Complete a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in as little as one year with the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health's accelerated 12-month MPH program.

On a compressed timeline, one-year MPH students gain practical experience, learn from renowned faculty, and develop the skills necessary to accelerate a career in public health.

A CEPH-Accredited MPH Program

The Dornsife School of Public Health is the #1 school of public health in Philadelphia, according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2024 rankings.

The public health school is fully CEPH-accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), which is the independent agency that accredits public health schools and programs.

One-Year MPH Program Details

1 Year MPH Course Structure

Students can choose between either the on-campus/online hybrid program or the fully online program to complete the one-year MPH.

On-campus/online hybrid MPH students choose to major in one of four concentrations: Community Health and Prevention, Environmental and Occupational Health, Epidemiology, or Health Management and Policy. Note that students in this 12-month program complete their first quarter of coursework completely online, and the remaining three quarters are on-campus.

Fully online MPH students can choose from three concentrations: Epidemiology, Global Health, or Urban Health.

A sample plan of study for the 12-month MPH includes four quarters of coursework totaling 56 credits:

• Summer: 16 credits
• Fall: 15 credits
• Winter: 13 credits
• Spring: 12 credits

Regardless of the accelerated timeline, students gain all of the hands-on knowledge and skills necessary to graduate and find success as a public health practitioner.

Expectations of an Accelerated MPH Program

It is estimated that one-year MPH students will dedicate approximately 60-80 hours to their coursework each week.

One-Year MPH Admission Requirements

Please note that the GRE is not required for the one year MPH and the master’s program admission requirements are the same across programs.

Applicants to the 12-month on-campus/online hybrid MPH programs should apply through SOPHAS – the Centralized Application Service for Accredited Public Health Schools and Programs.

Applicants to the fully online 12-month MPH programs should apply through Drexel University Online.

A note on eligibility for international students: Please note that to be eligible for F-1/J-1 visa status, you must be enrolled in at least 6 FTF/HYB credits per term. For this reason, students in the 12-month on-campus/online MPH hybrid program are not eligible for F-1/J-1 visa status until the in-person portion of their program. Visa sponsorship is not available for the fully online MPH programs.

Application Deadline for Drexel Dornsife's One-Year Accelerated MPH Program

The application deadline for Drexel Dornsife's 12-month MPH program is April 1, and the program begins in June.

Choose the Timeline that Works for You with Drexel Dornsife

Along with the one-year MPH, Dornsife also offers the MPH program on 18, 21, and 33-month timelines. Our flexible plans of study allow students to choose an MPH program that takes their individual goals and commitments into consideration.

If you are interested in learning more about the 12-month MPH or any of our MPH programs at Drexel Dornsife, request more information to speak with our admissions team.

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One Year MPH Frequently Asked Questions:

Can You Really Get an MPH in One Year?

The one-year MPH is rigorous and challenging, but it is very possible to successfully complete this program.

Many in the first cohort of students reported that the one-year MPH was appealing for its opportunity to fast-track their public health career while being supported by advisors, mentors, and faculty in their academic and professional goals.

Is an MPH Degree Worth It?

An MPH from Drexel Dornsife prepares you to translate knowledge into action and leadership. Practical experiences and networking opportunities are built directly into the curriculum, so MPH students develop skills and build connections that are closely related to their career choices and goals.

“By enrolling in an MPH program, doors open to you. You get the skills to make a difference once you step through those doors,” Gina Lovasi, PhD, MPH, Dornsife Associate Professor of Urban Health and Interim Dean, told Fortune Education. “You’ll get a broad base of understanding in the field, and the flexibility to carve out your own identity."

Can Students Work During Drexel Dornsife's Accelerated MPH Program?

Students in the one-year MPH program should expect to spend 60-80 hours on coursework each week. Due to this time commitment, it is strongly recommended that students not work during the program.

Because of the expected course load, students completing the one-year MPH program are not eligible for internships or research assistantships.

Can Students Complete Drexel Dornsife’s 12-Month MPH Program Online?

Yes, our CEPH-accredited MPH program can be completed fully online in three concentrations: Epidemiology, Global Health, or Urban Health.

There is also an on-campus/online hybrid program in which 12-month MPH students complete their first quarter online. The remaining three quarters are on-campus. Students in the hybrid program choose to major in one of four concentrations: Community Health and Prevention, Environmental and Occupational Health, Epidemiology, or Health Management and Policy.