How to Choose the Right MPH Program in Louisiana

Public health in Louisiana is never quiet. Hurricanes roll through, flooding knocks out roads, and sometimes disease follows in their wake.¹ In addition to environmental challenges, population health is a factor. Early in 2025, whooping cough cases began climbing fast: 170 cases by mid-May, more than all of the previous year. Two infants didn’t survive.² It was a harsh reminder of how quickly things can turn here.

Shortages make it worse. More than 2 million people live in areas without enough doctors or primary care services. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) counts 175 Health Professional Shortage Areas in Louisiana, and it would take 200 more clinicians just to meet the basics, as the current workforce capacity covers under 70% of the need.³ That’s the landscape you’d be stepping into with a public health degree: messy, urgent, and very much in need of you.

MPH programs in Louisiana are built around that reality. At Tulane University or Louisiana State University (LSU), you’ll see how disaster planning and disease prevention are taught by people who’ve done it on the ground. Some programs give you online flexibility; while others pull you straight into local projects.

This guide takes you through each public health program, what admissions look like, where graduates end up working, and how to make tuition less painful if you’re planning a future in public health.

There’s a tension in Louisiana’s public health scene: deep-rooted inequalities paired with a uniquely active state infrastructure.⁴ 

In the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book, Louisiana is near the bottom: 49th for child well‑being, among all 50 states, measuring economic well-being, education, health, and family and community. Poverty here is high, many kids and teens are in poor health, families are struggling to support them, and proficiency in math is lower than the national average.⁵ That might sound bleak, but it also means students get to study for a public health degree in a place where real issues are impossible to ignore.

Then there’s Cancer Alley: a roughly 85-mile stretch of petrochemical plants that has one of the highest cancer burdens in the country.⁶ Low-income residents here are at risk of greater harm from industrial air pollutants like ethylene oxide, which at times can hit a thousand times the safe limit.⁷ Human Rights Watch connects these conditions to respiratory problems and maternal health concerns.

On the bright side, the Louisiana Department of Health does its part, with bureaus focused on chronic disease prevention, family health, nutrition services, infectious diseases, and community preparedness.⁸ As a student here, you’ll see a public health program in motion beyond theory, pushing policy initiatives and leading responses to disasters.

By stepping into a field marked by urgent need, strong policies, environmental struggle, and clear standards, every class and practicum in an MPH degree program feels connected to something bigger… and real.

A CEPH-accredited program assures everyone that competent public health professionals are in charge of their well-being. Employers know that the curriculum covers essential skills and knowledge needed for today’s jobs, which in turn helps the students’ future stay solid.

In fact, some jobs are only open to graduates of CEPH-accredited units, for example, in state and local government agencies, the U.S. Public Health Service, or public health jobs for the U.S. military.¹⁰ Some fellowships may also be available only to students attending a CEPH-accredited school or program. This is why you should factor in the CEPH accreditation before enrolling in any of the MPH programs in Louisiana.

And now, here are four options to consider:

If you need a public health degree without the commute, two CEPH‑accredited options stand out for an online MPH in Louisiana: Tulane and LSUS/LSU Health Shreveport.^{11, 20} Both options allow you to complete your applied practicum where you live, meeting the same core requirements as on-campus students: a real public health online degree option in Louisiana that doesn’t compromise on quality. Keep in mind that each school sets its own application deadline for online cohorts.

As mentioned above, Tulane offers two fully online MPH tracks through its CEPH-accredited School of Public Health: Community Health Sciences and Disaster Management. You study through a mix of self-paced modules and live online sessions, completing the practicum in your local area while following the same foundational curriculum as on-campus peers.²¹

The joint LSUS/LSUHS MPH program offers a 100% online track with seven-week terms, six start dates per year, and 42 credits, including a 150-hour practicum.²⁰ It’s purpose-built for working professionals who prefer short, accelerated blocks over long semesters. Content aligns with CEPH competencies, and the credential is identical to that of campus students, but delivered on a faster, modular schedule built for remote learners.

Both Tulane and LSU Shreveport’s online MPH degree programs carry CEPH accreditation, so your public health online degree in Louisiana meets the same national standards as an on-campus MPH. This means you’re earning a credential recognized by employers, government agencies, and fellowship programs, following an online structure that works well for those with a full plate.

Tulane, LSU, and LSUHSC–New Orleans have similar baseline requirements for MPH admissions. They expect a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school and a GPA of 3.0 or higher, but that’s not the whole story. They look at who you are, what you’ve done, and why public health matters to you. Thankfully, the “GRE required” rule is no longer in place, which takes a big weight off. Most students apply without it, so your energy is better spent showing what makes you a strong candidate.

Have two or three solid recommendation letters and a statement of purpose that is clean and unmistakably yours. Explain why you want to study public health in Louisiana. Be specific about your interests (such as disaster management or health policy) and connect them to the program’s strengths. Then spell out what you plan to do after you graduate.

Pro tip: Grades might open the door, but with no GRE required, real-world experience is important. Volunteering at a clinic, running data for a faculty project, supporting a community health initiative, or working with a health department can tip the scales in your favor. If you have questions about prerequisites or transfer credits, reach out to the program director for guidance.

Once you get your MPH, Louisiana’s public health scene is wide open. You could be knee-deep in outbreak data as an epidemiologist, talking about healthier habits as a health educator, or testing the water supply and keeping workplaces safe as an environmental and occupational health specialist. 

Paychecks and job growth tell an interesting story. As of May 2024,  the Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated the median salary for epidemiologists at about $84,000 nationwide, and the field is on track to grow 19% by 2033, far faster than most careers.²² Nationally, environmental specialists, including environmental health officers, earn close to $80,000 a year, while health education specialists make around $63,000. Both of those roles are projected to grow by roughly 7% over the next decade.^23,24

Louisiana sits below those national numbers, though the cost of living here helps balance it out to some degree.²⁵ ZipRecruiter shows median pay at about $68,000 for epidemiologists, $48,000 for health educators, and roughly $72,000 for environmental scientists.^26,27,28 Where’s the action? New Orleans and Baton Rouge pull most of the jobs, thanks to state agencies and big hospital systems. Shreveport has its own slice of the pie with medical research centers and public health offices.

Paying for an MPH doesn’t have to feel impossible. At Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, incoming students are automatically considered for merit-based awards of $20,000 or more, with more than half of new students receiving some form of merit-based scholarship.²⁹ Special programs include a 35% tuition waiver for returning Peace Corps volunteers, a 35% award for Louisiana high-school graduates, and generous support for Fulbright or McNair scholars.³⁰

At LSU Health Sciences Center–New Orleans, public health students may qualify for two main MPH/MS awards: a limited scholarship of about $1,000 per semester for up to four semesters, and the Dean Fontham Scholarship at $1,250 per semester (up to $5,000 total).³¹ LSU Shreveport MPH students have access to institutional scholarships, federal programs like TEACH, and state programs like TOPS, with over $12 million in scholarship funds awarded annually across LSUS programs.^20,32,33,34

To make the most of these opportunities:

Note: If you’ve served in the Peace Corps, face financial or educational barriers, or plan to work in underserved communities, specific scholarships may be available to support you.

The first filter when choosing an MPH program in Louisiana should be CEPH accreditation, which guarantees that the curriculum meets national public health standards. Both Tulane and LSUHSC New Orleans hold this accreditation, so you can be confident that the degree is recognized by employers and government agencies.

Next, look at what makes each school unique and think about the focus areas that match your goals. Tulane, for example, includes concentrations like International Health and Sustainable Development and Health Systems Management, which appeal to students looking for global perspectives or training in leadership roles within health organizations.

Do you need the flexibility of an online option? Tulane offers fully online tracks in Community Health Sciences and Disaster Management. If you learn better in person, all MPH programs at LSUHSC are campus-based. Also, look at how each school supports fieldwork and networking. Practicum placements, research projects, and connections with local agencies in New Orleans or Baton Rouge can open doors to jobs even before you graduate.

Finally, weigh financial aid, faculty expertise, and how well the program aligns with your career path. When you line up these factors, it’s easier to see which school will give you both the training and the connections to succeed. Then, a quick chat with the program director can help confirm your choice.

After comparing concentrations and weighing tuition and financial aid options, you might still have a few lingering questions. Here are answers to some of the most common ones students ask when looking at MPH programs in Louisiana.