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OSU Online Master in Public Health Program Earns #5 Spot by Fortune Education
Oregon State University’s online Master in Public Health (MPH) program has been ranked fifth in the nation by Fortune Education for 2025, surpassing prestigious institutions like Columbia University and Johns Hopkins University. This recognition reflects the program’s commitment to excellence and its alignment with the university’s land-grant mission, which focuses on serving communities throughout Oregon.
Program Excellence and Faculty Dedication
The director of the online MPH program, Jill Hoxmeier, faculty’s dedication and the program’s growth as key reasons for this accolade. She stated, “It’s exciting. The faculty work so hard, and we’ve had a lot of growth in the program. It’s nice to be recognized.”
The program offers the Public Health Practice master’s degree, designed to equip students with diverse skills across various public health fields, including:
- epidemiology
- health behavior and promotion
- biostatistics
- environmental and occupational health
- global health
- health systems and policy
Flexibility and Career Advancement
The online program offers flexibility, allowing students to fit coursework into their schedules, which is especially beneficial for those with full-time jobs, such as many at OSU Extension. This convenience enables students to refine their skillsets or pivot to new roles within the public health sphere. “We have students who have been working in public health but want to explore different skillsets or advance within their organizations,” Hoxmeier points out.
Addressing Critical Public Health Challenges
With increasing public health challenges and inequities, especially at the federal level, training passionate students in public health is paramount. As Hoxmeier notes, “There are so many opportunities. We absolutely need people with the skills to be doing this work.”
Community Focus and Online Benefits
Currently, 31 students are enrolled in the program. Jonathan Garcia, director of the on-campus MPH program, highlights that being a land-grant university allows OSU to reach communities across the state. The online MPH is a critical part of this mission, providing accessibility to those who cannot relocate to Corvallis.
Internship and Employment Opportunities
Through strong connections with OSU Extension, students have access to numerous internship and job opportunities, gaining hands-on experience in their local communities. Internship coordinator Tonya Johnson leverages her Extension background to facilitate community engagement for students.
Innovative Curriculum and Unique Research Opportunities
OSU’s program excels due to its robust Ecampus, the flexibility it offers to a global student body, and its emphasis on practical application. The program’s draw comes in part due to OSU’s faculty expertise in areas like gender-affirming care, supporting cancer survivors in Latine communities, and sustainability initiatives in rural regions.
Garcia highlights Oregon’s focus on health equity as a unique attribute that attracts students. “There’s something special about Oregon as a state in terms of its focus on health equity, and it draws people from other states. The fact that with an online degree, you can access that group of faculty while living in a context where that’s available, makes it special as well.”
Impactful Public Health Education at OSU
Oregon State University’s top-ranked online Master in Public Health program not only establishes a benchmark for quality education but also ensures vital public health expertise is available to communities far beyond the Corvallis campus. As a testament to their mission, the program fosters a robust and adaptive public health workforce equipped to face contemporary challenges and improve community well-being.
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- Carbon trapped in ice
- OSU whale researcher wins L’Oreal Women in Science award
For more information, contact Internal Communications at [email protected].
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