At a Glance
Hawaii has two Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited MPH programs: the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Hawaii Pacific University. UH Mānoa offers on-campus and distance education pathways with specializations including epidemiology and Native Hawaiian and Indigenous health. HPU’s MPH is available in fully online or hybrid formats, with full-time students completing the program in as little as 12-16 months. Both prepare graduates for careers in public health policy, epidemiology, health education, and program management.
In 2024, more than 80 public health leaders from across the islands gathered at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health with a clear purpose: to address the state’s growing shortage of qualified public health workers. That meeting reflects where Hawaii stands. The need is documented, the positions exist, and the degree that opens the door to most of them is the Master of Public Health (MPH).
Its geography and population shape Hawaii’s public health challenges. The state’s multicultural mix, including Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Japanese, Filipino, and other communities, creates health disparities that require culturally informed public health practice. Chronic disease rates are high. Access to care is uneven across islands. And as a major entry point for international travel, Hawaii monitors infectious disease threats year-round through the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH). An MPH prepares you to work on all of it.
Earning a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Hawaii
A Master of Public Health is a professional graduate degree that prepares practitioners to design, implement, and evaluate population-level health programs. Unlike research-focused degrees, the MPH is built for people who want to work in the field. That means managing programs, shaping policy, analyzing outbreak data, and running health communication campaigns. The degree takes two years full-time in most programs, though accelerated and part-time formats are available.
CEPH Accreditation
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is the sole accrediting body for public health degree programs in the United States. An accredited MPH means the program meets national standards for curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes. Employers and state agencies recognize CEPH-accredited degrees, and if you plan to pursue a Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential, you’ll need one to be eligible. Hawaii has two CEPH-accredited MPH programs.
MPH Programs in Hawaii
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health offers the most specialization options in the state. The Department of Public Health Sciences (DPHS) currently offers the MPH with concentrations in epidemiology, health policy and management, Native Hawaiian and Indigenous health, and social and behavioral health sciences. The program is offered both on campus in Honolulu and through a distance education option (MPH-DE) that can be completed in approximately 21 months. The MPH-DE focuses on health policy and management and is designed for professionals across the U.S. and U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands who can’t relocate to Honolulu.
Hawaii Pacific University offers a CEPH-accredited MPH program available fully online or in a hybrid format, designed for working professionals. It’s accelerated. Full-time students can complete it in 12-16 months by taking two to three courses every eight-week term. HPU’s curriculum covers epidemiology and biostatistics, program planning and evaluation, chronic and communicable disease, behavioral and social determinants of health, multicultural health, and policy and advocacy. The program requires 240 hours of applied field training, completed in your local community or through a placement that matches your career interests.
Focus Areas and Specializations
Specializations vary by program, but the core public health disciplines you’ll encounter at both institutions align with CEPH’s required competencies: biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences. What sets UH Mānoa apart is its Native Hawaiian and Indigenous health specialization, one of the few in the country, which trains students to address health disparities and conduct research within Indigenous communities using culturally grounded methods. If you’re planning to work in Hawaii long-term, that concentration positions you to address health challenges specific to the islands that other degrees don’t reach.
MPH Admission Requirements in Hawaii
Both programs require a bachelor’s degree. Most applicants come from backgrounds in health sciences, social sciences, biology, or a related field, though neither program requires a prior public health degree.
For UH Mānoa, admission requirements include a minimum 3.0 GPA, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of intent. Admissions materials include a GRE section, and note that test scores should be received by the application deadline — contact the Department of Public Health Sciences directly to confirm current GRE requirements for your intended concentration, as these can vary by track. One year of coursework in biological science, calculus or statistics, and chemistry is expected. Actual work experience in a health-related setting is strongly preferred and can strengthen an application that otherwise falls near the GPA threshold.
For HPU, the program does not require GRE scores, which removes a common barrier for working professionals. Applicants who lack prior statistics coursework may be required to complete a preparatory statistics course before or concurrent with the start of the program. HPU’s format is fully asynchronous with eight-week terms, built around schedules that already include full-time employment.
Both programs require a practicum or field training component. UH Mānoa requires 240 hours. HPU requires 240 hours as well. You’ll complete this in a community-based or agency setting, and it’s typically coordinated with your program advisor based on your career interests and geographic location.
Public Health Careers and Job Growth in Hawaii
The 2024 workforce meeting at UH Mānoa wasn’t the first time Hawaii recognized a shortage of trained public health professionals. It’s a structural feature of the state’s health system: the population is dispersed across islands, public health roles are spread across state agencies, nonprofits, and federal programs, and the pool of qualified candidates with graduate credentials hasn’t kept pace with demand.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, epidemiologists nationally are projected to grow 16 percent from 2024 to 2034, a rate the BLS describes as “much faster than average.” Social and community service managers, who often oversee public health programs at the community level, are projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034. Hawaii’s state-level projections vary by occupation, but the combination of growing chronic disease burden, an aging population, and the state’s public health infrastructure investments points in the same direction as the national trend.
MPH graduates in Hawaii work across a range of settings. The HDOH employs epidemiologists, program planners, and health communications specialists. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) around the islands hire public health managers and health educators. University of Hawaii research centers draw biostatisticians and applied researchers. Nonprofit organizations focused on Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and immigrant health communities hire MPH graduates with community engagement and program evaluation skills.
Public Health Salaries in Hawaii
The following salary ranges reflect state data for selected public health occupations that typically require a master’s degree. Figures represent median to 90th percentile annual wages.
| Occupation |
Median Annual Wage |
90th Percentile |
| Social and Community Service Managers |
$71,730 |
$117,230 |
| Biological Scientists |
$91,020 |
$111,990 |
| Statisticians |
$68,540 |
$113,730 |
| Epidemiologists |
$67,040 |
$97,530 |
| Microbiologists |
$60,900 |
$80,180 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors |
$43,440 |
$56,660 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which schools in Hawaii offer a CEPH-accredited MPH?
Two programs in Hawaii hold CEPH accreditation: the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (through the Department of Public Health Sciences at the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health) and Hawaii Pacific University. Employers recognize both programs and meet the eligibility requirements for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) examination.
How long does an MPH program take in Hawaii?
It depends on the program and whether you attend full-time or part-time. HPU’s accelerated online program can be completed in 12-16 months full-time. UH Mānoa’s campus-based program typically takes two years full-time. The distance education option at UH Mānoa is designed to be completed in approximately 21 months for students balancing work and other commitments.
Do I need a public health background to apply for an MPH in Hawaii?
No prior public health experience is required at either program. HPU accepts applicants from a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds and doesn’t require GRE scores. UH Mānoa expects one year of preparatory science coursework (biology, chemistry, and calculus or statistics) and recommends relevant work experience. Still, applicants from health care, social services, government, and community work regularly gain admission.
What careers can I pursue with an MPH in Hawaii?
MPH graduates in Hawaii work in state and county public health agencies, Federally Qualified Health Centers, university research programs, nonprofits focused on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander health, and federal programs, including those administered through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common roles include epidemiologist, health program manager, health educator, biostatistician, policy analyst, and community health director.
Is there an online MPH option for Hawaii residents?
Yes. HPU’s MPH program is delivered entirely online with asynchronous coursework, making it accessible from any island without relocation. UH Mānoa also offers a distance education MPH (MPH-DE) specializing in health policy and management, designed for students across Hawaii and U.S.-affiliated Pacific territories. Both programs include a practicum that can be completed in your local community.
Key Takeaways
- Hawaii has two CEPH-accredited MPH programs: the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Hawaii Pacific University. Both accept applicants without a prior public health degree.
- UH Mānoa offers a unique Native Hawaiian and Indigenous health specialization, one of the few in the country, alongside epidemiology, health policy, and social and behavioral health sciences.
- HPU’s fully online, accelerated format (12-16 months, no GRE required) is designed for working professionals who can’t step away from their careers to attend school full-time.
- Epidemiologists nationwide are projected to grow by 16 percent from 2024 to 2034, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while Hawaii faces documented public health workforce shortages.
- MPH graduates in Hawaii find work across HDOH, Federally Qualified Health Centers, university research programs, and nonprofits serving Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.
Ready to explore accredited public health programs? Browse CEPH-accredited MPH options and find programs that match 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) shown for Social and Community Service Managers, Biological Scientists, Statisticians, Epidemiologists, Microbiologists, and Rehabilitation Counselors represent state data for Hawaii, not school-specific information. Job growth projections are from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
