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Master of Public Health (MPH)
Lead Change. Advance Health.
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Take the Next Step Toward Your Public Health Future
Earn Your MPH from a CEPH-Accredited, STEM-Designated Program That Prepares You to Drive Real-World Change.
Sacred Heart University’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program prepares students to protect and improve the health of individuals, families and entire communities. Designed for future leaders in public health, this flexible, Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited program combines expert mentorship, real-world experience and a strong foundation in social justice.
SHU stands out for real-world impact—gain hands-on experience, learn from public health leaders and prepare to make a difference in communities worldwide.
At-A-Glance
- Duration:
- 1 year (accelerated full-time)
- 3 years (part-time)
- Credits: 42
- Cost Per Credit: $750
- Modality: On-Campus, Hybrid or Online
- Start Terms: Fall (September), Spring (January)
- Test Requirements: No GRE/MCAT Required
- STEM-Designated: Yes
Why Choose Sacred Heart for Your MPH?
Whether you're pursuing a bachelor’s in a health degree and planning ahead or exploring a career change with a public health degree, Sacred Heart’s MPH sets you on a path to success. You'll gain the skills and experience needed for high-impact roles in public health and epidemiology, biostatistics and beyond.
Students benefit from:
- Hands-on learning through long-term projects with community partners
- Extensive internship or co-op opportunities tied directly to coursework
- Industry-recognized credentials that strengthen your resume
Upcoming Events
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Sacred Heart University is committed to making graduate education accessible and affordable. MPH students may qualify for a range of financial support options, including:
- Graduate Grant in Aid
- Veteran Benefits
- Graduate Assistantships
- Hall director positions
Pioneers in Public Health Scholarship
Through the Pioneers in Public Health Scholarship program, Sacred Heart University provides up to $20,000 in scholarship support for eligible MPH students. Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), this opportunity is available for:
- Students enrolled in the MPH program
- Sacred Heart’s 4+1 BS Public Health-MPH or BS Health Science-Global Health programs
Interested students can contact Jacqueline Vernarelli to apply.
Flexible & Accessible Public Health Degree Program
Sacred Heart offers one of the most flexible public health MPH programs available:
- Full-time and part-time options
- One-year full-time accelerated option
- Traditional full-time or full-time evening only options allow the program to be completed in 15-18 months
- Hybrid and on-campus formats, with some online components available
- Personalized attention through small class sizes and a strong student-faculty mentorship
Curriculum for Master’s in Public Health
Sacred Heart’s MPH curriculum is rooted in community health and social justice, making it one of the top master’s in public health options for students committed to making a difference. Students learn from nationally recognized faculty while developing practical, high-demand skills, including:
- Analytical and assessment techniques using qualitative and quantitative data
- Public health and health care systems understanding
- Program planning and management
- Policy development and advocacy
- Leadership and communication in public health
- Systems thinking for complex health environments
This robust curriculum for a Master’s in Public Health ensures you're ready for real-world impact from day one.
STEM Designated Program
This is a STEM-designated program, which means you will be trained in areas of science that are in high demand with U.S. employers. This program allows international students with F1 visas to extend their OPT in the U.S. by 24 months after graduating (36 months in total).
Public Health Degree Career Paths
Sacred Heart’s MPH program prepares you for a variety of public health careers across local, national and global settings. Graduates go on to work in hospitals, nonprofits, consulting firms and government agencies. With a 100% placement rate for recent graduates, your path is clear.
Public health professionals consistently find purpose in their work—PublicHealthCareers.org reports that 94% of those in government roles believe they’re making a real difference in people’s lives.
Public health careers include:
- Epidemiologist
- Biostatistician
- Public health educator
- Community health worker
- Public health administrator
- Health advocate
- Researcher
Working in public health is a rewarding field. According to publichealthcareers.org 94% of government public health workers feel their work makes a difference.
Lifetime Career Support
Public Health students benefit from a dedicated career team with industry experience and deep employer partnerships that connect top talent to major companies. Students and alumni enjoy lifetime access to the Center for Career & Professional Development, where expert coaches provide personalized support with resumes, interviews and job placement.
SHU's MPH program strengthened my awareness, knowledge and my abilities as a health care leader. I had the opportunity to apply the classroom lessons from each semester to real work experiences that impact the lives of over eleven thousand patients.
Faculty Highlights
Jacqueline A. Vernarelli, Ph.D.
Program Director & Nutritional Epidemiologist/Public Health Nutritionist
Nkemdilim Chineye Anako, MPH, CHES
Practitioner at Trinity Health
Brittany P. Dube, MPH
Practitioner at Stamford Department of Health
Anna E. Price, Ph.D., MCHES
Community-based Research Specialist
Degree Options for Incoming Students & Current SHU Undergraduates
For Incoming Freshmen: BS-MPH Dual Degree Program
Incoming freshmen can apply directly to both the undergraduate and graduate programs for a streamlined experience leading to a master's degree in public health.
For Current SHU Undergraduates: 4+1 Accelerated BA/BS-MPH Degree Program
Sacred Heart undergraduates, regardless of undergraduate major, can fast-track their future by earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just five years. Work with your adviser to develop your 4+1 plan.
Accreditation & National Recognition
Sacred Heart University’s MPH program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). This means the curriculum, faculty and outcomes meet the highest national standards, making it one of the most respected master’s in the public health industry.
Explore What You Can Do with a Master’s in Public Health
Still wondering what you can do with a master’s in public health? With this degree, you’ll be equipped to lead health initiatives, shape public policy, analyze health data and advocate for communities both locally and globally.
Start your journey toward transforming public health.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Applications to the Sacred Heart University Master of Public Health Program are accepted on a rolling basis.
- Depending on the desired program length & pace of study (accelerated, full-time or part-time), students may matriculate in the fall or spring semester on a full or part-time basis.
- There is no GRE requirement for the Sacred Heart University MPH program.
- There are no required prerequisite courses. Public health is a multi-disciplinary field and applicants from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
For complete information, visit our MPH admission requirements page.
The MPH program at SHU is a 42-credit degree program. The program can be completed either on a full-time or a part-time basis. Students, typically in their final year of the program, choose between an Applied Practice Experience or a Research Thesis to satisfy the culminating experience requirement for graduation.
Our flexible curriculum includes classes that are offered on-ground, hybrid and online. Students enrolled full time take up to four courses per term. Full-time students spend one day each week on campus, with classes offered during the day and/or in the evening, in addition to online coursework. This low-residency structure combines the flexibility of online learning with in-person interaction, allowing students to pursue an MPH with minimal time away from their jobs and families, but still benefit from close interaction with faculty.
For students enrolled part-time, classes are offered in the evenings one day a week and online, allowing for minimal disruption to their careers. The online offerings have consistent, predictable assignment dates, allowing students to plan ahead and complete assignments when time permits. Most part-time students take up to two courses per term.
Yes, students can work when enrolled in the MPH program. Our low-residency format allows students to complete an MPH with minimal time away from their jobs, yet still benefit from regular personalized interaction with faculty. This format allows students to build a professional network that will allow them to achieve their academic and career goals.
There are many opportunities for graduate assistant positions that can assist with tuition costs. The public health department has a minimum of four graduate assistant positions open to students each year. Faculty are also available to identify scholarships, fellowships and loan repayment programs that may assist with the cost of the program.
The MPH Practicum is one capstone option in the MPH program that satisfies the culminating experience requirement for graduation. The Practicum gives students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to real-world public health issues.
Students who choose to do a Practicum will partner with an external community partner to design and implement a public health applied project. Students will identify two mentors who will guide them through their Practicum. The community site mentor will provide practical guidance to the student on project implementation. The faculty mentor will provide assistance in shaping the student’s project and will provide general guidance in the professional development of the student.
The MPH program allows students to choose between two capstone options for a culminating Public Health Experience. These options are: Applied Practice Experience (APE) or Thesis research. Students who choose to do an Applied Practice Experience register for MPH 596/598 (APE Seminar I, II) The APE Seminar allows students to work on their Applied Practice Experience with other classmates and faculty. Students draft and submit an Applied Practice Experience Proposal Form to their mentors for review and approval. Students will also submit progress reports to their mentors monthly. The APE ends with the student submitting a final paper and presenting their portfolio to students, faculty and mentors.
Students who choose a research capstone design, prepare and defend a master’s thesis. A thesis is a body of work that contributes new public health knowledge to the field. Students develop an original research question that they then evaluate using public health methodology. Students pursuing thesis research will enroll in MPH 597/599 (Thesis I, II), where they will work closely with faculty mentors to complete their project. All students who choose the thesis option will still experience applied learning experiences in the field; our curriculum includes experiential learning experiences as part of the required coursework.
More Information
International Admissions
Edith Goutier
Director of International Admissions
+1-475-450-5714
goutiere@sacredheart.edu
Domestic Admissions
Cristen Meehl
Associate Director of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment
203-416-3031
meehlc@sacredheart.edu
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