At a Glance
A Master of Public Health (MPH) in Vermont prepares graduates for careers in program administration, epidemiology, biostatistics, and health policy. The University of Vermont offers the state’s only CEPH-accredited MPH program, available fully online. Most programs require a bachelor’s degree and take two years to complete full-time, with part-time and accelerated options available.
Vermont has the second-highest share of residents aged 65 and older of any state in the country, at 22.1%, according to 2023 data from the Population Reference Bureau. That demographic reality shapes everything about public health in Vermont: the programs that get funded, the careers that grow fastest, and the graduate-level skills employers need most. For public health professionals who want to work at the intersection of policy, data, and community health, the MPH degree is the standard credential.
This page covers what to expect from a master’s in public health degree in Vermont, which program options are available, and what careers and salaries the degree leads to.
MPH Programs in Vermont
Vermont has one CEPH-accredited MPH program: the online Master of Public Health offered by the University of Vermont (UVM) through its Larner College of Medicine. CEPH accreditation is granted by the Council on Education for Public Health and is the national standard for public health graduate programs, recognized by employers, licensing boards, and federal health agencies.
UVM’s program is 42 credits and can be completed fully online, which matters in a state where most residents live outside Burlington. Full-time students typically finish in one to two years. Part-time students can take up to five years. An accelerated option allows current UVM undergraduates to complete both a bachelor’s degree and the MPH in a total of 5 years.
The program offers a generalist MPH or a concentration in Global Health Leadership. All students complete core coursework in biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health policy and management, social and behavioral sciences, and public health and health policy, covering the six foundational competency areas recognized by CEPH. Students also complete an Applied Practice Experience, a brief work-based learning component at a public health organization in their area.
For Vermont residents who want an on-campus experience, options are available through programs in neighboring states, including New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York. Many are also CEPH-accredited and accept out-of-state applicants, sometimes with reduced tuition for New England residents through regional compacts.
Earning an MPH in Vermont
The MPH follows a multidisciplinary structure that prepares graduates for roles in program administration, health policy, data analysis, and community health. Whether you’re coming from a clinical background, a social services career, or a data-heavy field like biostatistics, the degree is designed to build on what you already know while filling in the public health framework.
Admission Requirements
Requirements vary by program, but these are the most commonly required elements across accredited MPH programs:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (any major)
- Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended
- Some programs may require or accept GRE scores, though many waive or do not require them. Applicants with graduate degrees or professional credentials such as the LSAT, GMAT, or MCAT are often exempt.
- Statement of purpose (typically 500–1,500 words)
- Current resume or CV
- Two or three letters of recommendation
One semester of college biology or a math course in algebra or statistics may also be required, depending on the program. Professionals from nursing, health administration, public administration, social work, and education are commonly found in MPH cohorts. If cost is a factor in your decision, our scholarships and grants for public health students guide covers funding options available at the graduate level.
Specializations and Focus Areas
Most MPH programs supplement their core curriculum with optional focus areas. Students who want to develop expertise beyond the generalist framework can concentrate their electives in areas like these:
Health Communication: Designed for professionals who want to shape public health messaging and advocacy campaigns. Coursework typically covers social marketing, health disparities, and global health communication strategies.
Health Policy: Focused on the development and evaluation of policies that affect health outcomes at the local, state, and federal levels. Courses often include public health law, global health diplomacy, and qualitative research methods.
Program Planning and Evaluation: Built for professionals who will design, implement, and measure the effectiveness of public health initiatives. Vermont’s state-level programs, from immunization efforts to chronic disease prevention, rely heavily on professionals with this training.
Global Health: Aimed at students interested in international health systems, cross-border disease prevention, and health equity on a global scale. Coursework includes climate change and health, environmental epidemiology, and monitoring and evaluation of health programs in low- and middle-income countries.
Program Format Options
Most accredited MPH programs are available in multiple formats. Full-time students typically complete the degree in two years. Part-time students, who make up a large share of MPH enrollment nationally, can take 4 or 5 years, depending on the program. Some programs offer an accelerated 12-month track that covers the same curriculum at a significantly faster pace, which is practical for working professionals who can commit to an intensive course load.
Job Growth for MPH Graduates in Vermont
Vermont’s aging population isn’t just a demographic statistic. It’s the primary driver of demand for the public health workforce in the state. As the share of residents over 65 continues to grow, so does the need for professionals who can design and manage the programs that serve them. Several occupations common among MPH graduates have a strong national job outlook, and Vermont’s Department of Labor has identified health-related management and science roles as high-demand in the state.
The following national job growth projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reflect the 2024–2034 outlook for occupations commonly held by MPH graduates:
| Occupation |
Projected Growth (2024–2034) |
Outlook |
| Epidemiologists |
16% |
Much faster than average |
| Statisticians |
8% |
Much faster than average |
| Social & Community Service Managers |
6% |
Faster than average |
| Microbiologists |
4% |
As fast as average |
| Rehabilitation Counselors |
1% |
Slower than average |
Epidemiologists stand out for their strong national and Vermont-specific outlooks. State-level epidemiology positions in disease surveillance, environmental health, and chronic disease tracking are a consistent source of employment for MPH graduates. For more on what the role involves and what it pays, see our guide to careers in epidemiology.
Salaries for Public Health Professionals in Vermont
Salary ranges for Vermont public health professionals reflect both the state’s relatively small labor market and the premium employers place on graduate-level training. The figures below are national median annual wages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024) for occupations commonly held by MPH graduates. State-level figures for Vermont may vary. BLS state data for these occupations is available at the BLS OES state data page.
| Occupation |
National Median Annual Wage |
| Statisticians |
$103,300 |
| Epidemiologists |
$83,980 |
| Microbiologists |
$87,330 |
| Social & Community Service Managers |
$78,240 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors |
$46,110 |
An MPH doesn’t guarantee any particular salary. Experience, setting, and specialization all matter. But the degree does move graduates into the management and research tiers of public health work, where compensation is meaningfully higher than in direct-service roles.
Career Opportunities for MPH Graduates in Vermont
The Vermont Department of Health employs MPH graduates in a range of program management, policy, and research roles. The department runs programs in chronic disease prevention, immunization, environmental health, maternal and child health, and emergency preparedness, each of which requires professionals who can manage budgets, interpret data, and coordinate across agencies.
Beyond the Vermont Department of Health, MPH graduates work in community health organizations, federally qualified health centers, nonprofit health advocacy groups, and academic research settings. Vermont’s strong network of rural health programs, supported in part by ongoing HRSA funding, also employs public health administrators and program evaluators with graduate training. Browse our full guide to public health careers for a broader look at roles and sectors available to MPH graduates.
Three roles that consistently appear in Vermont public health job postings for MPH holders include community public health program administrators (responsible for managing program objectives, interpreting federal requirements, and ensuring quality control), chronic disease program specialists (who plan and implement initiatives around tobacco prevention, obesity, and related conditions), and public health policy advisors (who evaluate program outcomes and develop procedural standards). All three typically require a master’s degree in public health or a closely related field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a CEPH-accredited MPH program in Vermont?
Yes. The University of Vermont offers the state’s only CEPH-accredited MPH, available fully online through the Larner College of Medicine. The 42-credit program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis and includes an Applied Practice Experience component.
Can I earn an MPH in Vermont online?
Yes. UVM’s MPH is fully online, which makes it accessible to working professionals across the state. Several accredited programs based in other states also accept Vermont residents and can be completed without relocating.
What can I do with an MPH in Vermont?
MPH graduates in Vermont work in program administration at the Vermont Department of Health, in research and data analysis roles, in chronic disease prevention, in community health organizations, and in health policy. The degree is also common among professionals transitioning from clinical or social services roles into management and policy positions.
How long does it take to earn an MPH?
Full-time students typically complete an MPH in two years. Part-time options allow up to four or five years, depending on the program. Some accelerated tracks compress the degree into 12 months for students who can manage a heavier course load.
Do I need a specific undergraduate degree to apply to an MPH program?
No. A bachelor’s degree in any major from a regionally accredited institution is generally sufficient for admission to an MPH program. Backgrounds in nursing, health administration, social work, public administration, and education are common among MPH students. Some programs may require a basic science or math course as a prerequisite.
Key Takeaways
- Vermont has one CEPH-accredited MPH program, offered fully online by the University of Vermont through its Larner College of Medicine.
- Vermont’s aging population is the second-highest share of residents 65+ in the country at 22.1%, driving sustained demand for public health professionals in the state.
- Epidemiologists are projected to see 16% employment growth nationally from 2024 to 2034, the strongest outlook among occupations commonly held by MPH graduates.
- MPH programs accept applicants from any undergraduate major, with backgrounds in nursing, social work, health administration, and education, all of which are common among enrolled students.
- Roles at the Vermont Department of Health in program administration, chronic disease, and health policy consistently require a master’s degree in public health or a related field.
Ready to find an accredited MPH program that fits your schedule and career goals? Browse options by state and program type.
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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
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Rehabilitation Counselors, Epidemiologists, Microbiologists, Statisticians, and Social and Community Service Managers represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
