Frequently Asked Questions

Applications to the Master of Public Health program are accepted throughout the year. is done on a rolling basis, and applicants are encouraged to apply early. International applicants are encouraged to have all application materials submitted at least four months prior to the application deadline of the semester for which they are applying. 

Application deadlines can be found on the Information for Applicants page of our website.

You likely do not have to reapply.  You will need to add the new semester designation to your SOPHAS application. Spring, Summer, and Fall designations open in mid-August of each year, so, depending on your initial application and the application you want to change to, you may need to wait to add the additional designation.

If you have applied to the Spring, Summer, or Fall semester and wish to change your application semester to Spring, Summer, or Fall of the following year, you will need to submit a new application after the new application cycle opens in mid-August. 

If you have already started your MSU supplemental application, you will need to submit a request to chm.mph_admissions@msu.edu to request a change in semester to your MSU supplemental application.

Applicants are allowed to apply prior to receiving their bachelor's degree. The Admissions Committee will review the application packet and can grant admission contingent upon receipt of an official, final transcript showing that the bachelor's degree was conferred.

MSU undergraduate students of at least Junior standing are allowed the option of dually enrolling in a graduate program at MSU. Interested students should visit the website of the Office of the Registrar for more information. MSU undergraduates applying to the MPH program must also submit a Request for Dual Enrollment Status form (approved by their undergraduate advisor) along with their application requirements.

Your letters of recommendation should address your academic capabilities, leadership skills, overall ability, previous coursework and/or experience, significant actions, accomplishments, or personal qualities related to professional or scholarly achievements.

Your personal statement should tell us why you are interested in earning a Master of Public Health degree, and how your skills, experience, and long-term career goals contribute to your candidacy. Of course, it is always good if you can demonstrate or support any of the suggested topics recommended for the letters.

Please visit the Application Requirements page of our website for a more in-depth explanation of each requirement

$725 per credit for all students, including in-state, out-of-state, and international. Reference the MPH Tuition and Financial Aid page for more information.

Master of Public Health Degree          $31,175        
Graduate Certificate                           $13,050

Fees for any non-MPH student can be calculated using the Tuition Calculator. Individual tuition questions should be directed to the Office of Student Accounts.

The average student completes the program in 2-3 years.

The MPH program is asynchronous, designed for working students in mind.

Students can expect to spend an average of 12 hours per course per week on coursework, studying, and completing assignments, quizzes, and exams. However, they are expected to participate in courses on a regular basis throughout each week of the semester. Please visit our Program Information page for more information on time-commitment expectations.

Students are expected to log in to their courses on a regular basis throughout each week of the semester. Not every student is able to log in to their courses every day, but students are expected to log in multiple times a week. Students may access their coursework at any time of the day that best suits their individual schedules.

If a student has a situation preventing them from logging in to their courses for multiple days in a row, the student is expected to contact the instructor(s) as soon as possible (preferably prior to missing course time) to discuss their situation and the possibility of making up coursework. Instructors are not required to allow a student to make up missed coursework.

A graduate certificate is a post-bachelor’s academic credential that provides focused knowledge and skills in a specific area of study. It’s a shorter, more targeted program than a master’s degree, typically requiring fewer courses and taking less time to complete. Graduate certificates are ideal for professionals who want to enhance their expertise, advance their careers, or explore a new field without the time or financial commitment of a full graduate program.

The Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health currently offers three graduate certificates in public , which are entirely online and designed to provide foundational public health training. If you decide to pursue a master’s degree, all credits taken in the graduate certificate program apply.

Yes.  Due to CEPH requirements, we must ensure our students obtain the required MPH Foundational Competencies and concentration-specific competencies.  As such, we require them to choose from our specified  lists of electives.

The Rural Health Concentration and the Data Management Concentration do not have elective course options.

Yes, there are research opportunities available for students in the MPH program. While the program is entirely online, students can collaborate with faculty on community-based public health research projects. Students are encouraged to reach out to faculty whose interests align with their own or discuss their goals with an advisor to identify potential opportunities.

Contact our admissions team at CHM.MPH_GenInfo@msu.edu or schedule a meeting"> with an advisor.