The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Master of Public Health online program has been rated among the nation’s best in rankings released by education resource guide Edumed.org. USM is the only Mississippi college or university ranked among the top-50 in the Best Online MPH Programs for 2024.
“This type of recognition goes to the heart of public health at USM,” said Dr. Vickie Reed, Assistant Director, Public Health and MPH Graduate Coordinator. “We have great students and faculty, and this recognition honors their academic, research, and service contributions to our public health discipline and profession.”
USM’s Master of Public Health Program provides students with academic skills, practical experience and multidisciplinary study that will enable them to meet 21st century public health challenges. Public Health is a science protecting and improving the health of communities. This work is achieved by promoting healthy lifestyles, and detecting, preventing and responding to both chronic and infectious diseases.
Public health practitioners promote healthcare equity, quality and accessibility while working to decrease health disparities. USM’s Master of Public Health degree is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). CEPH is the national accrediting body for programs in Public Health.
There are currently 111 students enrolled in USM’s MPH Program, with 65 enrolled in the online program. The online program consists of two emphasis areas – Health Policy & Administration and Health Promotion Health Behavior. Ninety-six students graduated from the MPH program during the 2022-23 academic year.
Reed takes particular pride in USM’s program being the only Mississippi college or university included in the rankings.
“Yes, this is great news for the oldest accredited public health program in Mississippi,” said Reed. “Not only is the MPH Program accredited, as most CEPH-accredited program are, but our undergraduate program is also CEPH-accredited.”
