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Accelerated Public Health Degree

B.S. and M.P.H.

Earn your bachelor's and master's degrees 100% online at UND's top rated Public Health program.

Fast track your education with an accelerated degree in Public Health. Complete both a bachelor's and master's in Public Health from anywhere in the world all online. Graduates from UND's M.P.H. program have a 100% employment rate in health-related careers.

Program type:
Accelerated (Bachelor’s and Master’s)
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
5 years
Credit hours:
150

Why earn an accelerated public health degree?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 15
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

 

Graduate Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 3
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Complete the required courses, and you'll earn both your bachelor's and master's degrees at the same time. You’ll declare your program of study as an undergraduate student and follow a straightforward plan all the way through to graduating with a master’s degree.

  1. Incoming freshman or transfer students apply to UND as an undergraduate student.
  2. After completing 60 credits, apply to the School of Graduate Studies.
UND's accelerated public health program allows you to pursue a bachelor’s degree (B.S.) and master’s degree (M.P.H.), shortening the time required to earn a master’s degree. 

Public Health Bachelor's Degree

The Public Health Education bachelor's program is based on a strong foundation in the health sciences, social sciences and psychology. It prepares you to think critically and scientifically, while enhancing communication skills and leadership experiences with a focus on social justice. You will be exposed to the ethical principles of public health practice in your work with diverse populations.

In the bachelor's program, you will have:

  • Applied learning experiences. All students complete a 12-credit internship, engage in service-learning projects, and are encouraged to participate in public health study abroad opportunities.
  • Flexibility and convenience. UND offers the degree online and prepares students to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.
  • Comprehensive curriculum. You are exposed to five core areas of public health: epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioral sciences, health policy and management, and environmental health.

Master's in Public Health

The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree, accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, offers three specializations to help you develop necessary skills.

  • Indigenous Health provides you with a critical understanding of determinants and solutions to health disparities. UND's specialization is the only 100% online Indigenous Health program in the world.
  • Population Health Research & Analytics prepares you to produce convincing and scientifically sound information about population health, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and provide the basis for improving health policies and programs. This specialization is classified as STEM-eligible, allowing international students on an F-1 visa to apply for two years of additional Optional Practical Training in the United States after graduation if they meet the required criteria.
  • Health Management & Policy gives you the skills needed to manage health delivery systems effectively and efficiently, analyze health policies, and communicate to affect change in health policy and management.

Accelerated Public Health Degree at UND

  • Learn the principles of evidence-based public health and key elements such as health communications, health policy, law and ethics. 

  • Earn complementary graduate certificates in Geographic Information Science (GISc) or Policy Analysis.

  • Join the Public Health Association (PHA), a resource for students and community members interested in aspects of community and public health.

  • Become eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) Exam after completing the B.S. portion of the program.

  • Become eligible to sit for the  Certified in Public Health (CPH) Exam after completing the M.P.H. portion of the program. 

  • Get hired! At UND, you'll receive help perfecting your resume, practice interviewing, and learn effective job-hunting strategies.

Public Health Careers

60K

Median salary for health education specialists in the U.S.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

7%

Job growth outlook for health educators and community health workers through 2032

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A master's degree in public health opens the door for a variety of different jobs. Popular employment areas in public health include:

  • Biostatistician
  • Epidemiologist
  • Health policy analysis
  • Medical science
  • Public health administration
  • Public health education
  • Public health statistics

When You Earn a Degree in Public Health

A Public Health degree gives you the strategic skills you need, including:

  • Grant Writing
  • Statistical Softwares
  • Strategic Planning
  • Literature Reviews

UND Public Health Degree Jobs

Public Health alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • Altru Health System
  • North Dakota Department of Health
  • American Indian Cancer Foundation
  • Health Partners Institute
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Sanford Research

Public Health Courses

PHE 304. Health Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to prepare public health educators to plan, implement, and evaluate health education programs that are context sensitive, culturally relevant, and technologically appropriate to the setting, the population of potential learners, and the resources available. Additionally, concepts and theories essential to program evaluation are highlighted. Prerequisite: Public Health Education Major, PHE 101, and PHE 301. S.

PHE 303. Organization and Administration of Community Health Programs. 3 Credits.

The purpose of this course is to provide the students with the basic principles of the organization and administration of health programs; leadership skills; grant writing. Prerequisite: PHE 101. S.

PHE 306. Epidemiology and Biostatistics. 3 Credits.

An introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics in public health. Prerequisite: Public Health Education Major, PHE 101, PHE 102 and MATH 103. S.

PHE 302. Community Health. 3 Credits.

Concepts of community and public health, health advocacy, and cultural competence; role of government, nonprofit and private agencies; investigation of health issues. Prerequisite: PHE 101. F.

T&L 252. Child Development. 3 Credits.

Study of the growth and developmental process through adolescence. A basis for understanding basic needs of the normal child and means of meeting them in the child's home and community environment. F,S.

KIN 402. Exercise Physiology. 3 Credits.

This course will examine the acute and chronic effect of the type, intensity and duration of exercise on physiological functions. Corequisite: KIN 402L. F.

Best Online Public Health Master's Programs

#12 Healthcare Management
#12 College Rank
#14 Intelligent
#14 GradSchoolHub
#16 PublicHealth
#45 STEPS
#50 EDUMED

Several college ranking sites put UND’s Public Health master’s in the Top 20 best online programs in nation. We’re well regarded for our educational quality, affordability and career outcomes.

Ranking sites vary in their methodology, but are generally based on the following criterion:

  • Financial data such as net cost, loan default rate, and return on investment
  • Academic rigor including curriculum standards, accreditation status, and faculty reputation
  • Student gratification, retention rate, and support services
  • Employment rate and graduate salary

Accelerated Online Public Health Degree

9#

best online university in the nation

EDsmart

2#

best online graduate programs

EDsmart

The entire online bachelor's in Public Health Education has flexible asynchronous courses. M.P.H. courses are offered in both asynchronous and synchronous formats depending on the instructor.

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Synchronous classes are held in real-time. If you’re the kind of learner who likes active discussion and immediate feedback through live interaction, you’ll enjoy this online course format.

Every class is different, but generally, you’ll log into a virtual classroom at scheduled times to:

  • Listen to a lecture.
  • Ask questions.
  • Participate in class discussions.
  • Conduct group activities.
  • Participate in video-sharing.
  • Have chat conversations.
  • Use interactive whiteboards.
  • Take live polls.

You should prepare for your classes by finishing any assigned readings, compiling questions for your instructor, and thinking about how to contribute to the next live class.

Top-Tier Online Student Resources

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on-campus student.

  • Same degree. All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes. You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction. You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor. As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring. We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching. Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access. Dig into virtual research from the Chester Fritz Library. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support. UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.

Best Online College

Reportedly high alumni salaries and job placement rates, coupled with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other non-profit universities in the upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Paysacle.com)

 

Public Health Degree

Two degrees in five years

Fast track your education with an accelerated degree in Public Health. Complete both a bachelor's and master's in Public Health from anywhere in the world.

Explore More Options

Get the knowledge you’ll need to devise and implement solutions to public health challenges.

Department Contact
Todd Sabato
Program Director
P 701.777.5936
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