Navigating MPH Programs in South Carolina: Insights for Prospective Students

Public health professionals can help prevent or reduce the impact of natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or other harmful events through health promotion efforts. To better contribute to their communities and help the general public, some public health professionals choose to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) program. That way, they can become equipped with knowledge and skills to protect the health of the general public. 

An MPH program is a step up from a bachelor’s in public health, allowing you to hone in on a specific area of public health (e.g., community health education, biostatistics, and epidemiology) through concentration or specialization courses and experiential learning.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about MPH programs in South Carolina, including what to look for, admission requirements, financial aid, and career opportunities. You’ll also get a list of some of the best MPH programs in South Carolina — both on-campus and online.

South Carolina faces many public health challenges, especially among minority and underserved populations. According to South Carolina’s Department of Public Health (DPH), racial and ethnic minorities across the state experience higher rates of illness and death from chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease compared to their white counterparts. Additionally, Black women in South Carolina are more likely to experience adverse outcomes during pregnancy and childbirth; their children are also more likely to die in the first year of life.¹

The DPH also found that Black and Hispanic children are less likely to be ready for first grade, and people with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to have worse outcomes across several health indicators. 

While these current public health issues continue to create challenges for the people of South Carolina, certain higher education institutions are working to improve public health education across the state.

For example, the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health — the primary public health research and education resource in South Carolina — houses and partners with several centers and programs to conduct research, translate and share data, and connect with the public through many services.² This school is the country’s sixth highest-funded public health university by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and has the nation’s oldest Alzheimer’s Disease registry, which has data dating back to 1988.³

For prospective students seeking research opportunities, attending the University of South Carolina’s MPH program — which we’ll cover later — could increase the chances of getting involved in cutting-edge public health research projects.

There are many impressive MPH programs in South Carolina, but you should choose one that aligns best with your goals and learning style. As you look into the best MPH programs in South Carolina, have a checklist to make sure your prospective programs meet your qualifications.

Here are four things to look for when choosing your future MPH program:

Accreditation

Accreditation is one of the most important things when it comes to an MPH program — or any degree. Look for an MPH program with accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). CEPH is an independent agency recognized by the United States Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and public health programs outside schools of public health across the country. Having this accreditation means that the graduate school meets certain standards to deliver quality education. Additionally, federal loans are only available to students enrolled at an accredited university.

Find out if your chosen school or program is CEPH-accredited by going to the program’s webpage or using the agency’s search tool.

Faculty Qualifications

Look for programs with courses taught by actual public health experts. You can learn which professors are teaching at your prospective school by visiting the program’s page. Most institutions share their teaching faculty on their website, including the professor’s educational background, research involvement, and areas of specialization.

Program Focus Areas

Many programs offer one or multiple public health specializations or concentrations. Choose the program with the specialization that best aligns with the job you want to have in the future.

Some examples of MPH concentrations include:

For example, Clemson University’s online Master of Public Health degree offers two concentrations: Rural and Community Health and Quality Improvement. You’ll start with core public health courses and finish your degree with coursework in whichever specialization you choose. 

Experiential Learning Experiences

A well-rounded MPH program lets students learn through hands-on experience, also known as experiential learning. Students get practical experiences through internships, practicums, or capstone projects, which provide hands-on training that lets you apply what you’ve learned to real-world situations.

South Carolina is home to several high-quality MPH programs for prospective public health students. Whether you’re seeking traditional or online learning, or are interested in a certain area of focus for your career goals, you’re likely to find at least one program that meets your needs. 

Here are the profiles of the four best MPH programs in South Carolina to pursue:

Once you have a good idea of which graduate study programs you’re interested in, the next step is to look at their admissions requirements and the application process. For the most part, MPH programs in South Carolina have similar requirements, but some committees may ask for additional materials.

As an example, here are the admission requirements for the University of South Carolina’s MPH in Physical Activity and Public Health:

The application requirements for this program include:

Most MPH programs require prospective students to apply through the Schools of Public Health Association Service (SOPHAS). SOPHAS is the application service for public health programs that allows you to apply to multiple programs at once. 

Tips for Creating a Strong Application

Many MPH programs are more competitive than a Bachelor of Public Health. To stand out from the crowd, your application needs to leave a lasting impression on the school’s admissions committee. We recommend starting this process early (and have a timeline to help you do that) to ensure a strong application. 

Here are some tips for preparing a compelling MPH application:

Like any graduate program, an MPH can come with a hefty price tag. Tuition costs will vary by school. Fortunately, many MPH programs in South Carolina offer financial aid to help lower the costs.

Find financial aid programs by looking for scholarships. For example, the University of South Carolina offers public health scholarships through its MySPH (My Source for Public Health) Opportunity Manager program. 

Tuition reimbursement may also be available for some students. For example, current employees at MUSC are eligible for tuition reimbursement for their MPH program. These students can work with their Human Resources department to discuss further details and eligibility. 

If you’re a South Carolina Army or Air National Guard member, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance through the South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program (SCNG CAP). SCNG CAP recipients can receive up to $5,500 per academic year, and Air National Guard recipients can get up to $11,000 per academic year at eligible institutions. Both MUSC and Clemson University are eligible institutions for this financial aid opportunity. 

Also consider graduate assistantships. The University of South Carolina offers limited graduate assistantships for full-time graduate students. Graduate assistants receive a special tuition rate and a stipend in return for 10-20 hours of work per week. If interested, you’ll need to contact your prospective program directly to request information.

An MPH will open the door to many high-paying career opportunities in the public health industry. South Carolina, specifically, offers many public health careers you can pursue in different sectors.

Here are some ways having an MPH degree can significantly enhance your career prospects and professional growth in public health:

You can look for a job or grow your career in the following work environments:

State and Local Public Health Departments

Many MPH graduates can pursue various roles at the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) and other local health departments across the state. These roles can focus on disease prevention, health promotion, policy development, and epidemiology. 

Some of the roles that the DPH is currently hiring for, and will likely seek future candidates for, include:

Non-Profit Organizations

South Carolina is home to many non-profit organizations dedicated to public health, health equity, and social services. Some key employers to keep your eye on are the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA), the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association (SCPHCA), the American Heart Association, and SC Thrive.

These organizations are likely to hire for public health roles like:

Private Sector Companies

Companies in the private sector can also provide some great career opportunities for MPH graduates.

For example, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is one of the largest employers in South Carolina^.6 Healthcare systems like Prisma Health and MUSC Health, along with private consulting firms like RTI International and Deloitte Healthcare, are also good companies to keep an eye on.

Common roles available in these private sector companies include:

South Carolina offers a ton of high-quality MPH programs. Schools like the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health are great if you want to get involved in public health research. Schools like South University provide one of the best online MPH programs with an immersive and engaging learning experience.

As you research the best MPH programs in South Carolina, make sure to look for their accreditation, faculty, specializations available, and experiential learning opportunities.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of schools, the next step is to consider the admissions process, the application, and how you’ll fund your degree. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to get these things handled, so start gathering the information and materials as soon as you can. 

If you want to learn more about a program, don’t hesitate to contact the admissions department. They have staff available to answer questions you have about the program. When you’re ready, sign up for open house events or webinars on your prospective programs. Also, it’s wise to connect with current students and/or alumni to get insights on what you can expect from the program. Doing so will give you a better perspective of what the program offers and help you decide what’s best for you.