At a Glance
Minnesota MPH programs are available at several CEPH-accredited schools, including the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health, St. Catherine University, and Minnesota State University, Mankato. Most full-time programs take two years to complete and require a bachelor’s degree for admission. The state ranks among the healthiest in the nation, making it a strong environment for public health careers.
Minnesota consistently ranks among the healthiest states in the nation, according to the United Health Foundation’s annual America’s Health Rankings report. That standing didn’t happen by chance. It reflects decades of work by public health professionals who reduced cardiovascular deaths, expanded access to care, and built one of the more effective state health systems in the country. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) employs thousands of staff members and directs hundreds of millions of dollars in annual funding toward public health programs. Behind those numbers are program directors, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and community health leaders, most of whom hold a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree.
If you’re weighing MPH programs in Minnesota, this guide covers what the degree involves, which schools offer CEPH-accredited programs, what the admission process looks like, and what public health careers actually pay in this state.
Earning an MPH in Minnesota
The Master of Public Health is a professional graduate degree built around five core disciplines: biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences. Programs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) must cover all five areas, which is why many employers, particularly government agencies and large health systems, prefer MPH graduates from CEPH-accredited schools.
Minnesota is home to several MPH programs with CEPH accreditation. The University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health is the state’s flagship institution and one of the top-ranked schools of public health in the country. It offers MPH concentrations in areas including epidemiology, environmental health, community health promotion, global health, biostatistics, and public health administration and policy. St. Catherine University in St. Paul offers an MPH with a focus on health equity and community health. Minnesota State University, Mankato, has offered an MPH in Public Health: Health Behavior and Health Promotion in online and hybrid formats. Walden University also holds CEPH accreditation for its online MPH programs. Always verify current accreditation status and program availability directly with each institution, as these can change.
MPH Program Options
Most full-time MPH programs in Minnesota take two years to complete and require between 42 and 60 credits of coursework, an applied practice experience in a real-world public health setting, and an integrative learning experience or capstone project. Part-time options extend that timeline to three or four years, which works well for working professionals who can’t leave their current roles.
The University of Minnesota has offered an Executive MPH in two tracks: Public Health Practice and Public Health Administration and Policy. Both are designed for mid-career professionals and have combined online coursework with in-person intensives, allowing students to maintain full-time employment while completing the degree. Confirm the current program structure directly with the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health. Accelerated pathways are less common in MPH programs, though some dual-degree options (MPH paired with an MBA, JD, or a clinical graduate degree) can compress the overall timeline.
Online and hybrid delivery has expanded significantly. Most CEPH-accredited Minnesota programs now offer some combination of remote coursework, particularly for students outside the Twin Cities metro area. Whether you’re in Duluth, Rochester, or rural Minnesota, an accredited online or hybrid MPH is achievable without relocating.
MPH Concentrations and Focus Areas
Most MPH programs allow students to specialize beyond the five core public health competencies. The right concentration depends on where you want to work and what problems you want to solve. Four of the most commonly pursued focus areas in Minnesota programs are described below.
Epidemiology trains students to investigate disease patterns, design surveillance systems, and analyze health data at the population level. Epidemiologists at the MDH track infectious disease outbreaks, monitor chronic disease trends, and support the state’s response to emerging health threats. This concentration is a strong fit for people drawn to data-intensive research and public health emergency response. Learn more about careers in epidemiology and what the day-to-day work actually looks like.
Health Policy and Management prepares graduates to work at the intersection of government, healthcare systems, and community health programs. Minnesota’s Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) partners with schools, communities, clinics, and employers to prevent illness and improve population health, and it relies on professionals who can develop, evaluate, and implement state-level policy. Coursework typically includes public health law, qualitative research methods, and global health diplomacy.
Community Health and Health Promotion focuses on the design and evaluation of programs targeting behavioral change, health equity, and chronic disease prevention. The MDH’s chronic disease division and county-level public health agencies rely heavily on professionals with this background. Social marketing, program planning, and the prevention of health disparities are common course threads.
Global Health addresses the burden of disease in underserved populations both domestically and abroad. Graduates may pursue opportunities with agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Coursework typically covers environmental and occupational epidemiology, global health diplomacy, and the prevention of health disparities.
MPH Admission Requirements
Every MPH program in Minnesota requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. You don’t need an undergraduate background in public health or health sciences. MPH programs draw applicants from clinical disciplines, business, social work, the physical sciences, and the liberal arts. What programs look for is evidence that you can handle graduate-level work and that you have some sense of why public health is the right next step.
Most programs require a minimum undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, a personal statement or admissions essay, and transcripts. Many Minnesota programs have dropped the GRE requirement entirely or made it optional, which lowers one barrier for career changers. Some programs also expect prior work or volunteer experience in a public health or community health setting, particularly for executive- or professional-track MPH programs. Check individual program pages for current prerequisites, as requirements vary by school and concentration.
Salaries for Public Health Careers in Minnesota
An MPH opens doors to a wide range of careers in government, academia, research, healthcare systems, and nonprofit organizations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks salary and job market data for the occupations most commonly pursued by master’s-prepared public health professionals. The figures below show national median wages as of May 2024 and job growth projections through 2034. Wages in Minnesota may vary from national figures.
| Occupation |
Median Annual Salary |
Projected Growth (2024–2034) |
| Epidemiologists |
$83,980 |
+16% |
| Statisticians |
$103,300 |
+8% |
| Microbiologists |
$95,200 |
+4% |
| Biological Scientists (All Other) |
$100,730 |
+5% |
| Social and Community Service Managers |
$78,240 |
+6% |
| Rehabilitation Counselors |
$46,110 |
+1% |
Epidemiology stands out: a projected 16 percent growth through 2034 is well above the 3 percent average for all occupations, and demand for epidemiologists remains strong in health departments, hospitals, and research institutions. Statisticians and microbiologists both command median wages above $95,000, reflecting the graduate-level education and specialized skills these roles require. Social and community service managers, who oversee the programs that public health initiatives depend on, typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and often a master’s for senior positions.
Public Health Career Opportunities in Minnesota
MPH graduates in Minnesota work across a broad range of settings. For a wider look at roles across the field, see our guide to public health careers. The MDH is the largest employer of public health professionals in the state, with positions in infectious disease surveillance, chronic disease prevention, environmental health, maternal and child health, and health policy. County public health departments across Minnesota, including Hennepin, Ramsey, and St. Louis counties, hire program directors, health educators, and community health workers with MPH credentials.
Beyond government, Minnesota’s healthcare systems are major employers. Mayo Clinic, Allina Health, M Health Fairview, and HealthPartners all have public health and population health functions that draw on MPH-trained staff. University of Minnesota research centers hire epidemiologists and biostatisticians for federally funded studies. And the state’s strong nonprofit sector, with organizations working on food security, housing, mental health, and racial health equity, regularly recruits master’s-prepared public health professionals for program management and policy roles.
For those interested in federal work, Minnesota’s strong partnerships with federally funded public health programs and research initiatives create pathways into federal public health careers without leaving the region. The CDC’s Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support funds positions within the MDH that provide public health professionals with federal agency experience while remaining based in Minnesota.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to earn an MPH in Minnesota?
Full-time MPH programs in Minnesota typically take two years to complete. Part-time programs can take three to four years. Executive MPH formats, designed for working professionals, vary by institution but generally run two to three years with a mix of online and in-person coursework.
Do Minnesota MPH programs require the GRE?
Many Minnesota programs have made the GRE optional or eliminated the requirement entirely. The University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health and several other CEPH-accredited programs now admit students based on undergraduate GPA, professional experience, and application materials. Check each program’s current admissions requirements, as policies vary.
What is CEPH accreditation and why does it matter?
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is the accrediting body for schools and programs of public health in the United States. Employers, particularly government agencies and large health systems, often prefer or require MPH graduates from CEPH-accredited programs. Accreditation signals that the program meets national standards for curriculum, faculty, and student outcomes.
Can I earn an MPH online in Minnesota?
Yes. Several CEPH-accredited Minnesota programs offer fully online or hybrid MPH options. Minnesota State University, Mankato, offers an online MPH in Health Behavior and Health Promotion. Walden University’s online MPH holds CEPH accreditation. The University of Minnesota’s executive tracks blend online coursework with in-person intensive sessions for working professionals.
What can I do with an MPH in Minnesota?
An MPH in Minnesota qualifies you for roles in state and county government health agencies, healthcare systems, academic research institutions, nonprofits, and federal agencies. Common titles include epidemiologist, health program manager, biostatistician, community health director, policy analyst, and public health educator.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota’s CEPH-accredited MPH programs include the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, St. Catherine University, Minnesota State University, Mankato, and Walden University, with online and hybrid options available across institutions.
- Most full-time MPH programs take two years and require a bachelor’s degree for admission. Many Minnesota programs have dropped the GRE or made it optional.
- Epidemiologists, the most in-demand occupation for MPH graduates, are projected to see 16 percent job growth through 2034, well above the national average for all occupations.
- Minnesota’s public health sector spans state and county government, major health systems, academic research centers, and a strong nonprofit sector, giving MPH graduates a wide range of career entry points.
Ready to explore MPH programs in Minnesota? Browse accredited options and find the program format that fits 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 2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Epidemiologists, Statisticians, Microbiologists, Biological Scientists, Social and Community Service Managers, and Rehabilitation Counselors represent state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2025.
