Mastering Public Health: A Guide to Choosing the Best MPH Programs in Ohio

There are many advantages to studying public health in Ohio. Compared to the rest of the United States, Ohio ranks in the bottom quartile for overall health outcomes². More importantly, Ohio has been steadily declining in population health performance over the past few decades - comparatively more than other states^2,3. Additionally, Ohio has notable health disparities by income, race, and geography, all while spending more on healthcare than their counterpart states^2,3. With the presence of top-ranking universities like Ohio State University and Case Western Reserve University, these diverse public health challenges make Ohio a ripe place to pursue your Master of Public Health degree.

According to the Ohio Department of Public Health, their mission is “to advance the health and well-being of all Ohioans by transforming the state’s public health system through unique partnerships and funding streams; addressing the community conditions and inequities that lead to disparities in health outcomes; and implementing data-driven, evidence-based solutions.” The Department of Public Health makes a commitment to eliminate population level disparities in the state by focusing on system changes. To effectuate on this goal,  the state and local health departments have rolled out various initiatives. There are many adolescent health programs that focus on promoting healthy development and reducing risky behaviors including school-based health centers, youth homelessness navigation services, and increasing access to mental health services. Local health centers have more targeted programs for their constituents. Franklin County, near the major city of Columbus (and Ohio State University), has programming related to chronic disease management, preventive services, and emergency preparedness.

The public health disparities present in Ohio, along with the local and state efforts to increase the population health performance of Ohioans, make it a great place to continue your public health journey.

There are an array of public health programs with diverse concentrations in Ohio, including health policy, health promotion, public health leadership, and health service management. If you are unsure which program is right for you, take a look at the type of organization, job, or career path you want to pursue. What is the focus of this pathway? Do you want to work at a systems-level impacting government policy? Many schools, such as Case Western Reserve University and Kent State University, offer health policy concentrations.

Are you interested in managing a hospital? Health services management is a great career path you could follow, and University of Cincinnati has a great MPH program that specializes in health management. Are you interested in improving the general health of a community, or reducing a specific health disparity? Specializing in health promotion may be most useful to you, so you should pursue programs like Ohio State’s MPH concentration. Some schools, such as the University of Toledo, offer generalist tracks for folks that either don’t know exactly what they want to do in the public health field or want to pursue a more general education. With over 30 accredited Master of Public Health degree programs in Ohio, chances are there is a concentration that will fit your specific public health interest.

While MPH programs may differ with concentration, many have similar core courses and opportunities for applied practical experience. Most program websites will display a list of core course offerings that you can explore. Many of these programs will require a course on qualitative and quantitative data collection and gathering, epidemiology, and environmental health. Most programs will also require students to complete some sort of externship or fieldwork to get applied practice experience. This will look different based on your school and specific interest. If you are interested in government, there may be the opportunity to intern at your local health department. If you are interested in global health, you can choose a project to help roll out a public health initiative overseas. If you are interested in behavioral science, you could partner with a public health research institution to help them complete some data analysis.

There are also graduate certificates you can pursue in tandem with your graduate program. If you are interested in education or trauma-informed care, Hiram College offers a flexible, four-course certification in trauma-informed education. Case Western Reserve University offers a graduate certificate in Health Informatics. Additionally, if you are unsure about pursuing a full graduate degree, the Consortium of Eastern Ohio, which is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), offers a graduate certificate in public health that consists of six core public health courses.

The Consortium is a unique partnership between five major universities in Ohio: The University of Akron, Cleveland State University, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Ohio University, and Youngstown State University. We will dive into this unique partnership later in this article, but this graduate certificate offering is a great opportunity for working professionals and/or early career professionals to dip their toes into public health coursework. Lastly, Ohio Northern University has an undecided graduate program pathway for folks that are interested in health and sciences but unsure specifically what they want to pursue their graduate degree in. All in all, there are a plethora of options for you to pursue further education and coursework in public health.

Ohio offers various traditional on-campus programs, like Kent State University and Wright State University’s MPH programs. These programs require students to live near the campus and attend in-person classes with the rest of their cohort. Ohio is also home to many online and hybrid MPH programs, such as Cleveland State University, which is part of the Consortium of Eastern Ohio, and Youngstown State University. These programs are great for their flexibility and adaptability to your unique lifestyle.

There are many other MPH programs in Ohio that have hybrid or online options. As we have experienced over the past few years especially, the rise of hybrid and online learning has increased⁵. There are many pros and cons to consider for hybrid learning: they are advantageous for individuals that are working full or part-time, have families, or want to spend some time away from campus. However, virtual learning can pose challenges, as it may be difficult to fully engage and feel supported by your cohort, network, and establish meaningful connections in the field.

The access to university resources and practical, hands-on experience are more difficult to achieve in an online environment. If you are looking to complete all or part of your MPH degree online, we recommend considering the following tips.

There are many great MPH programs in Ohio. The ten programs highlighted here were selected due to their academic standing, unique selling points, faculty expertise, campus life, and student services. 

Similar to MPH programs in other states, Ohio’s MPH programs have certain admission requirements for their application processes. Many programs prefer individuals to have some amount of work experience in the social services, public policy, or public health administration field. While it’s not a requirement, it may help with your coursework to have received a public health major-related degree or social sciences coursework in your undergraduate education. However, if you received a degree in a seemingly unrelated field, like engineering or computer science, you will still be welcomed by your future MPH program.

Many schools will require individuals to take the GRE or GMAT, and most will require letters of recommendation from either a professional colleague, supervisor, or academic faculty member from your undergraduate institution. In addition, most programs will require individuals to submit a personal statement, which is similar to a cover letter but geared towards receiving an education at the specific institution you are applying to. Many programs have a traditional start date in the fall (August or September), but some online programs allow you to begin your coursework year-round. Some schools, like Kent State University, have rolling deadlines, while others require applications to be in months before the semester starts (typically the spring before the fall start date).

Below are tips for how to prepare a competitive application.

Finally, as much as a school might be vetting students to ensure they are a good fit for the program, you should also be vetting the school to ensure it’s the right fit for you. Reach out to alumni and faculty of the program to talk about their experiences. Request information online if you have any questions, and interact with admissions offices to gain additional insight that isn’t posted on the website. You will be spending much of your time over the next couple years in the program, so make sure it’s a great fit for you too. 

As discussed throughout this article, Ohio presents a unique landscape to study public health. You have the opportunity to practice public health in both rural and urban settings and can attend a school in either. There are many opportunities for collaboration with state and local public health departments and local entities such as non-profit organizations, the government, and health systems. Take a look at your prospective school’s website to learn about their partnerships and where alumni found jobs. If you know the location and setting you want to work in after you graduate, seek out a school that aligns with your interests and goals.

We know that networking is an integral part of professional life. Being in graduate school cultivates countless networking opportunities, both with faculty in your program and their industry connections. Many schools will have student organizations you can join that allow you to dive into certain topic areas and meet other like-minded public health professionals. Many schools offer mentorship programs, social events with alumni networks, and professional development opportunities. Additionally, many schools encourage, and even help fund, students to attend public health conferences. This is a great opportunity both to present research and make long-lasting industry connections. Take advantage of these opportunities while you are in school - they are less ubiquitous in the working world.

With the current public health landscape in Ohio, such as the high healthcare spending, high emergency department visits, and below average population health¹, the state presents a unique opportunity for students in this field. We need MPH graduates to fill these gaps and uncover fresh ideas and knowledge. If you are considering pursuing an MPH in Ohio, consider how these programs can help meet your career and education goals. Take the time to visit the campuses or engage in virtual tours. Contact schools directly for more detailed information. Explore the websites and figure out which program is the best fit for you. Use the ten profiled programs here, and the information above, as a starting point for your exploration, and come back periodically throughout your search to ensure you are considering the factors that are important to you.