The 7 Best Masters in Public Health Programs in Georgia
Georgia has great options for public health programs, depending on what area of public health you want to work in. You can go online or in-person, based on what is convenient for you. Whether you want to work in a government agency or for a private organization, the opportunities in Georgia are endless. Not only that, but due to its location as a major travel hub, Atlanta is a major player when it comes to disease tracking and prevention.
We’ve reviewed all of the MPH options in Georgia and selected seven of our best programs to help you narrow it down and decide.
University of Georgia — Athens
Program name: On-campus Master of Public Health
Program Overview and What Sets It Apart
The University of Georgia’s College of Public Health earned full seven-year reaccreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health in 2023, the maximum term awarded by the only independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit public health programs. The college was founded in 2005 to address health concerns throughout Georgia and has grown to have over 200 faculty and staff, 900 students, and more than 3,000 alumni.
The class of 2022 achieved a 95% placement rate. Graduates secure positions at prominent organizations that have the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Amazon, Emory University, Georgia Department of Public Health, Kaiser Permanente, US State Department, FEMA, FDA, and Johnson & Johnson. Roughly 10% of graduates continue to advanced degree programs at institutions such as Augusta University, Emory University, Mercer University, University of Florida, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Notre Dame, and Clemson University.
The college maintains over $30 million in active research grants and brought in $18 million in new research funding during fiscal year 2023. This strong research focus provides students hands-on experience tackling public health issues while working with communities both locally and around the world.
MPH Program Options and Format
UGA has both on-campus and online MPH formats. The online program launched in January 2024 and expanded access for working professionals who need flexibility. Students can select from seven concentration areas: Biostatistics, Disaster Management, Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Gerontology, Health Policy and Management, and Health Promotion and Behavior.
UGA provides six combined degree pathways for students pursuing dual credentials: DVM/MPH, PharmD/MPH, MSW/MPH, MD/MPH, MBA/MPH, and the Double Dawgs Pathway. Graduate certificates are available in Gerontology, Global Health, Disaster Management, Infectious Disease, Obesity and Weight Management, and Social Determinants of Health.
The online format uses a cohort model during the first year. Students take core courses together before moving to more flexible enrollment patterns in subsequent years. Online students complete the same rigorous curriculum as on-campus students and have hands-on learning experiences in the field.
Key Features and Requirements
The program requires 44 credit hours total. This has 15 credits of core coursework covering fundamentals in biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, health policy and management, and health promotion and behavior. Students complete 21 credits in public health domains and 8 credit hours focused on professional training and applied practice experience.
The Applied Practice Experience spans 300 hours over one semester, though students can extend it to two semesters with prior approval. A dedicated practice coordinator oversees 200 approved sites where students can complete this requirement. Students may choose existing partnerships or identify unique opportunities for new collaborations. Students can pursue the Applied Research track as an alternative and spend two consecutive semesters conducting field research and completing a publishable manuscript with a faculty mentor.
The GRE is no longer required to be admitted. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum 3.0 GPA recommended. You can transfer up to 8 credits from another accredited institution if the coursework falls within a 6-year timeframe and you earned a B or better. Study abroad opportunities exist in Thailand and Japan, with a third site proposed for Northern Europe.
The College awards a limited number of graduate assistantships. These positions require 13-20 hours of work per week and provide tuition waivers, though student fees remain the student’s responsibility. Completing the online program costs approximately $30,668 in tuition based on 2024-25 rates.
Campus and Location Details
The Health Sciences Campus occupies 58 acres between Prince and Oglethorpe Avenues near downtown Athens. The campus has served students for more than 120 years and became the official home for the College of Public Health in 2012. Rhodes Hall houses administrative offices, while B.S. Miller Hall contains the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Wright Hall hosts the Department of Health Policy and Management and the Department of Health Promotion and Behavior. The Wright Hall Annex serves as home for the Global Health Institute. Hudson Hall houses the Institute of Gerontology, and the Commissary building contains the Institute for Disaster Management.
The campus functions as a complete academic environment with housing, food services, library resources, and recreational activities alongside teaching and research facilities. Athens has a college town atmosphere with cultural activities, and Atlanta sits just one hour away for additional professional opportunities.
Emory University — Atlanta
Program name: Master of Public Health
Program Overview and What Sets It Apart
Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University holds the #2 ranking among accredited schools and programs of public health. Rollins was founded in 1990 and has grown to serve more than 1,100 students pursuing master’s degrees and over 150 students in doctorate programs. The Council on Education for Public Health granted the school full accreditation through July 1, 2027, the maximum seven-year term awarded.
The campus sits directly adjacent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This positions students at the center of public health practice. Faculty and students cooperate with organizations that include The Carter Center, CARE, the American Cancer Society and the Task Force for Global Health. This proximity creates exceptional opportunities for internships, research partnerships and professional networking. The school maintains over $30 million in active research funding. Students can participate in advanced public health investigations.
MPH Program Options and Format
Rollins offers seven MPH concentrations through its six academic departments. Students can specialize in Behavioral, Social and Health Education Sciences, Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Global Health, or Health Policy and Management. The school also provides unique programs in Global Environmental Health and Global Epidemiology.
The Executive MPH program transitioned to a 100% online format starting fall 2023. This change removed the previous requirement that mandated in-person weekend sessions while maintaining rigorous academic standards. Working professionals can now complete their degree online, with optional residency sessions available for those who want face-to-face interaction with faculty and peers. The Executive MPH offers two concentration tracks: Applied Epidemiology, which tracks disease patterns in populations, and Prevention Science, which focuses on developing community-based interventions.
Rollins provides dual degree options with Emory’s School of Law, Goizueta Business School and Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing for students seeking additional credentials. An accelerated 12-month MPH in Global Health serves experienced professionals and compresses the curriculum into three semesters.
Key Features and Requirements
All MPH programs require 42 credit hours of coursework. This has core courses across public health disciplines, a 200-hour applied practice experience in a professional setting, and an Integrative Learning Experience where students complete a capstone project or thesis. The applied practice experience places students in public health agencies, institutions or community organizations under professional supervision.
Admission standards reflect the program’s competitive nature. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA, though admitted students average 3.32. Most concentrations do not require the GRE and will not think over it in admission decisions. But the Biostatistics department offers a GRE optional policy where students may submit scores to consider. International students whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency through TOEFL scores of at least 79-80 (iBT) or IELTS scores of 6.0.
The 2026 academic year tuition totals around $53,600 for the full program. Most MPH concentrations span four semesters, though the accelerated Global Health track completes in three semesters. Students accepted into the Executive MPH have at least three years of professional public health experience.
Campus and Location Details
The Rollins School of Public Health occupies three connected buildings at 1518 Clifton Road on Emory’s main campus: the Grace Crum Rollins Building, Claudia Nance Rollins Building and R. Randall Rollins Building. The facilities operate Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with 24-hour card access for RSPH community members. The Michael Street Parking Deck sits adjacent to the Claudia Nance Rollins Building.
The campus sits in Atlanta’s historic Druid Hills neighborhood and combines a traditional college setting with urban access to Midtown, located just minutes away. Atlanta ranks among the top U.S. cities for Fortune 500 headquarters. The city offers more than 3,000 internships across healthcare, business, technology and nonprofit sectors. Students can explore the High Museum of Art, Alliance Theater and the 22-mile BeltLine that connects 45 neighborhoods.
Augusta University — Augusta
Program name: Master of Public Health Online
Program Overview and What Sets It Apart
The Council on Education for Public Health accepted Augusta University’s Master of Public Health program application to transition from an accredited MPH program to a full School of Public Health. This marked a major step forward. The institution now houses seven distinct programs: Master of Public Health and Master of Science degrees in biostatistics, clinical translational science, data science, and epidemiology, plus Doctor of Philosophy degrees in biostatistics and applied health sciences.
Augusta University holds a unique position among MPH programs Georgia offers. It is Georgia’s only public academic health center. The MPH program has maintained continuous CEPH accreditation since 2009, and the most recent seven-year reaccreditation term extends through December 31, 2029. The program first admitted students in fall 2005 when the institution operated as the Medical College of Georgia.
MPH Program Options and Format
The program delivers about 90% of content through online courses. The remaining 10% requires attendance at the Health Sciences Campus. This online structure supports working professionals who pursue graduate education and maintain career responsibilities at the same time. You can complete the degree in two years, though the maximum allowable timeframe extends to five years to match Graduate School protocol.
Four concentration options let you specialize your MPH degree in Georgia:
Health Informatics develops skills to design, implement and analyze health information systems across healthcare settings of all types. Health Management prepares you for leadership positions and provides interdisciplinary skills with public health expertise. Social and Behavioral Sciences gives you the tools to propose initiatives that address psychological and emotional elements of public health. Epidemiology focuses on using informed decisions to guide public health interventions and policy.
Medical students can pursue an MD/MPH dual degree path and add 39 credit hours to their medical curriculum. Both degrees are conferred at the same time upon completion of the MD program.
Key Features and Requirements
The CEPH-accredited curriculum requires 45 semester credit hours minimum. You’ll complete core courses across public health domains, concentration-specific coursework in your selected area, a 2-credit internship (field practicum) and a 3-credit capstone (culminating experience).
Admission requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a minimum 2.8 GPA. You’ll submit official transcripts for all post-secondary education, three letters of recommendation and a curriculum vitae. You must also demonstrate computer literacy with high-speed internet access.
The program accepts applications three times annually with specific deadlines: December 12 for spring admission, May 1 for summer entry and July 15 for fall enrollment. Applications received after these dates receive consideration on a space-available basis.
Graduates pursue a variety of career paths. Health management directors earn median annual salaries of $110,680. Data scientists average $108,020, epidemiologists make $81,390 and social and community service managers earn $77,030.
Campus and Location Details
The Health Sciences Campus serves as the primary location for required on-campus coursework. Note that international students with F-1 or J-1 status cannot meet study requirements due to insufficient on-campus course work. The university will not issue I-20 or DS-2019 forms for MPH enrollment.
Augusta provides a tight-knit community with individualized attention from engaged, experienced faculty. The city offers students customized fieldwork and professional opportunities that prepare them for workforce entry. Students benefit from public university tuition rates and access in-demand concentrations. Knowledgeable faculty help build public health leadership skills.
Georgia State University — Atlanta
Program name: Master of Public Health
Program Overview and What Sets It Apart
Georgia State University School of Public Health sits in the heart of Atlanta. The school became the first public university in metro Atlanta to earn CEPH accreditation. MPH program-level accreditation came in 2007, and the school transitioned to full school-level accreditation in June 2016. The CEPH Board of Councilors reaccredited the school for a seven-year term through December 31, 2028.
U.S. News & World Report ranks Georgia State among the Top 30 Public Programs for Best Public Health Schools. The school maintains over $0.00 million in sponsored funding for FY 2025 and supports research that addresses urgent health challenges. Faculty bring expertise from organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, community nonprofits and the private sector.
MPH Program Options and Format
Georgia State expanded online access beginning fall 2025. All six MPH concentrations became available online. The concentrations span Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Environmental Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management and Health Promotion and Behavior. Online courses are designed and taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus, and you earn the same degree.
You can enroll in both in-person and online classes whatever your chosen format. Online MPH courses are offered asynchronously or synchronously at the discretion of faculty members. The school also launched a Graduate Certificate in Applied Biostatistics, available in person and online.
Tuition operates on a residency-neutral basis at $450.00 per credit hour. All students pay the same rate whatever their geographic location. Enrollment in six or more credit hours requires an additional $660.00 per semester online learning fee[284].
Key Features and Requirements
Applications go through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS). You must choose a concentration before submitting. Required materials include a personal statement limited to one single-spaced page or two double-spaced pages, CV/resume, official transcripts from all institutions you attended and three references. The GRE is not required for admission. TOEFL scores are mandatory for international applicants whose native language is not English.
Application deadlines for fall admission are February 15 as the priority deadline for scholarship consideration and international applicants. June 15 is the regular deadline. Spring admission operates on an October 1 priority deadline and November 1 regular deadline.
All MPH students complete an Applied Practice Experience. You can set this up as remote, hybrid or in-person. Students have completed APEs at organizations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization to health systems and community-based organizations.
Campus and Location Details
The School of Public Health occupies the Urban Life Building at 140 Decatur Street SE. Administrative offices are on the fourth floor. Additional facilities include Petit Science Center at 1000 Piedmont Avenue. The Atlanta campus location gives you access to a global hub of public health expertise with exceptional opportunities to learn from field leaders.
Georgia State operates six campuses and serves more than 50,000 students. The Atlanta Campus weaves into downtown and offers exceptional access to career pathways and experiential learning opportunities.
Georgia Southern University — Statesboro
Program name: Master of Public Health
Program Overview and What Sets It Apart
SR Education Group ranked the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University as the #1 Master of Public Health program in the nation. Student reviews from 2018 formed the basis of this ranking and placed Georgia Southern ahead of prestigious institutions like Brown University and Emory University. The program received particular praise for its faculty, job preparation and research opportunities.
Georgia Southern became one of only 48 colleges or schools of public health worldwide to receive accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health. The college secured this difference in 2011 after a process that began in 1998 with the launch of two MPH programs. The University System Board of Regents created the institution in 2004 as Georgia’s first school of public health to address healthcare inequities in rural areas. Entrepreneur and biostatistics professor Karl E. Peace made the founding possible through a donation that honored his late wife, Dr. Jiann-Ping Hsu.
The college has 264 total graduate students, with 14% representing international populations. The student body reflects diversity, with 45.45% Black or African American, 24% White or Caucasian, 6.06% Hispanic/Latino and 4.92% Asian students. A faculty of 36 full-time members split between 18 male and 18 female professors guides student learning evenly. Faculty research centers on rural health, community-based initiatives, disadvantaged populations and health equity.
MPH Program Options and Format
Georgia Southern launched its first fully online Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in applied public health beginning Fall 2020. The online format accommodates professionals who cannot enroll in on-campus concentrations and provides flexibility to tailor elective options. Academic advisors and technical support serve all online students, with field experiences located within reach of each student’s location.
The college offers seven concentration areas: Applied Public Health (fully online), Biostatistics, Community Health, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Public Health Informatics (fully online) and Health Policy and Management. The Applied Public Health concentration emphasizes public health education, information and advocacy while preparing front-line practitioners and leaders. Public Health Informatics covers health informatics foundations, information systems use, health data analytics, systems management and data visualization for evidence-based practice.
Key Features and Requirements
The MPH program requires 42-45 credit hours to complete. Students complete core competencies in five public health areas before they specialize in their chosen concentration. A 300-hour supervised field practicum places students in public health facilities, government agencies or related settings that align with their concentration[363]. Students can complete practicum work in Ghana or take coursework in Ireland for a global perspective as an alternative.
Applications go through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS). You need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75[363]. The GRE is waived for all MPH degrees except Epidemiology. You’ll submit three letters of recommendation, a curriculum vitae and a statement of purpose between 500-1000 words[363]. TOEFL scores of at least 75 (iBT) or 537 (paper-based), or IELTS scores of 6.0 must demonstrate English proficiency for international applicants.
Financial support has research assistantships, teaching assistantships, scholarships, graduate assistantships and tuition waivers. The FAFSA application deadline is June 30.
Campus and Location Details
The Statesboro Campus serves as Georgia Southern’s flagship location and offers nearly 150 undergraduate and graduate programs in eight colleges. The campus spans nearly 1,000 acres of maintained landscape with world-class facilities. More than 200 clubs and organizations provide ways to participate, while 15 athletic teams compete at NCAA Division I level with 78 conference titles.
Statesboro sits in southeast Georgia about one hour from Savannah and Tybee Island beaches. Atlanta, Jacksonville, Charleston and Hilton Head are all within a few hours’ drive. The city combines small-town charm with larger city amenities that include shopping centers, restaurants and entertainment options.
Mercer University — Macon
Program name: Master of Public Health Online
Program Overview and What Sets It Apart
Mercer’s Master of Public Health program has managed to keep a passionate commitment to developing public health professionals since 1998. The Council on Education for Public Health accredits all Mercer public health programs through December 31, 2026. The program puts special emphasis on public health challenges in rural and underserved communities both domestically and internationally. This distinguishes it among masters in public health programs in Georgia.
The university expanded access by a lot in 2013. It launched MPH offerings on its Atlanta campus near I-85 and I-285, designed for working adults. This expansion joined existing programs in Macon and online formats. It created multiple pathways for degree completion.
MPH Program Options and Format
Mercer awards a generalist MPH degree that builds broad skill sets. These open doors in public health careers of all types. You can pursue the program through evening classes, online courses, or hybrid formats tailored for professionals who manage to keep full-time or part-time work. The cohort model allows completion in five semesters.
The program offers four combined degree pathways: DPT/MPH with physical therapy, MMSc/MPH with physician assistant studies, PsyD/MPH with clinical psychology, and PharmD/MPH with pharmacy. These dual degrees prepare graduates to address complex health challenges from multiple professional views.
Key Features and Requirements
Applications for Fall close July 1, through the SOPHAS system. You need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.85 GPA. Conditional admission thinks over applicants between 2.50 and 2.85. GRE scores remain optional. Two prerequisite courses in college-level math and biology require grades of C or better. You must document 30 community service hours.
Tuition runs $1,029 per credit hour. The program requires completion of core public health courses, 40 service learning hours, and an applied practice experience.
Campus and Location Details
Macon’s Health Sciences Campus features advanced simulation centers and clinical skills facilities with 16 exam rooms. Research programs focus on rural health disparities, and a 24/7 medical library supports student needs. The campus supports shared learning across health professions through its Health Sciences Center model.
Morehouse School of Medicine — Atlanta
Program name: Master of Public Health
Program Overview and What Sets It Apart
Morehouse School of Medicine made history when it became the first accredited MPH program at a Historically Black College and University in 1999. Founded in 1995 to address the shortage of underrepresented minorities in public health leadership, the program serves as one of five HBCUs within the Atlanta University Center Consortium. The program secured reaccreditation in 2007 and again in 2014.
The mission centers on developing public health leaders fluent in community-focused practice, especially when you have underserved populations. Faculty research targets women’s and adolescent health, violence prevention, and cancer epidemiology/disparities. The student body reflects this commitment. Black or African American representation stands at 86.67% among 60 total graduate students.
MPH Program Options and Format
You can pursue your MPH degree in Georgia through two formats. The on-campus program offers a generalist curriculum that requires 45 credit hours. The online eMPH program spans 24 months with 48 credit hours and was designed for working professionals with five years of post-baccalaureate experience. Both programs require a one-time campus orientation.
Key Features and Requirements
Applications open September 1. Deadlines fall on April 15 for domestic applicants and January 1 for international students. The $50 application fee has official transcripts, three recommendations, and GRE scores that are now optional. Tuition runs $22,813 per year for the on-campus program. Online students pay $100 per credit hour with total costs not exceeding $45,000.
Campus and Location Details
The campus occupies 720 Westview Drive SW in Atlanta’s West End community. Students participate with the Atlanta Promise Neighborhood through service-learning activities at schools, churches, and food banks.
Next Steps to Your Georgia MPH
Georgia has MPH programs designed for different career goals and learning priorities. As a student, you can prioritize research opportunities at UGA or Emory. You can focus on rural health at Georgia Southern and Mercer. If you need the flexibility of fully online options, then you can look at Augusta and Georgia State. Morehouse has a renowned dedication to underserved populations.
Each program has great features and benefits. Your choice should reflect your specific concentration interests and preferred format. Your career timeline also plays a role. You can choose an accelerated program if you are looking to get into the field more quickly. Make your choice today!