At a Glance
Washington’s Master of Public Health (MPH) programs typically take two years to complete full-time, with accelerated and part-time tracks available. CEPH-accredited options at the University of Washington, Eastern Washington University, and Central Washington University include online formats. Graduates pursue roles in epidemiology, health policy, and program management across the state’s 35 local health departments.
Between 2010 and 2022, the number of Washington residents aged 65 and older grew by 63 percent, a demographic shift with real consequences for chronic disease management, long-term care, and public health workforce planning. The state’s public health system spans 35 local health departments across all 39 counties, supported by federal funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The University of Washington’s School of Public Health consistently ranks among the top 10 in the country, and Seattle’s biotechnology and global health research sectors create steady demand for graduate-trained public health professionals well beyond government agencies.
For working professionals and career changers alike, the Master of Public Health (MPH) is one of the most common graduate credentials for entering or advancing in public health and population health roles. It’s broad enough to support work in health policy, program evaluation, epidemiology, or community health, and flexible enough to complete online or part-time.
Earning a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Washington
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is the independent agency that accredits MPH programs. CEPH accreditation indicates that a program meets national standards for curriculum rigor, faculty qualifications, and the development of public health competencies. Many public health employers strongly prefer applicants who graduate from CEPH-accredited programs.
CEPH-Accredited MPH Programs in Washington
Washington has three CEPH-accredited MPH programs worth knowing. The University of Washington School of Public Health offers multiple MPH tracks, including an online MPH through the Department of Health Systems and Population Health. It’s designed for working professionals and can be completed full-time or part-time over two to three years. Eastern Washington University (EWU) offers a fully online MPH, completed in as few as 14 months (60 credits total), through its College of Health Science and Public Health in Spokane. Central Washington University (CWU) offers concentrations in Community Health, Epidemiology, and Environmental Health, with online, hybrid, and on-campus formats. All three programs incorporate CEPH’s core competency framework and require a practicum or applied field experience.
MPH Curriculum Overview
Accredited MPH programs typically include foundational training in epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences, along with broader professional competencies required by CEPH. Most programs layer additional interdisciplinary competencies on top of this foundation, including communication, leadership, systems thinking, and diversity in health practice.
Most programs offer specialization tracks that let students focus their coursework in a specific area of public health. Common tracks in Washington-area programs include:
Health Communication: Builds skills in social marketing, health campaign development, and policy messaging. This track is relevant to roles at the Washington State Department of Health and at local health districts that manage public education programs, such as the state’s Health Education Resource Exchange (HERE).
Health Policy: Prepares graduates to work in policy development, advocacy, and program legislation. Washington-based policy work often involves the state’s comprehensive cancer control programs and Medicaid initiatives, as well as organizations like the Washington CARES About Cancer Partnership.
Program Planning and Evaluation: Trains students to design, implement, and evaluate public health programs, from the state’s tobacco prevention initiatives to community-based chronic disease management efforts such as Nurse-Family Partnership and Healthy Aging Partnership.
Global Health prepares graduates to address population health challenges at the national and international levels. Seattle-based global health organizations such as PATH employ professionals with MPH and global health training, and the city’s concentration of international health research institutions makes it a natural hub for this track.
Accelerated and Part-Time Options
Some MPH programs offer accelerated full-time pathways that can shorten completion timelines to around 12 months. These programs cover the same curriculum as traditional two-year programs but compress the timeline significantly. Part-time options typically allow up to four years to complete the degree, giving working professionals the flexibility to remain in their current roles while earning their MPH. EWU’s online program is among the faster-paced options in the region, with a 14-month completion timeline available for full-time students.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements vary by program, but most CEPH-accredited MPH programs in Washington require the following. If cost is a factor in your decision, our guide to scholarships and grants for MPH programs covers funding options available to graduate public health students.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- A statement of purpose (typically 500–1,500 words)
- Two to three letters of recommendation
- A current resume or CV
- GRE scores (requirements vary by program. Students who hold a graduate degree or have taken the LSAT, GMAT, or MCAT may be exempt. Some programs have dropped the GRE requirement entirely)
Job Growth for MPH Professionals in Washington
Washington’s aging population, combined with continued investment in public health infrastructure, is driving above-average employment growth across most public health occupations. The figures below show employment projections for a selection of occupations relevant to MPH graduates in Washington, based on data from the US Department of Labor’s Projections Central.
| Occupation |
Projected Growth (2022–2032, Washington State) |
| Epidemiologists |
+34.5% |
| Statisticians |
+31.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers |
+27.9% |
| Biological Scientists |
+18.5% |
| Social and Community Service Managers |
+15.9% |
| Microbiologists |
+14.0% |
| Rehabilitation Counselors |
+4.4% |
Salaries for Public Health Professionals in Washington
Many Washington public health and research-related occupations report wages above the national median, particularly in the Seattle metro area, a pattern influenced by the region’s large healthcare, biotechnology, and research sectors. The figures below reflect May 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics data on statewide and metro-area salaries, shown as median-to-90th percentile annual wages.
Epidemiologists
| Location |
Median Annual Wage |
90th Percentile |
| Washington Statewide |
$95,470 |
$177,380 |
| Metro Seattle |
$103,940 |
$235,250 |
| Olympia |
$93,120 |
$109,580 |
Statisticians
| Location |
Median Annual Wage |
90th Percentile |
| Washington Statewide |
$112,520 |
$148,620 |
| Metro Seattle |
$124,160 |
$152,720 |
| Spokane |
$93,400 |
$109,440 |
| Olympia |
$101,710 |
$127,800 |
Social and Community Service Managers
| Location |
Median Annual Wage |
90th Percentile |
| Washington Statewide |
$92,190 |
$143,340 |
| Metro Seattle |
$97,360 |
$152,720 |
| Spokane |
$81,540 |
$128,440 |
| Tri Cities |
$82,270 |
$122,980 |
| Bellingham |
$88,730 |
$128,480 |
Biological Scientists
| Location |
Median Annual Wage |
90th Percentile |
| Washington Statewide |
$92,270 |
$155,250 |
| Metro Seattle |
$98,610 |
$160,850 |
| Spokane |
$85,570 |
$110,240 |
| Tri Cities |
$102,800 |
$178,060 |
| Bellingham |
$104,400 |
$113,610 |
Microbiologists
| Location |
Median Annual Wage |
90th Percentile |
| Washington Statewide |
$66,800 |
$110,530 |
| Metro Seattle |
$67,540 |
$117,620 |
Social Scientists and Related Workers
| Location |
Median Annual Wage |
90th Percentile |
| Washington Statewide |
$95,180 |
$161,950 |
| Metro Seattle |
$95,180 |
$165,510 |
| Spokane |
$82,830 |
$107,660 |
| Olympia |
$104,320 |
$128,750 |
Rehabilitation Counselors
| Location |
Median Annual Wage |
90th Percentile |
| Washington Statewide |
$48,710 |
$78,370 |
| Metro Seattle |
$50,230 |
$80,030 |
| Spokane |
$45,490 |
$63,060 |
| Tri Cities |
$52,110 |
$77,490 |
| Bellingham |
$47,360 |
$76,400 |
Career Opportunities for MPH Professionals in Washington
An MPH can support career opportunities across a wide range of public health and population health settings in Washington, from the state Department of Health in Tumwater to global health nonprofits headquartered in Seattle. The examples below reflect the types of roles that have required or preferred an MPH in Washington. They’re included for illustration purposes only and don’t represent current openings or employment guarantees.
Epidemiologist roles in Washington are well illustrated by the Urban Indian Health Institute in Seattle, which conducts disease surveillance and data analysis focused on American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Epidemiologists in this role perform core epidemiologic functions, including surveillance, data collection, and trend analysis. They also contribute to grant writing, develop quality improvement measures, and lead project staff. A graduate degree in public health or epidemiology is typically required, along with two to three years of research experience.
Senior Public Health Officer, PATH (Seattle): PATH is a Seattle-based global health nonprofit working on diagnostics, vaccine development, and disease prevention programs in low- and middle-income countries. Senior public health roles at organizations like PATH involve leading WHO-aligned initiatives for neglected tropical diseases, designing quantitative research studies, and overseeing field implementation of diagnostic tools. A master’s degree in public health or epidemiology is the standard requirement for senior-level work.
Emergency Preparedness Specialist, Washington State Department of Health (Tumwater): The Washington State DOH employs public health professionals to develop emergency preparedness strategies, manage federal grant requirements, and serve in command staff roles during public health emergencies. These positions require strong project management skills and the ability to collaborate with state, local, and federal partners. A bachelor’s degree in public health or emergency management is the baseline entry point, with MPH holders well-positioned for advancement into senior preparedness roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CEPH accreditation, and why does it matter for MPH programs?
CEPH is the Council on Education for Public Health, the independent agency that sets and enforces accreditation standards for schools and programs of public health. Graduating from a CEPH-accredited MPH ensures your degree meets national standards for curriculum quality and public health competency development. Many state and local health departments in Washington and across the country strongly prefer applicants who graduated from CEPH-accredited programs for program management and epidemiological roles.
Can I earn an MPH in Washington online?
Yes. Eastern Washington University offers a fully online MPH program, which can be completed in as few as 14 months. The University of Washington’s Online MPH is designed for working professionals and can be completed on a full-time or part-time schedule. Central Washington University also offers online and hybrid formats. All three are CEPH-accredited programs.
How long does it take to complete an MPH in Washington?
Most full-time MPH programs take two years to complete. Accelerated tracks can compress the timeline to 12 to 14 months for students who can handle a heavier course load. Part-time options typically allow up to four years, which is common among students balancing work and family alongside their studies.
What can I do with an MPH in Washington?
MPH graduates in Washington work across epidemiology, health policy development, program planning and evaluation, global health, and community health management. Employers include state and local health departments, research universities, federal agencies, international health organizations, and Seattle-area nonprofits like PATH and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. The degree supports both entry-level positions and advancement into senior leadership roles.
Do MPH programs in Washington require GRE scores?
Requirements vary by program. Some programs have eliminated the GRE requirement, particularly for applicants who already hold a graduate degree or have significant professional experience in a health field. Students who have taken the LSAT, GMAT, or MCAT may also be exempt. It’s worth checking each program’s current admissions page, as these policies have been changing across the field.
Key Takeaways
- Washington’s aging population and robust public health infrastructure are driving above-average demand for MPH-trained professionals, with epidemiologists alone projected to grow by 34.5 percent through 2032.
- Three CEPH-accredited MPH programs operate in Washington: the University of Washington, Eastern Washington University, and Central Washington University, with online, hybrid, and accelerated options available.
- The MPH supports diverse career paths across health policy, epidemiology, program management, global health, and emergency preparedness, with employers ranging from county health departments to international nonprofits.
- Washington public health salaries consistently exceed national medians, with epidemiologists in the Seattle metro earning a statewide median of $100,000 or more and statisticians earning a statewide median of $112,000 or more.
Washington continues to invest in public health infrastructure and workforce development across state and local agencies. Compare CEPH-accredited MPH programs and find options that fit your goals and schedule.
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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 2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures (median to 90th Percentile) for Rehabilitation Counselors, Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Others, Epidemiologists, Biological Scientists, All Other, Microbiologists, Statisticians, and Social and Community Service Managers represent state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Job growth projections (2022–2032) are from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Data accessed May 2026.
