HBCU Master’s in Public Health: Programs, Costs & Online Options

For many students, obtaining an MPH at an HBCU means entering a space where their identity and lived experiences are not only acknowledged but celebrated and valued. This creates a culturally affirming environment where discussions about minority health and health disparities are central to the curriculum, rather than an afterthought.

Another significant strength of HBCU MPH programs is strong faculty mentorship. Professors and other teaching faculty have both professional expertise and a commitment to ensuring student success. HBCUs often have smaller class sizes, allowing students to build stronger connections, adding to a community-oriented atmosphere. 

Furthermore, the mission of many HBCUs is tied to social justice and service principles. 

For example, Fisk University played a significant role during the Civil Rights Movement, with students leading the Nashville Student Movement to advocate for the desegregation of public facilities⁴. Fisk’s legacy of advocacy encourages today’s students to see their future roles as both public health professionals and advocates for systemic change. 

Many health science degrees, including MPH programs, also emphasize real-world application, offering community health internships and practical training experiences that place students directly in underserved communities. Such opportunities prepare graduates to address inadequate access to medical and social services, chronic disease prevention, and health promotion. 

Seven HBCUs notably offer MPH programs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). These programs provide a combination of academic rigor with missions rooted in advancing health equity and serving underrepresented communities. 

1. Tuskegee University - Tuskegee, AL

Through its Department of Graduate Public Health, Tuskegee University offers a CEPH-accredited MPH program. Though administered through the school’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the MPH curriculum is designed for students pursuing careers in community health, health policy, and public health leadership. 

The program emphasizes culturally responsive care, community engagement, and applied research, preparing students to serve in the public and private health sectors. 

2. Morehouse School of Medicine - Atlanta, GA

Morehouse’s Master of Public Health was initially founded to address the shortage of underrepresented minorities in public health leadership roles. 

Today’s CEPH-accredited program is highly community-oriented, preparing students to become public health leaders who focus on addressing health issues within diverse communities.

3. Jackson State University - Jackson, MS

Jackson State University’s CEPH-accredited MPH program offers multiple specializations, such as Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Behavioral Health Promotion and Education. 

The program emphasizes both research and community engagement, preparing graduates to address health concerns at local, national, and global levels. Like many HBCU public health schools, Jackson State also provides flexibility in graduate studies, allowing students to tailor their education to match their career goals.

4. Florida A&M University - Tallahassee, FL

CEPH fully accredits FAMU or Florida A&M University’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program, which is part of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 

With a strong emphasis on health policy, FAMU prepares students to engage in research and advocacy. Additionally, FAMU offers an online MPH option.

5. Morgan State University - Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University provides a CEPH-accredited MPH and a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), making it an excellent option for students considering advanced training.

The former emphasizes urban community health, preparing graduates to address the challenges faced by people living in densely populated areas. Research is also a significant part of the curriculum, enabling students to contribute to evidence-based solutions for health disparities.

6. Meharry Medical College - Nashville, TN

Meharry Medical College has an extensive history in public health. The school’s CEPH-accredited Master of Public Health program centers on eliminating health disparities and prepares students to work directly in underserved populations. 

7. Tennessee State University - Nashville, TN

With a curriculum grounded in social justice and community engagement, Tennessee State University's CEPH-accredited MPH program provides training in epidemiology, health policy, environmental health, and behavioral science. 

Located in Nashville, TSU also connects students with two concentrations, the Public Health Science Concentration and Community & Behavioral Sciences. The latter equips students with in-depth knowledge and analysis of health policy across diverse communities. 

There are two notable examples of online MPH programs at HBCU schools: Florida A&M University’s online Master of Public Health (MPH) and Morehouse School of Medicine’s Online Master of Public Health program. 

Online students benefit from the hallmarks of HBCU graduate programs, including dedicated faculty mentorship, culturally affirming curriculum, and access to student support services such as IT support, advising, tutoring, and mental health counseling. 

Students may build expertise or strengthen knowledge in areas like epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy and management, environmental and occupational health, and behavioral science, depending on the program. 

As you look into HBCU MPH programs, you may want to consider the best concentration or specialization that aligns with your academic interests and career goals. 

Here are the most common offerings at HBCUs:

Community Health Practice

This area of study prepares students to work directly with vulnerable populations, focusing on health promotion, prevention, outreach, and improving access to healthcare and social services. 

Epidemiology

This concentration focuses on disease surveillance and research on health conditions that disproportionately affect minority populations. Students can expect to develop the tools and knowledge necessary to collect data and investigate health issues to inform interventions. 

Health Policy and Management

Health policy and management prepares students to address health inequities by shaping policies, managing programs, and leading organizations that drive change.

Behavioral and Social Health Sciences

This concentration examines how social, psychological, and cultural factors (such as the social determinants of health) impact health behaviors.

Global Health

The global health specialization extends beyond the United States, exploring cross-border health issues such as infectious disease outbreaks, environmental health risks, and the impact of migration on healthcare systems.

Maternal and Child Health

Students interested in this area of study can expect to learn how to improve health outcomes for mothers, infants, and children, particularly in communities where significant disparities exist in birth outcomes and access to healthcare. 

When it comes to graduate public health programs, it’s crucial that you seek those with CEPH accreditation, like the HBCU ones mentioned earlier. 

CEPH accreditation not only ensures that public health programs and schools meet national standards of quality, but it also prepares and provides eligibility for numerous professional opportunities, including those within federal employment, public health fellowships, and many state-level positions.

Aside from CEPH accreditation, many HBCU master's programs in public health are highly reputable in health equity, especially among federal agencies. Alumni have gone on to hold impactful roles in organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). 

 MPH programs often combine high-quality education with accessibility. In fact, tuition at many HBCUs is lower than at privaHBCUte institutions or some state universities⁵. For many students, this can help alleviate the financial burden of graduate school.

Many schools also offer scholarships and financial aid to reduce costs. For example, FAMU provides endowed scholarships to support graduate students, and Meharry offers merit-based aid.

Additionally, you can explore graduate assistantships and research positions at your prospective school. These opportunities allow you to gain experience while managing expenses. For those seeking an affordable, mission-driven education in public health, HBCU MPH programs provide a strong combination of value, support, and career preparation.

To narrow down your list of potential programs, start by thinking about your areas of interest and the concentrations or specializations offered, whether that’s Community Health, Health Policy, or Epidemiology.

Consider the format that fits your lifestyle: fully online or on-campus. Location and tuition are also key factors, in addition to access to faculty mentorship, research opportunities, and alignment with the school’s mission. 

Last but not least, start contacting program advisors, directors, and alumni to gain firsthand insights. This can help you make a more informed choice that matches your personal needs and professional aspirations.

Graduates of HBCU MPH programs are well-prepared for leadership roles across various sectors, be it in community-based organizations, government agencies, nonprofits, and NGOs. 

The training they receive in graduate school combines public health skills with cultural competence, enabling them to design and implement programs that directly address health inequities. 

Alumni may advance to influential positions in agencies such as the HRSA, NIH, and CDC, while others lead initiatives in underserved communities both domestically and internationally. This combination of expertise and cultural insight enables graduates to make a meaningful and lasting impact, transforming their MPH education into actionable solutions that promote health equity and empower marginalized populations.