The Graduate School and Department of Health Sciences are excited to announce a new fully online Master of Public Health (MPH). The program was recently approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education and is set to begin in fall 2023. The much-anticipated, fully online program is aiming to enroll about 30 new students each fall and spring semester.
Dr. Chris Grieshaber, Department of Health Sciences chair, anticipates individuals with a diverse set of backgrounds will apply for the Master of Public Health.
“This program allows for individuals to apply from different walks of life,” Grieshaber said. “I can see students taking classes with others from a wide variety of backgrounds, like health sciences, exercise science, criminal justice science, biological sciences, and more.”
The Department of Health Sciences is not new to hosting online programs, having seen much success in the fully online undergraduate registered health information technician to health informatics and management program. Now, the MPH program will give Illinois State graduate students the opportunity to attain the knowledge and abilities needed to thrive in the health sciences field. Expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health behavior, and public health leadership are just a small sample of skills this interdisciplinary program will help students develop.
The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health projects the current deficit of public health professionals in the state of Illinois to exceed 20,000. As such, this program has the potential to help remedy that deficit.
“This program allows for individuals to apply from different walks of life.”
Dr. Chris Grieshaber
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became very clear that we need more public health professionals to meet the growing challenges in our communities,” Health Sciences faculty member Dr. Jennifer Peterson said. “I am very happy that we are going to have an MPH program here at ISU. It is great that ISU is going to be able to help meet that need and prepare future public health leaders. ”
The MPH is an attractive degree option for aspiring health professionals due to the rapidly expanding public health sector. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11% growth in public health careers between 2020-2030, particularly for public health educators (17% projected growth), epidemiologists (30%), environmental scientists (8%), and statisticians (33%).
Health Sciences faculty member Dr. Beverly Barham concurs that by earning an MPH at Illinois State, graduate students will be equipped to serve the world and its inhabitants in a variety of ways.
“Through the MPH program, we are excited for ISU to have a positive impact on communities through education and outreach, resulting in healthier outcomes,” Barham said. “Our graduates will go on to become part of the solution and help make a difference in as many lives as possible, for a healthier and safer world,”
The MPH program will enhance students’ abilities to effectively address complex health problems on both a global and local scale. Health Sciences faculty member Dr. Alicia Wodika is confident the approval of the MPH program will benefit the Illinois State campus community and the surrounding community in many ways.
“I am very excited for the MPH to get off the ground here at ISU,” Wodika said. “With an MPH program at ISU, we will be able to expand the work we do on campus and in the Bloomington-Normal community by preparing graduate students with the skills to not only reach their next professional goals but to see the links of the social determinants of health in all reaching aspects of our lives. My hope is to expand the projects and partnerships we have in the community with more opportunities for evaluation, grant writing, leadership, and general support in our community and beyond,”
“Through the MPH program, we are excited for ISU to have a positive impact on communities through education and outreach, resulting in healthier outcomes. ”
Dr. Beverly Barham
Another major draw of the MPH program is its collection of world-class faculty. While enrolled, students will learn from distinguished health science experts specializing in areas of health promotion and education, environmental health and sustainability, health informatics, medical lab science, and occupational safety and health.
For many undergraduates, earning an MPH can also serve as a stepping stone for career growth and economic opportunity. The average salary for a professional with the MPH degree is approximately $67,000 per year, according to payscale.com.
“Getting an MPH not only provides students with a rewarding career in protecting and improving the health of entire populations, the incredible salary potential and job opportunities after graduation make this degree a popular choice for many undergraduates,” said Dr. Guang Jin, a professor of environmental health.
Dr. Jackie Lanier, faculty and graduate program coordinator in Health Sciences, is also excited for the arrival of this program.
“The Master of Public Health program will prepare a diverse population of students for public health leadership and service in communities throughout the world,” Lanier said. “Our students will go on to make a difference by working on some of the most urgent challenges facing our world today, such as combating a global pandemic, chronic disease, health care access, mental health, health equity, and so many more issues.”
“Our students will go on to make a difference by working on some of the most urgent challenges facing our world today, such as combating a global pandemic, chronic disease, health care access, mental health, health equity, and so many more issues.”
Dr. Jackie Lanier
Email: jalanie@ilstu.edu
Illinois State’s Master of Public Health program is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2023.
