Top Online MPH Programs in California (CA)
If you’re passionate about public health and ready to take your career to the next level, a master’s in public health (MPH) can position you as a leader equipped to tackle today’s critical health challenges. California, the nation’s most populous state, urgently needs skilled public health professionals to address pressing issues ranging from environmental threats to healthcare equity. Online MPH programs offer the flexibility to pursue your degree without sacrificing your current responsibilities.
This STEPS guide highlights California’s best online MPH programs, comparing key factors like curriculum specialties, tuition costs, and career outcomes so you can confidently choose the right program.
Comparing California’s Online MPH Programs
California’s many colleges and universities mean that you’ll have plenty of options to consider when applying for online MPH programs. Some of these programs will be fully online, while others may be hybrid programs with mandatory in-person elements such as practicums and internships. Along with these considerations, you’ll also want to assess tuition costs, student services, and admission requirements. Plus, several schools offer specialization opportunities in areas such as community health and epidemiology. To aid in your search and analysis, we’ve profiled three high-quality California online MPH programs.
University of Southern California
The online MPH program at the University of Southern California (USC) is delivered via its medical school, the Keck School of Medicine, and is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The program has three start dates per year for maximum flexibility, and once enrolled, you can choose a concentration in biostatistics-epidemiology, health services and policy, community health promotion, and global health. Comprising only four semesters in length, this is considered an accelerated program, and USC prides itself on having the only online MPH in the country delivered through a highly ranked medical school. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school for consideration.
Duration: 2 years
Mode: Online
Cost: $98,868
Curriculum:
- Foundations of Public Health
- Practice of Public Health
- Principles of Biostatistics
- Principles of Epidemiology
- Plus four courses in your concentration
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco, a private Catholic university in the Bay area, offers a hybrid MPH program to be completed over the course of six semesters at either their San Francisco or Orange County campuses. Once enrolled in the program, you’ll be able to choose a concentration in either applied epidemiology and population health methods, behavioral health, community and public health practice, or health policy and leadership. Your concentration will determine much of your course schedule, in addition to your core course requirements. At the end of the program, you will complete an applied practicum and integrated learning experience to gain hands-on public health experience.
Duration: 3 years
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $27,990
Curriculum:
- Classes vary based on campus location and concentration
California State University—Northridge
The online MPH program at Cal State University Northridge is offered through their Tseng College of Graduate and Midcareer Education. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree from an accredited school with a minim GPA of 3.0, or, if you do not meet the GPA requirement, you must submit GRE scores to be considered for admission. Although this is a fully online program, you will also complete 300 hours of field research and a directed comprehensive project. Your supervised field placement will take place in your local community.
Duration: 2.5 years
Mode: Online
Cost: $33,936
Curriculum:
- Current Issues in Public Health
- Environmental and Occupational Health Problems
- Advanced Concepts of Health Behavior
- Cultural Issues in Healthcare
- Program Planning and Evaluation
- Curriculum Development in Health Education
- Seminars: Epidemiology, Community Health Action
- Research Design
- Field Training
- Advanced Biostatistics for the Health Sciences
- Administration, Supervision and Consultation in Health Education
- Communication in Health Education
- Directed Comprehensive Project
Get Answers: MPH Student FAQs
What kind of jobs can MPH graduates get in California?
After you finish your online MPH program in California, you’ll be eligible for a host of public health jobs in fields ranging from research to education to community service. If you choose an area of concentration as part of your MPH program, this may steer the direction of your future job applications and career. Some MPH graduates go on to complete PhDs in public health and pursue a long term career in academia.
How long does it take to complete an online MPH in California?
As you can see from the school spotlight profiles above, the time to complete an online MPH program in California is typically two years of full-time study, but this can vary. Some accelerated programs can be completed in less than two years. Plus, if your school offers the opportunity to study part-time, this will result in a longer overall time to complete your degree.
Can I work while I study my online MPH in California?
Some online MPH students choose to hold down a job, either in a relevant field or simply to help finance their degree. That said, full- or even part-time jobs can be difficult to juggle alongside a full courseload. Be sure that you can balance both your academic and professional responsibilities if you choose to work while you study.
Are there scholarships for online MPH students in California?
There are a variety of scholarships available for online MPH students in California. These include federal grants and loans, which you can apply for via the FAFSA, as well as any financial aid offered through your school, including need-based and merit-based aid. Finally, check out private scholarship funds for MPH students, graduate students, etc.
Are online MPH programs in California accredited?
It is crucial that your online MPH program be from an accredited school. Particularly important to employers and potentially to schools where you might pursue continuing degrees, accreditation means that your school meets certain standards and can legitimately award degrees. In addition while entire schools are often accredited, some programs may also hold programmatic accreditations.
Earnings and Careers for MPH Graduates in California
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | Epidemiologists | $54,950 | $132,230 | $81,390 |
| California | Epidemiologists | $64,050 | $138,320 | $99,340 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Epidemiologists | $68,350 | $133,830 | $86,460 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | Epidemiologists | $48,850 | $115,890 | $81,490 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | Epidemiologists | $82,060 | $137,030 | $106,660 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | Epidemiologists | $65,160 | $123,640 | $82,440 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | Epidemiologists | $85,820 | $192,300 | $119,660 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Epidemiologists | $89,440 | $142,950 | $90,320 |
Source: Epidemiologists, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Occupation | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Epidemiologists | 10,000 | 12,700 | 2,700 | 27.00% |
| California | Epidemiologists | 1,200 | 1,500 | 300 | 25.00% |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
California Resources for MPH Students & Professionals
As a student in a California online MPH or as a public health professional it’s important for you to connect with other professionals, continue your education, and stay abreast of developments in public health. Here are a few of the resources to help you along the way.
California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems: This organization represents all seventeen of California’s public healthcare systems, both large and small. They are a trade association that works to advance public health policy and health equity across the state.
California Department of Public Health: The California Department of Public Health’s website includes information on various health topics that concern people around the state, such as the opioid crisis, air quality, prenatal screenings, and veterinary public health.
California Public Health Association–North: This branch of the American Public Health Association sponsors continuing education, networking, and more.
Public Health Services of San Diego County: This is a local public health office for one of the more populated counties in Southern California. Public health students can explore job opportunities, local initiatives, and more.
Southern California Public Health Association: Like its NorCal counterpart, this is a membership and advocacy organization that sponsors continuing education and more for public health professionals.
Ranking California’s Best Online MPH Programs
While the best school for you is based on a host of individual factors and circumstances, the following rankings offer a holistic way to assess some objective criteria. To devise the rankings we’ve taken into account multiple factors, including availability of online classes, resources available to online students, financial aid opportunities, graduation rates, and more. Check out the “methodology” tab for more details on the best online MPH programs in California.
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Private
California Baptist University
Riverside, California
Private
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, California
Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, California
Public
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Private
