Public Health Schools and MPH Programs in Arizona

Arizona is home to diverse communities and geography. From urban areas such as Phoenix, tribal lands, the Grand Canyon and the United States and Mexico border, the unique health needs of Arizona’s populations are the focus of public health programs across the state. 

For those interested in public health as a career and looking for a public health school in Arizona, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at University of Arizona (UArizona) offers 10 concentrations that are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and is the only accredited program in the state.

Although only one in-state institution offers a CEPH-accredited master’s in public health, the various concentrations enable specialization in an area that appeals to you. In addition to the programs listed above, University of Arizona offers six joint degrees, including MD/MPH, JD/MPH and MPH/MA. Depending on the degree, class format and whether you attend full time or part time, degree completion could take 2–6 years.

Public Health Schools and Highlights in Arizona

The University of Arizona

1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ
The University of Arizona, located in Tucson and established in 1885, is the oldest university in the state. UArizona has two independently accredited medical schools and is widely recognized as one of the nation’s top public universities. Faculty have received national and international program awards, including three Nobel Prize recipients and two Pulitzer Prize winners.

The UArizona Phoenix campus, located in downtown Phoenix, is home to two of the above programs and provides a large urban environment for practice-based learning. Graduates find employment in various settings. UArizona reports that a third of alums take on government roles, another third work in university settings, and a small percentage work in nonprofit and for-profit organizations or pursue additional training.

Email (Phoenix-based programs): coph-phoenix@email.arizona.edu
Email (online MPH program): coph-onlineMPH@email.arizona.edu
Email (graduate programs MPH): coph-admit@email.arizona.edu

Online MPH Programs in Arizona 

The University of Arizona offers three MPH programs online: Applied Epidemiology, Health Behavior Health Promotion and Health Services Administration. Regardless of format, all of the master’s in public health programs at UArizona are rigorous. However, the online  format provides students the flexibility and convenience to earn their MPH without sacrificing work or home commitments. Those unable to find the right fit in a  program within Arizona may want to check out CEPH-accredited online MPH programs in nearby states such as California, New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado.

Public Health Careers Outlook in Arizona

The following information is gathered from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2019 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Arizona Report: Due to the unique environment of Arizona, many non-metropolitan areas average higher salaries for public health workers than those of urban areas. Occupational health specialists earn an average of $71,670 a year, which is higher than the national average and the same position in cities around the state. Environmental health specialists, too, earn a better wage in nonmetropolitan areas in Arizona. These professionals average $74,730 yearly, which surpasses the average annual salary by $13,000 in Tucson and $11,000 in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area.

For additional public health career opportunities in Arizona, view the table below for salaries and projected job growth data provided by O’Net Online.

Job TitleAvg. Salary in AZ (Yearly)Avg. Salary in U.S. (Yearly)Projected Job Growth in AZ, 2018–2028Projected Job Growth in U.S., 2019–2029
Biostatisticians
$87,690
$91,160
35%
35%
Health Specialties Professors
$115,140
$97,320
34%
21%
Environmental Health Specialists
$57,850
$71,360
4%
8%
Epidemiologists
$57,310
$70,990
n/a*
5%
Medical and Health Services Managers /Healthcare Administrators
$103,960
$100,980
39%
32%
Health Educators
$45,070
$55,220
28%
11%
Occupational Health Specialists
$66,530
$74,100
2%
4%
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
$47,780
$49,850
0%
8%
Dietitians and Nutritionists
$57,210
$61,270
26%
8%
Health Informatics Specialists
$89,290
$90,920
2%
7%

*Estimate not released/provided by O*NET

Specializations to Consider in Arizona

Several occupations pay above or close to the national average salary.  With 18% of the population aged 65 and over in Arizona, healthcare administrators or medical and health services managers  may see higher wages and demand than the national average. Survey data from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) shows that, out of all the adults who responded, 42.4% of Hispanics, 38.6% of American Indian/Alaska Natives and 37.7% Asian/Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders reported not having a personal doctor or healthcare provider. These results support a high demand and better than average wages for health educators as Arizona’s healthcare system serves a considerable number of rural and underserved populations. 

Career Resources for Graduates With a Public Health Degree

As an MPH graduate in Arizona, you may find the following career resources helpful in your employment pursuit. 

  • American Statistical Association: MPH graduates with a concentration in biostatistics can look for job opportunities and post your resume for employers to view.
  • Arizona Department of Health Services: Whether you are seeking full-time or part-time employment, you may enjoy many benefits as a state employee. Comprehensive health benefits, teleworking, collaborative projects, and pension and retirement savings options are available for skilled and talented MPH graduates.
  • Arizona Environmental Health Association: You can search a number of job opportunities in counties throughout the state on this site and view a listing of national environmental health positions. 
  • Association of Public Health Laboratories: Epidemiologists may search for positions at local and state governmental public health and clinical health laboratories, universities, corporations and research centers. 
  • Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists: This site for epidemiologists features a career resource center and allows job seekers to search by job title, keyword or location.  

Additional State Information

While the average life span of an Arizonian is 79.5 (slightly higher than the national average of 78.539 reported by the World Health Organization), Arizona’s ranking of 31 out of the 50 states in the United Health Foundation’s 2019 Annual America’s Health Rankings indicates the state’s public health system and professionals have a long way to go in clinical care, health outcomes, health behaviors, physical environment, and social and economic factors. The data supports the need for greater public health efforts across Arizona. Earning your MPH is the first step toward your role in public health and helping to address Arizona’s health needs.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

Information last updated January 2021