At a Glance
Colorado MPH programs are offered through the Colorado School of Public Health, the only Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain region. Delivered across three campuses and online, programs take two years full-time and cover specializations including epidemiology, environmental health, and health policy.
Colorado frequently ranks among the healthiest states in national health rankings, but it still faces real public health challenges: rising drug-related deaths, behavioral health gaps in rural communities, and persistent disparities in access to care. Colorado invests significant state and federal funding in chronic disease prevention and environmental health programs through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. That investment means demand for trained public health professionals, and a Master of Public Health (MPH) is the credential that opens most of those doors.
This guide covers everything you need to know about earning an MPH in Colorado: where programs are offered, what they require, what concentrations are available, and what you can expect to earn in the field. We’ve built it to give you a clear picture of the path from application to career.
Earning an MPH in Colorado
Colorado has one CEPH-accredited school of public health: the Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH). It’s the first and only accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain region, and it operates as a collaboration among three universities: the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado State University in Fort Collins, and the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Students can pursue an MPH at any of the three campuses, with some concentrations also available fully online.
CEPH accreditation matters for practical reasons. Many public health employers, including government agencies, nonprofits, and health systems, require or strongly prefer a degree from a CEPH-accredited program. Accreditation also affects eligibility for some fellowships and federal positions. It’s the standard credential for ensuring your MPH meets national competency benchmarks.
What MPH Programs in Colorado Cover
All CEPH-accredited programs follow the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Core Competency Model. Regardless of concentration, every MPH graduate must demonstrate competency across five foundational areas of public health:
- Biostatistics
- Environmental Health Sciences
- Epidemiology
- Health Policy and Management
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
Core coursework typically includes applied biostatistics, principles of epidemiology, environmental and occupational health, social and behavioral factors in health, and health systems administration. Most programs also require a semester-long practicum and a capstone project or thesis.
Program Format and Timeline
Most MPH programs at the Colorado School of Public Health require 42 credit hours and take about two years to complete full-time. Accelerated tracks may be available and can shorten that timeline for students who meet higher GPA and prerequisite thresholds. Part-time options extend completion to three to four years, which works well for working professionals who can’t step away from their jobs entirely. Check current admissions pages for availability and requirements, as accelerated formats vary by concentration.
Online delivery is available for select concentrations, including Leadership and Public Health Practice and Population Mental Health and Wellbeing, both of which can be completed entirely at a distance. Other concentrations blend online coursework with in-person sessions at one of the three campuses.
Admission Requirements
Most MPH programs at the Colorado School of Public Health may require the following for admission, depending on concentration and campus:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- A minimum undergraduate GPA (typically 3.0 or higher)
- GRE scores (requirements vary by concentration and campus)
- A personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
Accelerated one-year tracks generally require a higher minimum GPA and stronger quantitative GRE scores. Requirements can vary by concentration, so check the specific program page at ColoradoSPH for the most current admissions criteria.
Concentrations Available at the Colorado School of Public Health
The Colorado School of Public Health offers several areas of concentration across its three campuses. Availability varies by campus and academic year, so confirm current offerings at ColoradoSPH before applying. The concentrations below reflect recent program offerings.
Epidemiology
Trains students in epidemiologic study design, outbreak investigation, statistical analysis, and disease surveillance. Available at the CSU campus and covers infectious disease, chronic disease, environmental epidemiology, and genetic and molecular epidemiology. Graduates go on to work for public health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, academic institutions, and private research organizations. Learn more about epidemiology careers and degree paths.
Environmental and Occupational Health
Prepares students to assess and reduce environmental health risks: air and water quality, chemical exposures, climate-related health effects, and occupational hazards. Environmental health remains an active area of public health work in Colorado, with state agencies running programs in air and water quality, chemical safety, and climate-related health.
Health Systems, Management, and Policy
Covers public health policy development, program administration, and healthcare systems analysis. Students develop skills in policy evaluation, qualitative research, and health law. A strong fit for those interested in government agencies, health advocacy organizations, or nonprofit administration.
Community and Behavioral Health
Focuses on the social and behavioral determinants of health, health communication, and program design for underserved communities. Courses cover social marketing, health disparities, and community-based research methods.
Public Health Nutrition
Applies nutritional science and epidemiology to programs, policies, and environmental approaches that promote healthy dietary behavior. Housed at the CSU campus, with elective tracks in sustainable food systems and nutrition for chronic disease prevention.
Maternal and Child Health / Global Health
A 45-credit program that addresses globalization and international public health challenges, with a focus on maternal and child outcomes. Students gain skills in applying public health methods to complex global health problems.
Population Mental Health and Wellbeing
One of the first MPH concentrations in the country focused specifically on population-level mental health. Available entirely online through the CU Anschutz campus, it covers mental health, substance use, and wellbeing from a public health perspective. Demand for this specialization is growing in Colorado and nationally.
Online vs. On-Campus MPH Programs
Colorado students can choose between fully online, hybrid, and on-campus formats, depending on their concentration and career goals. Online delivery works well for working professionals who need scheduling flexibility. The Leadership and Public Health Practice and Population Mental Health and Wellbeing concentrations have recently been available entirely online, though delivery formats can change by term. Confirm current availability directly with ColoradoSPH before applying.
On-campus programs at CU Anschutz in Aurora offer the most direct access to Colorado’s largest cluster of public health employers, including UCHealth and Denver Health. CSU in Fort Collins has a strong research orientation with active faculty involvement in environmental, cancer, and chronic disease epidemiology. UNC in Greeley is a smaller campus with a more community-focused environment.
If your goal is a government public health role in Colorado, on-campus connections with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) are worth considering in your decision. If you’re already working in the field or need to maintain your current position, an online concentration may be the more practical path.
Public Health Careers in Colorado
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment runs programs in suicide prevention, tobacco awareness, chronic disease prevention, child safety, and environmental health. State and local public health agencies employ public health professionals across roles, including epidemiologists, health policy analysts, community health program managers, environmental health specialists, and biostatisticians. The Colorado School of Public Health also maintains direct ties with regional employers, which can support your job search coming out of the program.
MPH-prepared professionals work across settings: state and county public health departments, hospitals and health systems, university research centers, nonprofits, and federal agencies with Colorado offices. What you do day-to-day depends heavily on your concentration. An epidemiologist tracks disease patterns and investigates outbreaks. A health policy analyst evaluates existing regulations and drafts new ones. A biostatistician designs studies and analyzes health data to inform public health decisions.
Salary Data for MPH-Related Careers
The following figures are national median wages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for occupations commonly held by MPH graduates. Colorado wages tend to run above national medians. The state’s mean hourly wage across all occupations was about 11 percent above the national average in 2024, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
| Occupation |
Median Annual Wage |
Job Growth (2024–34) |
| Epidemiologists |
$83,980 |
+16% |
| Medical Scientists |
$100,590 |
+9% |
| Statisticians |
$103,300 |
+8% |
| Microbiologists |
$87,330 |
+4% |
| Social and Community Service Managers |
$78,240 |
+6% |
| Medical and Health Services Managers |
$117,960 |
+23% |
Epidemiology stands out for its growth rate: 16 percent over the decade, which the BLS classifies as much faster than average. Medical and health services management offers the strongest combination of salary and growth, though those roles typically require more work experience beyond the MPH. Entry-level positions in community health program management and health policy tend to cluster in the $55,000–$70,000 range, with salaries rising substantially with seniority and specialization.
Colorado Public Health Resources
Colorado School of Public Health: The state’s only CEPH-accredited school of public health. Programs, concentrations, admissions requirements, and campus-specific information are all available here.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: The CDPHE oversees public health programs statewide, publishes health data, and posts job opportunities for public health professionals in Colorado.
Colorado Commission on Higher Education: Provides information on academic programs, enrollment statistics, and campus review data for students evaluating Colorado institutions.
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH): The independent accrediting body for public health schools and programs. Use the CEPH directory to verify accreditation status for any program you’re considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there more than one CEPH-accredited MPH program in Colorado?
Colorado has one CEPH-accredited school of public health: the Colorado School of Public Health, a collaborative institution shared by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado State University, and the University of Northern Colorado. All MPH degrees from these campuses come through this single accredited school, which means the degree carries the same accreditation regardless of which campus you attend.
How long does it take to earn an MPH in Colorado?
Most students complete the 42-credit MPH in two years full-time. Accelerated tracks can reduce that to one year for qualified applicants, while part-time options extend the timeline to three to four years. Online concentrations follow the same credit requirements but give you more flexibility in pacing.
Do Colorado MPH programs require the GRE?
GRE requirements vary by concentration and campus within the Colorado School of Public Health. Some programs have moved to test-optional admissions for certain applicants, while others still require scores. Check the specific concentration page at ColoradoSPH for current requirements before applying, as policies are updated regularly.
What jobs can I get with an MPH in Colorado?
MPH graduates in Colorado work in state and county public health agencies, health systems, research institutions, nonprofits, and federal offices. Common roles include epidemiologist, health policy analyst, environmental health specialist, community health program manager, and public health preparedness coordinator. Your concentration shapes which roles are the best fit. An epidemiology MPH opens different doors than a health policy MPH.
Is the Colorado School of Public Health a good program?
The Colorado School of Public Health is the only CEPH-accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain region and collaborates with the World Health Organization on family and child health initiatives. Its three-university structure gives students access to faculty expertise across a broad range of public health disciplines, and the program’s direct connections to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and major regional health systems give graduates a practical advantage in the Colorado job market. Program details, concentrations, and admissions requirements may change. Verify current information directly with ColoradoSPH.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado has one CEPH-accredited school of public health, the Colorado School of Public Health, operating across three university campuses and online. Your degree carries the same accreditation regardless of which campus you attend.
- MPH programs take two years full-time and cover five core public health competency areas, with seven concentration options ranging from epidemiology to population mental health.
- Online delivery is available for select concentrations, including Population Mental Health and Wellbeing and Leadership and Public Health Practice, making it accessible for working professionals.
- BLS data shows strong salary and growth prospects for MPH-related careers, with epidemiologists projected to grow 16 percent through 2034 and medical and health services managers earning a median of $117,960.
- Colorado’s public health sector is active and well-funded, with the CDPHE running ongoing programs in chronic disease prevention, environmental health, and behavioral health. All of these areas hire MPH graduates.
Ready to explore accredited MPH programs? Browse options by concentration and delivery format to find the right fit for your 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
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job growth figures for Epidemiologists, Medical Scientists, Statisticians, Microbiologists, Social and Community Service Managers, and Medical and Health Services Managers represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
