At a Glance
Montana has one CEPH-accredited Master of Public Health (MPH) program: the University of Montana’s fully online, no-campus-visit program, based in Missoula. For residents who need a wider range of concentrations, online MPH programs from accredited schools in other states are a practical path. State-level projections from Projections Central show strong job growth for public health professionals in Montana, with epidemiologists among the fastest-growing occupations.
Montana is one of the most sparsely populated states in the country, and its geography shapes its public health challenges in meaningful ways. Rural communities face longer distances to care, higher rates of certain chronic diseases, and a persistent shortage of trained public health professionals. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) operates across a state with about 1.13 million residents spread across roughly 147,000 square miles, roughly the size of Japan. The professionals working within that system, along with the tribal health departments, rural health clinics, and state agencies that support it, increasingly hold graduate-level credentials.
A Master of Public Health (MPH) is the degree most employers in the field look for at the mid-career and leadership level. It covers the analytical, policy, and communication competencies that public health work demands, and it’s flexible enough to support careers in epidemiology, health policy, program administration, global health, and more. Montana residents can pursue the degree through the University of Montana’s fully online MPH program or through any of the CEPH-accredited online programs offered by schools in other states.
Earning an MPH in Montana
If you want to stay close to home for your MPH, the University of Montana is your primary option. The School of Public and Community Health Sciences offers a fully online Master’s in Public Health with no required campus visits. The program requires 42 credits, typically completed in two years of full-time study, and culminates in a practicum and professional paper. UM offers an accelerated MPH pathway for eligible BS in Public Health students with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
The UM program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the national body that sets quality standards for MPH programs. CEPH accreditation is widely recognized in public health education. It is preferred or required by many employers and credentialing pathways, including the National Board of Public Health Examiners for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential.
CEPH Core Competencies
All CEPH-accredited MPH programs build competency across five core public health disciplines. These aren’t just academic requirements. They’re the analytical and practical foundations that employers in the field expect graduates to have.
- Biostatistics
- Environmental health sciences
- Epidemiology
- Health policy and management
- Social and behavioral sciences
Most programs also weave in cross-cutting competencies in areas such as leadership, communication, systems thinking, and health equity. The University of Montana’s program emphasizes rural and community health contexts, which aligns directly with the realities of public health practice in Montana.
MPH Specializations
Graduate programs in public health offer specializations that let students build depth in a particular area. The UM program offers a community health and prevention sciences concentration, while online programs at other CEPH-accredited schools cover a wider range. Common tracks that are relevant to Montana’s public health workforce include the following.
Health Policy: Policy specialists work to secure funding, shape legislation, and advocate for evidence-based public health programs at the local, state, and federal levels. Coursework typically covers public health law, legislative strategy, qualitative research methods, and global health diplomacy.
Health Communication: Communication specialists design and implement education campaigns that change public health behavior. The DPHHS regularly runs statewide campaigns on vaccination awareness, disease prevention, and maternal and infant health, which is exactly the kind of work this track prepares graduates to lead. Core courses cover social marketing, media strategy, and health disparities.
Program Planning and Evaluation: This track trains professionals to design, implement, and measure the effectiveness of public health programs. Coursework covers assessment methodology, data analysis, and the management skills needed to run complex public health initiatives.
Global Health: Global health specialists apply a macro-level lens to disease prevention, health equity, and the environmental and social drivers of population health. This track is relevant to Montana given the state’s significant Indigenous population and the tribal health challenges that intersect with both local and global public health priorities.
Epidemiology: Epidemiologists identify patterns of disease and injury in populations and develop strategies to prevent them. State-level projections from Projections Central show 27.3 percent job growth for epidemiologists through 2032. National BLS projections for 2024 to 2034 put epidemiologist growth at 16 percent, well above the average for all occupations. Montana’s DPHHS employs epidemiologists in disease surveillance, occupational health, and environmental health roles. Learn more about careers in epidemiology.
Admission Requirements and Program Formats
Most CEPH-accredited MPH programs require a bachelor’s degree in any field, along with the following:
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation (typically two or three)
- A personal statement outlining professional goals
- A resume or CV
- GRE scores (UM states GRE scores are not required or considered for MPH admission, though requirements vary at other schools)
Full-time programs generally take two years to complete. Accelerated options are available at some schools and can be completed in 12 to 15 months. Part-time tracks can last up to 4 years and are common in online programs designed for working professionals. Credit hours typically range from 42 to 60, depending on the school and concentration.
Salaries and Job Growth for Montana Public Health Professionals
Public health careers in Montana span a wide salary range depending on the role, employer, and level of experience. The following figures show national median wages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024) for occupations that typically require a master’s degree. Montana wages vary from national figures. State-specific data is available at lmi.mt.gov. Job growth projections reflect BLS national figures for 2024 to 2034.
| Occupation |
National Median Salary (May 2024) |
Projected Growth (2024–2034) |
| Epidemiologists |
$83,980 |
16% |
| Social & Community Service Managers |
$78,240 |
6% |
| Statisticians |
$104,350 |
8% |
| Microbiologists |
$97,600 |
4% |
| Rehabilitation Counselors |
$46,110 |
1% |
Career Opportunities for MPH Graduates in Montana
Montana’s public health careers landscape is concentrated in a handful of institutional settings. The DPHHS is the state’s largest single employer of public health professionals, operating programs in disease prevention, behavioral health, maternal and child health, and environmental quality. Beyond state government, Montana has a significant tribal health sector. The state is home to eight federally recognized tribal nations and seven reservations. Tribal health departments and Indian Health Service–related programs serve communities across the state, with structures varying by tribe and reservation. MPH-trained professionals work in these settings as epidemiologists, health educators, program directors, and policy analysts.
Rural health systems and community health centers represent another major employment sector. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) across Montana serve low-income and rural populations and employ public health professionals in administrative, outreach, and program management roles. The Montana Primary Care Association supports this network and is a consistent source of public health employment in smaller communities.
Typical roles that require or strongly prefer an MPH in Montana include:
- Epidemiologist (DPHHS, tribal health departments, university research programs)
- Public Health Program Manager (state and county health departments)
- Health Education Specialist (DPHHS, nonprofits, FQHCs)
- Biostatistician (Montana State University, UM, state government)
- Environmental Health Officer (Montana Department of Environmental Quality)
- Community Health Program Director (tribal health, rural health networks)
The University of Montana and Montana State University also employ public health professionals in research and faculty roles, particularly in epidemiology and community health. Both institutions have active research partnerships with state and tribal health agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Montana’s MPH program accredited?
Yes. The University of Montana’s Master of Public Health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the national accrediting body for public health programs. CEPH accreditation confirms that the program meets established quality standards for curriculum, faculty, and student outcomes, and it’s the credential recognition that most public health employers look for.
Can Montana residents complete an MPH online?
Yes. The University of Montana’s program is fully online, with no required on-campus components, making it well-suited for Montana residents in rural areas. Many other CEPH-accredited programs at schools in other states also offer fully online MPH degrees. These generally carry the same programmatic accreditation status as campus-based programs when the school or program holds CEPH accreditation, which is the standard employers look for.
What does an MPH cost at the University of Montana?
Tuition and fees vary by residency status and change each academic year. The University of Montana offers in-state tuition rates for Montana residents, which is one advantage of the in-state program over some out-of-state online options. Graduate assistantships and financial aid are available for eligible students. For current tuition figures, check directly with UM’s School of Public and Community Health Sciences.
What is the difference between an MPH and an MHA?
An MPH, or Master of Public Health, focuses on population-level health, including disease prevention, health policy, epidemiology, and community health outcomes. A Master of Health Administration (MHA) is focused on the management and operations of healthcare organizations. Some public health roles in hospital systems or managed care organizations benefit from an MHA. Still, the MPH is the standard credential for most government, nonprofit, and research-focused public health careers.
Key Takeaways
- Montana has one CEPH-accredited in-state MPH program at the University of Montana, a fully online degree in Missoula. However, residents can also pursue accredited online programs through schools in other states.
- The MPH covers five CEPH core competencies: biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences.
- Epidemiologists are among the fastest-growing public health occupations nationally. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 16 percent growth in epidemiologist employment from 2024 to 2034, well above the average for all occupations.
- Major public health employers in Montana include the DPHHS, tribal health departments serving the state’s eight federally recognized tribal nations, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and research programs at the University of Montana and Montana State University.
- Most MPH programs require a bachelor’s degree, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and either GRE scores or a waiver. Full-time programs typically take two years to complete.
Montana’s public health workforce depends on professionals with the training to prevent disease, respond to emergencies, and build healthier communities. Browse accredited MPH programs by state and find options that fit 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
National median wage figures (May 2024) from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for Rehabilitation Counselors, Epidemiologists, Microbiologists, Statisticians, and Social and Community Service Managers. These are national figures; Montana wages may differ. For Montana-specific wage data, see lmi.mt.gov. Employment growth projections are BLS national figures for 2024 to 2034. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
