Accredited public health degree programs in North Carolina prepare future leaders in the field to innovate 21st-century solutions to societal problems such as chronic disease, obesity or epidemics. Curricular studies incorporate goals from the Healthy NC 2020 campaign to promote public well-being and safeguard community wellness by instructing students about effective public health policies and innovative health programs that benefit diverse populations. To accomplish these goals, the following accredited public health degree programs in North Carolina align themselves with Council on Education for Public Health standards and incorporate leadership skills necessary for successful public health careers.

East Carolina University

Brody School of Medicine

Founded in 1907 on the ideals of scholarship, leadership, service and discovery, ECU offers career tracks in trending fields that make meaningful contributions to society. Civic-minded individuals, for example, can earn a Master of Public Health that provides a pathway to improve community living standards around the world. ECU regularly appears in top lists published by Forbes, The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report as a competitive school among institutional peers for academic excellence and best educational value.

Master of Public Health

This generalist MPH provides graduates with advanced skills in management and leadership to work with healthcare protocols in a variety of public health occupations. The 45-credit degree focuses on CEPH competencies required for competitive employment across private, public and government settings. Prospective candidates may come directly from undergraduate programs in health science fields or be current healthcare professionals seeking career expansion. Degree specializations include Health Behavior or Analysis and Management. Requirements encompass core public health studies, concentration courses, an internship, a professional paper and approved electives. Essential coursework explores

-public health practice,
-behavioral sciences and health education,
-interdisciplinary rural health,
-epidemiology,
-environmental health,
-biostatistics,
-research methods,
-ethics,
-and public health law.

Accreditations

  • Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Council on Education for Public Health

Contacts
Department of Public Health
Brody School of Medicine
East Carolina University
Lakeside Annex 7, Mailstop 660
600 Moye Boulevard
Greenville, NC 27834

(252) 744-5185
[email protected]
https://www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/publichealth/degreeRequirements.cfm

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Gillings School of Global Public Health

Since its beginnings in 1789, UNC at Chapel Hill has evolved into a public research university dedicated to graduating students with innovative degrees that promote community service. As part of this mission, the Gillings School of Global Public Health houses one of the best accredited public health degree programs in North Carolina through their Public Health Leadership Program. UNC at Chapel Hill ranks among the best universities globally, nationally and regionally for best value education and program excellence according to U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, Academic Ranking of World Universities, Money magazine and College Factual.

Master of Public Health

Building upon professional experience, this 42-credit MPH program offers four tracks of study that develop collaborative and leadership skills required to innovate public health programs. Candidates can choose traditional or online studies to personalize an MPH in leadership, health care and prevention, occupational health nursing, or generalist public health for global communities. The curriculum spans 12 to 30 months depending on the concentration and scheduling format. Core classes cover issues pertaining to:

-health policies and politics,
-innovative health care programs for institutions and communities,
-healthcare outcomes and care delivery models,
-prevention measures, screening and associated benefits and risks,
-public awareness campaigns to reduce health risks and disease,
-integration of primary care and public health programs,
-program quality and development,
-ethical and legal issues in occupational health,
-public health research.

In addition to completing MPH core and concentration studies, candidates must submit a formal written paper, make an oral presentation, participate in a practicum experience and pass a comprehensive exam.

Accreditations

  • Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Council on Education for Public Health

Contacts
Gillings School of Global Public Health
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
135 Dauer Drive
4104 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, CB #7469
Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Cindy Reilly, MPH Program
(919) 966-5285
[email protected]
http://sph.unc.edu/phlp/phlp/

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

College of Health and Human Services

Set amid a vibrant community, UNC Charlotte holds title to being the state's premier urban research university and one of the fastest-growing institutions in the UNC educational system. Opened in 1946, UNC Charlotte geared degree programs to meet increasing technological and community needs required by professions of the time and to assist returning veterans in establishing post-war careers. That legacy continues through programs such as those in public health that offer graduates relevant careers meant to positively affect communities. UNC Charlotte holds recognition from Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and College Factual for being a top public university, offering a best value education and being a veteran friendly institution.

Master of Science in Public Health

This master's takes a research and experiential learning approach that applies public health principles to real-world situations to solve community health issues. The 45-credit framework requires core public health studies, an internship, a capstone thesis or project, approved electives, and specialization coursework in community heath practice. Program completion averages two to five years depending on full- or part-time enrollment. Curricular instruction encompasses:

-biostatistics,
-epidemiology,
-environmental and occupational health,
-health services planning,
-health policies and administration,
-health interventions,
-community health practices,
-community health organizations,
-and research methods.

Accreditations

  • Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Council on Education for Public Health

Contacts
Department of Public Health Sciences
College of Health and Human Services
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
9201 University City Boulevard, CHHS 427B
Charlotte, NC 28223

Dr. Jan Warren-Findlow, Ph.D
Program Director, MSPH Program
(704) 687‑7908
[email protected]
http://publichealth.uncc.edu/degrees-and-programs/phs-graduate-programs/master-science-public-health-msph

University of North Carolina, Greensboro

The Department of Public Health Education

In 1892, UNCG opened to advance higher education for women and eventually evolved into a co-educational public university to serve the state. The university holds two Carnegie Foundation classifications for its high research activity and community engagement in curriculum and experiential learning. This community outreach can be found through the collaboration that UNCG offers with professional public health practitioners and educators to advance public health degree programs. UNCG stands as a top public university, noted research institution and best value school by U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and Money magazine.

Master of Public Health

Program completion for this 45-credit Master's in Public Health degree requires two to three years of full- or part-time study. Core components advance knowledge in the five essential areas related to public health services including:

-epidemiology,
-biostatistics,
-environmental health sciences,
-social and behavioral sciences,
-and health administration.

Curricular studies also incorporate seven areas of responsibility for health education specialists in assessment, program planning, implementation, evaluation, administration and management, communication and advocacy, and resources. Candidates additionally participate in community engagement through an internship and development of an e-Portfolio to showcase their skills and achievements.

Accreditations

  • Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Council on Education for Public Health

Contacts
The Department of Public Health Education
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
PO Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402

Carlie Houchen
(336) 334-5532
[email protected]
https://phe.uncg.edu/masters-of-public-health-education/

MPH programs prepare candidates to earn professional certifications and safeguard the public good as disease prevention specialists, health educators, community clinic administrators, food and product safety consultants, emergency preparedness managers, environmental assessors, public policy consultants, HMO representatives, non-profit organizers or social services liaisons. With meaningful career choices such as these, an MPH from one of these well-regarded, accredited public health degree programs in North Carolina may be a viable educational pathway to consider.