Searching through Master’s in Public Health degree programs in California takes time because the “Golden State” has the most CEPH-accredited opportunities nationwide. From the Redwoods to the Mojave Desert, California is the third most-extensive state with 39.25 million people’s well-being to promote. Public health practitioners find ample job prospects in California’s $230 billion healthcare sector, including top employers like the UCLA Health System and Cedar Sinai Medical Center. Though the United Health Foundation ranked California 16th for best public health, there are still above-average uninsured rates, air pollution, and health disparities.
Join the 234,350 Californians working in community services occupations at these public health schools in CA.
Argosy University-Orange County Campus
College of Health Sciences
Originally founded by Michael Markovitz in the late 1970s, Argosy University is a for-profit, post-secondary system owned by Education Management Corporation, a large Pittsburgh-based private company employing 16,900 faculty, until it was sold to The Dream Foundation in 2017. Rated America’s 87th “Best Online College” by Niche, Argosy has over 25,000 students studying at 28 U.S. locations, including one on South Lewis Street in Orange, and from afar. The College of Health Sciences has a 25:1 student-faculty ratio for one of the Master’s in Public Health degree programs in California.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Adhering to CEPH standards, Argosy’s Master of Public Health (MPH) is a 45-credit, professional program taught by experienced practitioner-scholars at the Orange County campus and online to produce graduates for healthcare managerial roles. Costing an estimated $33,840 total, the 32-month curriculum integrates courses like biostatistics and health policy with 10 consecutive weeks of fieldwork. For capstone, students must write and present a public health grant proposal. Admission requires a bachelor’s degree and a minimum 2.7 GPA.
Accreditation
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
601 S. Lewis Street
Orange, CA 92868
(714) 620-3700
materialsreview@argosy.edu
Azusa Pacific University
University College
Established by Quakers in Whittier as the Training School for Christian Workers in 1899, Azusa Pacific University is now the CCCU’s largest private, Wesleyan-Holiness institution occupying 105 acres below the San Gabriel Mountains with 10,750 scholars in the PacWest Conference. Ranked 101st in The Economist for expected earnings at $43,898, APU is crowned America’s 183rd best university by the U.S. News. Housing one of the Master’s in Public Health degree programs in California, the University College also lands as the 42nd “Best Online College” on Niche.
Online Master of Public Health
Taking 24-28 months, the Online Master of Public Health lets Azusa Pacific graduates build core competencies outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO) for improving community well-being. Presently charging $600 per unit, the 42-unit curriculum offers three emphases: Epidemiology, Health Services Administration, and Health Education/Behavioral Science. Second-year students will complete three units of field practicum at agencies like Citrus Valley Health and LA County Department of Public Health. Online Cougars access 24/7 tutoring, the Career and Vocation Center, and University Libraries.
Accreditation
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
701 E. Foothill Blvd.
Azusa, CA 91702
(626) 969-3434
admissions@apu.edu
California Baptist University
College of Health Science
Located on a 160-acre, Mission Revival-style campus in Riverside beside the Santa Ana River, California Baptist University is a private, Christian liberal arts institution led by President Dr. Ronald L. Ellis in the PacWest Conference to educate nearly 9,300 Lancers yearly. Chosen as the West’s 37th best university and 21st most veteran-friendly school by the U.S. News, CBU was named the 72nd best bang for the buck in Washington Monthly’s Western rankings. The College of Health Science employs PhD-level faculty trained at West Chester, San Diego State, Claremont, and more for 15 degrees.
Master of Public Health
At CBU’s Health Science Campus, the Master of Public Health stands out among the Master’s in Public Health degree programs in California for holding AAPHP approval to credential local, national, and international healthcare advocates. Estimated to cost $39,000 total, the 47-unit, two-year program offers two concentrations: Health Education and Promotion or Health Policy and Administration. In addition to fieldwork, majors could study at China’s Bo Hua Hospital, join the S.E.R.V.E. Health Science Club, and pursue the Lake Erie College of Medicine Early Acceptance Program.
Accreditation
• Association of Accredited Public Health Programs (AAPHP)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
3532 Monroe Street
Riverside, CA 92504
(951) 343-4619
healthscience@calbaptist.edu
California State University, Fresno
College of Health and Human Services
Noted for alumni like NASA astronaut Steven R. Nagel and CFO Joy Covey, California State University Fresno is located on 388 acres off Highway 168 in the San Joaquin Valley to educate over 24,400 Bulldogs as a public, research institution endowed for $146.3 million. Recognized as America’s 113th “Best Big College” on Niche, Fresno State is ranked the 220th best national university and 125th top public school by the USNWR. The College of Health and Human Services occupies McLane Hall to support the Live Well Initiative with Master’s in Public Health degree programs in California.
Master of Public Health Program
Reaffirmed by the CEPH in 2013, Fresno’s Master of Public Health Program trains working professionals part-time to effectively conduct evaluation and planning that meets the needs of racially and economically diverse populations in Southern California. The 42-unit, competency-based curriculum includes courses like policy advocacy with fieldwork and a master’s thesis. The specialization options are Health Administration, Environmental Occupational Health & Safety, and Community Health for CHES credentialing. There’s also an Alcohol and Drug Studies Certificate available.
Accreditation
• Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
2345 E. San Ramon Avenue
Fresno, CA 93740
(559) 278-4222
mrahman@csufresno.edu
California State University, Fullerton
College of Health & Human Development
Generating an economic impact of $1 billion, California State University Fullerton is the 23-site system’s largest public, Hispanic-serving research institution attracting over 40,200 Titans to the Big West Conference from 236 urban acres just 26 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Honored for America’s 186th “Best College Location” on Niche, CSUF ties for the 202nd best national university and 110th top public school by the U.S. News. The College of Health & Human Development is the 131st best nursing school with one of the CEPH-accredited Master’s in Public Health degree programs in California.
Master of Public Health
Selectively admitting post-bachelor’s applicants with a minimum 2.5 GPA, the Master of Public Health at Fullerton immerses cohorts in the biological, economic, social, and psychological aspects of human health. The 42-unit curriculum features a 240-hour internship and three course tracks: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Gerontological Health, or Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Graduates could also research in the Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Center, earn the Kathryn T. McCarty Scholarship, and join the Spanish for Health Services Club.
Accreditation
• Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
800 N. State College Blvd.
Fullerton, CA 92834
(657) 278-3316
HESCadvising@fullerton.edu
California State University, Long Beach
College of Health & Human Services
Endowed for $56.4 million, California State University Long Beach is a public, coastal space-grant institution directed by President Jane Close Conoley that’s charging $6,738 yearly in-state to more than 37,700 49ers studying on its 323 urban acres in Los Altos. Deemed America’s 151st “Hardest College to Get Into” on Niche, CSULB is ranked the 35th best Western college and seventh top public university by the U.S. News. The College of Health & Human Services is also recognized for the 57th best graduate healthcare management education nationally.
Master of Public Health (MPH)-Community Health Education
Consisting of 42 units, the Master of Public Health (MPH)-Community Health Education is another of the CEPH-accredited Master’s in Public Health degree programs in California that will prepare graduates for passing NCHEC certification exams. Offering a thesis or non-thesis track, the evening program includes courses like epidemiology, curriculum design, and community analysis with 480 internship hours. Students may also join the Cambodian Research Initiative, add the Graduate Certificate in Latino Health and Nutrition Studies, and engage with the Southern California SOPHE Chapter.
Accreditation
• Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840
(562) 985-4014
Toni.Espinoza-Ferrel@csulb.edu
California State University, Los Angeles
Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services
Designated a public, land-grant Hispanic-serving institution, California State University Los Angeles is endowed for $29.2 million under President William A. Covino’s leadership to enlighten more than 27,800 Golden Eagles on its 175-acre campus in the University Hills neighborhood. Picked as America’s 79th “Most Liberal College” on Niche, CSULA is ranked the 61st best Western university and 14th top public school by the U.S. News. The Rongxiang Xu College retains 83 percent of students with access to state-of-the-art facilities like the Applied Gerontology Institute.
Master of Public Health in Downtown LA
Beginning in Fall 2018, the Master of Public Health in Downtown LA will deliver evening courses from Monday through Thursday to prepare Cal State graduates for improving physical well-being at the population level. Unlike most Master’s in Public Health degree programs in California, this 42-unit option will place emphasis on serving low-income, ethnically diverse urban communities. Charging $525 per unit or $22,050 total, the curriculum marries courses like biostatistics and health education with fieldwork at organizations like the Los Angeles County Health Agency.
Accreditation
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
Golden Eagle Room 220B
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032
(888) 541-3852
dtla@calstatela.edu
California State University, Northridge
College of Health and Human Development
Known for housing the National Center on Deafness, California State University Northridge is the system’s second-largest research institution endowed for $91.7 million to teach 39,900 Matadors on 353 suburban acres in the San Fernando Valley. Crowned America’s 173rd “Most Diverse College” on Niche, CSUN is ranked the 68th best Western university and 20th top public school by the U.S. News. For an average net price of $7,654 in-state, the College of Health and Human Development confers 10 graduate programs, including one of the Master’s in Public Health degree programs in California.
Master of Public Health
Based in Jacaranda Hall, the Master of Public Health offers student-centered, CEPH-accredited training that nurtures the critical skills required to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent illness. The 42-unit curriculum offers two specializations in Community Health Education and Applied Epidemiology with an optional Certificate in Gerontology. At least 400 internship hours are required at placements like AIDS Project Los Angeles, Strength United, Venice Family Clinic, and Kaiser Permanente. Five semesters of full-time study ends with a master’s thesis or comprehensive exam.
Accreditation
• Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330
(818) 677-4081
louis.rubino@csun.edu
California State University, San Bernardino
College of Natural Science
Occupying 441 suburban acres of the Inland Empire below the San Gorgonio Mountain with a 40-acre extension in Palm Desert, California State University San Bernardino is a public, space-grant doctoral institution enrolling over 20,700 Coyotes with a $23.3 million endowment. Named America’s 311th “Most Liberal College” on Niche, CSUSB is ranked the 61st best Western school and 14th top public university by the U.S. News. The College of Natural Science offers another of the Master’s in Public Health degree programs in California for an average starting salary of $45,500.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Accepting applications until May 15th yearly, the Master of Public Health (MPH) at San Bernardino State began the CEPH accreditation process in 2015 to produce managers for the design and implementation of population health campaigns. The 56-unit curriculum offers diverse electives from food-borne illness to hazardous material control with at least 120 fieldwork hours. Finishing the two-year program qualifies students for the 200-question Certified Public Health exam. Majors could also join the ACHE, SOPHE, and Eta Sigma Gamma chapters for networking.
Accreditation
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
5500 University Parkway
San Bernardino, CA 92407
(909) 537-5969
mbecerra@csusb.edu
California State University, San Marcos
College of Education, Health & Human Services
Belonging to the AASCU, California State University San Marcos is a public, master’s-level higher learning institution founded in 1989 that’s endowed for $22 million to educate 13,100 Cougars and employ 615 faculty upon its 340-acre suburban campus in San Diego County’s North Country. Applauded as California’s 28th “Safest College” on Niche, CSUSM is ranked the 88th best Western university and 32nd top public school by the U.S. News. The College of Education, Health & Human Services has a 67 percent admission rate to seven departments from kinesiology to nursing.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Unlike many Master’s in Public Health degree programs in California, CSUSM’s Master of Public Health (MPH) takes a generalist approach to train practitioners who develop ethical, effective policies that resolve key community health concerns. Admitting twice annually, the 42-credit curriculum includes hybrid, eight-week courses that meet online and in San Marcos two evenings per week. Costing $599 per unit, coursework delves into environmental health, grant writing, emergency preparedness, and more with a capstone seminar or thesis and APHA Annual Meeting trip.
Accreditation
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA 92096
(760) 750-4295
hburney@csusm.edu
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
College of Science and Health
Named for the surgeon who revolutionized blood banking in WWII, the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, nonprofit historically black TMCF member that’s located on 11 urban acres in Los Angeles’ Willowbrook district to generate $34 million in research funding. Ranked 180th among America’s medical schools by StartClass, CDU has graduated over 550 physicians and 5,500 allied health professionals. The College of Science and Health is the only HBCU conferring Master’s in Public Health degrees in California.
Master of Public Health (MPH) in Urban Health Disparities
Spanning five semesters, the Master of Public Health (MPH) in Urban Health Disparities is a CEPH-accredited program immersing diverse graduates in intimate evening courses Tuesday through Thursday to gather the skills for addressing health needs in underserved areas. The 42-credit curriculum admits cohorts of 25 students yearly for courses like epidemiology, public health biology, and urban community organization. Majors also complete 300 practicum hours, join the Master of Public Health Student Association (MPHSA), and participate in outreach like the AXIS-Farmer’s Market Project.
Accreditation
• Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
1731 E. 120th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90059
(323) 563-4800
sondosislam@cdrewu.edu
Claremont Graduate University
College of Science and Health
Founded in 1925 as the United States’ oldest remaining private, all-graduate research institution, Claremont Graduate University is organized by President Jacob Adams to educate over 2,200 students with a $158.5 million endowment on 19 suburban acres east of Los Angeles. The U.S. News ranked Claremont 84th for biological sciences and 77th for public affairs education nationwide. Through one of the Master’s in Public Health degree programs in California, the College of Science and Health has placed students at City of Hope, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the American Heart Association, and more.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Billing $1,902 per unit, the Master of Public Health (MPH) at Claremont is a 48-unit, CEPH-accredited program beginning every Fall and Spring to produce practitioners for promoting the Inland Empire’s health. Students select from five concentrations: Health Promotion, Education & Evaluation, Applied Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health Leadership. The MPH can also be combined with the Drucker MBA or M.A. in Applied Women’s Studies. Majors may join the Delta Omega Honorary Society, participate in the Pacific Rim Global Health Framework, and practice abroad in Botswana.
Accreditation
• Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
150 E. 10th Street
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 607-3240
paige.p@cgu.edu
Finishing your MPH can prepare you for the nearly 250,000 public health jobs expected to open by 2024 according to the BLS. Graduates excel as epidemiologists, health educators, clinical researchers, health services managers, occupational safety specialists, health policy analysts, and more. For example, CNN Money recognized biostatisticians for having Amercia’s 48th best job with projected 10-year growth at 34 percent and median pay at $91,800.
Find the college to make your goals come true with these Master’s in Public Health degree programs in California, continued here.
