At a Glance
Ohio has several CEPH-accredited MPH programs, including Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University, and Ohio University. Most programs require 42-45 credit hours and take two years to complete full-time. Online and part-time options are available, and graduates pursue careers in epidemiology, health policy, biostatistics, and community health.
Ohio spends about $50 billion annually on healthcare costs tied to preventable chronic disease. The Health Policy Institute of Ohio ranked the state 44th out of 50 states and D.C. in 2024 on health value, a composite of population health outcomes and what the state spends to achieve them. That’s not a hopeless picture. It’s a demand signal. Ohio needs trained public health professionals, and it has built the infrastructure to produce them.
With multiple CEPH-accredited MPH programs, major research hospitals in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, and active state and local public health agencies across the state, Ohio is one of the more practical places to build a public health career. This guide covers what you’ll study, where you can earn your degree, what it leads to professionally, and what current BLS data says about pay and job growth.
Earning Your MPH in Ohio
Ohio has several CEPH-accredited MPH programs, offering more options than most states. The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is the independent accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for public health education. Its accreditation can matter for employer screening and eligibility for some roles, so it’s worth verifying before you apply anywhere.
Programs in Ohio cover the five core competencies required by CEPH: biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences. Most require 42-45 credit hours and two years to complete full-time, though part-time and accelerated options are widely available. Ohio’s CEPH-accredited MPH programs include:
- The Ohio State University College of Public Health: The first CEPH-accredited program in the state, with eight specializations including biostatistics, epidemiology, health behavior and health promotion, and a flexible online format for working professionals.
- Case Western Reserve University: Located in Cleveland with access to the Cleveland Clinic and the University Hospitals system. The MPH is housed in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences and can be completed in 16-21 months, depending on workload, with five concentrations and 11 dual-degree options.
- Kent State University College of Public Health: CEPH-accredited, with a global health concentration that includes international study requirements. Also offers undergraduate and doctoral degrees in public health.
- Wright State University: Describes its MPH as southwest Ohio’s first MPH program, with concentrations in global health, emergency preparedness, public health management, and health promotion.
- The Consortium of Eastern Ohio (CEOMPH): A partnership between the University of Akron, Cleveland State University, Northeast Ohio Medical University, and Youngstown State University. Designed specifically for working professionals, with a fully online curriculum and Saturday webinar instruction.
- University of Cincinnati: Strong emphasis on health management and environmental health, with research partnerships across the Cincinnati metro area.
- University of Toledo: Offers a generalist track suited to students who want broad preparation rather than a narrow specialty. Part of the Association for Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH).
- Ohio University: Fully online, CEPH-accredited MPH with 7-week course formats designed for working professionals. No GRE required. Graduates receive a built-in Epidemiology Certificate.
Online and Part-Time Options
Most Ohio MPH programs offer formats that work around full-time employment. Ohio University and Ohio State’s Program for Experienced Professionals are fully online and asynchronous. The Consortium of Eastern Ohio uses a hybrid webinar model, combining online coursework with some synchronous Saturday sessions. Kent State and the University of Cincinnati offer part-time tracks that extend the program to three or four years.
If you’re already working in public health, nursing, health administration, or a related field, the part-time and online options don’t require you to step away from your career. Most programs also allow you to complete your applied practice experience at your current employer if the placement meets accreditation requirements.
Admission Requirements
You don’t need an undergraduate degree in public health to apply. Most Ohio MPH programs accept graduates from any bachelor’s background. Common feeder fields include nursing, health administration, nutrition, business, and social work. Verify current GRE requirements directly on each program’s admissions page, as policies vary and some programs have waived this requirement.
- Official transcripts from all prior institutions
- A personal statement (500-1,000 words)
- Two or three letters of recommendation
- A current resume or CV
- GRE scores (verify current policy on each program’s admissions page)
MPH Concentrations Available in Ohio
Ohio’s programs collectively offer a wide range of concentrations. The ones most in demand for Ohio’s public health priorities include:
Epidemiology: Prepares graduates to investigate disease patterns and contribute to surveillance systems. Epidemiologists at the Ohio Department of Health work on everything from communicable disease tracking to opioid overdose monitoring. Learn more about careers in epidemiology.
Health Policy and Management trains students to navigate the intersection of health systems, legislation, and program administration. Ohio’s ongoing work to reduce the burden of chronic disease relies on professionals who understand how policy is developed and implemented at the state and county levels
Biostatistics: Focused on quantitative methods and data analysis. Ohio State’s biostatistics-focused MPH is among the region’s more specialized options, preparing graduates for data-intensive roles in health agencies and research institutions.
Global Health: Kent State requires global health students to complete study abroad time, with options in Florence and Geneva, including potential internship placements with the World Health Organization.
Environmental Health: Ohio has significant environmental health concerns tied to industrial history and agricultural runoff. Environmental health concentrations prepare students for work with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and related agencies.
Public Health Careers and Salaries in Ohio
Ohio employs public health professionals across 113 local health departments, major hospital systems such as OhioHealth and the Cleveland Clinic, state agencies, including the Ohio Department of Health, and university research programs. The state’s chronic disease burden and active policy response create consistent demand for MPH-level professionals in program evaluation, epidemiology, and health administration. For a broader look at the field, see our guide to public health careers.
The following salary and job growth data come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). These are national figures. Ohio state-level figures may differ.
| Occupation |
Median Annual Wage |
Job Growth (2024–34) |
| Epidemiologists |
$83,980 |
+16% |
| Social & Community Service Managers |
$78,240 |
+6% |
| Mathematicians & Statisticians |
$103,300* |
+8% |
| Microbiologists |
$87,330 |
+4% |
Epidemiology is worth highlighting here. The 16% projected growth rate is well above the national average of 3% for all occupations, and an MPH is the standard entry-level credential for the field. Ohio’s investment in chronic disease surveillance and overdose monitoring has created epidemiologist positions at the state and county level that were largely non-existent a decade ago.
Where MPH Graduates Work in Ohio
Ohio’s county and city health departments each employ public health professionals, and many of the larger ones, including Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, and Summit counties, run their own epidemiology, environmental health, and community health programs. The Ohio Department of Health coordinates statewide initiatives and hires across several program areas. Major hospital systems, including OhioHealth, the Cleveland Clinic, and Premier Health, also employ public health professionals in population health and community benefit roles.
On the research side, Ohio State’s College of Public Health, Case Western Reserve, and the Consortium of Eastern Ohio all maintain active research partnerships with state and federal agencies. For graduates who want to work in academic public health, Ohio’s concentration of universities offers options that most states don’t.
Resources for Ohio Public Health Students and Professionals
These organizations are useful starting points for internship placements, professional development, and staying current on Ohio-specific public health issues.
Ohio Department of Health: The state agency overseeing public health programs, disease surveillance, and the Chronic Disease Plan. Lists internship and employment opportunities and publishes data on key health indicators statewide.
Ohio Department of Higher Education: Information on accredited degree programs, tuition assistance, and state scholarship opportunities for graduate students.
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH): The accrediting body for MPH programs. You can verify whether a specific program holds current accreditation on its website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a public health background to apply for an MPH in Ohio?
No. Ohio’s MPH programs accept graduates from any undergraduate field. Many students come from nursing, health administration, nutrition, social work, and business backgrounds. What programs look for is a clear sense of how an MPH connects to your professional goals, which you’ll articulate in your personal statement.
How long does it take to earn an MPH in Ohio?
Full-time students typically complete an MPH in two years. Accelerated options at some programs allow completion in 12 to 16 months with a heavier course load. Part-time options extend the program to three or four years, which works well for professionals who can’t step away from their current roles.
Which Ohio MPH programs are CEPH-accredited?
Ohio’s CEPH-accredited MPH programs include Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University, Wright State University, the Consortium of Eastern Ohio, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Toledo, and Ohio University. You can verify the current accreditation status of any program at ceph.org before you apply.
What can I do with an MPH in Ohio?
Ohio MPH graduates work across local health departments, hospital systems, nonprofit organizations, and university research programs. Common roles include epidemiologist, health program administrator, biostatistician, public health analyst, and community health educator. Ohio’s active investment in chronic disease reduction and overdose prevention has created consistent demand at both the state and local level.
Key Takeaways
- Multiple CEPH-accredited programs. Ohio has more accredited MPH options than most states, including Ohio State, Case Western, Kent State, Wright State, Cincinnati, Toledo, CEOMPH, and Ohio University, with flexible online and part-time formats available at most schools.
- No public health background required. MPH programs welcome graduates from nursing, business, social work, and other fields, provided your personal statement connects the degree to your goals.
- Strong growth in epidemiology. BLS projects 16% job growth for epidemiologists from 2024 to 2034, driven by Ohio’s chronic disease and overdose surveillance programs.
- Ohio’s health challenges create career opportunities. The state’s ongoing work to reduce chronic disease burden means consistent hiring at Ohio’s 113 local health departments, the Ohio Department of Health, and major hospital systems.
Ohio’s MPH programs prepare graduates for the public health challenges the state is actively working to solve. Find CEPH-accredited programs near you and compare formats, concentrations, and admission requirements.
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
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Epidemiologists, Social and Community Service Managers, Mathematicians and Statisticians, and Microbiologists represent national data, not school-specific information. *Median wage and growth figures for Mathematicians and Statisticians reflect the combined BLS occupational category. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
