5 Best MPH Programs in Louisiana for 2027

Tulane and LSU aren’t the only schools that offer Master of Public Health programs, but they are some of the best. Joined by Xavier University of Louisiana, LSU Shreveport and Dillard University, these MPH programs can set you on a path to a career in this field.

In Louisiana, public health means something different than in other states. Residents deal with huge disparities in healthcare and natural disasters like hurricanes that can put the whole system at risk. Statistics show that Louisiana MPH grads gain employment within a year of graduating. Take a look at the five degrees we’ve reviewed and see which one is the best fit.

1. Tulane University MPH Program

Tulane University’s Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine holds a unique position among health sciences master’s programs. The school was founded in 1912 and is the first school of public health in the United States. It remains the only institution that combines public health with tropical medicine. The school has managed to keep continuous accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) since 1947. Current accreditation extends through December 31, 2032.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Tulane at #12 among more than 60 schools of public health. The program delivers both residential and online formats. Completion takes two years, though this depends on course load and pacing. Students can start in August, January, or June. Programs range from 42 to 45 credits.

Key Features and Specializations

Your MPH degree at Tulane provides cross-cutting foundational curriculum that covers epidemiology, biostatistics, health systems policy, and design strategies. The program requires completion of an Applied Practice Experience (APE) and an Integrative Learning Experience (ILE). Both are designed to demonstrate competency through ground application.

You can add an Area of Specialization at no extra cost beyond standard concentrations. These secondary focus areas require four courses totaling 12 credits, which count toward elective requirements. Three specializations are available:

Maternal and Child Health (MCH): This focuses on mothers, children, families, and reproductive health. It integrates health equity, implementation science, and violence prevention.

Infectious Disease Epidemiology: This combines infectious disease biology with epidemiologic methods and analyzes pathogen-host interactions and transmission patterns.

Disaster Management: This develops skills in disaster response structures and operational models. It emphasizes protection of vulnerable populations from natural and intentional disasters.

The online MPH in Community Health Sciences requires 45 credits. This includes 15 foundational hours, 15 program-specific credits, and 15 elective hours. The APE allows you to develop competencies in supervised practice settings. You can complete this locally or at your current employer if your practicum role is different from your regular position.

Admission Requirements

Tulane accepts students from all educational backgrounds. This reflects public health’s interdisciplinary nature. The application requires submission through SOPHAS for most programs. Materials include official transcripts from all attended institutions, a statement of purpose, resume or CV, and two letters of recommendation.

Your statement of purpose should address why you chose Tulane and your specific program. It should explain how the degree lines up with your professional goals and what lessons you learned from past educational or professional experiences. A GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 is recommended for master’s applicants, though no standard minimum exists.

The GRE requirement has been waived for all graduate programs for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 application cycles. Non-native English speakers must demonstrate proficiency with TOEFL scores of 89 or higher or IELTS band of 6.5. This requirement is waived if they hold a degree from an accredited U.S. institution. International students need WES ICAP Course by Course evaluation for transcripts from institutions outside the U.S. and Canada.

Application deadlines are December 1 for Spring 2026, April 1 for Summer 2026, and July 1 for Fall 2026. Applications submitted by priority deadlines receive consideration for scholarships.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition is $1,841 per credit hour for all degree programs for the 2026-2027 academic year. An additional $100 academic support fee per credit hour applies. Online students pay a technology fee of $175 per semester, plus $200 each for the APE and ILE when registered. A 45-credit MPH from Tulane costs nearly 15% less than the average private out-of-state tuition at top 10 ranked schools.

Merit-based scholarships are accessible to applicants who submit complete applications by priority deadlines. Specific opportunities include the Louisiana Lagniappe Scholarship (35% of tuition for Louisiana high school graduates), a $50,000 scholarship for Fulbright scholars, 35% tuition reduction for returned Peace Corps volunteers, and 50% tuition scholarships for McNair scholars.

Online MPH students who apply by the priority deadline qualify for the On The Front Lines Scholarship worth $5,000. Federal financial aid through FAFSA (school code 002029) remains accessible to U.S. citizens and permanent residents enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester. Graduate students are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 each year.

Why Choose Tulane’s MPH

An unprecedented 99.7% of Tulane graduates are working, volunteering, or continuing education within one year of graduation. The school’s location in New Orleans provides exposure to a culturally diverse community while addressing complex health issues that affect the South. Faculty members bring field-tested experience to craft innovative curricula. The Office of Career Services provides year-round workshops, consultations, and a dedicated Career Studio.

The program emphasizes equity-minded leadership and community-informed practice. Seven departments provide specialized expertise, from tropical medicine to international health and sustainable development. Your education combines theoretical knowledge with ground application and positions you for immediate contributions to public health practice.

2. LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans MPH

LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans operates the only accredited public school of public health in Louisiana. The School of Public Health holds accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), with the next scheduled review in 2026. This status will give students education grounded in foundational public health knowledge areas and competencies necessary for rigorous training.

The institution boasts a 95% graduation rate for the MPH degree in 2024-2025. You gain personalized attention uncommon in larger programs with a 3:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Full-time students complete the 46-credit MPH in two years. Part-time options extend up to six years. The program expanded with a new Off-Campus Instructional Site (OCIS) in Baton Rouge, launching Fall 2026 to increase access for students across the state.

Key Features and Specializations

LSU Health offers four distinct concentrations within their health sciences master’s programs:

The 46-credit curriculum has core courses in epidemiology, health services administration, environmental health, and behavioral sciences. Students complete a minimum 200-hour practice experience under preceptor guidance. They then finish a culminating experience with a presentation, deliverable, and written paper. The biostatistics concentration requires early coursework in calculus and linear algebra. Students deficient in entry requirements may be admitted with an approved remediation plan.

Community Health Science & Policy students acquire skills in risk assessment and intervention review. The OCIS Baton Rouge site will welcome MPH students in Community Health Sciences and Policy starting Fall 2025. Epidemiology and Population Health will follow in Fall 2025. Dual degree options have an MD/MPH program completed within four years.

Admission Requirements

Applications must be submitted through SOPHAS, the centralized Schools of Public Health Application Service. You need to provide official transcripts from an accredited bachelor’s program, a statement of purpose and objectives, your resume or CV, and three letters of recommendation. The epidemiology program prefers an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Exceptional applications in other areas may be considered below this threshold.

MPH candidates do not require GRE scores, unlike PhD applicants. International students must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores and have transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES). An official WES ICAP evaluation must be sent to SOPHAS. The admissions committee evaluates applications based on academic credentials, work experience, and service experience.

Louisiana residents or graduates of Louisiana colleges with a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA qualify for automatic acceptance through the Louisiana 3.0+ Scholars Pledge. Applicants must submit all required materials by the July 15 deadline to be considered for this initiative. This removes barriers to entry and encourages homegrown students to stay in-state.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Louisiana residents pay $5,325.16 per semester for Fall and Spring terms, plus $2,662.08 for Summer. Non-residents pay $8,647.03 for Fall and Spring, with $4,323.02 for Summer. The OCIS Baton Rouge location charges higher rates: $5,890.86 (Fall) and $5,894.61 (Spring) for residents.

Two partial scholarships per concentration are awarded at $1,000 per semester for up to four semesters, totaling $4,000. The Dean Fontham Scholarship provides $1,250 per semester for up to four semesters, totaling $5,000, to one student with an outstanding academic record each fall. Priority goes to students applying by February 1st. Student worker positions are available throughout the Health Science Center in areas like the Louisiana Tumor Registry and HIV/STD Program.

Why Choose LSU Health’s MPH

Students cooperate with medical school programs in an interdisciplinary environment within the Health Sciences Center. Faculty publish in top journals on cancer, chronic and infectious diseases, and cardiovascular health. The New Orleans location provides a dynamic metropolitan community for completing your practice experience while addressing health disparities in a culturally rich state. An active Student Government Association sponsors student-focused activities year-round. The Office of Community Engagement aids events throughout the greater New Orleans region.

3. Xavier University of Louisiana MPH in Public Health Equity

Xavier University became the first HBCU in Louisiana to launch a Public Health Masters Program. The Department of Public Health Sciences operates this groundbreaking initiative within a university that Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament founded in 1925. Xavier ranks among the top HBCUs nationwide and leads in STEM and health sciences education.

The MPH in Health Equity is a 45-credit hour program that has core foundational competency courses and a range of specialized courses related to determinants of health equity. Xavier offers an on-campus format with courses scheduled in late afternoon and evening to accommodate work schedules, unlike health sciences master’s programs that are online. Working professionals can advance their education without disrupting their careers.

Key Features and Specializations

The curriculum at Xavier focuses on health equity, a concentration that addresses policies and interventions to promote equity and reduce disparities. The program requires 27 hours of core courses that cover Environmental Health and Toxicological Issues, Epidemiology Methods in Racial and Ethnic Disparities, Health Equity Principles and Practices, Applied Biostatistics, Public Health Policy, and Determinants of Health Equity. Each core course carries three credits.

The Graduate Practicum and Capstone component spans nine hours and acts as the culminating experience. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available, which gives flexibility based on career trajectory. Students complete coursework that exposes them to advanced public health policy and epidemiology, along with health promotion and behavioral sciences framed around health equity.

Xavier’s curriculum lines up with current standards from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health and the Council on Education for Public Health. Students learn about the theoretical understanding of why health disparities exist and gain practical expertise to become change agents within their communities.

Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum 2.75 GPA is required for application. The program accepts all bachelor’s degrees in any major from accredited institutions. GRE scores are test-optional, though the median combined score is 280 for admitted students.

Three academic or professional letters of recommendation on official letterhead must be submitted, signed by individuals who can speak to potential as a graduate student. The statement of interest should express interest in public health, explain why this degree is being pursued, outline professional goals, describe how goals relate to the degree, and detail what has been done to guide interest in public health.

Prerequisite courses are Introductory Biology or General Biology, and College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, or Statistics. Non-native English speakers must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based exam or 100 on the internet-based exam taken within the last two years.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Specific graduate tuition rates for the MPH program were not available at the time of this review. Xavier’s financial aid office works with graduate students enrolled at least half-time, defined as a minimum of 5 credit hours per semester. Federal financial aid through FAFSA remains available to eligible students, and the university offers various scholarship opportunities for graduate programs.

Why Choose Xavier’s MPH

Xavier’s College of Pharmacy has been committed to eliminating health disparities for nearly 100 years. The college hosts an annual Health Disparities Conference, which it has managed to keep going for 17 years, addressing community engagement, policy, practice, education workforce, and science to promote health equity. This institutional commitment extends into the MPH program’s mission.

The program trains and educates students from diverse backgrounds for the public health workforce, addressing Louisiana’s complex health challenges related to chronic diseases, environmental health threats, and fragmented healthcare systems. Xavier graduates are prepared to apply health equity principles to address needs of populations most burdened by health disparities. Several students have contributed to COVID-19 crisis response through organizations that are the American Heart Association, the Office of Public Health, and the Veterans Administration Hospital.

4. LSU Shreveport Online MPH Program

LSU Shreveport partners with LSU Health Shreveport to deliver a joint Master of Public Health degree that combines resources from both institutions. This collaboration enriches your graduate experience and prepares you for an array of roles in public health. The program holds accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). You receive education grounded in foundational public health knowledge areas and competencies.

The LSUS/LSUHS MPH program earned recognition as the #4 Best Online MPH by Fortune magazine and ranked #22 nationally by EduMed.org. The program placed #27 in the nation and first in Louisiana for most affordable online MPH programs. Only 8% of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position in this category.

Key Features and Specializations

Your 42-credit curriculum addresses 22 competencies and 12 areas of knowledge identified by CEPH as everything in public health master’s degree education. Core courses cover epidemiology and biostatistics, while you’ll also develop practical skills in program evaluation, research methods, and leadership.

Two distinct delivery formats accommodate different learning priorities and schedules:

The program requires completion of a 150-hour practicum experience followed by either a capstone or thesis project. Students work with the Martin Luther King Health Center and community-based agencies on projects addressing health literacy, nutrition, and health promotion. You can complete the degree in as little as two years.

Admission Requirements

You need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum 3.0 overall GPA or minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester hours. The program does not require GRE scores. Your application must include three electronic recommendations submitted via a SurveyMonkey link to the MPH Program Director. Approved applicants receive an invitation to complete an asynchronous interview through Sparkhire.

Tuition and Financial Aid

LSUS offers competitive, flat-rate tuition with no out-of-state fees. The cost is $780 per credit hour. The complete 42-credit program, with fees included, reaches a total cost of $32,760. Graduate students enrolled part-time (3 credit hours per session) qualify for Direct Unsubsidized loans with a limit of $20,500 per academic year. LSUS students receive more than $12.40 million in scholarship money each year.

Why Choose LSUS Online MPH

Employment outcomes demonstrate program effectiveness: 91% of LSUS/LSUHS MPH graduates were hired, continuing education, or unemployed by choice within 12 months of graduation, with 86% hired within that timeframe. Faculty members maintain deep engagement in the Shreveport community and personal involvement in student work. The flexible online format allows you to balance work, life, and studying. Instructors and Student Success Coaches check in to ensure your success, whereas the smaller, customized classroom environments set this program apart from larger institutions.

5. Dillard University MPH Program

Dillard University partners with St. George’s University to offer a distinctive BS/MPH pathway rather than operating a standalone graduate program. Students spend four years completing undergraduate studies in public health, health science, or nursing at Dillard’s School of Population and Health Sciences before transitioning to SGU’s accredited MPH program. Dillard holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. SGU’s Master of Public Health program carries accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

The School of Population and Health Sciences employs an integrated approach that addresses social, biological, and environmental elements of health. Students complete 121 credit hours of undergraduate coursework. This includes 41 general education credits, 35 major requirements, and 21 additional coursework hours. You must also complete 90 community service hours by junior year.

Key Features and Specializations

Your undergraduate foundation at Dillard covers five domains: Population Health Challenges, Project Implementation and Evaluation, Social and Political Determinants of Health, Ethics and Professionalism, and Leadership and Management. Once you qualify, you transition naturally into SGU’s MPH program with specialized tracks in Global Health and Epidemiology. SGU provides flexible learning options with online or on-campus study. Dual degree programs (MD/MPH and DVM/MPH) require campus attendance.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate admission to Dillard’s public health program follows standard university requirements. Transition to SGU’s MPH depends on meeting SGU’s qualifications after completing your bachelor’s degree. Dillard accepts students from various academic backgrounds and reflects public health’s interdisciplinary nature.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Dillard’s graduate programs charge full-time students (9+ credit hours) $6,150 per semester. Part-time enrollment costs $683 per credit hour. Each year, Dillard awards $14 million in institutional aid, with an average institutional grant of $9,193 per student. Merit-based scholarships include University, Presidential, Dean, and Merit awards. These range from $6,000 to $10,000 based on GPA and test scores. Federal aid through FAFSA remains available to eligible students.

Why Choose Dillard’s MPH

This pathway is a chance to pursue both undergraduate and graduate public health education within a supportive HBCU environment. Dillard maintains nearly 100 years of steadfast dedication to eliminating health disparities through its College of Pharmacy. The university hosts an annual Health Disparities Conference that addresses community involvement, policy, and health equity. Students develop as engaged learners and purposeful leaders. You gain exposure to Louisiana’s complex health challenges before advancing to SGU’s recognized MPH program.

Choose Your Louisiana MPH Degree

If you want to help tackle the complex health challenges facing Louisanans, then a career in public health is for you. You can prioritize health equity at Xavier, learn about tropical medicine at Tulane, or take advantage of flexible online learning at LSU Shreveport. Each program brings unique strengths to your public health education.

According to employment data, 86% of Louisiana MPH graduates secure positions within 12 months. This shows the strength of this career path. Next, you’ll want to figure out which programs match your qualifications and start the application process.