Mastering Public Health in Georgia: A Comprehensive Review of MPH Programs
Julia Sturtz

WRITTEN BY

Julia Sturtz
Wandia Mureithi portrait photograph

REVIEWED BY

Wandia Mureithi

Public health is an area of work that impacts all members of society. Attaining a Master of Public Health (MPH) is a highly effective way to contribute to this important field1. Public health practitioners with MPH degrees work to improve health outcomes on a larger scale rather than focusing on the individual level2. They positively influence the population by engaging in areas such as environmental justice3, nutritional science4, and epidemiology5. Public health programs are expanding across the nation, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and as scientific understanding of health advances. Public health degrees can be attained through graduate programs, such as in-person and online MPH programs. This phenomenon is especially prominent in a state like Georgia, known for its strong dedication to the advancement of healthcare and its renowned institutions.

In this article, you will learn more about what it’s like to attend a public health program in Georgia, elements to consider when selecting a program, major educational options in Georgia, key insights into the application process, and outlooks for post-graduation.

Overview of Public Health Education in Georgia

The multitude of prestigious public health programs in the state of Georgia, such as those at Emory University6 and Georgia State University7, encompass one reason to pursue a public health education and career in Georgia. Georgia’s healthcare systems are also renowned institutions, particularly the Emory University Hospital and the Shepherd Center8. Additionally, the Georgia Department of Public Health is an incredibly active, impactful organization9. One project at the Georgia Department of Public Health that has gained extensive recognition is the Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI). The HCI aims to reduce chronic disease, particularly obesity, by empowering local municipalities and community organizations, especially in areas with prevalent health disparities10. With a population only getting more diverse, Georgia is a place with a host of opportunities to help many groups of people11. Beyond the public health landscape, there are numerous facets of Georgia that make it highly appealing to many people, including its affordability, warm weather, and culture12. 

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an MPH Program

There are many factors to think through when choosing the best MPH program for you13. You should consider the accreditation of all programs of interest. Accreditation is granted by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). CEPH accreditation allows any prospective student to confidently confirm that an MPH program meets established educational standards. The programmatic offerings, including concentrations and certificates — as well as the expertise of the faculty — are also significant elements of any MPH program to assess. It’s necessary to think about your own topic areas of professional interest and then confirm that any one public health program will be able to properly support you in your pursuit of those topics. Additionally, the location of the program within the state is of note, as some campuses may have more learning opportunities or align better with one’s professional and/or personal goals. Some programs may be offered remotely and, thus, provide greater accessibility to some applicants. If you’re not ready to pursue an MPH, there are also undergraduate programs like the one offered by Agnes Scott College.

Profiles of MPH Programs in Georgia

A variety of MPH programs exist in Georgia. In this section, you will gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of 10 noteworthy MPH programs in the state, including program strengths, faculty accomplishments, and learning formats.

Traditional On-Campus Programs

    1. Emory University: Students in this program can choose between 10 concentrations: Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences; Biostatistics; Environmental Health; Environmental Health and Epidemiology; Global Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Global Epidemiology; Health Policy; Health Care Management; and Global Health14. One major element that differentiates this program from others is the connection between Emory and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the headquarters conveniently near the university15. Daniele Fallin, PhD, serves as the dean of the School of Public Health; her work is renowned in mental health16.

    1. Augusta University: Students in this program can choose between three concentrations: Social and Behavioral Sciences; Health Management; and Health Informatics. The school offers a part-time option to offer enhanced flexibility, an attractive option for many people. Notably, their website is very user-friendly with lots of available information for interested applicants17. Jie Chen, PhD, serves as the interim director of the program; her work is specialized in genomics18.

    1. Georgia Southern University: In-person students can choose from five different concentrations: Community Health; Epidemiology; Health Policy and Management; Environmental Health Sciences; and Biostatistics. Notably, they emphasize professional development for their students by highlighting prominently the career outlook associated with an MPH degree from Georgia Southern19. Stuart Tedders, PhD, serves as the dean of the School of Public Health; his work is renowned in hygiene and preventive medicine20.

    1. The University of Georgia: Students in this program can choose from seven concentrations: Health Promotion and Behavior; Health Policy and Management; Gerontology; Epidemiology; Environmental Health Science; Disaster Management; and Biostatistics. Gerontology and Disaster Management are two concentrations of particular note, as they are not common in most MPH programs21. Marsha Davis, PhD, serves as the dean of the School of Public Health; she specializes in behavioral sciences22.

    1. Mercer University offers an MPH program on its Macon campus. The program does not offer specific concentrations. Instead, all students receive a generalized public health education focused on a set of core values. Notably, this program partners with many others, offering students a number of dual degree options if interested23. Nanette Turner, PhD, serves as an associate dean in the School of Public Health; her work is renowned in health disparities and telehealth24. 

    1. Agnes Scott College now offers an undergraduate major and minor in public health that primes its students well for a career in public health, including, if they choose, admission into a master’s program. Notably, students can concurrently enroll in related courses at Emory University and choose from a wide variety of community-engagement experiences.

Online/Hybrid Programs

  1. All of the universities listed above, aside from Mercer University, offer online options for students interested in that programmatic format.

    1. Georgia State University: Students in this program can choose from eight concentrations: Biostatistics; Community Psychology; Health Management and Policy; Health Promotion and Behavior; Law and Public Health; Environmental Epidemiology; Environmental Health; and Epidemiology. Notably, the program offers a variety of funding options for students and emphasizes this on its website with accessible information26. Rodney Lyn, PhD, serves as the dean of the School of Public Health; his work is renowned in physical activity and obesity27.

    1. Columbus State University: Students in this program concentrate on maternal and child health. Notably, this program has both short- and long-term course options, meaning some class schedules can be just eight weeks while others are 16 weeks28. This offers students extra flexibility. Margie Yates, PhD, serves as the dean of the public health program; her work is renowned in education29. 

    1. South University: The program does not offer specific concentrations. Instead, all students receive a generalized public health education. The website emphasizes career outcomes and highlights student experiences. It also offers an easy way to request more information30. Michelle Krawcyzk, PhD, serves as the dean of the School of Nursing and Public Health; her work is renowned in nurse education31.

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Admissions requirements vary to some degree between MPH programs but have many similarities32. Application cycles for all MPH programs, including those in Georgia, typically begin in August for programs beginning the following fall. Therefore, it would be a good strategy for you to start researching specific programs and preparing your applications (i.e., reaching out to people who can serve as references) in the months before August. A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to all MPH graduate programs, but most do not require specific undergraduate coursework or standardized test scores, such as the GRE or GMAT (although some do).

Some programs also set a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement. The requirements around letters of recommendation vary, with typically two to three letters requested for a complete application. Experiences included on your application and your personal statement are important opportunities to highlight your passion for, and dedication to, the field of public health. This is also an opportunity to make up for any other areas of the application that may be lacking, such as a low GPA.

Making the Most of Your MPH Education in Georgia

Any MPH program will offer many opportunities for expanded learning beyond the classroom, such as seminars, career fairs, and events that allow for collaboration with other schools. These are important to take advantage of as an MPH student as this helps to make the most of your education. Additionally, it’s important to engage fully with the community around your university if you are attending in person. In Georgia, this could mean seeking out opportunities to do research at the CDC33, working on policy initiatives at the Georgia Public Health Association34, volunteering with an organization like Georgia Responds35, or starting your own initiative at school that interacts with the community. Overall, it’s important that you — as a prospective MPH student — seek out experiences beyond the classroom. This will help deepen your understanding of public health, find where your passions lie, and make connections that will help bolster your career outlook. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, Georgia is a fantastic place to pursue your public health education and begin your career helping to improve the population’s health outcomes. There are a multitude of universities to choose from, with a variety of academic offerings as well as geographic locations within the large state. The size of the state lends to the abundance of professional opportunities as well, ranging from large hospital systems to small community organizations.

Consider applying today to an MPH program in Georgia to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of people’s health.

Resources

  1. https://masterspublichealth.com/why-study-public-health/

  2. https://masterspublichealth.com/public-health-careers/

  3. https://masterspublichealth.com/mph-in-environmental-health/

  4. https://masterspublichealth.com/masters-in-public-health-nutrition/

  5. https://masterspublichealth.com/mph-in-epidemiology/

  6. https://www.emory.edu/home/index.html

  7. https://www.gsu.edu/

  8.  https://www.atlantamagazine.com/health/top-hospitals-in-georgia/

  9. https://dph.georgia.gov/

  10. https://dph.georgia.gov/chronic-disease-prevention/healthy-communities-initiative

  11. https://lcfgeorgia.org/news/2020-census-data-release/

  12. https://georgia.org/competitive-advantages/life-georgia

  13. https://masterspublichealth.com/best-mph-programs/

  14. https://sph.emory.edu/academics/mph-msph/index.html

  15. https://global.emory.edu/atlanta/index.html

  16. https://sph.emory.edu/faculty/profile/index.php?FID=m.%20daniele-fallin-13081

  17. https://augusta.edu/institutes/ipph/master-public-health/

  18. https://www.augusta.edu/mcg/dphs/bds/people/jie_chen.php

  19. https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/degrees/master-of-public-health

  20. https://scholars.georgiasouthern.edu/en/persons/stuart-h-tedders-2

  21. https://publichealth.uga.edu/degree/master-of-public-health-mph/

  22. https://publichealth.uga.edu/faculty-member/marsha-davis/

  23. https://chp.mercer.edu/academics-and-departments/public-health/mph-program/

  24. https://chp.mercer.edu/bio/nannette-turner/

  25. https://www.agnesscott.edu/publichealth/

  26. https://publichealth.gsu.edu/academics-admissions/georgia-state-mph-program/

  27. https://publichealth.gsu.edu/profile/rodney-lyn/

  28. https://www.columbusstate.edu/kinesiology/public-health.php

  29. https://www.columbusstate.edu/profiles/yates-helen.php

  30. https://www.southuniversity.edu/degree-programs/public-health/public-health-mph

  31. https://www.southuniversity.edu/news-room/2022/06/new-dean-of-nursing

  32. https://masterspublichealth.com/masters-in-public-health-requirements/

  33. https://www.cdc.gov/

  34. https://www.gapha.org/

  35. https://dph.georgia.gov/georgia-responds

About the Authors

Written by:

Julia Sturtz, MPH

Julia Sturtz is a graduate student currently pursuing her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in epidemiology with a certificate in health policy and practice at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. At Columbia, she engages deeply in the community by serving as a peer advocate in the Sexual Violence Response program, a teaching assistant for multiple courses, a leader in the Student Well-Being Collective for Mental Health Literacy, and a mentor to first-year students in her certificate program. Academically, she is currently working toward completion of her thesis which focuses on psychiatric-physical comorbidities amongst the children of 9/11 first responders. 

Prior to starting her program at Columbia, Ms. Sturtz attained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a major in biology and a minor in English. After completion of her undergraduate studies, she worked at Jhpiego where she was seconded to the Baltimore City Health Department. In this role, she helped bring vaccines, other medical resources, and health information to underserved communities within Baltimore city as part of the pandemic response. 

Opinions and information published by the author on MastersPublicHealth.com are her own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of her employer.

Julia Sturtz

Julia Sturtz, MPH

Contributor

Education: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Knowledge: Epidemiology and Community Health

Reviewed by:

Wandia Mureithi, MPH

Wandia Mureithi, MPH is a public health project manager working in research and evaluation. Wandia received her Master’s in Public Health from Drexel University in 2022. Since beginning her career in 2018, she has been engaged in research projects and program evaluations related to sexual health, human trafficking prevention, tobacco prevention, opioid misuse treatment, and diabetes prevention. 

In addition to her work projects, Wandia is interested in reducing maternal and child health disparities and advancing social justice in public health. 

Opinions and information published by the author here on MastersPublicHealth.com are of my own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of my employer or other organizations for my designated roles.

Wandia Mureithi portrait photograph

Wandia Mureithi, MPH

Contributor

Education: Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health

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