Preparing for a Career with a Master of Public Health Degree
The Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the Medical College of Wisconsin prepares students to enter or advance in public health as skilled, equity‑minded professionals. Grounded in MCW’s commitment to health equity, the program examines how structural inequities, economic inequality, and social determinants shape population health, and equips students with the tools to address these challenges in practice.
Fully online. Rooted in health equity. Powered by world-class faculty and community partnerships.
Our graduates build careers across government, nonprofits, healthcare, academia, and industry, supported by a flexible online format, expert faculty, and strong community partnerships that provide hands-on professional experience.
The MCW MPH Difference
Health Equity at the Core
Health equity is woven into the curriculum. From courses in data and epidemiology to public health policy, students learn to identify disparities, understand their root causes, and design community‑centered interventions. Graduates are prepared to bring an equity lens to every role they take on.World-Class Faculty
MCW faculty bring experience ranging from neighborhood-level community health practice in Milwaukee to national policy leadership and global health research. They bring real, lived experience into their courses. Students benefit from mentors who understand the full spectrum of public health careers and can help them find their path.Community Connections
Through established partnerships with local health departments, nonprofits, healthcare systems, and community-based organizations, students gain real-world experience while exploring what excites them most. Students partner with community organizations whose work aligns with their public health interests, whether that’s chronic disease prevention, maternal health, food justice, or policy advocacy.What Public Health Sectors Do MCW MPH Students & Alumni Pursue?
MCW MPH students work across every sector of public health, from local health departments and hospitals to nonprofits, federal agencies, and private industry. Recent student survey data show the breadth of sectors our students pursue:
31%
Government / Traditional Public Health
25%
Healthcare
19%
Multisector
13%
Business/Private Sector
Career Benefits of Earning Your MPH
Graduates are prepared to make meaningful contributions in public health roles focused on improving community well-being. Whether entering the field for the first time or deepening existing expertise, MPH graduates leave MCW ready to lead.
Strong Foundation
The MPH provides essential training in core public health competencies—with health equity woven throughout. Students build the knowledge and analytical skills to improve community and population health, graduating with a broad, practice-focused foundation that supports entry into a wide range of roles.Practical Experience
Students complete a field placement with one of MCW’s community partners, integrating classroom learning with applied public health practice. Students engage in placements aligned with their interests - giving them hands-on experience and professional connections that carry forward into their careers.Career Readiness
Students receive personalized career guidance from faculty who have worked at every level of public health—from local health departments to WHO consultancies. Combined with support from the Career Services office on résumés, interviewing, and networking, graduates leave confident and connected.Earning Potential
An MPH opens the door to competitive salaries across the public health field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024):
Health Education Specialist / Community Health Worker:
$62,860
Emergency Management Director:
$83,960
Public Health Program Manager (General):
$85,000–$105,000
Epidemiologist:
$78,520
Medical and Health Services Manager:
$110,680
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (2024); management salary ranges reflect ASPPH and Payscale reported medians. Actual salaries vary by location, employer, and experience.
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Questions?
Email us at mph@mcw.edu or call (414) 955-4510.
Master of Public Health Careers
Graduates of the MCW MPH program have diverse job prospects. Below is a sampling of career titles held by our alumni, organized by area of focus:
Community and Population Health
Healthcare Administration and Quality
Policy, Compliance & Emergency Management
Research and Epidemiology
Professionals Who Enhance Their Careers with an MPH
The MCW MPH is designed for working professionals who want to add a population health and equity lens to their existing expertise. Our students include physicians, nurses, law enforcement professionals, and others who pursue the MPH to deepen their impact. Faculty understand the demands of working while studying and meet students where they are—helping them connect coursework to the challenges they face in their current roles.
MPH student professional backgrounds include:
MPH student professional backgrounds include:
- Physicians and clinical practitioners seeking population health and health equity training
- Nurse managers and clinical quality specialists expanding into systems-level leadership
- Law enforcement and public safety professionals bridging community health and justice
- Military health and veterans affairs professionals transitioning to civilian public health
- K–12 educators and school health coordinators advancing community wellness
Guidance and Expertise from Faculty and Staff
MCW program staff play an active role in this process. They get to know each student’s interests, career goals, and professional background, then help connect them with community partners whose work aligns. Whether a student is drawn to chronic disease prevention, environmental health, behavioral health, immigrant and refugee health, violence prevention, or health policy advocacy, both program staff and faculty can point them toward partners doing that work.
Faculty bring expertise in areas including:
Faculty bring expertise in areas including:
- Health equity, structural racism, and the social determinants of health
- Local and state public health administration and workforce development
- Epidemiology, biostatistics, and population health surveillance
- Health policy analysis, advocacy, and legislative engagement
- Global health systems, pandemic preparedness, and international development
- Community-based participatory research and program evaluation
Where Our Graduates Work
Government & Public Health Agencies
- City of Milwaukee Health Department
- Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department
- Oneida County Health Department
- Sheboygan County Health Department
- Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)
Healthcare & Health Systems
- UW Health
- Advocate Aurora Health
- Encompass Health
- Children’s Health Alliance
- Outreach Community Health Centers
Nonprofit & Community Organizations
- VIVENT Health (formerly AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin)
- American Lung Association
- Planned Parenthood
Academic & Research Institutions
- Medical College of Wisconsin
Private Sector
- IQVIA Biotech
- Northwestern Mutual
- Oak Street Health
