At a Glance
Georgia has seven CEPH-accredited Master of Public Health (MPH) programs at universities, including the University of Georgia, Emory University, Georgia State University, Augusta University, Georgia Southern University, Mercer University, and Morehouse School of Medicine. Most programs take two years to complete and accept applicants from any bachelor’s degree background. Several no longer require the GRE for admission.
Georgia ranked 38th in the 2024 America’s Health Rankings annual report, and the underlying numbers tell a familiar story: high rates of uninsured adults, elevated obesity and diabetes prevalence, and persistent racial and economic health disparities. Closing those gaps takes more than good intentions. It takes people with the skills to design programs, analyze data, and push through policy changes at the county, state, and federal levels. A Master of Public Health (MPH) from a Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited program is a widely recognized credential for public health leadership and program roles.
This guide covers what to look for in a Georgia MPH program, how to choose a specialization that fits your career goals, and what employment and salary data say about the public health job market in the state.
Earning a Master of Public Health in Georgia
Georgia has seven universities with CEPH-accredited MPH programs, offering a range of concentrations, delivery formats, and program lengths. That accreditation matters. CEPH is the independent accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for schools and programs in public health. Employers in government agencies, nonprofits, and health systems often require graduates to hold a degree from a CEPH-accredited program, and some federal positions, including roles with the U.S. Public Health Service, are only open to graduates from accredited programs.
Step 1: Know the Basics
An MPH doesn’t require an undergraduate degree in public health. The degree attracts applicants from nursing, nutrition, environmental health, business administration, education, and many other fields. What all programs require is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, and most ask for a statement of purpose, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a current resume or CV.
On GRE requirements: several Georgia programs, including Georgia Southern University and Georgia State University, have dropped the GRE as a requirement for admission. If test scores are a concern, it’s worth checking the admissions page for each program before you rule anything out.
All CEPH-accredited programs must cover five core public health areas as defined by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) MPH Core Competency Model:
- Biostatistics
- Environmental Health Sciences
- Epidemiology
- Health Policy and Management
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
Most programs also require an Applied Practice Experience (APE), which is a supervised fieldwork placement, typically at least 200 hours in a public health organization (with some programs requiring more), typically completed in the final year and available in person or remotely, depending on the program.
Step 2: Choosing a Program in Georgia
The seven CEPH-accredited MPH programs in Georgia are offered at the University of Georgia (UGA), Emory University, Georgia State University (GSU), Augusta University, Georgia Southern University, Mercer University, and Morehouse School of Medicine.
UGA’s College of Public Health, founded in 2005, offers a two-year on-campus MPH with seven concentration options, including Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Environmental Health Science, Health Policy and Management, Health Promotion and Behavior, Disaster Management, and Gerontology. Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health, ranked second in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, offers on-campus MPH programs in seven concentrations, including Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Global Health, Behavioral Sciences, Health Care Management, and Health Policy. As of June 2024, Rollins also launched four fully online part-time MPH programs in Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences; Global Environmental Health; Global Health; and Health Policy, designed for working professionals studying asynchronously. GSU’s School of Public Health offers six concentrations and accepts students in the fall and spring, with all online courses taught by the same faculty as the on-campus program. Georgia Southern, Augusta University, and Mercer round out the field, each offering CEPH-accredited programs with a mix of online and on-campus delivery.
Morehouse School of Medicine, a historically Black institution in Atlanta, focuses on community-centered public health research and practice in underserved populations, and also offers an Executive MPH (eMPH) designed as a 24-month online program for working professionals.
Getting Your MPH Online in Georgia
Online MPH programs are available through several Georgia universities, including Georgia State, Augusta University, and Georgia Southern. CEPH accreditation applies equally to online and on-campus programs, so an online degree carries the same weight with employers. Georgia State’s online MPH courses are taught by the same faculty who teach on campus, and students complete the same Applied Practice Experience requirement regardless of delivery format.
Georgia Southern’s online MPH is a 42-credit, fully accredited program offered in two concentrations: Applied Public Health and Public Health Informatics. It’s designed specifically for working professionals and doesn’t require the GRE for admission.
Step 3: Choosing a Specialization
Concentrations aren’t identical across programs, but most Georgia MPH programs offer options in the areas below. Your choice should track with the type of work you want to do after graduation.
Health Communication prepares students to design and implement public health awareness campaigns, coordinate between organizations, and apply social marketing strategies to real health challenges. The Georgia Department of Public Health’s HIV Prevention Program has used this approach directly, partnering with the Greater Than AIDS campaign to reduce stigma and increase testing rates among the estimated 20,000 Georgians living with undiagnosed HIV.
Health Policy focuses on analyzing and influencing legislation and regulation at the state and federal levels. Georgia’s 2014 requirement that seventh through twelfth grade students receive Tdap and meningococcal vaccines is an example of the kind of policy change that public health professionals help design and implement.
Epidemiology trains students in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and population health data analysis. Epidemiologists are in high demand across public health agencies and research institutions.
Program Planning and Evaluation covers how to design, implement, and assess public health programs at the individual, community, and state level. The Georgia Department of Public Health runs programs across all three of those scales, from individual diet-tracking tools to statewide food access initiatives.
Global Health prepares graduates to work on international health challenges, analyze health policy in low- and middle-income countries, and coordinate with agencies including the CDC and WHO.
Public Health Careers and Salaries in Georgia
That 38th-place ranking reflects a real shortage of trained public health professionals relative to the scale of the problems, and a genuine opportunity for people entering the field. The Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) funds and collaborates with 159 county health departments across 18 public health districts statewide, coordinating programs in areas including maternal and child health, infectious disease, epidemiology, and emergency preparedness.
Georgia’s 38th-place ranking in the 2024 America’s Health Rankings report reflects a continued need for public health professionals with the skills to address health disparities, chronic disease rates, and access gaps across the state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects strong job growth for several public health careers over the 2024 to 2034 decade. Epidemiologists lead the group at 16 percent projected growth, classified as much faster than the average for all occupations. Medical scientists and statisticians are also well above average.
| Occupation |
Median Annual Wage (May 2024) |
Projected Growth 2024–34 |
| Social and Community Service Managers |
$78,240 |
+6% |
| Mathematicians and Statisticians |
$103,300 |
+8% |
| Microbiologists |
$87,330 |
+4% |
| Medical Scientists |
$100,590 |
+9% |
| Epidemiologists |
$83,980 |
+16% |
| Rehabilitation Counselors |
$46,110 |
+1% |
These are national figures. Salaries in Georgia vary by employer type and region, with Atlanta-area positions generally paying higher than rural district positions. State and county government roles offer job stability and benefits that can offset the salary difference from the private sector.
What the Jobs Actually Look Like
Public health roles in Georgia span organizations from the Georgia Department of Public Health to large academic medical centers, nonprofits, and federal field offices. Three examples from actual job postings give a realistic picture of what employers ask for.
A Child Health Director role with the North Central Health District in Macon requires a master’s degree in a related field plus one year of supervisory experience, or a bachelor’s degree with two years of supervisory experience. Responsibilities include leading a district team to improve child health outcomes, advising leadership on policy changes, and coordinating with community partners.
A Health Education Specialist position with ORAU (a nonprofit supporting federal research) required a master’s degree in health education, public health, or biological sciences, with deployment to Africa or other developing regions to support CDC infectious disease response. Work included designing public health awareness programs, developing training materials, and evaluating health preparedness initiatives.
An Executive Director role with the Georgia Trauma Commission at the GDPH required a master’s degree in health care, business, finance, or a related field, with experience in EMS or trauma systems. Responsibilities included strategic planning, budgetary oversight, contractor management, and coordination with the Attorney General’s Office and other state agencies.
Resources for Students and Professionals
The following organizations are directly relevant to public health students and professionals working in Georgia.
Georgia Department of Public Health. The GDPH website covers the state’s active health initiatives, program data, and employment information. It’s the primary source for understanding what public health work in Georgia currently looks like at the state level.
Georgia Department of Education. For information on accredited higher education institutions and available programs across the state.
Georgia State Government. The official state site covers state services, employment listings, and government contacts relevant to public health policy work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CEPH accreditation and why does it matter?
CEPH, the Council on Education for Public Health, is an independent accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education that evaluates schools and programs in public health against a defined set of educational standards. Employers in government agencies, nonprofits, and health systems typically look for a CEPH-accredited credential when hiring for positions that require a public health degree. Some federal employment opportunities, including roles with the U.S. Public Health Service and certain CDC positions, are only available to graduates of CEPH-accredited programs.
Do I need a public health undergraduate degree to apply to an MPH program?
No. MPH programs in Georgia accept applicants from any undergraduate background. Common feeder fields include nursing, nutrition, environmental science, social work, business administration, and education. What programs look for is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, strong academic performance, and a clear sense of how public health fits your career goals, which you’ll convey in your statement of purpose.
How long does an MPH program take to complete in Georgia?
Most full-time MPH programs take two years to complete. Part-time and online formats, including programs at Georgia State, Georgia Southern, and Augusta University, allow working professionals to extend that timeline to three years or more. Morehouse School of Medicine’s Executive MPH is structured as a 24-month program designed specifically for working professionals. Most programs require completion of an Applied Practice Experience, typically at least 200 hours in a public health organization (with some programs requiring more), as part of the degree.
Where do public health professionals work in Georgia?
Georgia MPH graduates work across the Georgia Department of Public Health’s network of 159 county health departments and 18 health districts, at academic institutions and medical centers, in federal field offices including the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters, and with nonprofit and community-based organizations. The specific work setting depends largely on your concentration. Epidemiologists and biostatisticians often work in data-heavy analytical roles, while health communication and program planning graduates tend to work in community-facing or policy roles.
What’s the difference between a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in public health?
A bachelor’s in public health provides a broad overview of the field and opens entry-level positions. An MPH allows you to specialize in a concentration, take on supervisory and policy-level roles, and access salary ranges that bachelor’s-level positions typically can’t reach. Most public health director roles, policy analyst positions, and research leadership positions in Georgia require or strongly prefer the master’s degree. The MPH is also the standard credential for people moving into public health from another field.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia has seven CEPH-accredited MPH programs at UGA, Emory, Georgia State, Augusta University, Georgia Southern, Mercer, and Morehouse School of Medicine, with on-campus, hybrid, and fully online options.
- CEPH accreditation is required for employment in many government and federal public health positions, including some CDC and U.S. Public Health Service roles.
- Several Georgia programs, including Georgia State and Georgia Southern, no longer require GRE scores for MPH admission.
- Epidemiologists are the fastest-growing MPH-aligned occupation nationally, with 16 percent projected growth from 2024 to 2034, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Georgia ranked 38th in the 2024 America’s Health Rankings report, reflecting a continued need for public health professionals equipped to address health disparities, chronic disease rates, and access gaps across the state.
Interested in exploring Georgia’s accredited MPH programs? Browse program options by format, concentration, and school to find the right fit for your goals.
Find Schools Near You
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 figures and 2024–2034 job growth projections for Social and Community Service Managers, Mathematicians and Statisticians, Microbiologists, Medical Scientists, Epidemiologists, and Rehabilitation Counselors represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
