At Johnson & Wales University, combine your passion for health, leadership and advocacy with our Master of Public Health (MPH) degree — a comprehensive program focused on preparing future leaders through experiential, hands-on learning.
Starting in the first course, students participate in real-world problem-solving. The program culminates in two courses, Improving Community Health and the Public Health Capstone, where you’ll work with community partners to apply public health skills to contemporary challenges.
The MPH program is committed to offering an exceptional student experience. Our hybrid MPH degree offers one year, full-time and part-time options to maximize work-life balance; evening classes to accommodate work schedules; in-person classes for stronger collaborative learning and online courses for additional schedule flexibility.
You don’t need to have prior experience in public health or healthcare to pursue this degree. Public health integrates a diverse range of skills from multiple disciplines, and JWU’s MPH program invites applicants from all backgrounds.
*The estimated cost per credit rate is effective for the 2026–27 academic year and is subject to change annually. The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated total amount it will cost a student to attend JWU each year. For more information, contact Student Financial Services.
Accelerated One-Year MPH Now Available
JWU’s One-Year Master of Public Health (MPH) program is an accelerated pathway to transform your passion for public health into a rewarding career. This full-time, year-round program trains you to address 21st-century public health challenges in just 12 months, so you can put your knowledge into action sooner.
Use practice- and research-based epidemiological methodologies to assess population health
Use your knowledge to develop a public health intervention to improve community health
Evaluate public health program and policy impact using observational, experimental or quasi-experimental methodologies
Evaluate the effect of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on individual and community health
Develop a comprehensive plan to create and promote an environment that supports healthy decision-making
Program Sequence
2-year (full-time) and 4-year (part-time) options
15 courses (45 credits total)
Hybrid study: 12 in-person and 3 online courses
2 course-based applied learning opportunities
The JWU Advantage
When you choose to earn your MPH degree at Johnson & Wales University, you’re taking the first step towards impacting change using the Wildcat Way — embracing a passion for lifelong learning, critical thinking, problem-solving and ethical stewardship in your community. Our program’s many advantages include:
Real-world experience: Gain real-world experience by collaborating with community stakeholders to identify and solve today’s public health issues. Each course integrates a specific skill with a unique content area, allowing you to immediately apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world situations. Examples include:
How to use effective health communications to stop the spread of infectious disease
How biostatistics can inform you about chronic disease risk factors
Utilizing effective advocacy to improve nutrition
Comprehensive curriculum taught by faculty experts: Learn from our internationally-recognized faculty, who bring their wide-ranging public health experiences to your student experience. Our MPH degree integrates core public health knowledge across numerous different content areas.
Small state, big impact: Offered at our campus in Providence, Rhode Island, JWU’s MPH degree takes advantage of Rhode Island’s small size and diverse opportunities to provide an immersive and comprehensive public health education.
Flexible schedules: We know flexibility is important to you. With full- and part-time options — plus flexible class times — you can design your MPH program to fit your schedule.
Reduced costs: By eliminating the use of textbooks, maximizing the use of open-educational resources and implementing hybrid courses options, we aim to minimize the non-tuition costs of your degree.
Career Options
Your opportunities for a rewarding career are extensive with your public health degree from JWU. According to a recent Public Health Workforce Interest & Needs (PH WINS) survey*:
87.2%
Feel a sense of workplace belonging
86%
Rate of job satisfaction
80.8%
Self-reported healthy work-life balance
Salary Information
In the United States, the average Master of Public Health (MPH) degree holder’s salary is $88,254.** In addition, you may explore multiple career options,*** including:
Some professions may require additional study, background checks, certifications, licenses, exams and/or experience as required qualifications for employment. Students are responsible for verifying that they can meet the employment requirements of potential employers.
Even though it was a new program, I like that it started from a place of compassion for the community from day one: ‘This is what we want this program to be. We want you to be part of it, but we also want you to know we’re all making this together.’”
Zachary Gabbert ’27 MPH candidate
Public Health Faculty
At JWU, our internationally-recognized MPH faculty bring their wide-ranging expertise to your student experience. As practitioners, researchers and educators, they understand that the future of public health relies on collaboration, coordination, and the application of practice- and research-based epidemiological methodologies.
Students in JWU’s MPH program complete hands-on capstone projects to address real-world public health challenges — often leading to presentations and to journal publications.
Here, five MPH students prepare to present their 2026 capstone projects, showcasing their impactful public health research and solutions. Our graduate students develop practical skills such as assessing population health, designing community interventions and analyzing data. What health trends, determinants and populations will you study while making your mark as a future public health advocate?
I love the small class size, especially with my cohort. It’s nice being in such a welcoming environment.”
Kaitlyn Maggiore ’19, ’25 MPH
Johnson & Wales University is dedicated to recruiting students from local colleges and universities through articulation agreements. JWU maintains articulation agreements with the following institutions to provide a pathway for undergraduate students to matriculate into this program:
Assumption University
Bridgewater State University
Dean College
Providence College
Springfield College
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
The Johnson & Wales University Master of Public Health (MPH) program is an applicant for accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The accreditation review will address the MPH Generalist degree. Other degrees and areas of study offered by this institution will not be included in the unit of accreditation review. Additional information on the application and accreditation process is available via CEPH.
You must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited US or international institution before matriculation into this program. There are no course-based prerequisites for entry into the program. Students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Admissions Criteria
The following criteria for admission into JWU’s MPH program include:
Minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited undergraduate college or university or a minimum 2.6 GPA with at least 5 years of work experience
To apply, click the yellow “Apply Now” button. Select “Graduate,” then “In Person.”
This program accepts applications on a rolling basis, but we urge students to apply as soon as possible.
GREs or other standardized tests are not required.
Admissions Process
Each application is reviewed by the Master of Public Health Program Admissions Committee. Preference for acceptance is given to applicants who can demonstrate their commitment to public health issues and the ability to complete graduate-level coursework. There is no interview during the MPH admissions process.
What are the admissions requirements for JWU’s MPH program?
The following criteria for admission into JWU’s MPH program include: -Earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate college or university -Minimum 3.0 GPA or a minimum 2.6 GPA with at least 5 years of work experience -Submit a résumé/CV -Submit a personal statement -Submit transcripts -Submit 2 letters of recommendation
Are there application deadlines?
There is no preferred deadline, but we encourage interested applicants to complete the application process as early as possible.
Do I need to submit my GRE scores?
No. GRE scores are not required for application to the MPH program.
Do I need a specific bachelor’s degree to apply?
JWU’s MPH program encourages students with any bachelor’s degree to apply to our program. We do not require a specific degree for consideration.
Does the program have prerequisite requirements?
There are no prerequisite course requirements for JWU’s MPH program. We encourage students to complete a course in biostatistics or statistics in preparation for those program components.
How long will it take to complete JWU’s MPH program?
Full-time students will complete the MPH program in 2 years. Part-time students will complete the program in 4 years.
Are scholarships available?
Any graduate who holds a bachelor’s degree from any JWU program at any JWU campus is eligible to receive the Wildcat Alumni Scholarship, which provides a 25% tuition discount. Unfortunately, there are no full scholarships available to applicants. Domestic students can apply for financial aid via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you need assistance, contact your financial planner.
What is the Cost of Attendance (COA) for the MPH program?
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated total amount it will cost a student to attend JWU each year. The COA includes: -Tuition and fees -On-campus housing (or a housing and food allowance for off-campus students) -Allowances for books & supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and federal loan fees
In an effort to decrease the COA for students, JWU’s MPH program does not require the purchase of textbooks, and we will evaluate other methods to reduce the COA as they become available.
How much will textbooks cost?
To minimize the costs to students, the MPH program utilizes open educational resources in every course. Textbooks are not required in any course.
When are JWU MPH courses held?
JWU MPH courses that meet in-person are typically held in the evening to accommodate working schedules. Some courses will be offered online to provide students with additional flexibility.
Will I be assigned a faculty advisor?
Yes. All JWU MPH students are assigned a faculty advisor. Faculty advisors are a resource for students as they navigate the program and begin their public health careers.
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