At a Glance
Nebraska has one CEPH-accredited Master of Public Health program: the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha. The program offers seven concentrations and can be completed online or on campus. An MPH typically takes two years full-time and opens doors to careers in epidemiology, public health administration, biostatistics, and more.
Nebraska’s public health workforce faces a familiar challenge: the state is large, much of it rural, and the communities that need public health services most are often the hardest to reach. A substantial share of Nebraskans live outside major urban centers, according to the Nebraska Rural Health Association. That reality shapes what the state needs from its MPH graduates: professionals who understand community-level intervention, rural health delivery, and the data systems that track disease across a dispersed population.
If you’re considering an MPH in Nebraska, this guide covers the state’s accredited programs, what admission typically requires, how MPH specializations connect to real career paths, and what public health professionals earn here.
MPH Programs in Nebraska
The University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha is the only Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited MPH program in the state. CEPH accreditation matters because it’s a widely recognized accreditation standard for public health education, and many employers and licensing boards look for it when evaluating candidates.
UNMC’s MPH can be completed on campus or entirely online, and the program offers seven concentrations: biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, health promotion, maternal and child health, public health practice, and emergency preparedness (UNMC College of Public Health). Students can also pursue dual degrees, with eight MPH dual degree options available that pair public health training with medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and other fields. Nebraska Wesleyan University has also partnered with UNMC to offer an accelerated 3+2 pathway that lets undergraduates earn both a bachelor’s degree and an MPH in five years (Nebraska Wesleyan University).
Students interested in concentrations not available at UNMC (such as health policy or global health) may want to look at accredited online programs based in other states, many of which enroll Nebraska residents.
Admission Requirements for Nebraska MPH Programs
UNMC’s MPH program, like most accredited programs nationally, requires a bachelor’s degree in any field. Public health experience is valued but not always required, particularly for applicants with strong academic records. Common requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Current resume or CV
- Letters of recommendation (typically two to three)
- Personal statement on professional goals and public health interests
- Completion of any prerequisite coursework specified by the program
- GRE scores (some programs have waived this requirement, so check directly with the program)
Most MPH programs also require a practicum or field experience component. Practicum hour requirements vary by program, but the experience places students in a real public health setting before graduation, which is one of the things that makes CEPH-accredited programs more competitive in hiring.
What You’ll Study in an MPH Program
CEPH sets the core curriculum standards for accredited MPH programs. Every accredited program covers five domains: epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy and management, social and behavioral sciences, and environmental health sciences. These aren’t just theoretical. They’re the practical foundations that public health work actually requires.
Beyond the core, students pick a concentration that aligns with their career goals. Here’s how the major tracks map to real public health work in Nebraska:
Epidemiology
Epidemiologists track the patterns and causes of disease in populations. In Nebraska, that means monitoring outbreaks of West Nile Virus, influenza, and foodborne illness, and providing the data that drives public health response. BLS projects 16 percent job growth for careers in epidemiology nationally through 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Biostatistics
Biostatisticians design studies and analyze health data. They work inside health departments, research institutions, and federal agencies like the CDC and NIH. The data literacy this concentration builds is increasingly in demand. Statistical and quantitative skills are now foundational across public health practice, not just research.
Health Promotion
Health promotion specialists design and implement programs that change health behaviors at the community level. Nebraska’s rural health challenges (access to care, chronic disease rates, and gaps in health education in underserved communities) make this a high-need area. The Nebraska Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program in Omaha, for example, focuses specifically on reaching rural residents with health and wellness resources.
Environmental and Occupational Health
This concentration focuses on how the physical environment affects human health: air quality, water systems, agricultural chemicals, and workplace safety. Nebraska’s agricultural economy and the environmental exposures that come with it make this track particularly relevant to the state’s public health needs.
Maternal and Child Health
MCH specialists focus on the health of mothers, infants, children, and adolescents across the lifespan. Programs in this concentration train graduates to address health disparities, develop family health policies, and lead programs at state health departments and community health organizations.
Online and Part-Time MPH Options
UNMC offers its MPH fully online, which makes it accessible for working professionals who can’t relocate or leave their current jobs. The program runs on a semester schedule with online courses delivered in weekly modules. Students log in multiple times per week rather than attending a single scheduled class session.
Full-time students typically finish in two years. Part-time completion is available and usually takes three to four years, though the total coursework is the same. UNMC doesn’t offer a formal 12-month accelerated track, but students interested in faster completion should ask about summer enrollment options.
Nebraska residents may also qualify for lower tuition rates than out-of-state students at the University of Nebraska, and financial aid is available for many enrolled students. For a broader look at accredited options, the site’s guide to Master’s Degrees in Public Health covers programs across formats and states.
Public Health Salaries in Nebraska
Salary figures below reflect national BLS data for occupations that commonly require a master’s degree in public health or a related field. Nebraska wages may vary from national medians. State and local government positions, which employ many public health professionals here, often pay somewhat differently than national figures suggest.
| Occupation |
Median Annual Wage |
Projected Growth (2024–2034) |
| Epidemiologists |
$83,980 |
16% |
| Social & Community Service Managers |
$78,240 |
6% |
| Statisticians* |
$103,300 |
8%* |
| Microbiologists |
$87,330 |
4% |
| Medical Scientists |
$100,590 |
9% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Growth projections cover the 2024–2034 decade. *8% growth figure reflects projected growth for mathematicians and statisticians combined.
Public Health Career Outlook in Nebraska
Nebraska’s public health workforce needs are shaped by a few consistent factors: an aging population (the 2020 U.S. Census counted 17.2 percent of Nebraskans as 65 or older, per U.S. Census Bureau data), a significant rural and small-city population, and ongoing environmental and agricultural health priorities. Those factors contribute to the ongoing need for public health professionals across state agencies, health systems, nonprofits, and federal programs operating in the state.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is the state’s primary public health employer, with positions in epidemiology, environmental health, maternal and child health, and health policy. At the federal level, agencies like the CDC and HRSA fund public health programs throughout the state and hire from Nebraska’s graduate pipeline. Nebraska Medicine, UNMC’s clinical partner, is also a major employer of health administrators and public health researchers.
Nationally, the outlook for public health occupations is strong. Epidemiologist employment is projected to grow 16 percent through 2034, far ahead of the average for all occupations. Community health workers and health educators are projected to grow at similar rates. The post-pandemic investment in public health infrastructure, disease surveillance, and emergency preparedness has created new positions that didn’t exist a decade ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to earn an MPH in Nebraska?
Full-time students typically complete an MPH in two years. Part-time programs take three to four years, depending on course load. UNMC’s online program follows the same timeline as its on-campus track. The degree requirements are identical regardless of format.
Is UNMC the only CEPH-accredited MPH program in Nebraska?
Yes. The University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha is currently the only CEPH-accredited MPH program in the state. CEPH accreditation is the recognized quality standard for public health education and is preferred by most employers and government agencies. Nebraska students interested in concentrations not offered at UNMC can enroll in accredited online programs based in other states.
Can I complete a Nebraska MPH online?
Yes. UNMC offers its full MPH program online in an asynchronous format, with courses available in fall, spring, and summer. Most online courses are delivered in weekly modules. There is no requirement to be physically present in Omaha for the online program, though some concentrations may require a practicum placement in a local public health setting.
What can I do with an MPH in Nebraska?
An MPH prepares graduates for roles in state and local health departments, hospitals, nonprofits, federal agencies, and research institutions. Common job titles include epidemiologist, health educator, public health program manager, biostatistician, environmental health specialist, and community health worker. Some graduates go on to pursue doctoral degrees or combined MD/MPH programs.
Do MPH programs in Nebraska require work experience?
UNMC does not require prior public health experience for admission, though relevant work or volunteer experience strengthens applications. The program admits both recent undergraduates and working professionals. All students complete a practicum, a supervised field experience with a public health organization, before graduation. Hour requirements vary, so check with the program directly for current specifics.
Key Takeaways
- UNMC in Omaha is Nebraska’s only CEPH-accredited MPH program, offering seven concentrations and full online delivery.
- An MPH typically takes two years full-time. Part-time and online options are available for working professionals.
- CEPH accreditation is the quality benchmark employers and licensing boards use to evaluate public health degrees.
- Epidemiologist employment is projected to grow 16 percent through 2034, one of the strongest growth rates in the field.
- Nebraska’s rural demographics and aging population contribute to the ongoing need for MPH-prepared professionals across government and healthcare.
Ready to find MPH programs that match your career goals? Browse accredited options by state and compare concentrations, formats, and tuition.
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Laura Bennett, MPH is a public health professional with over 12 years of experience in community health education and program coordination. She specializes in helping aspiring professionals explore flexible education pathways, including online and hybrid public health degree programs. Laura is passionate about making public health careers more accessible through practical, accredited training
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Epidemiologists, Social and Community Service Managers, Statisticians, Microbiologists, and Medical Scientists represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
