Master of Public Health Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin

The MPH Program offers online coursework toward a 42-credit Master of Public Health degree, a 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Public Health, a 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Community Health Assessment and Planning, and a 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Population Health Management. Students may also enroll in courses as non-degree-seeking students. Courses are offered in a convenient, distance-learning format; all can be completed online.

Public Health Programs Virtual Open House

Join us on Wednesday, October 25th from 5:00pm-6:00pm CST to learn more about our public health graduate degree/certificate programs. All who register and attend this event will qualify for an application fee waiver (value of $50 per application submission).

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Message from the Director

David Nelson, PhD, MS, Program Director

Master of Public Health (MPH) and Certificate programs

mph@mcw.edu
414) 955-4510

We are committed to education, research and service in public health and emphasize this commitment to you, our students. We offer enriching courses and learning experiences that develop public health competencies and promote exploring public health outside the classroom. Our fully online MPH and Certificate programs allow for balance with the many other facets of your life while promoting engaged learning and meaningful connection in an inclusive environment. We are delighted to have you here and look forward to working with you in achieving your academic and career goals in public health.

About the Program

Housed within the Institute for Health & Equity, the MPH Program’s mission is closely aligned with the Institute’s as well as the mission of the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). The MPH Program provides a major component of these broader missions to advance the health of the public.

Established in 1986, the MPH Program has had a successful history of helping students reach their educational goals, increasing their knowledge, and furthering their careers.

Please contact us with your questions. We look forward to hearing from you.

Vision

Our vision is for Public Health leaders to drive change to create healthy, thriving, and equitable communities.

Mission

The mission of the Master of Public Health (MPH) Program is to provide an exceptional educational experience emphasizing public health practice, leadership development, and community engagement.

Program values are reflected in:

Justice
Inclusion
Equity
Social Responsibility
Excellence

Goals

The overall goals fall into three categories that include Education, Service, and Research & Scholarship.

Education

We foster interdisciplinary learning in an inclusive environment for students and faculty of diverse backgrounds, interests, and experiences.

We recruit and retain a diverse faculty and student population.

Service

We partner with communities to address current and emerging public health issues.

Research & Scholarship

Promote faculty and student scholarship and research that reflects the priorities of the communities, offers evidence-based public health knowledge and solutions, and advances the field of public health.

Current Students

Find out more about current student information in the MPH Program

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Admissions

Application Information

The Master of Public Health Degree Program is an online, graduate program designed to meet the needs of individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and are interested in public health. Courses are offered through a web-based learning management system and can be taken on a full-time basis. Both degree and non-degree graduate educational opportunities are offered.

Application Deadlines

Applications are received and reviewed all year long, and students may enroll in the program at the beginning of any semester: fall, spring or summer. If prospective students wish to begin coursework during a particular semester, the following application deadlines apply.

Fall term - July 1
Spring term - November 1
Summer term - April 1

Application Instructions

View application instructions for the Master of Public Health Degree, Graduate Certificates, and Non-Degree Seeking options on the Graduate School Website.

Prospective Students

Learn more about the Master of Public Health Program

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Tuition and Fees

Financial Aid

MPH Students
Students enrolled in the Master of Public Health program are eligible for federal financial aid if the following conditions are met:

Enrolled at least part-time (4.5 credits during fall or spring semester, 3 credits during summer semester)
U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen

Graduate Certificate Students
Federal financial aid is only available to degree seeking students. Since the certificate programs are not degree programs, students enrolled in the certificate programs are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Non-Degree Seeking Students
Federal financial aid is only available to degree seeking students; therefore, non-degree seeking students are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Graduate Student Financial Aid Information
Information on financial aid documents, tuition and fees.

Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid Questions

For additional information about financial aid, contact the Financial Aid office.

(414) 955-8208 | (414) 955-0119 (fax)
finaid@mcw.edu

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Students

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Faculty and Staff

Meet Our Team

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Learn More About the MPH Program

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History

In 1982, the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) received a grant to develop and pilot a graduate level distance learning educational program to meet the training and career development needs of physicians and health care professionals working in public health in all areas of the country.

This pioneering Master of Public Health (MPH) Program employed methodologies keyed to the learning styles of active, self-motivated adult learners, making formal graduate education a reality for practicing professionals.

The concentration in Occupational Medicine was fully developed by 1986, and the concentration in Public Health and General Preventive Medicine was in full operation by 1992. The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) provided full accreditation for the Medical College of Wisconsin's Master of Public Health (MPH) Program in 1991.

Historically, the program's concentration in Occupational Medicine has been most visible. MPH graduates have achieved exceptionally high rates of success in passing the American Board of Preventive Medicine Board examination (ABPM). Since its inception, the MPH program has been responsible for training almost 25% of new diplomats in Occupational Medicine.

In 2003, with additional and substantial funding from a private endowment, MCW dramatically increased its emphasis on improving the health of the public through training, community-based participatory research, and service. The emphasis on public health was adopted as one of the academic pillars of the Medical College, and this emphasis was incorporated into the institution's 5-year strategic plan, which was approved and adopted by the Board of Trustees in 2006.

In 2006, MCW's academic programs, including the MPH, were given full accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) for the maximum 10 year time period. Also in 2006, substantial changes were initiated to make the MPH program responsive to the strategic plans of the Medical College and to address documented training needs of the public health workforce, including the workforce in Wisconsin. Beginning in fall 2007, qualified individuals with an undergraduate degree and interest in public health could apply for the program in addition to licensed health care professionals. The MPH Program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

Visit the Master of Public Health Prospective Students page to learn more about enrolling in the MPH degree program.

Accreditation

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). The MPH program is also individually accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is an independent agency which accredits schools of public health and public health programs offered in settings other than schools of public health.

Reaccreditation
Medical College of Wisconsin: Effective February 28, 2017, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) approved reaccreditation of the Medical College of Wisconsin. The next Reaffirmation of Accreditation and Site Visit are scheduled for 2026-2027. In addition, the HLC also approved MCW’s request to offer the Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

The HLC is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States and accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region. MCW is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and our Medical School, Graduate School, and any future degree-granting schools are encompassed institutionally under HLC accreditation.

Self-Study
As part of the reaccreditation process, the MPH program underwent a comprehensive process of self-analysis. The result is the self-study document, which describes the program’s attainment of each criterion set forth by CEPH. The next CEPH accreditation will include the submission of self-study and a site visit in 2024.

View the Final Self Study 2017 (PDF)

Contact Us

Master of Public Health
Medical College of Wisconsin
Institute for Health & Equity
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226

MPH & Certificate Questions
(414) 955-4510
mph@mcw.edu

Financial Aid
(414) 955-8208
finaid@mcw.edu

Graduate School
(414) 955-8218
gradschool@mcw.edu

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