Navigating Boston's MPH Programs: A Comprehensive Guide for Prospective Students

There are many reasons to choose Boston for a public health program and one of the preeminent ones is that Boston is a leading city for both healthcare and education. Arguably the most famous university in the United States, Harvard University, is in Boston, and the city has one of the most robust health systems of any major metropolitan area. Given the city’s number of colleges and universities, it’s no surprise that there are many options for an MPH program. Some are schools of public health, like Boston University and Harvard University, while others are public health programs within a university system, like Northeastern University and Tufts University. 

Within the city, no two public health programs look exactly alike. There are options to fit a variety of preferences and needs. MPH programs in Boston have both traditional in-classroom options and online MPH options as well as hybrids of this. The choice between an online master program and a traditional in-person program is worth considering carefully prior to applying to an MPH program. Check out our guide on what to look for in an online MPH program and this profile of CEPH accredited online programs that includes leading programs like Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and George Washington University School of Public Health.

Once you’ve decided that public health is the right path for you, it’s critical to begin your search broadly. Start by making a list of factors to consider, like whether the program is accredited, whether you prefer an in-person or online master program, whether you’d like to be in a large university or small program, and whether the program has existing relationships with organizations like the Boston Public Health Commission or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to help facilitate internships.

There are pros and cons to each of these factors and there’s no one right answer, but it’s important to think about your own learning style and preferences. For example, you might be a person who thrives in discussion and likes direct interaction with peers and faculty. If so, a program exclusively in person is probably right for you. Alternatively, you might be the type of person who does better taking time to reflect and work at your own pace and time.

While the structure of your classes is a key deciding factor in what public health program you select, another thing to consider carefully is what sort of internship (sometimes called a practicum), and capstone (or thesis) experience are required for graduate students. Internships and capstones are a chance to delve deeper into a subject area that has piqued your interest. In an average two-year program, you’ll realistically only have time to take one class on health information management, so an internship in health informatics gives you a chance to see if this is a career you want to pursue.

Similarly, a course in health policy would be solid preparation for an internship related to healthcare management. Being in Boston sets you up well for capstones related to urban health like violence prevention at the Boston Public Health Commission. One of the most well-regarded public health organizations, Partners in Health, is based in Boston and has a global health and health equity focus.

Here we’ll give you an overview of five MPH programs in Boston, including both traditional in-person and online masters programs. Programs here are all accredited and profiles include schools of public health and public health programs housed within other schools like health science or medicine.

These are not the only higher education options in Boston for a public health degree. Other universities in Boston like UMass Boston and Boston College offer undergraduate degrees in public health. Suffolk University has an in-person and online master of healthcare administration (MHA). The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers both an in-person and online MPH.

Now that you know about the many options for completing an MPH in Boston, it’s time to think through your application. Luckily, we’ve developed a guide for the MPH application process as well as a timeline for completing your application. Requirements vary slightly between programs, however there are some core guidelines to follow. Applications are completed via a centralized system called SOPHAS that allows you to apply to multiple schools at once through an online application.

Schools generally require official transcripts, two to three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a minimum GPA from your undergraduate degree, and some require the GRE. Some programs may require coursework related to health, however, not all do. Your personal statement is one of the best ways to stand out to the admissions committee.

Make sure to review each program’s website carefully for specific requirements and request information as needed. For example, if most programs you’re applying to only ask for two letters of recommendation, you don’t want to be panicking at the last minute if your top program requires a third letter.

All of the programs profiled above are accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health, which means that you would be eligible for federal student loans¹¹. The Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) has scholarship resources, divided into categories like citizenship, minority and underserved, and area of study¹².

The City of Boston Mayor’s office website has many scholarship opportunities that are available to help offset costs, generally available to those who have completed high school or reside in Boston. It’s important also closely to explore funding and scholarship opportunities specific to each school. Boston University offers a grant of up to $25,000 immediately upon enrollment as well as a paid practicum¹³.

Northeastern University has several merit-based scholarships, including one that all applicants are automatically considered for and one for students who completed their undergraduate degree at Northeastern, and one for students interested in urban health¹⁴.

As you can see, there are many exciting reasons to pursue your MPH in Boston. There are more degree options than you might expect in one city and many different formats (e.g. online and part-time) in which you can complete your degree. The city’s robust health system offers internship and practicum opportunities and there are several scholarship opportunities that can help with financing your degree. Now is the time to request information from schools and sign up for open houses and tours. Make sure to take a closer look at our MPH application timeline and get started today!