Best online MPH degree programs – no GRE

Sitting at the intersection of health, policy, and community engagement, public health is an exciting field due to its potential to address many of the health challenges plaguing our country – from preventing the spread of diseases to plugging the gaps in faulty (and often inequitable) health programs.

Whether you’re a health professional looking to step into a public-facing role, or a career switcher coming from an entirely different field, getting an online master’s in public health (MPH) provides a convenient pathway to the public health profession.

Many online MPH programs require the GRE, but many are removing the requirement.

In this article, we’ll take you through the best online MPH programs that don’t require the GRE so you can get your foot in the door – without worrying about standardized testing.

Is the GRE required for online MPH programs?

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test designed to evaluate student preparedness for graduate-level coursework. Until recently, most graduate programs, including MPH programs, required GRE scores.

With universities collectively moving away from mandatory standardized testing, admissions criteria for MPH programs have quickly adapted to the trend. Today, many reputable accredited online MPH programs do not require the GRE.

MPH school applicants who experience test anxiety, do not perform their best on standardized tests, or would prefer to invest their time and money (on the test itself and test prep courses) elsewhere, will benefit from the no-GRE trend.

Why universities are removing the GRE requirement

Graduate programs are dropping the GRE requirement for a few stated reasons.

Emerging studies suggest that GRE test scores are not reliable predictors of student success in graduate school. The test is also said to pose barriers to entry for non-white and female students, who have historically scored lower overall than their white and male peers, and low-income students, who struggle to afford the $220 test fee and additional costs for prep courses.

Types of GRE requirements for online MPH programs

Each MPH degree program employs a different approach to GRE scores in its admissions requirements. Typically, the GRE is either required, not required (but still optional), or waived.

CEPH accreditation for MPH degrees and why it’s important

CEPH accreditation is the gold standard for MPH programs in the United States, so it’s what you should look out for first in your search for a good-value program.

To meet CEPH requirements, accredited MPH programs should equal to at least 42 semester credits, or 52 quarter credits. Keep this in mind when searching for accelerated (1-year) online MPH programs, which can fall short of this.

Not every MPH program is CEPH-accredited. A school should state their accreditation status on their website. While some schools may claim to be CEPH candidates, or that they meet CEPH standards, neither is legitimate CEPH accreditation.

The advantage of a CEPH-accredited MPH program

At minimum, CEPH accreditation shows that an MPH program meets the national standards defined by public health practitioners. Beyond that, though, many public health employers, like the US Public Health Service and several government agencies, only accept graduates from CEPH-accredited programs. Other employers often state a preference for CEPH-trained graduates.

To vet your program options, check the school’s accreditation status on their website or the Council on Education for Public Health’s search engine for MPH accredited programs.

Accredited online MPH programs that don’t require the GRE – ranked

From 87 online MPH programs, we identified the 20 best-value accredited online MPH programs that don’t require the GRE.

Every program on this list is CEPH-accredited.

We define good-value programs as those where the earnings of past graduates easily make up for the total cost of the degree. The relationship between these two factors is expressed as an economic score. The lower the economic score, the better deal the student gets.

We made this list using entirely government-sourced data, primarily from the Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard.

Admission requirements for online MPH no-GRE programs

Without GRE scores as an evaluation criteria, no-GRE or GRE-waived MPH programs assign more weight to other parts of the application.

While most MPH programs welcome applicants from various disciplines, they also emphasize the importance of relevant experience. If you decide to forgo the GRE, adding health-related paid or volunteer experience to your resume is a good way to distinguish yourself as a competitive applicant.

Are online MPH programs worth it?

For many busy professionals, the primary draw of online MPH programs is convenience. But does the convenience of an online MPH degree come at a higher cost?

Not really, as it turns out: according to IPEDS and College Scorecard data, the average debt for online MPH degrees is $49,200, compared to $49,231 for in-person MPH degrees.

While not significantly cheaper than in-person degrees, online MPH programs are “worth it” in that they are flexible in their delivery format.

Most employers view online MPH degrees the same way as “traditional” MPH degrees (provided your program is CEPH-accredited).

Now, whether a master’s degree in public health is worth it is a different question.

So, like many degrees that are more interdisciplinary in nature, the question of whether an MPH degree is worth it is a personal one.

Final thoughts

If you’re coming from a different field, an online MPH degree is a convenient way to access the knowledge base, support network, and contacts in public health that are difficult to come by through other means. Conversely, if you’re already in a health role, a public health certificate may be just as effective in augmenting your credentials.

In sum, an online MPH degree is a great option for its convenience and (slightly) lower cost.

Thinking of pursuing a career in health but still unsure what options are available to you? Check out our online quiz to find the right degree program for your interests.