From Learning to Leadership: Meet Kent State Online MPH Students

What is it really like to earn an online MPH while building a career and managing the rest of your life?

Online MPH students Priyanka Dhar, Esteban Contreras and Emily Weeks came to Kent State with different priorities and professional goals. Their experiences show what the program looks like from the inside—from choosing the right degree and fitting graduate study into a busy life to learning from faculty and classmates who stretch how you think.

Along the way, they’re developing the expertise and perspective to take on greater responsibility in public health.

Three Students. Three Paths in Public Health.

Priyanka Dhar, MD

Online MPH in Epidemiology ’27 candidate

In comparing online MPH programs, Dr. Priyanka Dhar was looking for a rare combination: academic quality, accessibility and value. Kent State’s STEM-designated online MPH in Epidemiology stood out for its accreditation, affordability and specialized curriculum.

“It is a rigorous CEPH-accredited, STEM-based Epidemiology MPH program, and a highly accessible educational experience. The value for someone who is trying to get into industry roles in the biotech and pharma sectors is high. I wanted a program that could afford me the opportunity to truly excel and master the material being taught.”

Those qualities matter because Priyanka has specific plans for a career that draws on both her MD and MPH.

“I am interested in gaining experience as a clinical research coordinator in academia and then shifting to industry, where I’ll pursue clinical scientist roles.”

For Priyanka, the online MPH combines rigorous, specialized education with the accessibility and value she wanted from a graduate program.

Esteban Contreras

Environmental Scientist, State Water Resources Control Board
Online MPH in Epidemiology ‘28 candidate

Esteban Contreras works full time as an environmental scientist while raising two young children with his wife. Kent State’s asynchronous online MPH in Epidemiology program allows him to pursue his goal of becoming an epidemiologist while making time for work, family and graduate study.

“This program has been manageable because of its flexibility. I am able to be a father and a husband even when grad school is busy.”

He can complete coursework around his own schedule rather than attending lectures at set times. When he wanted to make his course load more manageable, Kent State worked with him to spread his classes out.

“I don’t have to attend any lectures at any specific time as all the courses are asynchronous.”

For Esteban, the online MPH means pursuing a new professional direction while maintaining the responsibilities that matter now.

Emily Weeks

Laboratory Quality Specialist, Cleveland Clinic
Online MPH in Health Policy and Management ‘28 candidate

Emily Weeks brought years of healthcare experience with her when she entered Kent State’s online MPH in Health Policy and Management program. She found an active learning community built around interaction, feedback and collaboration.

“The faculty have been engaged, supportive and willing to help in any way they can. Some of my professors have provided very beneficial and constructive feedback that has improved my work.”

Her classmates add another dimension to that experience. Emily’s courses create opportunities for students to exchange ideas and learn from one another, even when they aren’t sharing a physical classroom.

“The courses are designed to promote and enable productive teamwork and collaboration, which has also helped with individual assignments.”

For Emily, the online MPH means learning with engaged faculty and classmates who contribute to her experience and growth.

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.

Build the Expertise to Take on More

You’re not getting an MPH just to add three letters to your résumé. You want to understand public health problems more deeply, make better-informed decisions and contribute at a higher level. At Kent State, you’ll pursue rigorous, specialized study you can connect to the work you’re doing now and the career you want to build. And because the program is designed for people with jobs, families and full lives, you don’t have to put everything else on hold to do it.

Become Better at the Work

Use career-relevant coursework to sharpen how you approach public health problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.

Build Expertise That Sets You Apart

Specialize in Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management, or Social and Behavioral Sciences to develop depth in the area of public health that matters to your career.

Learn From People Who Challenge You

Work with experienced faculty who push you to think more deeply, and classmates whose perspectives enrich your own.

Earn the Degree Without Pausing Your Life

Take advantage of asynchronous coursework to keep meeting your professional and personal responsibilities while you study.

As your expertise grows, so does your capacity to contribute—whether that means taking on more complex challenges, assuming greater responsibility or bringing a stronger public health perspective to the decisions you make.

Have questions? We have answers.

Choosing the right online program comes with lots of questions, and our admissions outreach advisor is here to help you sort through them all. Connect with this friendly, knowledgeable advisor for personalized guidance. Taylor and Dharma will make sure you have everything you need to feel confident about your next steps at Kent State.

Schedule a Call

Send an Email

Important Dates

MPH, BSPH, and MS in Clinical Epidemiology Admissions and Application Deadlines

Nov

Priority Application Deadline

Spring 2027 Term

Dec

Final Application Deadline

Spring 2027 Term

Jan

Class Start Date

Spring 2027 Term

Advance Your Career with Kent State

Schedule a Call

Start Your Application