The Best MPH Programs in Kansas
As a public health professional in Kansas, you may deal with emergency preparedness or the issues facing rural communities or even expanding access to health services for the elderly. Kansas is facing a public health crisis. The state dropped from the 8th healthiest to the 27th healthiest in the U.S. This makes your decision to pursue an MPH program in Kansas even more important.
The university options here are great. You’ve got a public school choice in University of Kansas or Kansas State University, or you can even attend online through neighboring University of Nebraska.
Check out our program reviews so you can see what Kansas has to offer.
1. University of Kansas Master of Public Health – Generalist Program
The KU-MPH program is the only fully accredited MPH program in Kansas to hold membership in the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) has accredited the program since 1998, and it recently received reaccreditation extending through December 31, 2032. The Department of Population Health at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City and the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita offers this 42 credit hour graduate program. Students can choose from three distinct pathways: Epidemiology, Generalist, and Public Health Practice concentrations.
Program Overview and Features
The program’s mission centers on improving public health for all in Kansas, the Heartland, and the nation through excellence in education, discovery, and community engagement. Graduates pursue diverse careers across governmental public health, non-profit organizations, academic research, and healthcare organizations. Common positions include epidemiologist, public health program manager, health policy analyst, and environmental health specialist. Government agencies such as the CDC and FDA employ many graduates, in addition to state and local health departments.
Class sizes ensure personalized attention throughout your studies. Required core classes enroll 15-25 students, while concentration and specialized courses maintain smaller groups of 10-15 students. Full-time students complete the required 42 credit hours over a 2-year period and must enroll each Fall, Summer, and Spring. Part-time students normally complete requirements within 4 years of admission, though the program allows a maximum of 7 years for degree completion.
Curriculum and Concentrations
The program requires successful completion of 21 credit hours of core courses, whatever concentration you choose. These foundational courses cover Principles of Epidemiology, Community Health Assessment, Public Health Administration, Environmental Health, Leadership in Public Health, Management of Public Health Data, and Health Communication.
Beyond core requirements, you must complete 15 credit hours of concentration-specific coursework, a 3-credit internship, and a 3-credit capstone project. The curriculum breakdown is different depending on your concentration.
The KU-MPH internship requires 192 hours of service-learning in a community setting. Students structure this as 12 hours per week for a 16-week semester during PRVM 891 Public Health Internship. Placement sites include county and state health departments, healthcare clinics, and not-for-profit public health agencies. Students welcome the flexibility to arrange their own internship at an agency that lines up with their career goals, or they can employ the network of KU-MPH partner organizations.
The capstone experience also spans 192 hours and requires you to combine knowledge across your MPH curriculum, especially when you have chosen your concentration. Each capstone is different by concentration, and your capstone committee determines which projects suit your track. Students often design capstones that meet specific needs in their internship setting or broader community.
Delivery Format and Flexibility
You must choose a home campus (Kansas City or Wichita) and a concentration during the application process. The program accommodates both campus locations without requiring travel between sites. Courses occur during afternoon and early evening hours in Kansas City. Wichita courses take place in the evening.
The KU-MPH program partnered with the KU Edwards Campus to launch the online Generalist concentration and tap into Edwards Campus expertise in workforce development across the Kansas City metropolitan region and nationwide. Students can complete only the Generalist concentration 100% online. Students admitted to the MPH-Generalist concentration access all courses remotely, which provides maximum scheduling flexibility for working professionals.
Admission Requirements
The Schools of Public Health Application Services (SOPHAS) operates admission to the program competitively. The minimum undergraduate GPA requirement is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a regionally accredited institution. Your bachelor’s degree must be conferred before entering the program.
Math prerequisites are different by concentration. Epidemiology students must complete one semester of calculus, while Public Health Practice and Generalist concentrations require one semester of an upper-level math course. Applicants who do not meet the 3.0 GPA threshold can contact the MPH Director to discuss alternative admission pathways.
Your application materials must include three letters of recommendation from employers, instructors, or others who can assess your academic and professional potential. A resume or curriculum vitae that documents your education, work background, honors, and memberships is required. You must submit a 1-2 page personal statement that describes your career goals and motivation for pursuing graduate training in public health.
The program prefers demonstration of one or more years of responsible work experience in the health field, a degree in a recognized health profession, or other evidence of adequate preparation for the MPH curriculum. The University of Kansas Medical Center requires a criminal background check prior to admission, which may affect program eligibility.
International applicants face additional requirements. Those whose native language is not English must submit official TOEFL scores. All international students must provide an evaluation of academic credentials from World Education Service (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). The program’s hybrid format means it currently does not meet F1 Visa sponsorship requirements. Applicants receive decisions 4-6 weeks after final deadlines.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The total program cost is different based on residency status, concentration selected, transfer credits, scholarships, and any joint degree enrollments. Estimated annual tuition for Kansas residents is $8,548, while out-of-state residents pay $20,108. Required fees add $1,119 each year. These figures assume 18 credit hours per year, though actual costs depend on your enrollment pattern.
Funding opportunities exist through multiple channels. Departments administer most funding for new graduate students, and some programs consider all applicants for fellowships or assistantships automatically. Merit-based, discipline-specific fellowships require separate applications beyond your departmental submission. Graduate Teaching Assistants, Graduate Research Assistants, and Graduate Assistants receive tuition support, wages, or funding in exchange for teaching or administrative support.
Domestic students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to access federal aid opportunities. KU provides subscription access to the PIVOT database, a searchable tool for finding funding opportunities tailored to your research needs. Federal student loans or scholarships are not available to international students, and they must be financially prepared to handle the full cost of attendance.
2. Kansas City University Dual Degree MPH Programs
Kansas City University partners with the University of Nebraska Medical Center to offer osteopathic medicine and dental students dual degree opportunities combining their professional doctorate with a Master of Public Health. Through collaboration with UNMC, this program addresses the need for future healthcare practitioners to possess knowledge in population and public health. You can pursue either a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Master of Public Health (DO/MPH) or Doctor of Dental Medicine and Master of Public Health (DMD/MPH), depending on your primary program of study.
Program Overview and Features
The partnership emerged in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which emphasized public health’s role in medical outcomes. Students gain advanced skills that prepare them to respond to future pandemics and other infectious diseases. New obstacles in public health continue to affect communities and healthcare systems adversely. KCU dedicates itself to preparing students who can improve community well-being.
The DO/MPH represents one of three dual-degree programs offered through the KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine on both Kansas City and Joplin campuses. Dual degrees offer KCU-COM students advantages for staying competitive when applying for residency placement after graduation. Students who complete the program develop a more complete understanding of their future patients’ overall health and potential health disparities. This preparation gives them the tools for the ground realities of caring for people whose health can be affected by complex and often intangible factors such as environment and societal biases.
Curriculum and Concentrations
The MPH curriculum delivered through UNMC College of Public Health spans four years for a total of 42 credit hours. The online program follows a timeline that integrates with your medical or dental school coursework.
Years 1 and 2 consist of five core classes totaling 15 credits:
- Foundations of Public Health
- Epidemiology in Public Health
- Biostatistics I
- Leadership and Advocacy
- Planning and Evaluation
You earn a Certificate in Public Health from UNMC upon completion of the first two years. Students who complete these five foundational courses over the two-year period receive this credential. It provides value even if you choose not to continue. Those who elect to pursue the full MPH degree complete the remaining UNMC College of Public Health curriculum over an additional two years.
You complete coursework for 27 additional credits during years 3 and 4 to earn your master’s degree. This structure allows flexibility. You can stop at the certificate level or continue to the full degree based on your career goals and schedule.
Delivery Format and Flexibility
The public health curriculum is offered online and delivered over the four-year period. This format allows you to balance your primary medical or dental school responsibilities while pursuing public health education. All coursework occurs remotely through UNMC’s online platform and eliminates travel requirements to Nebraska.
The program operates on both KCU campuses in Kansas City and Joplin. This makes it available whatever your COM campus location. You complete all MPH requirements while maintaining your primary enrollment at KCU. The online delivery ensures scheduling flexibility for managing both degree programs without conflicts.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the dual degree program requires current enrollment as an osteopathic medical or dental student at KCU. The program serves KCU students pursuing their DO or DMD degrees. You must apply to the MPH program beyond your initial KCU admission.
Application deadlines vary by year. The program set a November 1 deadline previously. Contact the KCU admissions office or MPH program coordinator for current application timelines and requirements. The competitive application process reviews your academic performance and commitment to public health education.
Tuition and Financial Aid
KCU offers several scholarships for new and returning students based on academic performance and promise. You become eligible for recruitment scholarships through achievement you showed in your primary program. Receipt of any full-tuition scholarship negates eligibility for additional KCU scholarships.
Financial aid opportunities follow standard KCU policies for dual degree students. Your enrollment in both programs may affect total aid packages and borrowing limits. Contact the KCU Office of Financial Aid to understand how dual degree enrollment affects your financial situation and scholarship eligibility.
3. K-State Olathe Master of Public Health Program
Kansas State University expanded its Master of Public Health degree program to Greater Kansas City through K-State Olathe. The program brings specialized public health education to the metropolitan area. The Council on Education for Public Health has accredited the program. It prepares you to address health issues at local, state, national and international levels.
Program Overview and Features
K-State Olathe provides access to two of the program’s four emphasis areas: food safety and biosecurity, and infectious diseases and zoonoses. Director Ellyn Mulcahy is an associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine. She notes these areas complement the region’s robust animal health and food science industries. This creates a natural fit for workforce development through education.
The food safety and biosecurity emphasis addresses complex policies, globalization and international trade throughout the food production cycle. You learn to identify and categorize risks, challenges and solutions relating to food safety and security within the food system continuum. The infectious diseases and zoonoses emphasis concentrates on emerging infectious diseases and prevention programs. It also covers public response capabilities to bioterrorism and biosecurity emergencies. You’ll study coordination of rapid response among core organizations during outbreaks.
Faculty experts from multiple departments and fields teach courses. This ensures you gain understanding of public health and your chosen emphasis area. This interdisciplinary approach draws on core strengths within the Colleges of Agriculture, Arts and Sciences, Human Ecology and Veterinary Medicine.
Curriculum and Concentrations
The program requires 42 credit hours to complete. Each student completes 15 credit hours of core curriculum covering five broad public health aspects: Epidemiology, Environmental Health Sciences, Biostatistics, Health Service Administration and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Specific core courses have Statistical Methods for Natural Scientists, Environmental Health, Introduction to Epidemiology, Administration of Health Care Organizations and Social and Behavioral Bases of Public Health.
You complete 21 credit hours in your selected emphasis area beyond core requirements. The program concludes with a public health practice component. This requires either a 6-hour field experience and report, or a 6-hour thesis with 3 hours of field experience and combined report. This flexibility allows you to tailor your experience to your career objectives.
Delivery Format and Flexibility
Course format varies depending on the partnering department that offers each class. Classes are taught online, in-person and through hybrid combinations of both delivery methods. The program offers many online courses now, though not all areas can be completed online. Courses are scheduled throughout the day to accommodate working students. This means afternoons and evenings.
Classes occur at Kansas State University’s Manhattan campus or via the Internet. The Olathe location provides access to K-State’s MPH resources while serving the Greater Kansas City workforce. Instructors rely on Internet platforms for course communication, content dissemination and testing across all delivery formats.
Admission Requirements
You must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Your minimum GPA should be 3.0 in your last 60 hours of coursework. Applications receive consideration based on undergraduate training and overall academic performance. GRE scores are not required.
Your application package has a narrative letter of two to three pages. This should address your interest in the MPH degree, professional goals, emphasis area preference, relevant experiences and meaningful academic moments. You must submit official transcripts, though unofficial versions are enough during the application process. Three letters of reference from advisors, professors, employers or other professionals who can assess your graduate study potential are required.
Recommended application deadlines are July 1 for fall enrollment, November 1 for spring enrollment and April 1 for summer enrollment for domestic students. International students face a January 1 deadline for fall semester admission only. International applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores of 550 or above.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition costs $479.16 per credit hour for the 42-credit hour program. K-State Olathe offers JCERT scholarships. Master’s degree students are eligible for awards up to $5,000. Scholarship amounts range from $500 to the maximum based on fund availability, merit and need. Recipients must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and good academic standing. Application deadlines are July 1 for fall awards and December 1 for spring awards. You’ll receive notifications within one month.
4. University of Nebraska Medical Center Online MPH Program (Available to Kansas Residents)
Kansas residents can now access UNMC’s fully online MPH program, which expands public health education options beyond state borders. The program serves students in 43 U.S. states and 38 countries.
Program Overview and Features
The UNMC College of Public Health provides a 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This enables tailored education and research experiences. Over 90% of MPH students secure career positions within 12 months of graduation. The program holds CEPH accreditation and addresses health status, outcomes, and needs in special populations that include racial and ethnic minorities, children, and women.
Curriculum and Concentrations
You complete 45 credit hours in three tracks: Biostatistics, Environmental and Occupational Health, and Public Health Practice. Core coursework covers epidemiology, biostatistics, health administration, health promotion, and environmental health. The program requires 6 credit hours of combined practicum and capstone experience.
Delivery Format and Flexibility
The asynchronous online format allows full or part-time study over 2-3 years. Fall and Spring start dates provide scheduling flexibility. Weekly modules require multiple sign-ins to interact with faculty and peers.
Admission Requirements
You need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Submit three letters of recommendation, a one-page personal statement, and resume. The GRE is optional but recommended if your GPA falls below 3.0. International applicants require TOEFL (80 internet), IELTS (6.5), or Duolingo (120) scores.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Residents pay $421 per credit hour, while non-residents pay $1,172 for programs admitted Fall 2024 and forward. Online students pay a single rate whatever their residency. Financial aid options include scholarships, assistantships, and federal loans.
Find Your Kansas MPH Today
Kansas offers several MPH programs that will fit different career goals and learning priorities. You can choose from CEPH-accredited KU programs with their specialized concentrations, dual-degree opportunities at Kansas City University, the industry-focused K-State Olathe emphasis areas, or the flexible online format through UNMC.
Kansas continues facing many important public health challenges. Now is the perfect time for you to pursue your MPH degree since this is a growing field with a lot of job security.