MPH Programs in North Carolina: A Complete Guide

Public health professionals play an important role in addressing some of North Carolina's most pressing health challenges, as the state ranks thirty-sixth nationally in overall health outcomes.¹ Disparities in chronic disease management and health equity make training a workforce that can address public health concerns (from urban centers to rural communities) particularly important.

North Carolina is also home to some of the nation's most respected MPH programs, ranging from applied epidemiology to public health leadership, including the top-ranked UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, the #1 public school of public health in the United States, according to the U.S. News and World Report.²

This guide offers a comprehensive look at ten of North Carolina's MPH programs and public health degrees (both traditional and online) to help you choose the program that fits your goals while contributing to the health of communities across the state — and beyond.

According to data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 2021, about 13% of adults in North Carolina have diabetes, while 35% have been diagnosed with hypertension.^3,4 These chronic health conditions, along with various social determinants of health, have contributed to North Carolina's ranking as thirty-sixth nationally in overall health outcomes. These challenges have the potential to hit rural areas particularly hard, where residents often face limited access to quality health care services and preventive care. Additionally, the geographic spread of North Carolina's population, from coastal communities to mountain regions, creates unique challenges for public health program delivery and healthcare access.

According to the 2023 North Carolina Rural Health Snapshot, those in rural areas are 40% more likely to be uninsured and eligible for Medicaid expansion.⁵ Not to mention, a third of the population in the state lives in rural areas, making it the second-largest rural population in the U.S. after Texas, so more public health workers are needed.⁶

The state is also home to institutions that lead the way in meeting those challenges, starting with the aforementioned UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. Through research and partnerships with local organizations, the university focuses on bridging gaps in care and addressing health disparities in North Carolina.

At the same time, East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine works to improve health outcomes in rural areas through targeted community-based programs. One of them is the Rural Family Medicine Residency Program, which is training the next generation of healthcare professionals to better help underserved communities.

To ensure that a Master of Public Health (MPH) program complements your career aspirations and imparts the necessary competence in public health, you'll want to evaluate your decision based on the following important factors.

Accreditation

The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and public health programs. The department ensures programs meet rigorous academic and professional standards.

As of December 2024, 67 public health schools were accredited by CEPH throughout the U.S., and over 160 public health degree programs at non-public-health institutions.⁷ Of these, accredited programs in North Carolina include the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill, and several in-person, hybrid, and online MPH programs at Campbell University, UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, East Carolina University, and Lenoir-Rhyne University – which we will detail in the next section.

Curriculum and Specializations

An MPH curriculum should offer foundational public health courses while allowing students to tailor their education through specializations. Look for programs that provide core competencies — including courses in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, and social and behavioral sciences — along with specializations such as global health, health promotion, rural health, or environmental health.

East Carolina University, for instance, offers a concentration in Community Health and Health Behavior, another in Epidemiology, and a third in Health Policy, Administration, and Leadership.

Faculty Expertise

To further shape your learning experience and open networking opportunities, consider programs where faculty actively engage in public health research or practice. For that, you can review faculty bios to identify professors whose work aligns with your interests.

As an example, Gillings School faculty members lead groundbreaking studies in global health and data-driven public health solutions to eradicate deadly diseases like cancer and heart disease and improve vaccine development. You can learn more about faculty members and their work by browsing each department for specific focus areas and countries where they have worked or researched. 

In 2023, nearly half of their faculty members’ research grants and contracts had a global health focus, and Clarivate has named 11 academics from UNC Gillings to their 2024 list of Highly Cited Researchers.⁸

Practical Learning Opportunities

Programs with robust fieldwork, internships, or community engagement projects allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. Look for internship opportunities at local health departments or non-profits, and community projects that address pressing health issues.

For instance, thanks to its location in the mountains of western North Carolina,Appalachian State University students complete practicums tending to rural public health needs. This is a great opportunity to address the growing demand for public health professionals working with rural populations to address and reduce health disparities.

There are many great MPH programs in North Carolina. The 11 programs highlighted here were selected due to their geographical and programmatic diversity. The list is divided between traditional on-campus programs and online or hybrid options that offer more flexibility.

Admission to Master of Public Health (MPH) programs in North Carolina generally requires a bachelor's degree and strong academic performance. Though most programs expect applicants to have completed coursework in areas like biology, statistics, or social sciences, this varies from one graduate school to another.

Relevant work or volunteer experience in the field of public health or a related area is not required but highly valued; thus, consider this while preparing a competitive application.

Pro tip: Always check deadlines and requirements. Application timelines vary, and while some MPH programs like those at Campbell University or UNC Gillings offer rolling admissions, others have fixed deadlines.

The tuition for a Master of Public Health (MPH) varies widely across institutions in North Carolina, as well as from one program to another within the same institution.

The estimated cost of attendance for 2024-25 graduates at ECU, ranges from $24,581 for residents enrolled in distance education to $40,175 for non-residents attending in-person. Of this, the tuition and fees amount to $5,213 for residents learning online and $20,807 for non-residents learning on campus. On top of this, all MPH classes come with an additional $100 per credit hour.¹¹

In-state tuition and fees for a full-time graduate student in 2024-2025 at UNC Gillings are between $11,630 and $18,630 per year, while out-of-state figures range from $29,530 to $36,530 per year.¹²

Thankfully, various funding options are available to make an MPH program more affordable. For starters, many MPH programs in North Carolina offer scholarships specifically for public health students:

Graduate assistantships are another way to reduce tuition costs for your public health degree while offering valuable professional experience. At UNC Charlotte and UNC Greensboro, MPH students can apply for graduate assistantships, which often include stipends and tuition remission.

Aside from these options, students can also explore federal and state-level funding through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which may include Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans or Federal Graduate PLUS Loans.¹³

To secure funding, it is best to apply early, as scholarships and assistantship positions are often competitive. Aside from submitting your applications well before deadlines, it helps if you tailor your application to highlight your public health interests, such as rural health or health equity.

Pro tip: If you’re currently working, ask your employer about tuition reimbursement programs.

The career outlook for MPH graduates looks promising. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows healthcare and social assistance roles as the fastest growing industry sector with 2.24 million new jobs projected through 2033.¹⁴

Job opportunities for MPH graduates in North Carolina range from state and local health departments to private health care organizations and non-profit organizations like the North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA) and the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation. MPH graduates can also pursue academic and research roles at UNC-Chapel Hill or East Carolina University in public health research, data analysis, or teaching.

That’s because an MPH degree equips professionals to work in diverse roles, including:

North Carolina's Master of Public Health (MPH) programs offer many opportunities for students eager to address critical public health challenges. From chronic disease management to rural health equity, the state's programs are designed to prepare graduates for impactful public health careers. Institutions like UNC Gillings and East Carolina University's Brody School of Medicine are leading the way in research and hands-on training.

Whether you're drawn to in-person learning at a traditional campus or the flexibility of online and hybrid graduate study options, North Carolina provides a public health program for every career path, with diverse concentrations and access to top-tier faculty. As you reflect on your next steps, think about the communities you want to serve and the change you want to create. Then consider how your career aspirations align with the opportunities the above ten programs provide.

Review our career guides and look for opportunities to connect with faculty members, attend open houses, or participate in virtual information sessions, as these are opportunities that can provide valuable insights into what sets each program apart. When you're ready, reach out to the admissions offices for more information and take the next step toward contributing to the future of public health in North Carolina.