How to Choose the Right MPH Program in Alabama

Many challenges in Alabama highlight the need for well-trained public health professionals. The state has significantly higher rates of chronic disease, with nearly 40% of adult Alabamians considered obese⁴ . Alabama also has one of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease events (e.g., death, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations) in the country⁵. There’s also some concerning data when it comes to young children, with the ADPH reporting that the infant mortality rate in the state in 2023 was 7.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, which was much higher than the national average of 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births⁶. 

Alabama also ranks 44th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in overall health system performance⁷. In addition, the KFF reports that 93,000 Alabamians are in a “coverage gap,” meaning that, due to the state not expanding Medicaid, many people earn too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid coverage and too little to get subsidized Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans⁸. This leaves almost 100,000 people without affordable and accessible health insurance. 

Despite these issues, Alabama has made concerted efforts to protect the health of its communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health professionals in Alabama played a central role in coordinating testing, vaccine distribution, and risk communication—especially in underserved communities⁹. 

For students who plan to stay and work in Alabama, studying public health locally provides an opportunity to develop the knowledge and regional insight that is necessary to enhance health outcomes. There’s a growing demand for experts in areas like epidemiology, biostatistics, and rural health—fields that are especially relevant in a state facing complex and deeply rooted health challenges.

Students interested in pursuing an MPH in Alabama have several program formats to choose from, including online, on-campus, and hybrid options. These flexible delivery models are designed to meet the diverse needs of students—whether you’re already working in a relevant field, live in a rural area, or are making a career transition into public health from another field.

Let’s start with online programs. These programs offer the most flexibility, and many include asynchronous courses that allow students to complete their coursework at their own pace. This format benefits working professionals balancing school with job or family responsibilities. It also supports students living in rural parts of the state who may be unable to relocate or commute to a university campus.

In contrast, on-campus MPH programs provide a more traditional college experience. Students attend face-to-face classes, get peer collaboration experience, and have direct access to campus resources. These programs may appeal to students who desire in-person learning or who seek to build strong professional relationships and networks through classroom interaction and faculty mentorship.

Hybrid programs blend both approaches, offering a combination of in-person instruction and online coursework. This format can offer the best of both worlds—flexibility and personal connection—making it a popular choice for students with varying schedules or learning preferences.

The average duration of most MPH programs in Alabama is 42 to 48 credit hours, depending on the concentration or specialization you choose. If you plan to attend graduate school full time, you can complete your public health degree within two years. If part time is more suitable for you, it can take two and a half to three years or longer, depending on your course load and schedule.

Whether you’re a novice to public health or advancing your current career in the field, Alabama’s MPH programs offer accessible pathways for students across the state—and for out-of-state students seeking a Southern college experience.

Choosing a CEPH-accredited program in Alabama ensures you’re getting a quality education with the flexibility to match your goals—whether you’re just starting or advancing your public health career. 

If you’re looking for more flexibility in your college education, online Master of Public Health (MPH) programs in Alabama offer a convenient path to earning a graduate degree without having to relocate or put your career on hold. These programs are especially popular among working professionals, students in rural areas, and those balancing family or caregiving responsibilities.

Several institutions in Alabama offer fully online, CEPH-accredited MPH programs, with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) leading the way. As mentioned, UAB’s School of Public Health offers multiple online concentrations, including epidemiology, health behavior, maternal and child health, and population health. The University of Alabama (UA) also offers a 42-credit MPH in health education and promotion that’s completely online. These programs deliver the same rigorous curriculum as their on-campus counterparts and are designed to be just as engaging and career-focused.

One of the primary benefits of online MPH programs is the asynchronous coursework, which allows students to complete readings, pre-recorded lectures, and assignments at their own pace. While some courses may include optional live sessions or group discussions, most are designed to fit around a full-time job or other commitments.

If you’re leaning toward an online MPH program, you’ll typically need access to a reliable computer, high-speed internet, and basic software tools like Zoom and Microsoft Office. The school you attend will provide access to its learning management system (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, or D2L Brightspace). Most schools offer online student support services—including technical support, academic advising, career services, and mental health counseling—to ensure that online students receive the same level of support as those on campus.

Despite the virtual environment, online programs still prioritize practical experience. All CEPH-accredited MPH programs require an Applied Practice Experience (APE). APEs allow students to apply the knowledge and skills they’ve gained throughout their program through hands-on experiences in real-world settings. These opportunities can be fulfilled through local internships, remote projects with community partners, or supervised work with public health organizations in your own area.

Some programs may also require an Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) or capstone experience, which can be tailored to your professional goals and setting. ILEs are similar to APEs but focus more on connecting and synthesizing information from core competencies acquired through the MPH program to solve complex problems. You may already be familiar with capstone experiences, which are essentially presentations or papers that sum up the knowledge you’ve gained throughout the program.

Specializations or concentrations help students develop expertise in specific fields of public health while meeting the foundational competencies required by CEPH-accredited MPH programs.

Here’s a look at the most common MPH concentrations available in Alabama:

Cost is a major consideration for any college student that is choosing a graduate program. Alabama’s MPH programs offer a variety of price points to fit different budgets. Among the CEPH-accredited programs mentioned earlier, total tuition typically ranges from $20,000 to $30,000. Tuition varies depending on factors like the institution, residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state), and program format (on-campus vs. online).

For some, those are steep costs to pay out of pocket. Fortunately, there are ways to save money on a public health graduate program. Some universities, such as the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Tuskegee University, offer scholarships or graduate assistantship programs to help reduce out-of-pocket costs. Tuskegee, for example, offers graduate merit-based scholarships, research assistantships, and fellowships through its School of Graduate Studies. These opportunities can be helpful for students committed to working in underserved communities.

It’s important that you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Doing so helps determine your eligibility for federal loans, work-study programs, and need-based grants. Alabama residents may also be eligible for state-specific aid, such as the Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP) and the Alabama Student Grant Program.

Tuition costs vary, but many Alabama programs remain affordable compared to institutions across the United States. With financial aid, scholarships, and flexible pacing, many students can graduate without accumulating significant debt.

As an MPH graduate, you’ll have access to a wide range of career options within Alabama’s public health sector, from state agencies and hospitals to nonprofits and academic institutions.

Key employers of public health professionals in the state include:

Here are the top roles Alabama employers in public health hire for:

Opportunities in public health are expected to expand across Alabama. Current efforts revolve around improving health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum mothers with Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage by addressing medical problems like gestational diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and other pregnancy-related complications¹³. In time, these initiatives may lead to a demand for public health professionals with a background in maternal and child health.

Picking the right MPH program in Alabama starts with understanding your goals and priorities. Key factors to consider include tuition rate, program flexibility, available concentrations, and, of course, CEPH accreditation, which ensures your public health degree meets the national standards for public health education. Some schools no longer require the GRE for admission, making it easier for students from non-health backgrounds like elementary education, public administration, or computer science to transition into a career in public health without needing to take a standardized test.

You’ll also want to look at the faculty’s expertise, areas of research, student support services, and internship opportunities, especially if you want to specialize in areas like health management or health care organization.

Take a moment to consider your preferred learning style and lifestyle needs. If you require flexibility due to work or location, an online program may be a better fit for you. If you value face-to-face interaction or want access to campus resources, consider an on-campus or hybrid format.

The next thing to consider is your career path. Want to work in policy, health education, epidemiology, or environmental health? Choosing a program with strong coursework and field placements in your area of interest can help you graduate well-prepared to be part of Alabama’s public health workforce.