Top 3 MPH Programs in Delaware

Small but mighty – that’s Delaware, and the MPH programs available here are no different. With two traditional options and one dual JD/MPH, you still have a good selection if you are looking to start your career as a public health worker.

We take you through the programs in Delaware, including their admissions, curriculum, tuition and other features. If you are looking to get your start in public health, then check out our options for MPH degrees.

Here’s our list:

1. University of Delaware MPH Program

The University of Delaware takes an interdisciplinary approach to public health education and combines faculty and resources from multiple departments and colleges. This structure gives you access to expertise in the College of Health Sciences and the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration. The learning environment mirrors real-life public health collaboration.

Program Overview and Mission

The MPH program at University of Delaware focuses on developing leaders who can create healthy, equitable communities that thrive. Three distinct concentration areas operate through the program. Each area sits in different academic units but shares a common interdisciplinary core.

Three concentration paths are available. The Community Health and Behavior concentration resides in the Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences within the College of Health Sciences. This track prepares you to assess population health status and needs, develop public health interventions, and create recommendations for community health improvement. You’ll learn assessment and skills in the context of social and behavioral change at individual, organizational, community levels and policy levels.

The Epidemiology concentration also sits in the College of Health Sciences. It gives you population health principles, epidemiological methods, biostatistics, and study design. This path suits those interested in careers with local, state, or federal public health agencies or research settings.

The Health Policy and Management concentration operates through the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. This track combines public health principles with policy application and prepares you for careers in healthcare institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies. Courses cover population health policy supplemented by program evaluation, financial management, conflict resolution, and health inequities.

Three core commitments advance public health through the program. First, it expands your capacity to understand, integrate, and use public health tools and methods in applied careers through engaging learning environments. Second, it conducts interdisciplinary research that reduces health disparities and improves lives in resource-constrained communities. Third, it participates in partnerships and collaborations to meet critical public health challenges.

Key Features and Format

Each concentration requires completion of 42 credit hours. This total breaks down into 15 credits of interdisciplinary core courses shared by all concentrations, 21 credits of concentration-specific coursework, and 6 credits dedicated to applied and integrative learning experiences.

The shared core reduces costs for curriculum development and maintenance. All students master foundational public health knowledge. The 21 credits of core courses create a common foundation before you diverge into specialized coursework. All three concentrations share these core elements, so you gain exposure to diverse perspectives from students in other tracks.

Case studies integrate throughout core courses and allow you to apply theoretical concepts to practical scenarios. These case studies prepare you for the hands-on components required by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Two experiential learning requirements distinguish this professional degree program. The Applied Practice Experience (APE) and Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) together account for 6 credits of your coursework. These high-quality experiences represent key features of the professional graduate program. Your capacity to complete meaningful APEs and ILEs benefits from close collaborations with the University of Delaware’s Partnership for Healthy Communities (PHC), Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), and other regional public health entities.

The Community Health and Behavior concentration supplements core courses with program planning and evaluation, health communication, and health behavior theory. Public health electives from the University of Delaware provide additional breadth.

The Epidemiology track emphasizes epidemiologic methods and biostatistics, supplemented by specialized content areas such as cancer epidemiology, disaster epidemiology, and public health surveillance.

The Health Policy and Management concentration layers population health policy courses with specialized content in program evaluation, financial management, conflict resolution, and health inequities.

You can complete the program through either 2-year or 3-year course plan options. Full-time students complete degree requirements within four consecutive regular semesters, including one summer term dedicated to the APE. Part-time students may extend their studies over more semesters. The program sets a maximum completion timeframe of up to 10 consecutive semesters from your matriculation date.

The completion of 42 credit hours ensures you master 12 foundational public health knowledge areas, 22 foundational competencies, and 4 concentration-specific competencies. This detailed structure prepares you for the multifaceted demands of public health careers in federal, state, or local governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, pharmaceutical industry, intergovernmental organizations, allied health fields, hospitals and healthcare providers, academic research, and public service settings.

Requirements and Financial Aid

The MPH program employs the SOPHAS Centralized Application System for Public Health for initial applications. You must complete both the SOPHAS application and a secondary supplemental application directly to the University of Delaware. MPH applications submitted solely through the University’s graduate application management system will not receive review unless you complete the full SOPHAS application first.

Your undergraduate academic record must demonstrate a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. The program may think about applicants with GPAs below 3.0 based on other application factors, as admission decisions follow a holistic review process. Meeting stated requirements does not guarantee admission. Failing to meet all requirements does not necessarily preclude admission if you offer other appropriate strengths as determined by the MPH Admissions Committee.

Your application package must include official undergraduate and graduate transcripts, at least two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement. The personal statement should describe your prior experience, specific interest in public health, and career goals. The Epidemiology concentration requests letters from persons qualified to judge your potential for graduate work.

Applications receive review on a rolling basis for fall semester admission. The program evaluates submissions based on your undergraduate record, TOEFL scores (if applicable), and letters of recommendation.

International students complete the same application process as domestic students. You must submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language unless your country of residency has English as an official language or you hold a higher education degree from an institution in a country with English as an official language. The minimum requirements outlined by the Graduate College apply to the MPH in Epidemiology program without additional language proficiency requirements.

The Epidemiology concentration participates in the University of Delaware English Language Institute’s conditional admissions options. The Conditional Admission Program (CAP) provides acceptance without requiring the TOEFL exam or with scores below the Graduate College requirement. You begin MPH coursework after completing Graduate CAP at the English Language Institute. The Graduate Pathways option serves as a one-semester preparation program for students whose language proficiency approaches the Graduate College admission requirement (65-79 on the TOEFL iBT or 6.0 on the IELTS). You take classes in English for graduate studies plus one MPH course with language support from the English Language Institute.

Funding support does not come with MPH admission as a professional degree. But several financial aid options exist for students in these MPH programs in Delaware.

The Biden School offers Masters Tuition Scholarships competitively, not guaranteed with admission. These scholarships cover a portion of tuition costs, with the average award reaching 30% of tuition costs. All master-level students can apply during the degree application process. The program awards tuition scholarships separately from research assistantships.

Research assistantships go competitively to full-time Biden School students. These positions support faculty research and Biden School-affiliated research and public service centers. As a graduate research assistant, you work 20 hours per week, including during the January winter session. The program assigns students to projects related to their research areas when possible, though assignments also depend on funding availability. Research assistantships may renew in subsequent years, subject to funding availability, provided you remain in good academic standing and complete project requirements satisfactorily.

Full-time students registered for at least 6 graduate credits each semester could receive funding through faculty-funded assistantships dedicated to executing start-up or grant-funded activities as directed by the faculty mentor. Continuation of this funding depends on availability and performance.

The University of Delaware supports eight AmeriCorps students in graduate programs for up to a maximum of two years. If a government or not-for-profit organization employs you, you might qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans.

The McNair Scholars Program, a federal TRIO program funded at 194 institutions in the United States and Puerto Rico, prepares undergraduate students for doctoral studies. McNair participants are either first-generation college students with financial need or members of groups underrepresented in graduate education who demonstrate strong academic potential. The program aims to increase graduate degree awards for students from underrepresented groups.

State of Delaware employees receive a 10% discount on all University of Delaware Online master’s degree programs. The University also provides a Graduate Application Fee Waiver for U.S. Veterans and Active Duty Military or Members of the National Guard or Reserves.

Nearly 80% of full-time graduate students receive merit-based financial awards. Fellowships, tuition scholarships, assistantships, and traineeships come from nominations by departments, awarded on the basis of merit. The University of Delaware may provide tuition scholarships to full-time graduate students who receive stipends for an entire semester or academic year as research, teaching, or graduate assistants or fellows.

The time limit for program completion begins with your matriculation date and appears detailed in your admission letter. Full-time students entering the program complete degree requirements within four consecutive regular semesters including one summer term. Part-time students have flexibility to complete requirements over more semesters, with the maximum timeframe extending up to 10 consecutive semesters.

2. Delaware State University Global Health and EPH MPH Program

Delaware State University launched its Master of Public Health program through the Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. The program offers a 100% online format that sets it apart among other programs in Delaware. Working professionals and students who require flexible scheduling find this format available to them.

Program Overview and Mission

The Global Health and Epidemiology MPH program equips future public health leaders with knowledge and skills. They learn to address health challenges in a variety of populations and geographic contexts. This program expands its scope beyond traditional public health practices. It covers global health disparities, disease prevention, and innovative solutions for population health improvement.

The Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences operates with a strategic vision. The college centers on delivering state-of-the-art educational programs guided by ethical standards. It prepares culturally competent, qualified professionals with appropriate knowledge and skills. These professionals serve diverse communities. This interdisciplinary approach combines community engagement, education, training, research, and behavioral healthcare.

The program integrates three core functions of public health into its curriculum: assessment, policy development, and assurance. These functions form the foundation. The coursework emphasizes global health equity and epidemiological research throughout. You gain preparation to analyze health disparities across subpopulations and address them. You learn to improve disease outcomes and boost global health systems for a healthier, more equitable world.

Public health principles have emphasized collective actions such as improving sanitation, shelter, clean water access, and nutrition. These foundational principles extend beyond local community concerns today. The program recognizes that modern public health professionals must understand how these principles apply across international borders and diverse cultural contexts.

The college works toward several specific goals that impact your educational experience. Faculty members cooperate across departments within the newly adjusted Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. The college seeks to get and maintain program accreditation and discipline-specific certifications. More, it increases retention and graduation rates. It expands online and hybrid offerings and develops additional graduate certificate and continuing education programs.

Key Features and Format

The accelerated 24-month program provides a chance to contribute to the advancement of global public health and epidemiology. This timeline allows you to enter the workforce or advance your career more quickly compared to traditional three-year programs.

The curriculum requires completion of 45 credit hours, excluding thesis credit hours. This structure delivers detailed training across five distinct focus areas. They prepare you for diverse public health challenges.

Global Health Foundations provides detailed training in the social determinants of health, health disparities, and the role of global systems in public health improvement. You get into how factors such as economic stability, education access, healthcare systems, neighborhood environments, and social contexts influence population health outcomes. The coursework explores how these determinants operate differently across countries and communities. This prepares you to develop interventions that fit different cultures.

Epidemiological Expertise develops advanced methodologies. You learn to analyze disease distribution, determinants, and outcomes. You learn to map disease patterns and implement effective interventions based on epidemiological data. This training enables you to identify risk factors, track disease progression, and evaluate intervention effectiveness across different population groups.

Global Disease Surveillance covers the study of global disease patterns, emerging infectious diseases, and health system responses to pandemics and environmental health crises. Recent global health emergencies showed the work to be done for professionals trained in disease surveillance systems. You get into how different health systems detect, report, and respond to disease outbreaks. This prepares you for roles in public health emergency preparedness.

Gene-Environment Interactions explores epigenomic factors in disease causation, survival, and mortality. The focus is on population health differentials such as race and ethnicity. This innovative component gets into how genetic factors interact with environmental exposures. They influence health outcomes. You study why certain populations experience different disease rates and outcomes, even when exposed to similar environmental conditions.

Research and Mentorship connects you with experienced faculty. They guide you through conceptualizing, conducting, analyzing, and disseminating research. This research informs evidence-based public health policies. Faculty mentors support your development as a researcher. They help you design studies, collect and analyze data, and communicate findings to diverse audiences. This hands-on research experience prepares you for careers in academic research, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations.

The online delivery format removes geographic barriers. You access course materials, participate in discussions, and complete assignments from any location with internet connectivity. This flexibility benefits working professionals who need to balance education with employment and personal responsibilities.

An alternative Epidemiology concentration exists within the program structure. It requires 48 credit hours excluding thesis. This option provides additional specialized training for students interested in epidemiological research and practice.

Requirements and Financial Aid

The admission process follows DSU’s standard graduate admission process with specific additional requirements. You must submit three professional letters of recommendation. These letters should come from individuals qualified to assess your academic capabilities, professional performance, or potential for graduate-level work in public health.

Your official transcript from an accredited baccalaureate program must show a minimum GPA of 2.5. This requirement makes the program available to a broader range of applicants compared to programs requiring 3.0 GPAs. The program reviews applications as a whole. It considers your entire academic record, professional experience, and potential for success in graduate studies.

The program operates on two admission cycles each year. Regular admission deadlines fall on July 15 for fall semester and October 30 for spring semester. Regular part-time admission extends these deadlines to August 10 for fall and November 15 for spring. These multiple entry points provide flexibility. You can plan your enrollment based on personal and professional circumstances.

You must qualify as a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen to receive federal or institutional aid. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). International students cannot access federal or institutional aid. All applicants for scholarships, grants, and tuition fee waivers must file and complete the financial aid process. This must happen before any aid can be applied to your student account.

Financial aid becomes available for graduate students through several mechanisms. Tuition fee waivers reduce your overall cost of attendance. Research fellowships via departmental grant funding support students working on faculty research projects. Departmental assistantships provide both financial support and professional experience. Federal loans offer additional funding options, and part-time employment opportunities exist on campus.

You should consult your program of interest regarding availability of specific funding opportunities. Funding levels and availability vary by semester. They depend on departmental budgets, grant awards, and enrollment numbers.

Graduate students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain financial aid eligibility. You must achieve a minimum cumulative DSU grade point average of 3.00 by the end of your second full semester. You must earn 67% of hours attempted and cannot exceed 150% of the hours required for degree completion.

A one-time appeal procedure exists for graduate students who fail to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements. You must submit a formal written letter of explanation to the Office of Academic Enrichment. Submit it no later than the drop for non-payment date for the semester in which you apply for Federal Financial Aid. Your appeal must be approved first. Then you must attain a 3.0 grade point average at the end of that semester to remain eligible for Federal Financial Aid.

Certain grade types cannot fulfill financial aid probation, suspension, or re-matriculation requirements. Credits by audit or special examination, grades earned from advanced placement or CLEP exams without prior approval, withdrawal or incomplete grades, and grades earned with zero credit do not count toward satisfactory progress.

Students seeking need-based scholarships must complete the FAFSA beginning October 1 each year. Submit your FAFSA by the priority deadline to receive priority consideration. The Office of Admissions offers scholarships for first-year, transfer, and international students. Some are awarded based on admission criteria while others require separate applications. Scholarships may renew each year provided you continue meeting specified renewal requirements.

Students may only receive aid until reaching the maximum hours limit of 150% of hours required for the program. Hours accepted by DSU in transfer count toward this maximum. Students who complete all coursework but have not yet received their degree or certificate lose financial aid eligibility for that program. Students with dual majors or those who change majors face the same hours limit without exceptions.

The Office of Financial Aid provides guidance through each step of the financial aid process. You must include Delaware State University’s school code of 001428 when completing the FAFSA. DSU receives your FAFSA within 7 to 10 business days after the U.S. Department of Education emails confirmation that processing is complete. Review your Student Aid Report and make any corrections needed after submitting your FAFSA.

Delaware State University sends a written request outlining required documentation if your FAFSA is selected for verification. Allow the Financial Aid Office 20 to 25 business days to review submitted documents. This can extend up to 40 days during peak processing times in late spring and summer.

3. JD/MPH Combined with Thomas Jefferson University

Widener University Delaware Law School’s Family Health Law & Policy Institute partners with the Jefferson College of Population Health to offer a dual degree pathway among MPH programs in Delaware. This collaboration targets students who foresee careers intersecting legal expertise with public health knowledge and prepares you for roles that require both skill sets at once.

Program Overview and Mission

The dual degree supports people seeking to improve careers in health law practice, advocacy and policy. This combination prepares you for professional positions that demand understanding of both legal frameworks and population health principles. Graduates find chances as private practice lawyers who specialize in health law, legal counsel for hospitals or medical institutions, government or non-government organizations developing policy and drafting legislation, or lawyers protecting rights of people with disabilities.

Jefferson’s Master of Public Health program carries accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and ensures your MPH credentials meet standards that are recognized across the nation. This accreditation matters when seeking employment with public health agencies, healthcare institutions or research organizations that require graduates from accredited programs.

The program prepares you with several distinct capabilities. You gain special skills to solve public health problems using legal tools and concrete understanding of how public health policies express themselves in laws and regulations. You learn to analyze legal environments while carrying out public health programs in compliance with legal requirements. You also develop skills to promote sound public health policy and comprehend legal ramifications of proposals for healthcare and social welfare reform.

Armed with knowledge of both public health policy and law, you can expect intriguing professional options. The nature of this program positions you for rewarding and challenging careers in the expanding field of health law, where traditional legal practice intersects with population health concerns more and more.

Key Features and Format

Students must meet admissions requirements for each school on their own, as admission to the JD and MPH programs is determined separately. Both institutions review applications using their own criteria and standards. Acceptance to one program does not guarantee acceptance to the other.

The typical pathway has law students completing two years of legal education before beginning the MPH program. During this period, you complete a minimum of 54 credits that represent either two years of full-time study or two and one-half years of part-time study toward the JD degree. You should maintain a minimum law school grade point average of 3.0 to qualify for the dual degree program, though exceptions may occur in some cases. Eligible candidates receive invitations for interviews at Jefferson.

Current Thomas Jefferson MPH students seeking the dual degree must complete the Delaware Law application, take the Law School Admission Test and complete all qualifying MPH coursework with a 3.0 or better grade point average. JCPH MPH students apply for law school after earning their degree in most cases.

The dual degree structure creates substantial time and cost savings. The JD degree requires 90 credits, while the MPH degree requires 45 credits. Students admitted to the dual degree program receive up to 12 credits toward the MPH degree for qualifying coursework taken as part of the JD program and 12 credits toward the JD degree for qualifying coursework taken as part of the MPH program. So this arrangement saves time and expense associated with 24 credits had you pursued the two degrees separately.

JD/MPH students complete 36 credits or 12 courses of MPH coursework. You also work with faculty to design and complete an independent research project on a topic of your choice. The curriculum has foundational courses such as Foundations of US Healthcare System, Foundations of Public Health, Society Behavior & Environment and Fundamentals of Statistics for Research. Core epidemiology and policy courses cover Fundamentals of Epidemiology, Foundation of Policy & Advocacy and Health Research Methods. Program planning skills develop through Program Planning & Evaluation, while general electives provide 9 credits of flexibility. The capstone experience spans two parts through LPHT Capstone courses, and you complete a Clerkship Applied Practice Experience. With 9 transferred credits, the total reaches 48 credits.

No credit toward the JD degree can apply for MPH coursework taken before matriculation at Delaware Law. Students admitted to the MPH/JD program complete a minimum total of 111 credits instead of the 135 credits required to complete each degree separately.

Both degrees can be completed within a period of three to seven years, depending on full-time or part-time enrollment. This flexibility accommodates working professionals or students with family obligations who need extended timelines while maintaining progress toward both degrees.

Classes occur onsite at Thomas Jefferson University’s Center City Philadelphia campus. Courses are offered during the day and after 5 pm to accommodate working adults. The academic calendar runs four semesters per year from September to June and has a pre-fall semester from June to August, fall semester from September to December, spring semester from January to March and summer semester from April to June. You can begin the program in any semester as either full-time or part-time student, though accelerated students start in the fall semester.

Requirements and Financial Aid

The application process requires separate submissions to each institution. We recommend that you first apply to Delaware Law and then apply to Thomas Jefferson University upon acceptance. But you must meet admissions criteria for each school, as admission is determined by each of the two schools on their own.

When applying to Jefferson’s MPH program, contact the JCPH Admissions & Recruitment Manager at (215) 503-5305. For Delaware Law School admissions questions, reach out to Admissions at (302) 477-2703. These direct contacts provide guidance specific to the dual degree pathway and can answer questions about coordinating applications between institutions.

Current law students should have completed sufficient credits and maintained required academic standing before applying to the MPH component. The minimum law school grade point average of 3.0 serves as a general guideline. Your law school performance demonstrates capability to handle rigorous graduate-level coursework across both programs at once.

Thomas Jefferson University provides financial aid through its Financial Aid Office and helps students secure federal, state, institutional and private funding to meet education costs. The office works with prospective and enrolled students on their own to ensure access to information and tools they need. You receive access to a financial aid counselor who guides you through available options.

The university commits to making education affordable for every qualified student and encourages applications for financial aid whatever your financial circumstances. Various Financial Aid Programs exist to support graduate students. The Financial Aid Office provides numerous support services to assist with financial literacy and educational debt management.

Graduate students with terminal degrees that have JD candidates can pursue the MPH through an Advanced Standing pathway. This program complements Jefferson’s existing efforts to train professionals to be more effective contributors to population and community health. Professionals with an MPH degree assume leadership positions in healthcare settings, state and local public health departments, non-governmental health organizations and global contexts.

The dual degree program received recent improvement through STEM designation for Public Health Programs and enables up to three years of work authorization in the United States for eligible international students. This designation expands chances for international students interested in the MPH/JD pathway to gain practical work experience after graduation.

Students can study full-time, part-time or on an accelerated pathway and choose to earn the degree online or through a combination of online and in-person classes. This flexibility extends to the dual degree program, where MPH coursework accommodates various scheduling needs while you complete remaining JD requirements.

The curriculum stresses leadership skills, systems thinking, health communication, global health and cultural humility and competency. These competencies complement legal training and create well-rounded professionals capable of navigating complex health policy environments.

For more information about this program, prospective students should contact both institutions to discuss their specific circumstances and career goals. The partnership between Widener Delaware Law School and Jefferson College of Population Health creates a pathway unavailable through traditional single-degree programs and positions you for careers at the intersection of law and public health.

Start Your Delaware MPH Today

Your career goals and outside circumstances determine the best MPH program for you. The University of Delaware offers interdisciplinary training with its three concentrations. Delaware State University provides you flexibility through its 100% online format so you could work or take care of family while going to school at the same time. The JD/MPH dual degree saves you 24 credits if legal expertise complements your public health aspirations.

Each program brings its own strengths worth considering. Take the time to review which format and timeline work best for your future goals. Inquire with a couple of programs to make sure you are making the best decision.