Online Executive Master's of Public Health (MPH) With Residency Program
The Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health’s Executive Master’s of Public Health gives you a strong foundation in all disciplines of public health, with a particular focus on public health practice. The curriculum of this flexible, hybrid program is designed for working professionals who are currently employed in public health or a related field and looking to expand their leadership career opportunities, or those with a newfound interest in public health. Core courses in topics like health systems and research methods, paired with your choice of electives and a hands-on public health experience, prepare you with a public health background that fits your academic interests and career goals.
Whether you’re looking to advance in your career, or you’re seeking to expand your knowledge, Drexel’s Executive MPH prepares you to take the next step in your journey.
Program at a Glance
- 56 quarter credits
- Drexel Dornsife is proud to be the first university in Philadelphia to be accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH)
- Hybrid curriculum allows for flexible learning environments geared toward working professionals while providing the benefits of in-person networking, collaboration, and practical experience
- Rankedin the top 15% by U.S. News & World Report for Best Graduate Schools of Public Health in the country and #1 in Philadelphia
- Taught by highly respected Dornsife School of Public Health faculty
- No GRE required
What is an Executive MPH Program?
Are you a public health professional looking to advance your career into an executive career path? Drexel’s Executive MPH is designed with the flexibility you need to earn your MPH while still working in your current role and developing your future career goals. As public health needs evolve and grow, public health practitioners are being tasked with more and more expansive responsibilities in the public health space. This academically robust degree will give you an in-depth public health education that covers a wide array of public health skills, while affording you the opportunity to customize your plan of study to your specific professional aspirations. The hybrid format combines online courses with in-person residencies for maximum flexibility and provides you with in-depth exposure to public health experts, executives, and academics to create a robust network.
What Can I Do with An Executive MPH Degree?
Executive MPH Career Opportunities
As a student in Drexel’s Executive MPH program, you will generally be learning alongside professionals who are currently working in public health and related fields. Drexel Dornsife students come from local, state, and federal health agencies, health systems, health and social services, community organizations, education, clinical research, medicine, and pharmaceutical companies.
Upon graduation, many of our students continue to progress in their current companies with strong foundational knowledge that helps them stand out in the job market. Just a few of the employers our students have gone on to have careers with are:
- Philadelphia Department of Public Health
- American Red Cross
- Action Wellness
- Public Health Management Corporation
- Independence Blue Cross
- Penn Medicine
- United States Public Health Service
- NYC Department of Education
How Long Does It Take to Complete an Executive MPH?
Drexel’s Executive MPH program is a 21-month hybrid program that includes in-person sessions on two Fridays per quarter. (In-person Friday sessions are not held during summer term.) These sessions include guest speakers like Ana V. Diez Roux, MD, PhD, MPH, the dean of Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health, and Philadelphia’s public health leaders. The EMPH is a cohort-based program, so you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with your fellow classmates during residencies and online coursework.
How Much Can You Make with an Executive MPH?
Executive MPH Salary Expectations
Your salary as a public health professional will vary based on several factors. Title, location, and years of experience all play a role in determining your pay. Learn more about average salaries for roles within the public health sphere by visiting our public health industry guide.
Learn From the Best
As an Executive MPH student, you will learn from the respected faculty in Drexel’s Dornsife School of Public Health. Learn more about Drexel Dornsife’s faculty. The program is Directed by Jennifer Kolker, MPH, the Associate Dean for Practice at the School of Public Health.
Professor Kolker holds a Master of Public Health degree in public health policy and administration from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She is a Clinical Professor of Health Management and Policy, the Director of the Center for Public Health Practice, and the Co-Director of the Pennsylvania Public Health Training Center, a federally funded training center for the public health workforce, operated in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh. Professor Kolker teaches the EMPH residency course.
Prior to joining Drexel in 2004, she held various positions in the non-profit world and then the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, working first in HIV/AIDS policy and planning and later in the Office of the Health Commissioner also in a health planning and policy role. Professor Kolker was also a senior policy associate with Public Works, a consulting firm that provides public policy research and analysis to government agencies and officials, non-profits and think tanks across the country.
Professor Kolker teaches several courses on public policy and public health practice and advises and mentors graduate students. Her work is focused on building bridges between academic public health and public health practice within the School’s mission of pursuing public health, human rights, and social justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Online Executive MPH Program Asynchronous?
Online Executive MPH classes are conducted asynchronously, which means you are not required to be online at a specific time for course instruction. However, many of our classes include group work. In these instances, you will be asked to find time to meet online with other students to complete the small group projects.
Drexel's 10,000 Hours Podcast: Sharrelle Barber
How can where you live affect your health? For Black communities, their neighborhoods can literally make them sicker. Sharrelle Barber, an assistant research professor at Drexel, looks at the intersection of place, racism, and health.
Related Programs
- MPH: Epidemiology
- MPH: Global Health
- MPH: Urban Health
- Certificate in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Certificate in Global Health
- Certificate in Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
- Certificate in LGBT Health
- Certificate in Maternal and Child Health
- Certificate in Public Health
- Certificate in Urban Health
- On-Campus Public Health Programs
Drexel University offers a variety of Graduate Minors that can be added to any master's degree program.
State restrictions may apply to some programs.
Curriculum
This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period.
Core Courses | ||
BST 571 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3.0 |
EPI 570 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3.0 |
HMP 505 | Qualitative Data and Mixed Methods Analysis | 3.0 |
PBHL 510 | Public Health Foundations and Systems I | 4.0 |
PBHL 511 | Public Health Foundations and Systems II | 4.0 |
Major Courses | ||
CHP 671 | Community Organizing and Community Assessment for Health and Wellness | 3.0 |
EOH 550 | Introduction to Urban Health | 3.0 |
HMP 660 | Public Policy and Advocacy | 3.0 |
HMP 667 | Professional Seminar for the Executive MPH Program * | 4.5 |
Applied Practical Experience | ||
PBHL 500 | Practical Experience for the Master of Public Health | 0.0 |
Integrative Learning Experience | ||
HMP 752 | EMPH Capstone I | 2.5 |
HMP 753 | EMPH Capstone II | 2.5 |
HMP 754 | EMPH Capstone III | 2.5 |
Electives | 18.0 | |
Total Credits | 56.0 |
Admissions Criteria
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or an equivalent international institution
- GPA of at least 3.0 preferred
- Minimum 3 years of professional work experience
- Standardized Test Scores are NOT required
- However, you may choose to submit scores to strengthen your application
Required Documents
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our supporting document submission guide.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
- Two professional letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Essay of approximately 500 words describing what you perceive to be pressing public health issues, why a career in the field appeals to you, and how it will use your strengths and commitment
- Additional requirements for International Students
Transfer Credit Opportunities
If you're considering transferring into this online program, you may be eligible to transfer up to 15 graduate-level quarter credits. Learn more about Drexel Dornsife’s transfer requirements and guidelines.
Computer Requirements
Working knowledge of and access to a personal computer (no more than 4 years old), high-speed connection to the Internet, and Microsoft Office applications.
Tuition
The tuition rate for the academic year 2024-2025 is $1032 per credit. (A 25% tuition savings off Drexel's regular tuition rate of $1375 per credit)
For the academic year 2024-2025, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.
- This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
- Special tuition rates available for Drexel University Alumni, Military members, and members of our Partner Organizations
- These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
- Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
- All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
- Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
- When receiving special tuition plans with Drexel University Online, you may not combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.
Academic Calendar
2024-2025 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Exams Begin
Exams End
Fall 2024
September 23, 2024
December 7, 2024
December 9, 2024
December 14, 2024
Winter 2025
January 6, 2025
March 15, 2025
March 17, 2025
March 22, 2025
Spring 2025
March 31, 2025
June 7, 2025
June 9, 2025
June 14, 2025
Summer 2025
June 23, 2025
August 30, 2024
September 2, 2025
September 6, 2025
Apply for admission to Drexel University
Use the Apply Now form to get started.
Previously enrolled at Drexel? Learn more about readmission.
Any problems? Find help or contact us.