At a Glance
Tennessee has multiple CEPH-accredited MPH programs at institutions including the University of Tennessee, East Tennessee State University, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee State University, and Meharry Medical College, with online and on-campus options available. Graduates work in epidemiology, health policy, program management, and community health roles, with median salaries ranging from $78,240 to $103,300 depending on the occupation.
Tennessee’s public health workforce faces real pressure. According to Trust for America’s Health, rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension in Tennessee are all higher than the U.S. median, and the state’s rural counties are among the most underserved in the Southeast. That combination creates a continued need for public health professionals who can design programs, analyze data, and manage the systems that keep communities healthy. The Master of Public Health (MPH) is a commonly preferred credential for many public health roles in government, healthcare, and research settings.
This guide covers what MPH programs in Tennessee look like, which schools offer them, what you can do with the degree, and what the salary data actually says.
MPH Programs in Tennessee
Tennessee has multiple graduate public health programs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and public health programs. CEPH accreditation signals that a program meets established standards in curriculum, faculty qualifications, and applied practice requirements. Many employers, particularly government agencies and health departments, look for MPH degrees from CEPH-accredited programs when hiring.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) offers one of the longest-standing CEPH-accredited MPH programs in the country through its Department of Public Health. Concentrations include Community Health Education, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management, Public Health Nutrition, and Veterinary Public Health. Most are available both on campus and fully online.
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) has a full College of Public Health and offers MPH concentrations in Biostatistics, Community Health, Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health, and Public Health Leadership and Policy. ETSU does not require GRE scores for any concentration and accepts applications for both fall and spring enrollment, with courses available fully online or on campus. Vanderbilt University also holds CEPH accreditation for its MPH program, offered through the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine as a two-year interdisciplinary program. Meharry Medical College in Nashville offers a CEPH-accredited Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH), the only CEPH-accredited graduate public health program at a historically Black medical school in middle Tennessee. Tennessee State University (TSU) offers a CEPH-accredited MPH through its College of Health Sciences, with a focus on health education and culturally competent practice in medically underserved communities.
The common thread across Tennessee’s MPH programs is flexibility. Most offer online or hybrid options and part-time scheduling, which means working professionals can complete the degree without stepping back from their careers. Check each program directly for current delivery formats, as availability by concentration can change.
What the MPH Covers
The MPH is an interdisciplinary degree that builds competency across five core areas defined by CEPH: biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences. These aren’t siloed subjects. A well-designed program weaves them together so graduates can look at a public health problem, understand its causes, measure its scope, design an intervention, and evaluate whether the intervention worked.
Beyond the core, most programs offer specializations. The most common programs in Tennessee include:
- Health Policy and Management. Focuses on policy analysis, program planning, and the organizational dynamics of public health agencies. Well-suited for roles in state and local health departments.
- Epidemiology. Trains students in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and data analysis. High demand in government, academic, and hospital settings.
- Community Health Education. Focuses on health promotion, communication strategy, and working directly with underserved communities.
- Environmental and Occupational Health. Addresses environmental hazards, exposure assessment, and workplace health. Particularly relevant in Tennessee, given its industrial and agricultural sectors.
- Biostatistics. Builds advanced quantitative skills for analyzing health data. Often leads to research and data analyst roles.
Program Format and Admission
Most Tennessee MPH programs are structured around 42 to 45 credit hours, which takes two years to complete full-time or up to four years part-time. Many programs include an applied practice experience requirement, meaning students complete real-world fieldwork in a public health organization rather than just completing coursework. This is a CEPH requirement, and it’s one of the reasons the degree is taken seriously by employers. Some institutions offer accelerated options for eligible students, though availability varies by program, so check directly with the school for current formats.
Typical admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, transcripts, a statement of purpose, a current resume, and two letters of recommendation. GRE requirements vary by program. ETSU does not require them for any concentration. Check each program’s current requirements directly before applying, as policies can change year to year.
Salaries for Public Health Professionals in Tennessee
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks wages and employment outlook for the occupations that MPH graduates most commonly enter. The figures below are national median annual wages from May 2024 BLS data. Tennessee salaries for these roles generally track close to the national median, though metropolitan areas like Nashville and Memphis tend to pay somewhat higher.
| Occupation |
Median Annual Wage |
Job Growth (2024–34) |
| Epidemiologists |
$83,980 |
16% |
| Statisticians* |
$103,300 |
8% |
| Social and Community Service Managers |
$78,240 |
6% |
| Microbiologists |
$87,330 |
4% |
*8% projected growth figure reflects the mathematicians and statisticians occupational group overall, per BLS 2024–34 projections.
Careers in epidemiology stand out as the strongest growth story, with 16% projected job growth from 2024 to 2034, which the BLS classifies as much faster than average. That growth is driven in part by increased investment in disease surveillance infrastructure following the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as ongoing demand in state and local health departments. Tennessee’s health departments across its 95 counties, coordinated through the Tennessee Department of Health, represent a consistent hiring base for MPH graduates.
Career Paths for MPH Graduates in Tennessee
Tennessee’s public health infrastructure runs through the Tennessee Department of Health, which oversees disease prevention programs, chronic disease initiatives, maternal and child health services, and environmental health programs across the state’s 95 counties. It’s one of the state’s largest employers of public health professionals, and it continuously recruits for program managers, epidemiologists, health educators, and research analysts.
Beyond state government, Tennessee has a strong academic medical presence. Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville employs public health professionals in population health, research project management, and quality improvement roles. The university’s partnership with surrounding health agencies creates additional opportunities for graduates interested in bridging research and practice.
The state’s aging population is a long-term driver of demand. According to Tennessee’s 2022 State Aging Profile, the 60-and-older population is projected to grow from 1.66 million to 1.93 million by 2030. That demographic shift is pushing more healthcare delivery toward home health services and outpatient care, which requires public health professionals who can coordinate programs, evaluate outcomes, and manage community health initiatives at scale.
Common public health careers for MPH graduates in Tennessee include health program manager, public health analyst, epidemiologist, health educator, community health coordinator, and research analyst. Roles can be found across state and county health agencies, hospital systems, community health centers, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an MPH degree, and what can you do with it in Tennessee?
A Master of Public Health (MPH) is a graduate degree that trains professionals to address health problems at the population level. In Tennessee, graduates work in state and county health departments, hospital systems, research institutions, and nonprofits in roles focused on disease surveillance, program management, health policy, and community health education.
Are Tennessee MPH programs available online?
Yes. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and East Tennessee State University both offer fully online MPH options, with most concentrations available in that format. Tennessee State University offers hybrid delivery. These online programs carry the same CEPH accreditation as on-campus options and meet the same applied practice requirements.
How long does an MPH take to complete?
Full-time students typically complete an MPH in two years. Part-time options extend that to three or four years. Some institutions offer accelerated tracks that may shorten time to completion, though availability varies by program and typically requires a heavier course load each term. Check with individual programs for current options.
Do MPH programs in Tennessee require the GRE?
It depends on the program. East Tennessee State University does not require GRE scores for any of its MPH concentrations. Requirements at other Tennessee institutions vary and may change year to year, so check directly with each program’s admissions office for current policy before applying.
What is CEPH accreditation and why does it matter?
CEPH, the Council on Education for Public Health, is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and public health programs outside schools of public health. A CEPH-accredited MPH meets established standards for curriculum, faculty credentials, and applied practice training. Many employers in government and healthcare look for graduates of CEPH-accredited programs, and some certification pathways, including the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam, are tied to CEPH-accredited program completion.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee has multiple CEPH-accredited MPH programs at UTK, ETSU, Vanderbilt, TSU, and Meharry Medical College, with most offering online or hybrid delivery options.
- Epidemiologists are projected to see 16% job growth from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average, making it one of the strongest growth trajectories for MPH graduates entering the field.
- The Tennessee Department of Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and local public health agencies across the state’s 95 counties represent strong hiring pipelines for MPH graduates.
- MPH programs typically require 42 to 45 credit hours, two years full-time, and include a required applied practice experience in a real public health organization.
- CEPH accreditation, from the Council on Education for Public Health, is the key quality signal to look for when evaluating MPH programs in Tennessee or any other state.
Ready to explore MPH programs in Tennessee? Find accredited options that fit your schedule, concentration interests, and career goals.
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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
May 2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Epidemiologists, Statisticians, Social and Community Service Managers, and Microbiologists represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
