At a Glance
Nevada has two CEPH-accredited Master of Public Health programs, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Nevada, Reno, with in-person, online, and hybrid options. Most programs are 42 to 45 credits and take two years full-time. Nevada public health professionals earn median salaries ranging from approximately $38,600 to over $83,000 depending on the role, according to BLS data.
Nevada has the fourth-highest uninsured rate in the country at 11.4 percent, according to America’s Health Rankings analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data (2024). Its rural communities face significant gaps in healthcare access, and tribal populations are underserved across several key health indicators. Add to that a tourism-driven economy that welcomed 41.7 million visitors to Las Vegas alone in 2024, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, and the public health challenges here are both urgent and unusually complex. That combination creates real demand for trained public health professionals, and two strong CEPH-accredited programs to produce them.
MPH Programs in Nevada
Two universities in Nevada offer Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the national standard for program quality recognized by employers and licensing boards. UNLV’s School of Public Health holds a particularly notable distinction: it’s the first accredited School of Public Health in Nevada and one of a limited number of CEPH-accredited schools of public health in the world.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
UNLV’s MPH is a 45-credit program offered both in-person and online, giving students flexibility to combine formats based on their schedule. Six concentration tracks are available, covering a wide range of public health practice areas:
- Social and Behavioral Health
- Environmental and Global Health
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Healthcare Administration and Policy
- Generalist (fully online)
- Dental-MPH (for students pursuing a Doctor of Dental Medicine concurrently)
The Generalist track is designed for working professionals and is available entirely online. All tracks include a capstone experience that requires students to integrate foundational and concentration competencies through professional development work, a professional paper, and a final presentation.
University of Nevada, Reno (UNR)
UNR’s MPH is a 42-credit program with three specializations: Epidemiology, Health Administration and Policy, and Social and Behavioral Health. The program is available on campus and as a fully online option through the Public Health Practice concentration, which can be completed in approximately 24 months. If you’re weighing online MPH programs across multiple states, we’ve compiled options by format and concentration. UNR is also part of the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), which means eligible out-of-state students may qualify for reduced tuition rates.
Students without an undergraduate degree from a CEPH-accredited program complete a no-cost Basics of Public Health course before starting. It’s a practical bridge that ensures all incoming students share a common foundation before the core curriculum begins.
Admission Requirements
MPH programs at both Nevada universities share a common set of baseline requirements, though specifics vary by program and concentration. You don’t need an undergraduate degree in public health to qualify. Programs accept applicants from any accredited bachelor’s program.
Most applicants will need to submit the following:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (UNR also considers applicants with a 2.75–2.99 GPA with supplemental test scores)
- Personal statement outlining your public health interests, career goals, and intended concentration
- Three letters of recommendation
- Current resume or CV
- Applications through SOPHAS (the centralized application system for public health programs)
Neither UNLV nor UNR currently requires GRE scores for MPH admission. UNR accepts them as optional supporting materials if an applicant believes they strengthen the application. If you’re applying to UNR, note that priority deadlines typically fall in February for fall enrollment, with a final deadline in June. UNLV accepts applications on a rolling basis for both in-person and online formats.
What You’ll Study
Accredited MPH programs are built around five foundational knowledge areas established by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH): biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences. Beyond that core, programs layer in seven interdisciplinary competency areas including leadership, health communications, systems thinking, and diversity and culture.
In practice, core coursework typically covers applied biostatistics, principles of epidemiology, environmental and occupational health, social determinants of health, health systems and policy, and public health administration. Your concentration then takes you deeper into a specific area: disease surveillance and data analysis in epidemiology, program planning and policy development in health administration, or community-based interventions in social and behavioral health.
Most programs also require a practicum or field experience, placing students in public health agencies, hospitals, community organizations, or research settings. At UNR, this supervised field experience is a formal part of the curriculum. At UNLV, the capstone integrates professional development with a research project and final presentation.
Public Health Careers in Nevada
Nevada’s public health needs are generating demand across multiple career tracks. The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health coordinates programs covering food safety, drinking water regulation, disease surveillance, and community health. All of these areas require master’s-prepared professionals in leadership and program management roles. And as the state continues to address its workforce shortage in primary care, the value of MPH graduates in health administration, policy, and community health education has continued to grow.
Public health employment projections remain positive across several disciplines, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Epidemiologists are projected to grow 16 percent nationally from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average. For a closer look at what that career path involves, see our guide to careers in epidemiology. Social and community service managers, statisticians, and microbiologists all show similarly strong national trajectories, driven by an aging population, growing chronic disease burden, and continued investment in public health infrastructure.
Salary Data for Nevada
The following salary figures represent Nevada state data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2024, except where noted. Figures show median annual salary and the 90th percentile salary for each role. Actual salaries vary based on experience, employer, certifications, and geographic region within the state.
| Occupation |
Median Annual Salary |
90th Percentile |
| Social and Community Service Managers (NV) |
$66,810 |
$98,350 |
| Epidemiologists (national) |
$83,980 |
$134,860 |
| Microbiologists (NV) |
$80,420 |
$128,710 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists (NV) |
$69,540 |
$104,860 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers (NV) |
$73,160 |
$105,780 |
| Biological Scientists (NV) |
$67,600 |
$83,410 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors (NV) |
$38,600 |
$69,060 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a public health undergraduate degree to apply for an MPH in Nevada?
No. Both UNLV and UNR accept applicants from any accredited bachelor’s program. If your undergraduate background didn’t include public health coursework, UNR requires completion of a free, non-credit Basics of Public Health course before the program begins. Most applicants come from backgrounds in biology, social sciences, nursing, health administration, and related fields.
Is the GRE required for MPH programs in Nevada?
Not at either Nevada institution. UNLV doesn’t require standardized test scores for MPH admission. UNR no longer requires the GRE, though applicants with a GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 may submit scores as optional supporting materials to strengthen their application.
What is CEPH accreditation and why does it matter?
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is an independent accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Graduating from a CEPH-accredited program is a standard employer expectation in public health, and it’s often a requirement for state and federal public health agency positions. Both UNLV and UNR hold CEPH accreditation. UNLV’s School of Public Health is one of a limited number of CEPH-accredited schools of public health worldwide.
How long does it take to earn an MPH in Nevada?
Full-time students typically complete an MPH in two years. UNR’s online program is designed for completion in approximately 24 months, with applications accepted year-round. UNLV’s program follows a similar timeline for both in-person and online formats. Part-time options extend the timeline but allow students to continue working while completing the degree.
What jobs can I get with an MPH in Nevada?
An MPH opens doors in public health agencies, hospital systems, community health organizations, research institutions, and state and local government. Common roles for MPH graduates in Nevada include epidemiologist, health educator, social and community service manager, public health program coordinator, and environmental health specialist. The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Southern Nevada Health District, and Washoe County Health District are among the state’s largest public health employers.
Key Takeaways
- Nevada has two CEPH-accredited MPH programs, at UNLV and UNR, with online, in-person, and hybrid options available.
- UNLV’s School of Public Health is the first accredited School of Public Health in Nevada and one of a limited number of CEPH-accredited schools of public health worldwide.
- Neither Nevada MPH program currently requires GRE scores for admission.
- MPH graduates in Nevada work across public health agencies, hospital systems, research institutions, and state and local government.
- Median salaries for Nevada public health professionals range from approximately $38,600 for rehabilitation counselors to over $83,000 for epidemiologists nationally, according to BLS data.
Ready to explore accredited MPH programs in Nevada and beyond? Use our school finder to compare options by format, concentration, and location.
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
Public Health Resources in Nevada
Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH)
The state’s primary public health agency, covering environmental health, disease surveillance, behavioral health programs, and regulatory oversight of food safety and hospitality.
Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
Information on state health programs, regulatory compliance, public health news, and services across Nevada’s counties and districts.
UNLV School of Public Health
Program details, concentration tracks, admissions information, and research initiatives for UNLV’s CEPH-accredited MPH program.
UNR School of Public Health
Admissions requirements, curriculum overviews, and online program details for UNR’s CEPH-accredited MPH.
May 2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Social and Community Service Managers, Microbiologists, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Social Scientists and Related Workers, Biological Scientists, and Rehabilitation Counselors are based on Nevada state OEWS data. Epidemiologist figures represent national data. Job growth projections for epidemiologists are from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–34 edition. All figures represent state or national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
