Public Health is a diverse field that promotes and protects health for all with a goal of preventing illness and injury in populations. Public health professionals identify health and social-related needs of communities and implement interventions to improve health and well-being.
There is a growing demand for public health professionals to work specifically with rural populations to reduce and address health disparities. As the magnitude of rural health issues continues to grow, there is a need for training specific to working with these populations.
The Master of Public Health degree (MPH) is the standard and terminal degree for practitioners in the field of public health and often is sought by students graduating with a bachelor’s degree as well as professionals such as nurses, medical doctors (MDs), occupational safety experts and more.
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Why App State?
The location of Appalachian State University in the mountains of western North Carolina provides an ideal setting for an MPH degree focusing on rural health.
Choosing to study public health at Appalachian State University provides:
- Resources of a leading university and the highly innovative Beaver College of Health Sciences
- A cost-effective education delivered in an efficient time frame
- A synchronous format with classes that meet online in the evenings, making it ideal for working professionals
- Experienced faculty with a range of educational, research and community-practice backgrounds
About the MPH Program
The Master of Public Health at Appalachian State University has a concentration in applied public health and focuses on rural resilience and sustainability.
The two-year, four-semester online program launched in fall 2024. Applications are available online, and the program plans to accept a cohort of 25 students to begin each fall semester.
Students enrolled in the program full-time will complete online coursework during the first three semesters and have a fieldwork experience during the final semester. A limited number of part-time students will also be accepted.
The program is part of the Department of Public Health which is housed in the Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS), home to over 3,700 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Additional Information about the program
Does our MPH program offer concentrations?
At this point, this is a generalist MPH program with a rural health focus. Students may focus their studies with class projects and assignments, as well as their practicum and capstone. The program is exploring concentrations but plans to maintain a rural health focus.
How often do classes meet?
Classes meet virtually once a week synchronously from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Are graduate assistantships available? Yes. The program has two graduate assistantship (GA) positions available for students who are enrolled full-time in the 2026-2027 school year.
What are the expectations for the practicum?
The practicum is an applied learning experience. Students are expected to spend 120 hours working with an organization that is engaged in public health work. These hours can be in-person, remote, or a combination of the two.
What are the expectations of the capstone project?
The capstone project is a high-quality written product that represents a culmination of all the courses a student has taken during the MPH program. These projects can take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, a grant proposal, a research paper, a program evaluation, or a training manual.
Program Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health program at Appalachian State University is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) as a standalone baccalaureate program (SBP).
With the addition of the online MPH degree program, accreditation is being sought from CEPH as a Public Health Program (PHP). CEPH has accepted the program's application to transition from a standalone baccalaureate program to a public health program, with the process expected to continue through the first two years of MPH student enrollment.
Careers in Public Health
Public health professionals work in a variety of settings within the government, business and nonprofit sectors. These include:
- Local and state health departments
- Hospitals and other healthcare facilities
- Federal agencies such as:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Program Director
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Apply to Grad School
Visit the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School page to apply to graduate school at App State.
NOTE: When starting a new application, please select the appropriate application type and follow the steps on how to apply.