FAQs

The MPH curriculum is based on the Core Competencies in Public Health and covers the competencies and required curriculum hours so that graduates qualify to sit for the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. The CHES/MCHES credential is well respected and is a recognized standard in the field of public health. A growing number of employers also require CHES certification for employment.

The MPH program consists of 30 total credit hours, is 100% online, and can be completed in 12 months for a full-time student. See Curriculum and Resources to learn more about each curriculum option. The program includes a 3-credit capstone course and 3-9 credit hours of clinical internship. Required internship hours are based on previous internship experiences.

The University of Lynchburg is accredited — learn more on the accreditation webpage.

The MPH has been offered by the University since 2015. The program, however, is not currently accredited by the Council of Education for Public Health (CEPH). This is in part because the program is new and faculty are devoted to creating a rich, positive one year degree option for students. Future plans may include application for CEPH recognition. For the vast majority of jobs, graduation from a CEPH accredited program is not required; however, if you know the agency or organization you want to work for after graduation, it is recommended to check prior to enrolling.

The requirements for the MPH program include a GPA of 2.75, official transcript from a 4-year Institution, a résumé and a professional essay. International applicants are also required to include TOEFL exam results.

No, the GRE is not required for admittance.

There is no deadline for non-international students. We have rolling enrollment in both fall and spring semesters and encourage students to apply as soon as possible. For international students, the Fall Enrollment Deadline is June 1 (for the August to December semester) and the Spring Enrollment Deadline is October 15 (for the January to May semester). This allows time to meet visa requirements. If you have questions about the application, contact the Office of Graduate Studies.

Information on the application process can be found on the How to Apply page.

Yes, there are a variety of graduate assistantships available with different types of tuition and/or accommodation coverage. You will want to apply for a graduate assistantship as soon as possible once you are admitted into the program. Assistantships are competitive and selection starts in February. Click here to learn more on how to apply, access the application and see what types of internships are available.

Yes. Learn more about both financial aid and scholarship opportunities for graduate students.

Yes, the program is fully online.

The University of Lynchburg’s Master’s degree programs typically allow up to 6 credits to be transferred into a degree program. A transfer credit request form is available from the Office of Graduate Studies.