Nebraska’s Best MPH Programs

Choosing the right MPH programs in Nebraska can fast-track your public health career, with over 90% of graduates finding positions within 12 months. Employment for health educators and community health workers is projected to grow 16 percent through 2026, faster than average. Nebraska offers several pathways to earn your degree, including the UNMC MPH program, the only CEPH-accredited option in the state, along with dual degrees and accelerated formats. We break down the five best programs in this list to help you make an informed decision.

1. University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) MPH Program

The UNMC College of Public Health received first accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health in October 2011 and was reaccredited in September 2025 through December 31, 2032, most recently. Before college-wide accreditation, the Master of Public Health Program operated as a joint initiative between UNMC and the University of Nebraska-Omaha and maintained continuous CEPH accreditation since 2002. The Board of Regents and Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education approved the MPH program in summer and fall 2001. The first student cohort was admitted in January 2002.

The program draws faculty from about 40 instructors from both campuses. These instructors represent disciplines that include medicine, nursing, public administration, social work, business administration, sociology and health education. This interdisciplinary structure addresses rural and urban health concerns, health disparities and underserved populations throughout Nebraska.

Available Concentrations

UNMC offers eight specialized concentrations within its MPH program. Each concentration develops specific competencies for public health practice:

Curriculum Structure and Format

The MPH program requires 42 credit hours for completion. Students complete five core courses totaling 15 credit hours: Foundations of Public Health, Epidemiology in Public Health, Biostatistics, Planning and Evaluation, and Public Health Leadership and Advocacy. Concentration courses add another 9-15 credit hours depending on the track selected. Elective requirements range from 6-9 credit hours.

Two experiential components distinguish the curriculum. The Applied Practice Experience (CPH 528) requires 3 credit hours in a public health practice setting and allows students to integrate and apply at least five foundational public health competencies under professional supervision. The Capstone Experience (CPH 529) represents another 3 credit hours where students complete a project that addresses a topic of public health significance and demonstrates their ability to integrate skills from the curriculum.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Certain concentrations impose additional prerequisites. The Epidemiology concentration requires a grade of B or better in one college-level precalculus or similar math course. Environmental and Occupational Health candidates must complete one semester each of biology, chemistry and college-level math. The Biostatistics concentration mandates a grade of B or better in college-level statistics and algebra. One calculus course is recommended.

Required application materials include official transcripts from all institutions you attended. World Education Services evaluates non-US transcripts using their ICAP course-by-course evaluation. Applicants submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who can assess academic, practice or research abilities. A one-page personal statement must describe interest in public health and the chosen concentration, career objectives and self-assessment of preparation for graduate study. A resume or curriculum vitae completes the application package.

International students without degrees from US institutions or English-speaking countries must submit English proficiency scores. Minimum requirements include TOEFL scores of 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based or 80 internet-based; IELTS score of 6.5; or Duolingo score of 120. The GRE remains optional but is recommended if you have a GPA below 3.0.

Application deadlines vary by term: Fall admission requires materials by June 1, Spring admission by October 1 and Summer admission by February 1.

Tuition and Financial Aid

UNMC positions its tuition far below the national average for public health programs. The College of Public Health uses credit-hour-based tuition. Total costs vary according to enrolled credit hours. Students gain access to scholarship applications once accepted into the degree program.

Funding opportunities include competitive research and teaching assistantships available through individual UNMC departments. The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health maintains a list of external funding sources and provides tips to get scholarships beyond institutional offerings. The Office of Financial Aid assists students at 402-559-4199 and offers information about aid types, application processes and cost of attendance estimates.

International students access additional resources through the Office of Global Engagement, reachable at 402-559-4517. Median federal loan debt totals $15,000 for undergraduate borrowers at UNMC. Median monthly payments are $159 over a 10-year repayment period at 5.05% interest.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

UNMC demonstrates strong employment outcomes for graduates. A 2019 Zippia study ranked UNMC as the number one university in Nebraska for job placement, with a 94.96% employment rate for students 10 years after graduation. This performance also placed UNMC 10th among all universities for job placement rates nationally.

Public health career salary ranges span from $69,790 to $134,440 for most positions. Job satisfaction metrics reveal that 79% of public health professionals report satisfaction with their careers, while 94% feel their work holds importance. The interdisciplinary nature of public health degrees enables graduates to pursue careers in government agencies, non-profits, community organizations, academia and private industry.

2. UNO/UNMC Dual Degree MPH Programs (MSW/MPH)

The MSW/MPH dual degree represents a collaborative partnership between UNMC’s College of Public Health and the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Grace Abbott School of Social Work. This interdisciplinary program combines social work practice with public health principles and prepares you to address health disparities, promote community well-being, and develop health policies that work. The Council on Social Work Education, the national accrediting body for all social work education, accredits the MSW degree from UNO.

You can complete both portions of the dual degree online or attend classes on-campus. The program takes 3-4 years to finish, with options for full-time or part-time enrollment. Start dates occur each fall semester. The program lets you bridge the gap between research and practice, individual and community, services and policies. MSW courses balance clinical, administrative, and community practice content. Electives advance your knowledge and skills in areas that match your interests.

Available Concentrations

The MPH portion of the dual degree offers four concentration options: Emergency Preparedness, Health Promotion, Maternal and Child Health, and Public Health Administration and Policy. Each concentration develops specific competencies aligned with public health practice needs. SOWK 8650 Health/Mental Health Policies satisfies the requirements for CPH 566 Health Policy if you select the Public Health Administration and Policy concentration. You won’t need to enroll in this concentration course separately.

Curriculum and Credit Requirements

Your entry point into the MSW program determines the total credit hours required. Two pathways exist based on your undergraduate preparation:

You may enter the MSW program at the foundation level if your undergraduate degree is not in social work. You can enter at the advanced standing level if you completed a BSW degree within the past 10 years or finished MSW foundation-level courses previously.

The dual degree structure requires fewer credit hours than getting these degrees separately. Students complete all core courses of the MPH curriculum. Because of the integrated structure, certain courses transfer between programs. SOWK 8260 Social Work Practice in Health and Mental Health and SOWK 8540 Planning for Social Change transfer from the MSW program toward the MPH program as elective course credit, each worth 3 credit hours.

You will not register for CPH 528 Applied Practice Experience but must still meet the requirements as part of SOWK 8400 Advanced Practicum I. This includes mastery of public health foundational competencies. You will not register for CPH 529 Capstone but must complete the requirements through SOWK 8400 Advanced Practicum II. A College of Public Health faculty member assesses your mastery of public health foundational and concentration competencies.

You work with both an MSW advisor through UNO and an MPH advisor through UNMC. They ensure all course requirements and exit requirements are met for each degree.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

All applicants must apply and be accepted into each of the two programs separately. Each degree program evaluates you in separate admissions processes. Admission into either program does not guarantee admission into the other program. The MSW Admissions Committee decides on admission to the MSW program, and the MPH Admissions Committee decides on admission to the MPH program. A student not admitted to both programs may pursue the other degree if admitted.

You need an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher to be considered. The MPH portion requires applicants to complete the Schools of Public Health SOPHAS Express Application. Domestic and online applicants face a June 1 deadline for the MPH component, and international applicants must submit materials by April 1.

The priority deadline is February 1 for the MSW portion. Applications are accepted through March 1 for Fall 2026 admission.

English language proficiency requirements apply to applicants who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States or a predetermined country on the waiver list. Minimum scores include internet-based TOEFL of 80, IELTS of 6.5, PTE of 53, or Duolingo of 110.

You must submit a professional resume that identifies educational and occupational experiences since high school. List start and end dates with month and year, and identify whether positions are part-time or full-time and paid or volunteer. Include field placements, internships or practicums, and honors or distinctions received. Applicants are encouraged to have professional experience in the human service field.

Three letters of recommendation are required. Recommendation requests generate from your online application. These recommendations should come from professional and academic sources who know your skills and experience. At least one reference should be from an immediate professional supervisor.

You must also submit a one-page personal statement. Describe your interest in and potential for contributing to the fields of public health and your chosen concentration. Include career objectives and a self-assessment of personal skills and general preparation for succeeding in a public health graduate program.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The dual degree program follows UNMC’s tuition structure, positioned well below the national average for public health programs. You will have access to complete scholarship applications once accepted into the degree program. Research and teaching assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Direct questions about assistantships to individual departments at UNMC.

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health provides resources that include tips for getting scholarships and funding sources. They also maintain an extensive list of external funding sources. The Office of Financial Aid assists at 402-559-4199 or by email and provides information about types of aid, how to apply for aid, and cost of attendance estimates. International students can contact the Office of Global Engagement at 402-559-4517 or by email for additional resources.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

Over 90% of MPH students find career positions within 12 months of graduation. Most dual degree graduates possess interdisciplinary skills that let them work in a broad range of practice areas. Job opportunities span clinical practice, health education, community services administration, health policy analysis, trauma intervention, disaster planning, substance abuse treatment, maternal/child health, and public health advocacy.

Graduates secure positions with titles that include Health Program Manager, Social Service Administrator, Behavioral Health Clinician, Health Behavior Researcher, Social Emotional Health Specialist, Clinical Therapist, Community Clinical Linkages Coordinator, and Integrative Therapist. Your combined expertise in social work and public health positions you to lead initiatives that improve health outcomes and address social determinants of health for individuals and communities. You graduate with extensive field experience and knowing how to work across many areas in social service and health care systems.

3. Nebraska Wesleyan University 3+2 Accelerated MPH Program

Nebraska Wesleyan University partnered with UNMC College of Public Health to create the 3+2 Undergraduate-to-Master of Public Health (U2MPH) program. You can earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years. This accelerated pathway streamlines your entry into public health careers and reduces your tuition burden. The program combines NWU’s interdisciplinary academic experience with UNMC’s expertise in public health.

You become eligible to apply after completing at least 81 undergraduate credit hours at NWU. After admission, you take up to 18 credit hours of graduate-level MPH coursework online during your senior year. These graduate credits apply toward both your NWU bachelor’s degree and the 42-credit MPH at UNMC. This accelerates your timeline by a lot compared to completing both degrees separately.

Advisors from both NWU and UNMC will work with you to create an individual-specific plan of study. This plan covers your entire undergraduate and professional program. Your advisors review this plan each semester. A maximum of 18 MPH credits count toward your NWU undergraduate degree.

Available Concentrations

The program provides access to seven high-demand MPH concentrations through UNMC:

Curriculum and Timeline

You must complete at least 85 undergraduate credit hours before you apply. You should have a plan to finish at least 103 undergraduate credits before the fall MPH program starts. The 18 graduate-level courses taken at UNMC College of Public Health count for undergraduate credit at NWU. This creates an efficient pathway through both programs.

Certain concentrations need specific prerequisite coursework. You need a grade of B or higher in one college-level precalculus or similar math course for Epidemiology. Environmental and Occupational Health requires completion of one semester each of biology, chemistry, and college-level math. Biostatistics demands a grade of B or better in college-level statistics and algebra. One calculus course is recommended.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

You must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3 to qualify for the U2MPH program. Official transcripts are required that demonstrate a 3.3 or higher grade point average at application and a 3.0 GPA at entry into graduate standing.

Your application package has three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references. At least one academic reference is required. You submit a one-page personal statement that describes your interest in public health and your chosen MPH concentration. Include your career objectives and self-assessment of personal skills and preparation for graduate study. The personal statement should reflect your potential for contributing to public health. Include relevant work-related or educational training background information. A resume or curriculum vitae completes your submission.

International applicants who have not received a previous degree from a US institution or a country where the only official language is English must submit English proficiency scores. Minimum requirements are TOEFL scores of 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, or 80 internet-based. You can also submit an IELTS score of 6.5 or Duolingo score of 120. Scores must have been earned within two years before your desired term of entry.

Application deadlines depend on your intended start term. All materials must be received by October 1 for Spring admission. Summer admission requires materials by February 1. You complete the admission application available on the UNMC College of Public Health website after meeting with your NWU advisor.

Tuition and Financial Aid

You pay NWU tuition rates for courses taken at NWU and UNMC tuition rates for all professional courses taken at UNMC. This applies to those taken before graduating with your undergraduate degree. Students enrolled in the U2MPH program qualify for NWU scholarships to apply towards undergraduate tuition. They also qualify for UNMC scholarship or assistantship to apply towards graduate tuition at UNMC.

Graduate students can apply for Federal Direct Loan assistance. You may borrow up to the cost of attendance or $20,500 through the Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan program, whichever is less. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for financial assistance. List Nebraska Wesleyan University, Title IV School Code 002555, as a recipient.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

U2MPH graduates possess interdisciplinary skills that give them the ability to work in public health disciplines of all types. Job opportunities span government agencies like the CDC and local and state health departments. You can also work in nonprofits and advocacy organizations, hospitals and healthcare systems, global health and humanitarian efforts, research and data analysis, and environmental and occupational health sectors.

Potential job titles for graduates are Biostatistician, Data Analyst, Research Coordinator, Occupational Health Epidemiologist, Community Health Worker, Health Educator, Clinical Safety Associate, Immunization Registry Coordinator, Community Education Manager, Medicare Auditor, Wellness Coordinator, and Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator. Among NWU graduates from the 2022-23 academic year who reported salary data, 67% earn $42,000 or higher. The average salary is $49,122. 76% of working graduates also secure employment in Nebraska.

4. Concordia University Nebraska Online MPH Program

Concordia University Nebraska integrates a conservative Biblical worldview into its online MPH curriculum and encourages you to address public health challenges through both professional expertise and Christ-like care. This faith-based training blends service-oriented education with real-life experience and emphasizes the importance of serving vulnerable populations and extending grace to those in need. The program operates online and provides flexibility for working professionals to complete coursework on their own schedule.

The curriculum requires 39 credit hours to finish, fewer than most institutions. Classes run on an eight-week format. You can take one course at a time and complete your degree in approximately two years. Optional global health mission trips to Guatemala, Haiti, Belize, and Nicaragua provide hands-on experience addressing public health issues in a variety of environments.

Available Concentrations

You can tailor your degree through one of three concentration options. Community Health Education focuses on developing, implementing, and evaluating health programs to inform the public about healthy behavior, nutrition, exercise, and disease prevention. Required courses include Community Health and Programming in Public Health, with electives in Public Health Ethics, Global Health, and Marketing Public Health.

Health Policy and Administration takes a leadership approach and gives you the management skills to affect policy and legislation. This concentration requires Leadership and Organizational Management in Health Care, Public Health Finance, Human Resource Management in Health Care, and Marketing Public Health.

The Medication Safety & Pharmacovigilance concentration operates through partnership with Concordia University Wisconsin and is available through that institution only.

Curriculum and Flexibility

The 39-credit program divides into 27 core credits and 12 concentration credits. Core courses cover the five domains the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health recognizes: biostatistics, environmental health sciences, health policy & management, epidemiology, and social & behavioral sciences.

You must complete a three-credit practicum that requires 75 hours of fieldwork. This requirement gives you hands-on experience in public health settings while maintaining a flexible schedule for working professionals. The program allows up to six credits through prior learning assessment and reduces both time and cost.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

You need a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission. Concordia requires neither GRE nor GMAT scores, unlike many programs. The application process involves submitting official transcripts and completing a free online application.

Multiple start dates occur throughout the year. Deadlines include July 26 for August/Fall start, September 15 for October/Fall start, December 8 for January start, February 5 for March start, March 28 for April start, and May 23 for June start.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Concordia positions itself as the most affordable MPH within the Concordia University System. Tuition runs $640 per credit hour, based on 2017 rates. Direct costs total $9,450 for 18 credit hours annually. A $50 application fee applies.

You can complete the FAFSA using Concordia Nebraska’s federal school code 002541 to access financial assistance. The university offers institutional grants based on financial need. Many employers provide tuition assistance. You may qualify for the federal Lifetime Learning tax credit worth up to $2,000 annually.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

Employment for health educators and community health workers is projected to grow 16 percent through 2026. You can pursue positions in local, state, or federal health departments, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, or research institutions. The program prepares you to research public health needs, implement improvement strategies, arrange available healthcare, and promote policies that support underserved populations.

5. University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) Public Health Programs

The School of Health and Kinesiology at UNO operates the state’s only undergraduate public health program with CEPH accreditation. UNO offers a Master of Science degree with a Public Health concentration rather than a traditional MPH at the graduate level. The program builds on health-related undergraduate degrees. This MS program draws faculty from approximately 40 instructors representing medicine, nursing, public administration, social work, and health education disciplines. The curriculum prepares you for positions with agencies and organizations that improve public health through education and advocacy.

Available Concentrations

The graduate program offers a Public Health concentration within the MS in Health and Kinesiology degree. You can pursue a Health Behavior concentration through the same program structure. The School developed a Fast Track program that allows highly qualified undergraduates to count up to 9 graduate hours toward both bachelor’s and master’s completion.

Curriculum and Structure

You choose between two MS degree pathways:

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

You submit two letters of recommendation and a statement of goals limited to 300 words beyond standard Office of Graduate Studies requirements. The statement should explain your rationale for entering the program. Fast Track applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA and completion of at least 60 undergraduate hours.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Nebraska residents pay annual tuition and fees totaling $8,370. Non-residents pay $22,358 each year. Books and supplies add an estimated $1,120 per year.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

Starting salaries for public health graduates range from $45,000 to $65,000. Career opportunities include positions at Methodist College, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, National Safety Council, faith-based organizations, school systems, Wellness Council of America, UNMC, Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services, and hospitals, clinics, and local public health departments.

Start Your Path Today

To restate, Nebraska offers diverse pathways to earn your MPH degree. Each suits different career goals and schedules. UNMC provides the state’s only CEPH-accredited MPH with eight specialized concentrations. Dual degree and accelerated options reduce your time to completion. Concordia’s online program delivers flexibility for working professionals, and UNO offers MS degrees with public health focus.

Your investment in public health education positions you for strong career outcomes. Employment rates exceed 90%, and job growth is projected at 16% through 2026. Review program formats, concentration options and admission requirements to identify which pathway best arranges with your professional objectives and personal circumstances.