Public Health Schools and MPH Programs in Massachusetts

Well-documented research shows that education and health are highly interconnected. Massachusetts isn’t just a top choice for public health education because of its university-studded location; it’s also an example of successful public health practice and policy.

Massachusetts performs strongly in national comparisons of health system performance. 

Boston, the state’s capital city, attracts many public health research facilities and private companies. The city is a major center for healthcare and life sciences and is home to large hospital systems, research institutions, and a dense network of health and biotech employers. So, when it comes to pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH), it’s no surprise that Massachusetts is a great place to look. An MPH can be suitable for individuals from a wide variety of professional backgrounds, including registered nurses with their BSN. 

With a wide variety of program choices and courses nearly identical to traditional on-campus programs, you can leverage the benefits of online MPH programs to earn a degree that prepares you for a public health career.

The above MPH programs in MA are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). It can take up to three years for a school or program to become accredited.

When exploring your options for obtaining a Master of Public Health in Massachusetts, make sure you research available MPH programs in Boston and surrounding areas. By covering all  your bases, you’ll be well informed about possible options available to you: in-person, online, full-time, part-time, and the full selection of different concentrations within each university program.

Overview of Public Health Degrees in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has a population of about 7.1 million people, according to the 2024 U.S. Census Bureau. The poverty rate in Massachusetts was 9.7 percent, and the state had the lowest uninsured rate in 2024 at 2.8 percent (all ages). Through public education and planning, members of the public health field play a significant role in reducing these numbers and keeping citizens safe. With an MPH, you’ll not only gain the knowledge about the field, but also the skills to analyze statistics, such as those mentioned above, with a deeper understanding of the factors that drive them up or down.

There is a wealth of MPH programs in Massachusetts to choose from, and some of the world’s most renowned universities are located in Boston. The University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Harvard University, Boston University, Northeastern University, and Tufts University are all well-known schools offering MPH programs in Boston, with the potential to set you on the path to achieving your career ambitions.

There is also a wealth of concentrations alongside these degree programs that can prepare students for careers working in a variety of professions in the public domain. Healthcare Management and Policy, Clinical Effectiveness, Family and Community Health, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, and Occupational Health are just a few of the specializations to consider as you make a decision to pursue your Master of Public Health in Boston.

School Highlights in Massachusetts

The state is more than just a hub for well-renowned institutions. Similar to its public health profile, Massachusetts maintains an above-average education profile, with around 91.4 percent of the state’s residents having obtained high school diplomas or higher (as of 2024). There are currently about 48% bachelor’s degree holders or higher, and 22.6% of graduate/professional degree holders, as of 2024. 

There are a number of prestigious public health schools in Massachusetts, such as Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, located in Boston. Boston University and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst also have multiple public health concentrations at all degree levels, and even offer several online options, making the degree more accessible for high-achieving students around the world.

BPH and DPH in MA

At the undergraduate level, fully online public health bachelor’s programs can be harder to find than online MPH programs, but Massachusetts still offers plenty of strong on-campus pathways into the field. If you’re looking to obtain a bachelor’s degree that will prepare you to pursue an advanced degree in public health, you could start off with a different health degree, such as nursing or health administration. These are much more common at the undergraduate level and are available at many public health schools in Massachusetts. For example, Northeastern University offers an ABSN (accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) curriculum that mixes online and offline coursework. 

For doctorate degrees, there are more options—many public health schools in Massachusetts, including the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, offer a selection of doctoral degrees.

Online MPH Programs in Boston

When sorting through different options for a degree program, you may find that Massachusetts has some online degree programs waiting for your call. One major benefit of an online MPH is its self-paced nature. Online students also enjoy structured discussion boards and live sessions, which give students frequent opportunities to express their viewpoints and thought processes. 

Submitting assignments using online tools offers additional opportunities to learn new technologies, and many students may find they prefer taking exams in the comfort of their own homes.

Online programs accredited by the CEPH are recommended for current and aspiring public health professionals seeking reputable and relevant degrees. In general, accreditation can help students qualify for more competitive and meaningful careers and even pursue licensure, if they choose.

All the online MPH programs we compiled are accredited by CEPH. 

Public Health Careers Outlook in Massachusetts

Employment for all healthcare occupations is projected to grow at a rate much faster than average for all occupations in the United States, adding about 1.9 million new jobs between 2024 to 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Factors like an aging population and the increased demand for healthcare services across the board contribute to the fast-growing healthcare industry—and it holds plenty of opportunity for recent MPH graduates. 

Massachusetts provides an occupational projections dashboard that lets you explore projected change, typical wages, and results by region (including statewide data). And because so many public health and healthcare employers are concentrated in Greater Boston, opportunities can be especially visible there: Boston’s healthcare and life sciences sector alone includes roughly 1,570 establishments employing over 146,000 workers, and local projections anticipate continued growth across major healthcare industries and roles.For MPH graduates, this usually translates into a wide range of entry points—public agencies, hospitals and health systems, academic medical centers, insurers, consulting firms, and life sciences organizations—plus state government options (including roles and internships through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health).

Specializations to Consider in Massachusetts

Residents of Massachusetts rely on dedicated public health professionals to keep them informed about infectious diseases and other health risks in their area. When selecting a specialization or focus area, consider your interests, job outlook for various roles and the most pressing public health needs in the state. Visiting the Massachusetts Public Health Department’s website is one way to gain insight into the major public health needs of the state.  

Public health specializations in MA to consider include medical science and environmental science. National employment of medical scientists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2024 to 2034, according to the BLS. That rate is much faster than the average for all occupations. In 2024, medical scientists earned a national mean annual salary of $100,590, while environmental scientists earned a mean annual salary of $80,060, respectively.  

A focus in epidemiology enables MPH graduates to combat illness and disease across the entire state. The BLS reports that the employment for epidemiologists nationwide is growing at 16 percent. The mean annual pay for Massachusetts epidemiologists in 2024 was $113,860, according to the BLS. Note that pay for epidemiologists varies by employer, industry, number of years of experience, and more.Nationally, medical and health services managers see even more demand than epidemiologists. From 2024 to 2034, jobs for these two professionals will grow 23 percent. According to the BLS, medical and health services managers earned an average annual salary of $159,680 in 2024.

Organizations to Work with a Public Health Degree

Equipped with an MPH, there are a wide range of work settings and organizations that you can consider. Government organizations, schools and even companies outside of the healthcare sector require the expertise of an MPH-trained professional. Here are few Massachusetts-based organizations:

  • Massachusetts Department of Public Health. DPH leads statewide public health programs and also plays a major regulatory role, including licensure and oversight of many healthcare facilities and programs.
  • Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) – Boston’s local public health agency provides and supports community-based health services, prevention programming, and public health education across the city. 
  • Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) – An independent state agency focused on improving healthcare affordability and delivery through data-driven analysis, policy insights, and investments that aim to lower costs and reduce disparities.
  • Partners In Health (Boston) – A nonprofit with a support/coordination office in Boston that works globally on health equity and delivery, employing a wide range of public health and program professionals.

Local State Public Health Resources

For more information, explore the following public health resources in Massachusetts: 

  • Massachusetts Public Health Association. A private, non-profit organization with statewide membership, the MPHA promotes health equity and education across Massachusetts with its involvement in different programs, policies, and advocacy efforts. 
  • Massachusetts Association of Public Health Nurses. The official state organization for Public Health Nurses, the MAPHN is committed to improving health outcomes in communities across Massachusetts—engaging in a variety of advocacy efforts and initiatives to that end.
  • Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The Commonwealth’s primary public health agency. DPH’s mission is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity. It also has major regulatory responsibilities (including licensure/oversight of many healthcare facilities and programs) and publishes programs, guidance, reports, and data tools useful for students and practitioners.

Information last updated: December 2025