Tennessee’s 8 Best MPH Programs

Tennessee gives you access to multiple CEPH-accredited MPH programs. You can choose from an accredited school of public health and accredited programs at universities throughout the state. The state offers strong public health education with concentrations in epidemiology and health policy. Several schools provide online pathways alongside traditional on-campus formats. East Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, and the University of Memphis all offer these options.

Our list reviews the eight best MPH programs to help you make an informed decision for 2027, whether you’re interested in University of Tennessee public health offerings or other graduate programs in Tennessee.

1. Vanderbilt University Master of Public Health

Vanderbilt University offers a Master of Public Health as a 42-credit hour program you can complete over two years through five academic terms on a full-time basis. The program starts each fall semester and places students within one of the nation’s best research institutions. You get access to resilient research infrastructure and interdisciplinary cooperation.

Small, cooperative cohorts define the learning environment. You receive one-on-one faculty mentorship throughout your studies and can design a path that matches your career goals. Nashville thrives as a hub for health care, research and innovation. This provides immediate access to professional networks and career opportunities.

Available Concentrations and Tracks

Three distinct tracks anchor the curriculum. The Epidemiology and Clinical Research track targets students with strong clinical backgrounds, physicians or other doctorally qualified professionals. You gain advanced statistical tools and research methods to perform population-based quantitative assessment. Core coursework covers epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioral science, environmental science, public health systems and research ethics. A 240-hour practicum places students at organizations such as the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Center for Disease Control and Prevention or Veterans Administration.

The Global Health track focuses on cultural competence, ethics and policy on a global scale. Students complete the same core courses as the Epidemiology track, plus Foundations of Global Health, Essential Skills in Global Health and Leadership, Policy and Management in Public Health. This track requires 400 hours of practicum in placements like Lwala Community Alliance, World Health Organization or Partners in Health.

The Health Policy track prepares you for leadership positions in public and private sectors. You study Health Economics, U.S. Health Policy and Decision Analysis in addition to core public health coursework. The 240-hour practicum spans settings that include hospitals, managed care organizations, consulting firms, advocacy organizations and public health departments.

Each track requires a culminating experience. Students choose between completing a thesis or capstone project and select their research topic or focus area. Many Epidemiology track students pursue the thesis option. This results in manuscripts suitable for submission to refereed biomedical literature.

Key Features and Highlights

Faculty work with students through coursework, practicum and culminating experiences. The Epidemiology track cooperates with clinical research infrastructure, while Global Health students partner with the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health. Health Policy students work with the Department of Health Policy.

Dual degree pathways include MD/MPH, MPH/MEd in International Education Policy and Management, and MPH/MA in Latin American Studies. Tuition assistance becomes available for eligible VUMC employees who pursue skills in areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, clinical trials, informatics, survey research, program assessment and implementation science.

Admission Requirements

The application process works through SOPHAS with two deadlines. Priority Round closes December 15 and gives applicants priority consideration for scholarships. Regular Round ends February 15. You submit one application per admissions cycle and select your preferred track.

Required materials include:

• Current CV or resume uploaded to SOPHAS
• Official transcripts that document prior academic degrees and coursework
• Statement of purpose that describes past education, experience, professional career objectives and how Vanderbilt’s program matches your goals
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to assess your academic and professional abilities

GRE and MCAT scores are not required or expected. Applications without these scores face no penalties during review. International applicants must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

The Epidemiology track strongly prefers at least two years of relevant post-undergraduate professional experience. Applicants should express the research they plan to pursue for their master’s thesis. Health Policy track candidates benefit from two years of relevant experience in health or policy settings.

Accreditation Status

The Council on Education for Public Health accredited the Vanderbilt Master of Public Health Program in June 2024 for a full seven-year term extending to July 1, 2031. Vanderbilt University holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

2. University of Tennessee Knoxville MPH Program

The University of Tennessee Knoxville’s Department of Public Health delivers a 42-semester credit hour MPH degree structured as a non-thesis professional preparation program. You can complete the degree on a part-time basis. Many classes are scheduled during late afternoons and evenings to accommodate working professionals. Part-time students finish within two to three years.

The program operates through multiple formats. All five concentrations are accessible through both on-campus and online pathways. The online MPH requires the same 42 credit hours and combines theoretical learning with a mandatory hands-on professional component. You complete it in an average of two to three years.

Available Concentrations and Tracks

Five concentration options structure your degree path:

Community Health Education prepares you to use multidisciplinary theories and organizational change principles. You plan, implement and evaluate health interventions. Educational strategies help you develop policy and improve systems for groups and communities.

Epidemiology holds STEM designation and focuses on data use to conduct qualitative and quantitative population research. You identify health patterns and break down outbreaks. The concentration teaches you to determine disease origins in a variety of populations. You apply epidemiologic principles, understand study design strengths and limitations, and analyze public health data using statistical methods.

Health Policy and Management operated as a distinct concentration since fall 1972. You develop skills in team leadership, financial management, human resources management, communications and program planning. The curriculum addresses health policy formulation and effects related to access to care, quality improvement, cost containment and specialized population needs.

Public Health Nutrition trains you to assess community nutrition needs and identify service gaps. You develop implementation strategies and work with community partners to reduce health disparities and promote optimal health.

Veterinary Public Health explores connections between animal, human and environmental health. The concentration expands veterinary knowledge for careers in food safety, zoonotic diseases, biosecurity and public policy.

Key Features

The Applied Practice Experience (APEx) requires 240 hours in a community health setting. This converts academic theory to public health practice and bridges your transition into the public health workforce. Over 30 percent of Community Health Education and Health Policy and Management students who completed field practice between spring 2012 and spring 2015 secured employment at their practice site.

The department offers dual degree pathways with the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Qualified undergraduate public health majors can apply for advanced placement. You satisfy MPH requirements in one year instead of two by taking up to 9 hours of approved graduate courses during your senior year.

You complete coursework for the online format through distance education while the same academic rigor and applied practice requirements are maintained.

Admission Requirements

You need a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, plus a 3.0 GPA for any graduate courses completed previously. GRE scores are not required.

Application deadlines follow this schedule:

• February 1 for summer admission
• April 1 for fall admission
• October 1 for spring admission (part-time students only)

Spring admission excludes the Epidemiology concentration. Full-time students cannot begin in spring.

Your application has official transcripts, a CV or resume, short answer responses and three professional or academic references. International applicants submit English certification test scores.

Accreditation Status

The Council on Education for Public Health awarded full accreditation to all undergraduate and graduate degree programs in 2024. This extends seven years through 2031 and represents the maximum accreditation period available. The university of Tennessee public health MPH program achieved accreditation in 1969. It became the first program outside a school of public health to receive this recognition. The program managed to keep continuous accreditation since inception.

3. Tennessee State University Master of Public Health

Tennessee State University’s College of Health Sciences houses an MPH program that focuses on cultural competency and health education in a variety of communities. The program requires 42 credit hours and allows completion in two years. This degree helps you develop skills in understanding health determinants, behavioral and social factors, environmental challenges, and political influences on community health.

The curriculum divides into structured components. You complete eight core courses covering biostatistics, environmental health science, epidemiology, management and public health policy, behavioral science, field placement, cultural competency, and a capstone project. Each concentration demands four specific courses plus two electives beyond core requirements, creating a total of 24 courses.

Both on-campus and online formats deliver the same academic rigor. The online MPH offers synchronous virtual and asynchronous options, designed for full-time students and working professionals.

Available Concentrations and Tracks

Public Health Science emphasizes traditional core competencies to build effective public health practitioners. Concentration requirements include Health Communication, Bioterrorism & Disaster Preparedness, Principles of Health Education, and Program Development & Evaluation. You select one program elective from recommended options and one elective from outside the department with advisor approval. This concentration appears in both traditional and online program formats.

Community & Behavioral Sciences provides in-depth examination of diverse populations. Required courses cover Understanding Health Disparities, Maternal, Child, and Family Health, Multicultural Perspectives in Health & Health Care, and Cultural Competency II. You choose one program elective and one outside elective with advisor consent. Graduates develop practices and policies that respect cultural diversity in communities domestically and abroad.

Key Features and Highlights

The field placement requires three credit hours of hands-on professional work. You complete a capstone project rather than a thesis to meet graduation requirements. Students must pass a complete examination before graduation.

Academic standards maintain rigor. You need a B average (3.0) in all coursework and in core courses. The program permits only two grades of C. Three C grades or any grade below C results in automatic dismissal. You may repeat one C grade; receipt of three C grades results in program dismissal.

Transfer policies allow one core course from accredited programs taken within three years. Students admitted conditionally can complete up to nine credit hours without full admission, though successful completion doesn’t guarantee acceptance.

Admission Requirements

You need a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 cumulative GPA for undergraduate degrees or 3.5 for graduate degrees. Applicants below these minimums can take the GRE. Those holding doctoral degrees or professional test scores (GMAT, MCAT, DAT, LSAT) receive consideration during review.

The application requires:

• Personal statement of 500-1,000 words detailing interests, career goals, and motivation for pursuing an MPH
• Three letters of recommendation from instructors, professional references, or employers familiar with your academic background and public health interest
• Resume or CV
• Official transcripts
• Interview with the admissions committee

International applicants submit TOEFL scores of 500 (paper), 173 (computer-based), or 61 (Internet-based) minimum. Applications are reviewed year-round, with fall semester admissions only. Application deadlines are July 1st for fall and November 1st for spring.

Accreditation Status

The Council on Education for Public Health accredited both BS and MPH programs on June 23, 2012, with accreditation extending through July 1, 2028. The program maintains CEPH accreditation status.

4. University of Memphis Online Master of Public Health

The School of Public Health at the University of Memphis received recognition as the #8 online MPH program nationally by Fortune Recommends. This CEPH-accredited program structures 42 credit hours across core courses, concentration requirements, electives, applied practical experience and a culminating experience. You complete the degree full-time in four semesters or part-time at a pace that varies based on your schedule. Both on-campus and online formats deliver similar academic content.

Qualified students handling intensive course loads can opt for an accelerated pathway and finish in 12-15 months. You become eligible to sit for the CPH exam after graduation.

Available Concentrations and Tracks

Epidemiology prepares you to apply epidemiological methods in public health studies. The program uses didactic, hands-on and experiential learning. You design and conduct epidemiologic surveys, analyze complex public health data and apply advanced methods to chronic diseases, cancer and infectious diseases research. This STEM-designated concentration suits students with science backgrounds, public health professionals advancing careers, healthcare workers seeking broader context, policy makers and data analysts.

Urban Health addresses public health challenges within urban settings’ unique socioeconomic, demographic, environmental, healthcare and infrastructure characteristics. You assess community health needs and develop interventions. The program considers built and natural environmental ecosystems and their interplay with social determinants.

Social and Behavioral Sciences focuses on designing programs, evaluating outcomes and developing communication strategies to promote health across populations. You implement evidence-based interventions, influence policy and improve health outcomes through targeted strategies.

Generalist Track provides understanding of community, healthcare and government landscapes. Electives allow you to specialize in policy, healthcare administration, interventions design and survey methods. This track serves those preparing for or already engaged in clinical medical fields.

Biostatistics gives you advanced biostatistical skills, critical thinking and knowing how to apply sophisticated methods in disease trends, health policy and program evaluation.

Key Features

Graduate certificate options improve your expertise in health analytics, population health informatics, health systems leadership or population health. Students work with five research centers and three labs. Research pursues mental health, artificial intelligence, chronic diseases, environmental health and substance abuse. The program connects you with 200 communities, non-government organizations and high schools worldwide for applied learning.

Admission Requirements

Applications operate through SOPHAS with rolling admission. Fall semester deadline is July 15, while spring semester closes December 15. International applicants should submit by May 15 for fall and October 15 for spring to ensure sufficient visa processing time.

You need an undergraduate degree from an accredited university with a 3.0 GPA preferred. The School waived GRE requirements, though submitted scores may benefit your review. Your application has a personal statement under 500 words on career interests, CV or resume and two letters of recommendation. International applicants submit evaluated coursework from NACES or AICE certified agencies.

Graduate students maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. No more than 7 hours of C-, C or C+ grades apply toward degree requirements.

Accreditation Status

The School received full seven-year CEPH reaccreditation in 2021. The accreditation covers doctoral, master’s and undergraduate programs. The accreditation decision came at the CEPH Board of Councilors meeting on March 7-8, 2021 and extends through a successful site visit in October 2021.

5. East Tennessee State University MPH Program

Healthcare Management Degree Guide ranked ETSU’s MPH as the best program in the country. The degree requires 43-46 credits depending on concentration choice. You access courses through fully online, on-campus, or blended formats, each taught by similar expert faculty. Students enter during fall or spring terms with no GRE requirement for admission. Graduates achieve 100% employment within one year of completing the program.

Available Concentrations and Tracks

Biostatistics teaches quantitative methods to collect, manage and analyze population health data using statistical software and research techniques. Community Health focuses on competency-based preparation to develop, implement and evaluate community-based interventions through collaborative partnerships. Environmental and Occupational Health prepares specialists who understand chemical, biological and physical environmental factors and their effect on community health. Epidemiology trains practitioners to collect and analyze data for monitoring diseases, illnesses and injuries while investigating patterns and causes. Public Health Leadership & Policy develops leadership capabilities in budgeting, finance, strategic planning and policy design for public health organizations.

Key Features and Highlights

The program maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio and ensures tailored attention throughout your studies. You complete a mandatory 300-hour internship with approved partner organizations from over 300 available sites. All coursework delivers asynchronously for maximum flexibility in the online format. Dual degree options include MD/MPH and PharmD/MPH articulated programs. An accelerated bachelor’s to master’s pathway allows completion of both degrees at an accelerated pace. Nine graduate certificates in public health apply credits toward the MPH degree.

Admission Requirements

Applications process through SOPHAS with fall deadlines of July 1 for domestic applicants and April 1 for international students. Spring admission closes October 1 domestically and August 1 internationally. You need a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 for domestic applications or 3.0 for international submissions. The application requires official transcripts, three to five letters of recommendation submitted electronically and a personal statement describing your public health interest and professional goals. International applicants complete course-by-course transcript evaluation through World Education Service.

Accreditation Status

The Council on Education for Public Health accredits all ETSU College of Public Health programs. The college achieved distinction as the first school in Tennessee and the only one in central Appalachia with CEPH-accredited status. Reviewers found all 284 criteria across 45 categories achieved “met” status with no partial or unmet findings during the 2023 site visit.

6. Middle Tennessee State University Public Health Program

MTSU’s Department of Health and Human Performance structures its Master of Public Health as a 42-semester credit hour degree with flexible completion pathways. You choose between non-thesis and thesis options to satisfy the Integrative Learning Experience requirement near the end of your studies. The non-thesis pathway requires six credit hours of internship with a related report. The thesis route involves selecting a committee of at least two members and completing six thesis credit hours plus an oral examination.

High-achieving undergraduates enrolled in Public Health can accelerate their education through the ABM program and earn both a B.S. and M.P.H. in five years. This pathway requires a minimum 3.25 GPA and at least two semesters remaining in your undergraduate program. You must submit a cover letter with three letters of recommendation. Four undergraduate courses are replaced with graduate equivalents in the B.S. program.

Available Concentrations and Tracks

The Community Health concentration prepares you to take on roles in non-governmental and governmental agencies at international, national and local levels. Coursework totals 18 hours of public health core requirements. These cover health education theory, environmental health principles, biostatistics, epidemiology methods and program planning. You complete nine hours of concentration-specific courses. These include Applied Survey Methodology, Health Promotion and Social Epidemiology and Population Health. Six hours of guided electives chosen with your advisor round out the academic component, with options such as Bioethical Issues in Health Education and Global Health.

Key Features and Highlights

The Applied Practical Experience spans six credits, known as the internship requirement mandated by CEPH. Many students complete paid internships with the Tennessee Department of Health during fall, spring and summer terms at local and regional facilities. Your internship pairs you with an Internship Coordinator for overall support and an Agency Preceptor at your site. This preceptor guides you through real-life challenges that match your career interests. Over 30 percent of students who finished field practice between spring 2012 and spring 2015 secured employment at their practice location.

Admission Requirements

Applications require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least 18 semester hours in public health or related professional courses. You submit GRE scores, though GMAT or MCAT serve as alternatives. Successful applicants score above 146 on GRE Verbal and 140 on Quantitative measures with a combined total exceeding 286. Submit three letters of recommendation that address your academic qualifications, plus a 400-word statement of purpose. This statement should detail your application reasons, academic interests and professional goals. Application deadlines fall on February 1 for Summer/Fall admission and October 1 for Spring admission.

Accreditation Status

The Council on Education for Public Health accredited both undergraduate and graduate programs.

7. University of Tennessee Health Science Center MPH

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center MPH program climbed 21 spots in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings recently and reached #63 nationwide. The program now places in the top 30% of public health programs. Student performance, faculty expertise and community collaborations reflect the program’s continued excellence.

Available Concentrations and Tracks

UTHSC offers graduate public health education pathways, though specific MPH concentration details require direct institutional contact. The institution also provides a Master of Science in Epidemiology as a distinct 36-credit hour program with three tracks: Clinical Investigation, Biostatistics and Data Science. Core courses in biostatistics, epidemiology and SAS are delivered online.

Key Features and Highlights

Graduate public health programs at UTHSC train current health professionals to develop and improve research design and data analysis skills. Students receive preparation in epidemiology, biostatistics, health research methods, health behavior and health promotion[364]. The MS Epidemiology program offers up to three credit hours of professional development credit if you meet defined criteria.

Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 from an accredited institution is required for graduate public health programs[364]. Applications require official transcripts, a letter of intent describing your specific area of interest and two letters of recommendation[364]. The Graduate Record Examination requires a minimum score of 300 on the revised version. Physicians licensed in the United States may petition for GRE waiver[364]. International applicants submit TOEFL scores of at least 79 on the Internet-based exam[364].

Accreditation Status

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s and doctorate degrees.

8. Meharry Medical College Public Health Program

Meharry Medical College in Nashville celebrates a 50-year legacy of training diverse public health leaders through its Master of Public Health degree. The hybrid program requires 45 credit hours completed over two years across four semesters. It combines live virtual instruction with mandatory in-residence sessions at the Nashville campus once per semester. Most courses meet during evenings, with select daytime offerings. More than 300 graduates have advanced to leadership positions in academia, public health practice and the private sector.

Available Concentrations and Tracks

Three concentration pathways structure your degree. Public Health Practice develops practical skills in program planning and policy advocacy to lead community health initiatives. Epidemiology examines disease distribution patterns and research methods for outbreak control. Maternal & Child Health prepares you to advance the well-being of mothers and children through evidence-based practice while addressing health inequities.

Key Features and Details

The curriculum divides into 30 core credit hours and 15 electives. This allows customization to match your career goals. You complete an Applied Practice Experience that provides hands-on expertise and an Integrative Learning Experience as your culminating project. The program operates test-optional and eliminates GRE requirements.

Admission Requirements

Applications process through two pathways: a free application via the SGH system or through SOPHAS. Submit your resume and personal statement that explains your public health career aspirations. You also need official transcripts and three academic or professional letters of recommendation. Qualified applicants participate in an interview with the admissions committee after application review.

Accreditation Status

The Council on Education for Public Health fully accredits the program through December 31, 2029. Meharry Medical College holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Choose Your Tennessee Program

Tennessee offers multiple CEPH-accredited MPH programs suited to a variety of career goals and learning priorities. You have access to nine options spanning concentrations from epidemiology and biostatistics to health policy and community health. These programs provide flexible pathways through online and hybrid formats and accommodate working professionals and full-time students.

Your next step involves identifying which concentration matches your professional objectives and determining whether you prefer traditional campus experiences or distance learning flexibility. Each program brings distinct strengths, whether Vanderbilt’s research infrastructure, ETSU’s Appalachian focus, or the University of Memphis’s Fortune-ranked online delivery.

Take time to review admission requirements, contact program coordinators, and apply to institutions that match your specific needs.