Contact your enrollment specialist to be reviewed for an application fee waiver.
Prepare to address complex public health challenges and advance evidence-based solutions at local, national and global levels. Choose between two accelerated online pathways — complete your degree in as few as 12 months or opt for an 18-month track that offers greater flexibility. No GRE required.
Top 15 National Ranking1
Nationally recognized as a Top 15 Public Health School by U.S. News & World Report.
Programmatic Accreditation
The Master of Public Health curriculum is programmatically accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Regional Accreditation
The George Washington University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Which program are you interested in?
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PATHWAYS
ADMISSIONS
CURRICULUM
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FAQS
The online MPH program offers two accelerated pathways — a 12-month option and an 18-month option — that allow qualified students to earn their degree on an expedited timeline. Which pathway is right for you depends on your academic background, schedule and professional commitments. Both options are designed for students who can dedicate significant time to their coursework.
| Pacing Metric | 12-Month Accelerated Option | 18-Month Accelerated Option |
|---|---|---|
Academic Load | Average of 11.5 credits per quarter Approximately 11–13 credits per term | Average of 7.5 credits per quarter Approximately 7–8 credits per term |
Weekly Time Commitment | 60–80 hours of weekly coursework | 40–60 hours of weekly coursework |
Employment Regulations | Not permitted to work while enrolled in the program | Permitted to maintain part-time employment (up to 20 hours/week) |
Admissions GPA Baseline | Undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher is required | Undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher is preferred |
Additional Pacing Flexibility: If you require a less intensive pace to accommodate full-time career or personal commitments, you can choose to complete your online MPH over a standard two-, three-, four- or five-year timeline built around foundational core coursework delivered by George Washington University faculty.
The online MPH program consists of 45 total credits and offers multiple financing tracks, institutional aid and counseling to help students manage the cost of graduate public health education.
Admissions Requirements & Checklist
All applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Your completed online application portfolio must include:
Note: GMAT or GRE score submissions are completely optional and not required for admission review.
Tuition & Financial Specifications
Review the baseline cost allocations established for the graduate academic year:
Explore Detailed Tuition Breakdowns & Financial Aid Deadlines →
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PATHWAYS
ADMISSIONS
CURRICULUM
FACULTY
FAQS
The accelerated Online MPH consists of 45 credits and can be completed in either 12 or 18 months.
Coursework includes:
17 core public health credits
10 program-specific credits
16 elective credits
2 culminating experience credits
As part of the MPH curriculum, you’ll complete an Applied Practice Experience (APEx) that provides opportunities to apply public health concepts in professional settings. Working with an organization in your local community, elsewhere in the United States or internationally, you’ll:
Examples of practicum settings include:
No matter which track you choose, the Online MPH program is designed to give you a broad public health foundation and specialized expertise. Our electives cover a wide variety of focus areas:
You can further tailor your studies, deepen your knowledge and explore your interests by selecting an optional concentration.
The optional Health Informatics concentration was developed by some of the nation’s foremost experts in health informatics, data and technology. This concentration gives you a holistic understanding of the evolving roles of IT and data in public health, health care delivery and a range of other disciplines. Sample courses include:
The optional Global Health concentration explores critical global health challenges facing our world today, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, health care access disparities and more. Sample courses include:
The optional Climate Health concentration prepares you to address the health impacts of climate change — a global issue with far-reaching consequences. Learn about the intersection of public health and environmental science, and gain practical skills for tackling climate-related health challenges. Sample courses include:
The optional Women, Youth and Child Health concentration explores topics such as reproductive health, maternal and child health, gender-based violence and adolescent health. Sample courses include:
Explores foundational epidemiologic methods used to investigate disease outbreaks, measure population health trends and evaluate public health interventions. Students learn study design, causal inference, hypothesis testing and surveillance strategies used to address contemporary public health challenges.
Examines the relationship between population health and exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents in the environment. Students explore how environmental systems interact with human health and how public health professionals assess and address environmental health risks.
Analyzes the structure, financing and delivery of public health and health care systems in the United States and around the world. Students develop policy analysis skills by evaluating public health challenges and proposing evidence-based solutions through written and oral communication.
Introduces social and behavioral science theories, models and concepts used to understand public health challenges and design effective interventions. Students examine how factors such as race, ethnicity, culture and community environments influence health outcomes and population well-being.
Applies biostatistical principles to the analysis and interpretation of public health research, clinical trials and health services studies. Students learn statistical methods used to identify significant associations, evaluate evidence and support data-driven public health decision-making.
Explore the Online MPH Curriculum
Below are sample course schedules for our one-year and 18-month options. These schedules can help you decide which courses to take during which quarter.
Quarter 1
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Environmental and Biological Foundations of Public Health (6011) | 3 |
Fundamentals of Health Policy: Public Health and Healthcare (6012) | 2 |
Principles and Practice of Epidemiology (6003) | 3 |
Social and Behavioral Approaches to Public Health (6007) | 2 |
Leading Self and Teams in Public Health (6021)2 | 1 |
Quarter 2
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Biostatistical Applications for Public Health (6002) | 3 |
Fundamentals of Program Evaluation (6009) | 2 |
Planning & Implementation of Health Promotion Programs (6500) | 3 |
Elective | 2 |
Managing Organizations & Influencing Systems in Public Health (6022)2 | 1 |
Quarter 3
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Comparative Global Health Systems (6442) | 2 |
Practical Data Management & Analysis (6052) | 2 |
Introduction to Public Health Communications & Marketing (6503) | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Culminating Experience I (6060) | 1 |
Quarter 4
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Elective | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Culminating Experience II (6061) | 1 |
Total Credits: 45
2 Note: In PUBH 6021 and PUBH 6022, the Applied Practice Experience (Practicum) will be introduced and guidelines and tools for fulfilling this requirement will be provided. Upon completion of the 120 hour required Practicum, students will receive credit for PUBH 6022. PUBH 6021 must be completed in the first term of enrollment.arrow_upward
Quarter 1
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Environmental and Biological Foundations of Public Health (6011) | 3 |
Principles and Practice of Epidemiology (6003) | 3 |
Leading Self and Teams in Public Health (6021)3 | 1 |
Quarter 2
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Biostatistical Applications for Public Health (6002) | 3 |
Fundamentals of Health Policy: Public Health and Healthcare (6012) | 2 |
Social and Behavioral Approaches to Public Health (6007) | 2 |
Quarter 3
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Planning & Implementation of Health Promotion Programs (6500) | 3 |
Fundamentals of Program Evaluation (6009) | 2 |
Practical Data Management & Analysis (6052) | 2 |
Quarter 4
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Elective | 2 |
Introduction to Public Health Communications & Marketing (6503) | 3 |
Managing Organizations & Influencing Systems in Public Health (6022)3 | 1 |
Elective | 3 |
Quarter 5
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Comparative Global Health Systems (6442) | 2 |
Elective | 2 |
Elective | 3 |
Culminating Experience I (6060) | 1 |
Quarter 6
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Culminating Experience II (6061) | 1 |
Elective | 2 |
Elective | 2 |
Elective | 2 |
Total Credits: 45
3 Note: In PUBH 6021 and PUBH 6022, the Applied Practice Experience (Practicum) will be introduced and guidelines and tools for fulfilling this requirement will be provided. Upon completion of the 120 hour required Practicum, students will receive credit for PUBH 6022. PUBH 6021 must be completed in the first term of enrollment.arrow_upward
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PATHWAYS
ADMISSIONS
CURRICULUM
FACULTY
FAQS
The one-year MPH program is taught by faculty members who bring experience from public health agencies, research institutions and health care organizations. Through coursework and applied learning experiences, you’ll learn from experts actively addressing complex public health challenges and shaping policy, research and practice.
Faculty have worked with organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, helping students connect classroom learning to real-world public health issues.
Professor of Environmental Health whose teaching and research focus on environmental and occupational health, public health risk assessment, toxicology and sustainable environmental systems.
Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Prevention and Community Health whose work focuses on health promotion, disease prevention, health communication and community health improvement.
Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health whose teaching explores toxicology, risk assessment and the role of scientific evidence in public health decision-making.
The ideal candidate is a highly disciplined and academically strong professional with a GPA above 3.5. This track is designed for those who want to focus entirely on rapid career advancement or a career pivot.
Applicants must submit official transcripts, a resume or CV, a statement of purpose and letters of recommendation. Because of the accelerated pace, successful applicants must have a strong academic record (an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher) and the ability to manage an intensive course load. Students in this track may not work while enrolled.
No. Students in the 12-month accelerated track are generally not permitted to work while enrolled. The program is highly intensive and requires a significant weekly time commitment.
You should expect to dedicate 60–80 hours of coursework per week to this highly accelerated track. Because of this intense workload, you are generally not permitted to work during your studies.
Students in the 12-month program take an average of 11.5 credits per quarter. This track consists of four 10-week quarters over a single calendar year.
Yes, you can typically switch to an 18-month or standard track if you need to adjust your pace. This flexibility allows you to reduce your workload to 7.5 credits or fewer per quarter.
The GW Master of Public Health curriculum is the same as the traditional program and covers all core competencies. The only difference is the accelerated structure, which requires year-round, full-time study without long breaks.
You must proactively secure an approved site and align your project with departmental competencies during your first quarter of study. Students use Handshake to track their hours and should start the practicum as soon as they become eligible.
Yes, the program includes mandatory weekly live sessions held via Zoom. You will participate in roughly 120 minutes of faculty-led sessions and 90 minutes of student-led sessions each week.
Yes. If you prefer to complete your MPH in person, the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health offers residential MPH programs on its Washington, D.C. campus.
Explore the available residential MPH programs to find the option that best aligns with your interests and career goals.
There are four start dates per year in January, April, July and September. You should speak with an Enrollment Specialist to confirm if your preferred start date aligns with the 1-year graduation timeline.
Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in organizations like the CDC or NIH, as well as health care systems and private consulting. Common roles include epidemiologist, health policy analyst or public health program manager.
Yes. Students typically complete practicum experiences within their own communities and receive support from the placement team in identifying opportunities that align with their interests and career goals.
The accelerated pathways require a significant time commitment. Students in the 12-month option are not permitted to work while enrolled. Students in the 18-month option are not permitted to work more than part-time while enrolled.
