Be a public health leader in your community
Pursue an Online Master’s in Public Health Degree From a Leading University
Promoting wellness to individuals, families and communities and protecting them from a range of health threats has never been more important. Our world needs more leaders in public health to take up this important work at local, state, national and global levels. Through the Master of Public Health degree program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, you’ll gain practical knowledge and skills to improve health policy and practice and tackle health inequities.
With DMU’s CEPH accredited online M.P.H. program, you can start or advance your career in public health. And because our program is 100% online, you can work toward an M.P.H. degree while enjoying the flexibility of a master’s program that allows you to maintain a schedule that works for you.
At-a-Glance
Quick facts
Quick
facts
85%
of M.P.H. degree graduates are employed or in graduate school
2 Years
to complete the online M.P.H. program
29
states represented within our M.P.H. program
9:1
graduate student to faculty ratio
What can you do with a public health master's degree?
Public health professionals are essential to the health and wellness of our communities, from improving health outcomes through educating local community members to identifying and monitoring new and emerging diseases. Graduates from DMU’s master’s degree in public health program perform functions that have large and lasting impacts in health care, government and the health care insurance industry.
Public Health Careers
DMU M.P.H. degree program graduates have held titles such as:
- Assistant manager for infection prevention and control at Stanford Children’s Health
- Associate professor at Georgia State University
- Consumer safety officer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Diabetes education coordinator at MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Public health analyst at the Center for Disease Control
- Senior accreditation specialist at the Public Health Accreditation Board
Master’s Degree in Public Health Program Highlights
DMU’s online master’s in public health program focuses on providing you with the knowledge and skills to pursue leadership and managerial positions in government, nonprofit and health care organizations. While earning an M.P.H. degree from DMU, you can expect to:
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Learn from world-renowned experts in public health
Our online M.P.H. faculty members are leaders in their field. These academic experts, researchers and practitioners not only prepare you to shine in a public health career, but they also contribute to public health through revolutionary research that advances your educational experiences and improves our world.
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Receive personalized career-building opportunities
With a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, DMU’s master’s in public health online degree program is small enough that our faculty can provide one-on-one feedback and coaching on your progress throughout the coursework. This allows our graduate students to apply new information to their careers immediately.
Our expert master’s of public health faculty also have strong relationships with public health and health care organizations in Des Moines, around Iowa and throughout the Midwest. These relationships provide opportunities to connect with industry professionals during field experiences. Many of our online M.P.H. graduate students are often hired by these organizations after they finish their master’s degree at DMU.
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Experience a connected online community
As a master’s in public health online student, you will have access to resources that help you connect and network with classmates. These online resources include our library, student health resources and more.
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Specialize for your career path
DMU’s online master’s of public health program offers three concentrations: public health practice, public health administration and policy, and health education and promotion. These options allow you to gain specialized expertise that helps you stand out in a competitive profession.
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Gain hands-on field experience
Our online master’s in public health degree program provides opportunities to take part in both applied practice and integrative learning experiences. This means you’ll be able to apply what you learn while pursuing public health initiatives that interest you.
Although our M.P.H. degree is 100% online, you can benefit from our location in Des Moines, Iowa, during your field work. Because Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa and our state capital, you will have access to county and state public health officers and professionals from statewide medical facilities.
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Earn an affordable, valuable master’s degree
Because scholarship opportunities can be limited for online M.P.H. students, DMU purposely keeps tuition and fees low for graduate students. Students in the master’s of public health online program are charged a flat rate for tuition, and you do not pay graduate student fees.
Meet Your Master of Public Health Faculty
The excellence of DMU’s online M.P.H. faculty members is a top reason why we are known as a leader in public health education, research and policy development.
Join Our Global Alumni Network
Des Moines University’s Master of Public Health degree program boasts a vast alumni network.
What Public Health Graduates Are Saying
“I chose DMU because I love that I'm able to have one on one conversations whenever I feel the need to with my advisor. The professors are very approachable and respond to emails in a timely manner. In October 2020 to March 2021 I worked as a contact tracer for COVID-19 at Shelby County Public Health in Harlan, IA while I was working for the Women, Infant, and Child Program as a Nutrition Educator and Certified Lactation Specialist. Now I work in STD/HIV investigations and work with clinics and hospitals to verify treatment and complete interviews with patients. Many things we discuss and do at work has come up in my coursework at DMU.”
Rebecca Mulder, M.P.H.'25
Disease Prevention Specialist at Black Hawk County Health Department
Explore Master’s Degree in Public Health Program Courses
DMU’s 42-credit-hour online master’s degree program in public health blends public health funding, grant management, leadership, health policy and more to provide you with the expertise to lead in your public health career.
Each M.P.H. degree course averages nine students, and you can expect to take on such classes as:
- Basic Statistics
- Environmental and Occupational Health
- Public Health Leadership, Administration and Finance
- U.S. Health Care and Public Health System
Graduate Programs Related to Public Health
DMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
In June 2024, DMU's master of public health program received the longest possible reaccreditation term, seven years, from the Council on Education for Public Health. CEPH accreditation ensures the program prepares graduates to achieve the highest excellence in practice, research and service.