Though the "Bluegrass State" may be best known for its horse racing, country music, basketball, and fried chicken, there are also several highly ranked educational institutions that are offering accredited public health degree programs in Kentucky. Situated in the south-central region of the United States, Kentucky has received a poor reputation for its health outcomes. In fact, the United Health Foundation ranked Kentucky as the 4th least healthy state in America due to its high smoking prevalence, growing poverty rates, large number of preventable hospitalizations, increasing obesity problems, and rising drug death counts. Therefore, there's a need for qualified public health practitioners to build community health programs and implement policy changes to improve the state's well-being. If you're ready to leap into a rewarding career in helping Kentuckians prevent disease and prolong a healthy life, below are the four MPH degree programs available within Kentucky.
Eastern Kentucky University
College of Health Sciences
Headquartered on a main 675-acre rural campus in Richmond with satellite locations in Corbin, Danville, Manchester, Fort Knox, Lancaster, and Somerset, Eastern Kentucky University is a major comprehensive public four-year research institution serving more than 15,900 students. Named among the top 10 percent of colleges nationwide by Forbes for career prospects and levels of debt, EKU is currently ranked as the 62nd best regional college, 27th top public school, and 25th best university for veterans in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. The College of Health Sciences uses its state-of-the-art facilities to deliver 20 fully accredited majors and create recognized leaders in their health discipline.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Over the course of two to three years full-time, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at EKU prepares graduate students to become competent public health practitioners who can effectively enhance the well-being of local or global communities. Within the 43-credit program, students will build a broad-based foundation in public health competencies before selecting a concentration in Community Health Education or Environmental Health Science. In order to meet the unique needs of each learner, the program offers classes in evenings, on Saturdays, and via the Internet. Graduates will be well-equipped for contributing to the public health profession through ethical health practices.
Accreditations
- Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475
(859) 622-7566
[email protected]
http://mph.eku.edu/
University of Kentucky
College of Public Health
Initially founded in 1865 by John Bowman, the University of Kentucky is the state's largest comprehensive public land-grant research institution with more than 29,300 students based on its 784-acre urban campus in downtown Lexington within just 80 miles south of Cincinnati. Named the South's 67th best university in Forbes magazine, UK is currently ranked as the 129th best national college, 63rd top public school, and 34th top university for veterans in America by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more impressive, the College of Public Health is acclaimed for offering the 25th best graduate public health degrees nationwide.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
In an intensive 42-credit curriculum, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program is focused on meeting the needs of recent baccalaureate graduates who are planning to begin careers in the public health profession. Depending on students' unique career goals, it's possible to concentrate MPH studies in Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Health Behavior, or Health Services Management. All graduates will have the knowledge needed to assess the social, behavioral, environmental, and biological factors involved in population-based health problems for developing effective policy guidelines. Applicants must have an accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 and a GRE score in the 50th percentile or better.
Accreditations
- Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
111 Washington Avenue
Lexington, KY 40536
(859) 257-5678
[email protected]
http://www.uky.edu/publichealth/academics/masters-programs/master-public-health
University of Louisville
School of Public Health & Information Sciences
As one of the first city-owned public research institutions chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains in 1798, the University of Louisville now educates more than 22,500 students annually on its metropolitan 345-acre campus along the Ohio River within just 100 miles from both Cincinnati and Indianapolis. Recently ranked among the nation's "Top 12 Good Neighbors" for its community service initiatives, Louisville is named the 161st best national university, 88th top public school, and 51st top college for veterans in America by the U.S. News and World Report. Students in the School of Public Health & Information Sciences can also receive a CEPH-accredited education in the country's 39th best graduate public health program.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
In collaboration with the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program delivers quality first-hand training for graduate students seeking a career in protecting the public's health and well-being. With concentrations in the five specialty areas of Biostatistics, Environmental and Occupational Health, Epidemiology, Health Behavior, or Health Management, the 48-credit program can be completed in two years full-time or four years part-time. MPH students must also complete at least 336 hours of real-world practicum learning at sites across Louisville. Non-resident students from Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia are eligible to pay in-state tuition rates.
Accreditations
- Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
485 East Gray Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 852-3299
[email protected]
https://louisville.edu/sphis/academics/mph-program
Western Kentucky University
College of Health & Human Services
Enrolling more than 21,000 students, Western Kentucky University is a comprehensive publicly supported senior teaching institution standing proudly atop a hill over the Barren River Valley on a main 200-acre urban campus in Bowling Green. In addition to being currently crowned the 10th best public master's university in the South in Forbes magazine, WKU is ranked the 31st best regional college, 12th top public school, and 8th best university for veterans by the U.S. News and World Report. Within the College of Health & Human Services (CHHS), students can choose from programs in seven academic units to help improve the quality of life in the greater Kentucky community.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
As the oldest program of its kind in Kentucky, the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at WKU is structured with an emphasis on applied public health practice to prepare individuals as practitioners in government agencies, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and other advocacy groups. Featuring concentrations in Environmental Health and Health Education, the 42-credit program seeks to develop an advanced understanding on which conditions place people at risk for injury or illness and what can be done to ensure good health. in the second year, MPH students must complete a semester-long practical internship to demonstrate their public health competencies. Students also choose to complete a six-credit master's thesis or a three-credit applied practice project for their capstone.
Accreditations
- Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1906 College Heights Blvd.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 745-3941
[email protected]
http://wku.edu/publichealth/masters_public_health.php
Earning a master's degree in public health can practically guarantee job security for the foreseeable future with employment growth outpacing many other professions. In fact, more than half of America's fastest-growing jobs are in public health and healthcare! As a terminal professional degree, the MPH will deliver mastery in the core public health competencies to ensure you have the ability to improve the health of your local community and the entire world. If you're looking to study within the "Bluegrass State," focus on these top-notch accredited Public health degree programs in Kentucky that are approved by the CEPH for excellence.