At a Glance
North Carolina has several CEPH-accredited MPH programs, including the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, which is consistently ranked among the top schools of public health in the U.S. Most programs require approximately 42–45 credits, take 2 years full-time, and offer concentrations in epidemiology, health policy, and community health. Online options are available at UNC Gillings and Lenoir-Rhyne University.
According to America’s Health Rankings 2024, North Carolina ranks 36th in overall health outcomes nationally. According to recent CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, about 13 percent of adults in the state have diabetes, and 35 percent have been diagnosed with hypertension. Those numbers don’t improve on their own. They improve when trained public health professionals design programs, analyze data, shape policy, and coordinate services. A Master of Public Health (MPH) is the standard credential for that work.
The state has a well-developed public health infrastructure, anchored by the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, which is consistently ranked among the top schools of public health in the U.S. Several other accredited programs offer students options across geography, format, and specialization.
MPH Programs in North Carolina
All major MPH programs in North Carolina are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the national accrediting body for public health education. CEPH accreditation signals that a program meets established standards in curriculum, faculty qualifications, and applied practice requirements. Employers and licensing boards widely recognize it.
Here are some of the CEPH-accredited programs in North Carolina:
- UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health (Chapel Hill) — Consistently ranked among the top schools of public health in the U.S., offering 11 on-campus concentrations and an online MPH (MPH@UNC) with concentrations in applied epidemiology, health policy, leadership, and nutrition. No GRE required for the online program.
- East Carolina University (Greenville) — Offers concentrations in community health and health behavior, epidemiology, and health policy, administration, and leadership. On-campus and online formats available.
- UNC Charlotte — Focuses on health equity and urban community health, with concentrations in community health practice, epidemiology, physical activity and nutrition, and population health analytics.
- UNC Greensboro — Part of the School of Health and Human Sciences, with an emphasis on applied public health practice.
- Lenoir-Rhyne University (Hickory) — Among the private universities in North Carolina with a fully CEPH-accredited MPH. Offers a 100% online format with a concentration in community health.
- Appalachian State University (Boone) — An online MPH with a rural resilience focus that began enrolling students in 2024. Ideal for professionals interested in rural and mountain community health.
- Campbell University — Offers an MPH with flexibility for working professionals.
Most programs require approximately 42–45 credit hours and include core coursework in biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences. A supervised applied practice experience, typically around 200 hours or more, depending on program requirements, is required for all CEPH-accredited programs.
Online vs. On-Campus MPH Options
If you’re a working professional or can’t relocate, North Carolina has strong online MPH options. UNC Gillings’ online MPH (MPH@UNC) shares faculty and core curriculum elements with the on-campus program and is one of the most recognized online public health degrees in the country. Lenoir-Rhyne’s fully online MPH is a more compact, CEPH-accredited option with a community health concentration.
East Carolina University and UNC Charlotte offer hybrid formats, with some courses online and others in person, which can work well for students in eastern or central North Carolina who want face-to-face engagement without full-time commuting. Appalachian State’s online MPH meets synchronously one evening per week, making it manageable alongside a full-time job.
When comparing programs, look beyond format. Check whether the program is CEPH-accredited, what concentrations are available online, how the applied practice experience is structured for remote students, and whether the faculty who teach on campus also teach online. Those factors affect the quality of your degree regardless of the delivery method.
Earning Your MPH in North Carolina
Admission Requirements
Most North Carolina MPH programs require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Many programs, including UNC Gillings’ online MPH and ECU, have eliminated the GRE requirement to improve access. You’ll typically need two or three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a current resume. For a full breakdown of what programs typically ask for, see our guide to MPH admission requirements. Some programs value relevant work or volunteer experience in public health or a health-related field, though it’s generally not required for admission.
Concentrations and Specializations
The five core competencies that all CEPH-accredited MPH programs cover are biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences. Beyond the core, most programs offer concentrations that let you develop deeper expertise in a specific area. Common options in North Carolina include:
- Epidemiology — Disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and research design. Strong job market both in state government and research institutions. See our full guide to careers in epidemiology.
- Health Policy and Administration — Program development, legislative analysis, and healthcare systems management. Common pathway into management roles.
- Community Health and Health Behavior — Designing and evaluating programs that reach underserved populations. Especially relevant given North Carolina’s persistent health disparities by race and geography.
- Global Health — Cross-border health issues, international program implementation, and global disease surveillance.
- Environmental Health — Occupational safety, environmental exposures, and public health response to climate-related threats.
Program Length and Format Options
Full-time students typically complete an MPH in two years. Accelerated options can compress this to 12–15 months with a heavier course load. Part-time formats allow up to 4 years to complete, which works well for professionals balancing work and graduate study. Lenoir-Rhyne’s online program, for example, can be completed in about 20 months.
Financial Aid and Funding
Most North Carolina MPH programs offer graduate assistantships in research or teaching that offset tuition and provide stipends. CEPH-accredited programs also tend to attract federal training grants. The CDC and HRSA both fund public health workforce development. Schools like UNC Charlotte offer assistantships specifically designed to give MPH students hands-on experience while reducing out-of-pocket costs. UNC Greensboro’s School of Health and Human Sciences administers several merit-based scholarships for MPH students. It’s worth contacting the financial aid office at each program you’re considering, since funding availability changes each year.
Where MPH Graduates Work in North Carolina
North Carolina’s public health workforce is distributed across state and local government, health systems, universities, and nonprofits. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is the largest public employer of public health professionals in the state, with divisions covering disease prevention, environmental health, maternal and child health, behavioral health, and health disparities. Local health departments in all 100 North Carolina counties also employ MPH graduates in program management, epidemiology, and health education roles.
Beyond government, major employers include UNC Health, Atrium Health, Duke Health, RTI International, and Cone Health. Research-oriented graduates often land with universities, the CDC’s state-based programs, or private pharmaceutical and biotech companies in the Research Triangle Park area.
Salaries and Job Growth for Public Health Professionals in North Carolina
The following salary and job outlook data come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2024 figures, using national data. North Carolina-specific figures may vary based on local labor market conditions.
| Occupation |
Median Annual Wage |
10-Year Growth (2024–2034) |
| Medical and Health Services Managers |
$117,960 |
23% |
| Epidemiologists |
$83,980 |
16% |
| Social and Community Service Managers |
$78,240 |
6% |
| Health Education Specialists |
$63,000 |
4% |
| Community Health Workers |
$51,030 |
11% |
The Research Triangle, home to UNC Chapel Hill, Duke, NC State, and Research Triangle Park, concentrates a significant share of the state’s highest-paying public health positions, particularly in research, biotech, and federal contracting. Epidemiologists working in scientific research and development settings typically earn well above the overall occupational median.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CEPH-accredited MPH programs are in North Carolina?
North Carolina has multiple CEPH-accredited MPH programs, including programs at UNC Chapel Hill (Gillings), East Carolina University, UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Appalachian State University, and Campbell University. CEPH accreditation is the standard quality benchmark for MPH programs and is typically required for careers in government public health agencies.
Can I complete an MPH in North Carolina online?
Yes. UNC Gillings offers a fully online MPH (MPH@UNC) with concentrations in applied epidemiology, health policy, leadership, and nutrition. Lenoir-Rhyne University also offers a 100% online CEPH-accredited MPH with a community health concentration. Appalachian State’s online MPH meets synchronously one evening per week and is designed for working professionals.
Do I need a GRE score to apply to an MPH program in North Carolina?
Many programs have dropped the GRE requirement. UNC Gillings’ online MPH and East Carolina University no longer require GRE scores. Requirements vary by program, so check the admissions page for each school you’re considering. Most programs still require letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and official transcripts.
What can I do with an MPH in North Carolina?
An MPH opens roles across the state’s public health infrastructure, including NCDHHS, local health departments in all 100 North Carolina counties, health systems such as UNC Health and Atrium Health, research organizations such as RTI International, and nonprofits focused on health equity. Common roles include epidemiologist, health program manager, public health analyst, community health educator, and policy analyst.
How long does it take to complete an MPH?
Full-time students typically finish in two years. Accelerated options can cut that to 12–15 months. Part-time programs allow up to four years. Most CEPH-accredited programs require approximately 42–45 credit hours and include a supervised applied practice experience of at least 200 hours in a public health setting.
Key Takeaways
- North Carolina has multiple CEPH-accredited MPH programs, led by the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, consistently ranked among the top schools of public health in the U.S.
- Online MPH options are available through UNC Gillings and Lenoir-Rhyne University, both of which are fully CEPH-accredited and designed for working professionals.
- Most programs require approximately 42–45 credit hours, take two years full-time, and include a supervised applied practice experience in a real public health setting.
- Epidemiologists see a 16 percent projected growth from 2024 to 2034. Medical and health services managers, a common MPH career path, project 23 percent growth with a median wage of $117,960.
- North Carolina’s public health workforce spans state agencies, academic medical centers, Research Triangle Park employers, and nonprofits across all 100 North Carolina counties.
Ready to find MPH programs in North Carolina that fit your goals? Browse accredited options and compare program formats, concentrations, and locations.
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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 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job outlook figures for Medical and Health Services Managers, Epidemiologists, Social and Community Service Managers, Health Education Specialists, and Community Health Workers represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
