Online Public Health Programs in Ohio
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.
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.
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.
Many 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 two specializations 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 Master’s Programs in 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.
—U.S News & World Report5
- Examine disease outbreaks and implement preparedness strategies
- Identify causal connections between various health factors
- Design and execute studies that forecast population health trends
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 or Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology.
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
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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
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 J.P. Leider, a senior fellow at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and one of the study’s co-authors, likened this exodus to the crisis that would arise if 80% of young police officers, teachers and firefighters left their jobs within two years.8
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 |
| Epidemiologists9 | $81,390 | 19% (much faster than the national average) |
| Data Scientists10 | $108,020 | 36% (much faster than the national average) |
| Medical and Health Services Managers11 | $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.
Epidemiologists9:
- Median Annual Salary: $81,390
- Projected Job Growth, 2023-2033: 19% (much faster than the national average)
Data Scientists10:
- Median Annual Salary: $108,020
- Projected Job Growth, 2023-2033: 36% (much faster than the national average)
Medical and Health Services Managers11:
- 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.12 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.13 Consider these statistics:14
- 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.
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.
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.15
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
- Three 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 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?
Can I complete my public health degree while working full-time?
What financial aid options are available for Ohio students?
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
Advance Your Career With Kent State
- 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 governing.com/now/wave-of-departing-public-health-workers-puts-america-at-risk
- 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