Public Health Schools and MPH Programs in New Jersey

New Jersey is home to multiple public health degree programs with CEPH accreditation. Students considering a career within the public health field can choose from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in a variety of related concentrations to fit their interests. 

If you are looking to earn your Master of Public Health (MPH) in New Jersey, there are 28 CEPH-accredited MPH programs to choose from. Hybrid programs are a great option for students who prefer the flexibility and convenience of online learning combined with periodic in-person lectures and peer collaboration.

With a high in-state population density and close proximity to both New York City and Philadelphia, NJ public health graduates are near several major job markets in which community health is an important concern. 

Master of Public Health (MPH) Programs in New Jersey

To start comparing programs, check this list of CEPH-accredited MPH programs offered across New Jersey with concentration information:

The table above lists CEPH-accredited MPH programs in New Jersey with traditional learning formats. If you are interested in earning a second degree parallel with your Master of Public Health, Rutgers University offers a wide range of dual degree options.

Public Health Schools Highlights in New Jersey

According to the United States Census Bureau, the 8.9 million citizens in the state of New Jersey rely on public health professionals to assist them with helpful prevention programs and awareness education for leading healthier lives. With 9.5% of the state’s population living in poverty and 7.4% of citizens having no health insurance, the time is now to consider a master’s level degree focusing on public health.In terms of what New Jersey can provide individuals pursuing a career in public health, there are currently 28 Master of Public Health programs available throughout the state. Institutions providing these programs include Montclair State University and Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey. There are numerous concentrations ranging from Community Health Education to Occupational and Environmental Medicine for interested prospects in this discipline.

Montclair State University

1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University’s MPH program in New Jersey focuses on population health, including how to reduce health disparities in communities. The university cites that graduates have obtained jobs with employers such as the NYC Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, U.S. Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services and Planned Parenthood.

Montclair State University offers a bachelor’s degree in public health as well. Students in this program can concentrate in Community Health Education or Health Systems Administration Policy. These concentrations are also offered in the master’s program.

Email: gradschool@montclair.edu

Rutgers School of Public Health

683 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ or One Riverfront Plaza, Newark, NJ

The Rutgers School of Public Health program  prepares students to participate in interdisciplinary public health efforts, while also specializing in at least one public health concentration. MPH programs are available at the New Brunswick or Newark locations of New Jersey. In addition academic coursework, students must complete applied practice experience and an interprofessional education experience. 

In addition to the master’s program, Rutgers School of Public Health offers a Doctor of Public Health for mid-to-senior career public health professionals. The program is designed to help students gain knowledge and skills needed to pursue positions of greater responsibility. Rutgers also offers an articulated degree. This degree allows students to begin master’s coursework in their undergraduate years, therefore only requiring about three to five additional semesters to earn their master’s degree. Students can earn their Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science followed by Master of Public Health.

Email: sphinfo@sph.rutgers.edu

Online MPH Programs in New Jersey

The online degree experience can go beyond what students would expect from these convenient graduate programs. For the working professional, an online MPH education can be a great way to better your academic portfolio without having to quit a current position or compromise needed time at home.

In public health studies, individuals can engage in online programs that test their knowledge of the field while providing them with the opportunity to independently learn alongside their peers. Most online MPH programs last approximately two to three years, depending on how invested you are in finishing quickly. Most programs allow learners to take courses at their own pace throughout the length of the program. 

Students who wish to pursue an online MPH program but can’t find a fit in New Jersey might want to consider nearby states, such as New York. Check our full list of CEPH-Accredited online MPH programs.

Public Health Careers Outlook in New Jersey

New Jersey is known for having the highest population density and being the most ethnically diverse of any state within the country, according to the 2019 State of NJ Profile. While this statistic has positive implications for NJ business and commerce, it can be quite difficult to manage in terms of public health.

Qualified professionals are in demand to meet the state’s needs within various focus areas of the public health field, including epidemiology, health specialties education, and occupational health and safety. New Jersey’s job market offers MPH graduates a strong earning potential. For example, the average salary for an epidemiologist as of May 2020 is $99,330 in New Jersey.

Additionally, because of the state’s close proximity to other densely populated areas such as Philadelphia and New York, public health degree holders in NJ can enjoy expanded job opportunities without being required to travel far.  For additional public health career opportunities in New Jersey, view the table below for salaries and projected job growth data provided by O’Net Online.

Job TitleAvg. Salary in NJ (Yearly)Avg. Salary in US (Yearly)Job Growth in NJJob Growth in US
Biostatisticians
$110,840
$91,160
31%
35%
Health Specialties Professors
$97,090
$97,320
21%
21%
Environmental Health Specialists
$76,660
$71,360
8%
8%
Epidemiologists
$107,950
$70,990
0%
5%
Medical and Health Services Managers /Healthcare Administrators
$113,430
$100,980
18%
32%
Health Educators
$60,060
$55,220
8%
11%
Occupational Health Specialists
$83,550
$74,100
8%
4%
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
$72,460
$49,850
10%
8%
Dietitians and Nutritionists
$69,110
$61,270
11%
8%
Health Informatics Specialists 
$99,510
$90,920
3%
7%

*Estimate Not Released/Provided by O*NET

Specializations to Consider in New Jersey

The state of New Jersey has many different specializations for their public health degree programs, including epidemiology, health systems and policy, biostatistics, community health education, occupational safety and global public health. 

Professionals in this field are a leading source in the planning and development of important prevention programs throughout the state of New Jersey. For example, epidemiologists work hard to determine where diseases originate and how they are spread throughout communities. This can be done by investigating particular areas in which disease and illness are common, or through case studies and data from different areas of society.

Organizations to Work with a Public Health Degree

You may find that the career options for NJ public health professionals are diverse and include a wide range of interesting responsibilities. Working hands-on within the community is often required in this field as well as laboratory work and group meetings. 

Explore job opportunities for MPH graduates using the following career resources:

  • New Jersey Department of Health: Find employment opportunities throughout the state with the NJ Department of Health. Their online job board allows candidates to easily access job descriptions, requirements and application instructions.
  • New Jersey Environmental Health Association: Full-time and part-time openings are posted for environmental health positions throughout New Jersey. This career resource is best suited for MPH graduates with a concentration in environmental health sciences, biostatistics or epidemiology. 
  • American Statistical Association JobWeb: Online career center for those with a degree in Biostatistics and other Statistics programs. New jobs are posted daily.
  • Association of Public Health Laboratories: Epidemiologists can search for and apply to open lab positions from APHL’s Job Center.

State Health Information

New Jersey’s public health programs are designed to improve the well-being of its population. Learn more about these programs by viewing the following list of public health resources in NJ:

  • New Jersey Department of Health: A community-based public health service and first point of contact for questions about public health concerns or health conditions. Access information and resources pertaining to communicable disease, environmental health, occupational health and more.
  • New Jersey Department of Education: Supports school health policies and practices that address the physical, social and emotional needs of students. 
  • Camden County Department of Health and Human Services: Offers a variety of specialized health programs for Camden County residents, such as adult health services, school health, child health clinics and family planning services. 

Information last updated January 2021

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