Online Public Health Programs in Ohio

Smart Choice: Earn a Kent State Public Health Degree

Home

Online Experience

Kent State has been at the forefront of online education for decades. Our effective, engaging online curricula help you, as a working professional, build the skills and connections you’re seeking without the need to commute or relocate.

#10

Best Online Master’s in Public Health Program¹
—Fortune

Why Choose Kent State for Your Public Health Program?

Founded in 1910, Kent State stands as a distinguished R1² public research university collaborating with over 300 community partners. Our commitment to educational excellence and innovation ensures your degree will be both accessible and highly regarded.

The College of Public Health boasts faculty members recognized for their exceptional expertise. They’ll mentor your career development, fostering your thorough understanding of public health principles. Their work receives support from prestigious organizations including the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Their impressive credentials include appointments with the U.S. Congress and Environmental Protection Agency, along with authorship of textbooks and significant contributions to peer-reviewed literature in the public health field.

Exterior of building and lawn on Kent State campus

Recognized Quality

The Kent State College of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). These accreditations attest to the high academic standards of our programs, which are among the most affordable programs in the state.

Our Military Friendly Gold designation recognizes the outstanding service we offer members of the extended military community and all our online students.

Our courses in the online MPH program were created using Quality Matters standards—to offer students meticulously planned, authentic learning experiences. They have earned certification from Quality Matters (QM).³

Choose the Public Health Program That Matches Your Goals

Online Master of Public Health (MPH)

Elevate your professional trajectory with the online Master of Public Health degree. Deepen your knowledge under the guidance of leading experts in health research and policy. By blending theoretical foundations with practical applications, the program helps you graduate ready to tackle and resolve the complex health issues defining our century.

Each of the three degree programs offers opportunities to develop a comprehensive portfolio showcasing your expertise and hands-on experience—valuable assets for both your current position and future career aspirations.

Online MPH in Health Policy and Management (HPM)

Gain advanced knowledge and capabilities needed to create meaningful impact within your community.

Woman at a whiteboard in front of a meeting room, leading a discussion

STEM-Designated Online MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)

Enhance your understanding of individuals, behavioral patterns and environmental factors, exploring their crucial intersections within public health.

Woman in business attire leading a discussion at meeting table

STEM-Designated Online MPH in Epidemiology

Transform your expertise with highly sought-after skills in evidence-based public health decision-making. Master quantitative and qualitative approaches to analyzing disease patterns and health outcomes across populations.

STEM-Designated Online Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Epidemiology

In 2024, epidemiologists from the 50 states and the District of Columbia identified a need for 2,537 more epidemiologists to provide basic public health services nationwide.⁴ Kent State offers two epidemiology-centered online master’s programs that prepare you to be part of the solution to this sweeping problem.

Prepare to spearhead groundbreaking, life-preserving research initiatives. Apply patient-centered research techniques, clinical data evaluation, trial oversight and methodological proficiency in a profession focused on understanding how diseases can be prevented, develop, progress and respond to treatments. The STEM-designated Online Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology program at Kent State allows you to tailor your educational journey through specialized electives covering scientific writing, pharmacoepidemiology, regulatory frameworks, infectious disease management and additional focused topics.

Epidemiology: #5 in Best Science Jobs
—U.S News & World Report⁵

Graduate Certificates

Position yourself on a high-growth career path in as little as a year. Fine-tune your expertise and strengthen your credentials by earning a graduate certificate—as a standalone credential or a step toward an online Master of Public Health in Epidemiology, Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management, or Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology.

Three clinicians in protective gear working in laboratory

Online Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research

This flexible program supports your advancement in the rapidly expanding clinical research sector. Select from specialized courses to build a personalized educational experience that aligns with your specific career goals. Deepen your expertise in essential areas such as research methodologies, regulatory compliance and analytical data management while creating a customized professional pathway.

Man and woman smiling at desk and looking at paperwork

Online Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Compliance

Strengthen patient protection and operational excellence. Develop the confidence to navigate healthcare's complex regulatory environment and become a leader in this expanding administrative specialty. Build expertise in crafting, directing and assessing compliance frameworks across healthcare environments. While law schools typically dominate regulatory compliance education, you'll gain a fresh perspective through the College of Public Health's pioneering online program, which is accredited by the prestigious Compliance Certification Board (CCB)^®.

Online Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Advancing your career requires robust academic qualifications that establish you as an experienced leader in a multifaceted discipline. The Kent State Online Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) program offers three specialized concentration areas and guidance from expert faculty, providing you the chance to focus on your specific interests while exploring diverse professional pathways. You'll develop comprehensive knowledge spanning epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, global health and policy development. Select your concentration from:

Allied Health
Health Services Administration
Clinical Trials Research

Two woman talking while looking at tablet

Build the Career You Want

Take your career to a higher level with Kent State’s affordable, flexible undergraduate and graduate public health programs. Our 100% online programs allow you to keep up with your current responsibilities while you study. Find out how these programs can help you create the career and positive public health impact you want to have.

Download our guide to learn more about:

Career Opportunities
Customizing Your Degree
The Student Experience
Admission Requirements
Tuition and Financial Aid

Download Program Brochure

This will only take a moment.

In what area would you like to specialize?*

Name*

Email*

Phone*

By clicking "Get Program Brochure" and submitting this form, I agree to receive text messages, emails and other communication regarding educational programs and opportunities, and to be contacted by Kent State University and Everspring, its authorized representative. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. View our privacy policy and disclosures.

The Public Health Job Outlook: Nationally and in Ohio

Since the early 2000s, the prevalence of chronic conditions—such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity and hypertension—has increased steadily in this country, and the trend is expected to continue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 42% of people in the U.S. have two or more chronic conditions and 12% have at least five. About 90% of the nation’s annual $4.1 trillion healthcare expenditure goes to managing and treating chronic diseases and mental health conditions.⁶

Who needs public health experts? Every part of society. A 2023 study published in Health Affairs, this country’s leading journal of health policy thought and research, noted that “nearly half of all employees in state and local public health agencies left between 2017 and 2021, a proportion that rose to three-quarters for those ages 35 and younger or with shorter tenures.”⁷

Nationwide Public Health Job Growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the future is very appealing for public health experts with the right qualifications.

Career	Median Annual Salary	Projected Job Growth, 2023-2033
Epidemiologists⁸	$81,390	19% (much faster than the national average)
Data Scientists⁹	$108,020	36% (much faster than the national average)
Medical and Health Services Managers¹⁰	$110,680	29% (much faster than the national average)

Nationwide Public Health Job Growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the future is very appealing for public health experts with the right qualifications.

Epidemiologists^8:

Median Annual Salary: $81,390
Projected Job Growth, 2023-2033: 19% (much faster than the national average)

Data Scientists^9:

Median Annual Salary: $108,020
Projected Job Growth, 2023-2033: 36% (much faster than the national average)

Medical and Health Services Managers^10:

Median Annual Salary: $110,680
Projected Job Growth, 2023-2033: 29% (much faster than the national average)

The Pressing Need for Public Health Experts in Ohio

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio’s 2024 Health Value Dashboard reports that, when it comes to health value, Ohio ranks 44 out of 50 states and the District of Columbia.¹¹ This indicates that Ohioans face significant health challenges and higher healthcare costs than residents of most other states. More than almost anywhere else in the country, Ohio needs public health professionals who can help people get healthy and stay healthy.

Ohio’s Growing Demand for Public Health Specialists

According to Ohio’s 2023-2026 State Plan on Aging, Ohio’s population is aging in large numbers.¹² Consider these statistics:¹³

From 2020-2030, the number of Ohioans age 60 and older is expected to increase by 8.4%
By 2030, more than 25% of Ohio’s population will be 60 and older
From 2020-2040, the number of Ohioans age 85 and older is expected to increase by 51%

The result: In the coming years and decades, public health programs in Ohio will increasingly need public health experts who specialize in gerontology and chronic disease management.

Man in glasses interacting with touchscreen map

Leading Research

Kent State’s Center for Public Policy and Health leads groundbreaking research across critical public health domains, including mental health initiatives that have trained over 11,000 university community members, substance abuse prevention partnerships throughout Ohio, and innovative community health assessments. Led by the Center’s director, Professor Deric R. Kenne, Ph.D., faculty researchers collaborate across disciplines—from biology and computer science to nursing and sociology—on cutting-edge projects such as developing a blood test for suicide risk assessment and using integrated social media and geospatial data to monitor substance use in real-time, while offering expert biostatistical consulting and program evaluation services to communities throughout the region.

Two men and a woman in medical uniforms looking at tablet

Community Partnerships

Join the Kent State graduates thriving in careers at the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and other prominent Ohio health organizations. Our alumni have established themselves across the state's robust healthcare landscape, which includes 113 local health departments spanning general health districts at the county level, city health districts, and combined health districts.¹⁴

Connect, Learn and Grow in Public Health

Kent State’s partnerships with local public health organizations enhance your professional development through invaluable networking opportunities. You can gain insight into possible career paths as you build relationships with potential employers who understand the specific needs and challenges of your community's health landscape.

Expand your knowledge, network and career potential by attending virtual events, research symposia and public health conferences, such as those held by:

Start Your Public Health Journey at Kent State

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

Be in your senior year of high school or hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent degree
Apply for admission using the Kent State application or the Common Application
Application fee: $50 for U.S. applicants, $70 for international applicants
The full college preparatory curriculum as recommended by the Ohio State Board of Education

Graduate Admissions Requirements

Completed online application
Complete bachelor’s degree, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), from an accredited university
- Applications may be reviewed for conditional admission with a GPA lower than 3.0
Two letters of recommendation from professors and/or employers
Application fee: $45
Official transcripts
Goal statement
Resume/CV
There is no GRE requirement

Admissions outreach advisors are available to answer your questions regarding admissions requirements for the programs. If you have questions, please email us at onlinedegrees@kent.edu (Master’s in Public Health/MS in Clinical Epidemiology) or publichealth@kent.edu (BS in Public Health) or call us toll-free at +1 844-234-4073.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are Kent State’s online public health programs in Ohio accredited?

Kent State University is proud to be accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Can I complete my public health degree while working full-time?

Yes. Kent State’s online graduate programs in public health are delivered in a convenient, focused format that gives you the flexibility to keep up with your work and family responsibilities while you study.

What financial aid options are available for Ohio students?

A $3,000 tuition offset is available to new enrollees in the online MPH program. It is awarded when the student completes the final academic term of the program.

You may be eligible to apply for College of Public Health scholarships and for federal financial aid.

We recognize that pursuing a graduate degree is a significant commitment. Your admissions outreach advisor can answer your questions on program costs, discuss how a Kent State degree compares to others and connect you with financial aid representatives when you are ready to discuss your financial options.

Find Us in Ohio

Kent State University
College of Public Health
800 Hilltop Dr.
P.O. Box 5190
Kent, OH 44240

Admissions and Application Deadlines

Nov

Priority Application Deadline

Spring 2026 Term

Dec

Final Application Deadline

Spring 2026 Term

Jan

Class Start Date

Spring 2026 Term

Advance Your Career with Kent State

Schedule a Call

Start Your Application

Sources

From Fortune. ©2024 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse the products or services of, Kent State University.
Retrieved on July 18, 2025 from carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/institution/kent-state-university-at-kent/
A list of MPH courses that are QM certified can be found here: kent.edu/kso/college-public-health
Retrieved on April 17, 2025, from eca.cste.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-ECA-Report_FINAL-1.pdf
Retrieved on April 17, 2025, from money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/epidemiologist
Retrieved on April 17, 2025, from cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2024/23_0267.htm
Retrieved on April 17, 2025, from healthaffairs.org/doi/epdf/10.1377/hlthaff.2022.01251
Retrieved on April 17, 2025, from bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm
Retrieved on April 17, 2025, from bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm
Retrieved on April 17, 2025, from gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
Retrieved on April 17, 2025, from healthpolicyohio.org/2024-health-value-dashboard-frequently-asked-questions-faq
Retrieved on April 17, 2025, from dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/aging.ohio.gov/State-Plan-2023-2026-Full-Document.pdf
Data from Interactive Data Center, as compiled by Scripps Gerontology Center. “Current and Projected Population by County, Age Group, and Sex, 2010-2050.” Miami University: Ohio Population Research - Interactive Data Center.
Retrieved on April 17, 2025, from odh.ohio.gov/about-us/local-health-departments