and empowering future healthcare professionals. Touro centers their education around social justice and promoting health equity both locally and globally.

Specialization/Concentration: Touro University California offers Master of Public Health degrees in three concentrations: Community Action for Health, Global Health, and Health Equity and Criminal Justice.

Program Structure/Length: Touro University California’s MPH program consists of 42 credits, 400 hours of fieldwork, and culminates in either an examination or capstone project.

Notable Features: If you are interested in health care or clinical practice, Touro University offers dual degrees in Osteopathic Medicine (DO/MPH) and Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS/MPH). They also enable an intimate learning environment by maintaining a 10-to-1 student to faculty ratio. Additionally, Touro University California has relationships with Kaiser Permanente, various health systems, and Solano County Health and Social Services for public health professionals that want to pursue careers in health care administration, health promotion, and human services.

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Claremont Graduate University

History: Claremont Graduate University’s Master of Public Health program was established in 2008 and is ranked #113 best public health program in the nation.

Specialization/Concentration: Claremont Graduate University offers MPH degrees in three concentrations: Applied Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Health Promotion, Education & Evaluation, and Leadership & Management.

Program Structure/Length: Claremont’s MPH program consists of 44 credit units and typically takes 2 years to complete. They are offering an online MPH degree that is pending accreditation approval.

Notable Features: Claremont Graduate University also offers dual degrees in Business Administration (MBA/MPH) and Applied Psychology (MPH/MA).

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California Baptist University

History: California Baptist University is a private Christian university in Southern California and became an accredited MPH program in 2018.

Specialization/Concentration: California Baptist University’s MPH program has two concentration options: Health Education & Promotion and Health Policy & Administration.

Program Structure/Length: The MPH program consists of 48 credit units and can be completed either in-person or online in 2 years. The degree is tailored to working individuals and classes meet twice per week in the evenings.

Notable Features: California Baptist University allows students to complete their three-week fieldwork requirement internationally, which is a great option for students interested in global health. CBU also has a chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, a nationally recognized honor society for health professionals, that students can join.

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Closing thoughts

Choosing the right MPH program requires careful and individualized consideration. As highlighted throughout this guide, public health degrees can differ significantly in structure, focus, format, and outcomes. Take the time to evaluate your options thoroughly; there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to graduate education. Let the ten featured programs serve as a foundation for your research, and revisit your options as your priorities evolve.

Keep your career goals, academic interests, and personal circumstances at the forefront as you make your decision.