Public Health Schools and MPH Programs in North Carolina

North Carolina’s public higher education tradition is anchored by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the first public university in the nation, established in 1789 and admitting students in 1795. To that end, the state boasts a multitude of online and on-campus Master of Public Health programs at schools including East Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Lenoir-Rhyne University. Within these MPH programs, there are multiple concentrations, as well as joint degree programs, that expand North Carolina’s health education offerings well beyond MD and PharmD programs.

North Carolina has about 11.0 million residents, according to the Census Bureau. North Carolina ranks 22nd overall in America’s Health Rankings (most recent annual report). 

Public health initiatives are key to improving and promoting good health within the state and beyond. Fortunately, for those interested in public health, North Carolina offers a range of degree programs for different learners, including those with full-time job and family commitments. Finding the right one takes some time and research, but ultimately, your education plays a role in your preparedness to practice and address the state’s most urgent health needs.

Master of Public Health Programs in North Carolina 

Across North Carolina, there are multiple Master of Public Health programs. All major MPH programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), an organization that ensures the quality of public health education programs. 

Learn more about some of the CEPH-Accredited MPH programs in North Carolina.

Information last updated: February 2026

Many public health professionals have the opportunity to help shape broad initiatives that influence the health and well-being of hundreds of thousands of people. If you are interested in this rewarding career path that empowers you to make a local, national, or even global impact, you may want to explore public health degrees to help you get started. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the national demand for community health workers, one category of public health professionals, will grow by 11 percent leading up to 2034. The clear need for public health workers may be another reason you choose to earn a Master of Public Health online or on campus. 

Overview of Public Health Degrees in North Carolina 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024, 12.5% of North Carolina residents live in poverty. U.S. Census Bureau estimates show 10.3% of North Carolinians under age 65 lack health insurance (ACS 2020–2024), compared with 9.6% nationally. Public health is a primary concern for professionals and lawmakers in North Carolina because health disparities persist for many racial/ethnic minority and underserved communities, a focus reinforced in NCDHHS’s FY 2024–2025 Health Equity Portfolio Year in Review, which draws on the state’s Health Disparities Analysis work to guide equity-driven action statewide. 

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ 2024 Health Disparities Analysis Report highlights persistent disparities in health outcomes and access to care affecting many racial/ethnic minority and underserved communities across the state.  Public health professionals can contribute to essential health programs, healthcare improvement, workplace safety, and disease prevention, potentially improving outcomes across North Carolina. If public health sounds like a field that you’d like to be a dedicated member of, one of the many MPH programs throughout the state can help you reach that goal. You may also wish to consider dual-degree programs that combine public health with other relevant fields, such as dietetics or social work. MPH/RD programs are unique and equip future students with tools to address current, urgent public health issues, such as food deserts and obesity.

Online MPH Programs in North Carolina

Attending college is a significant commitment, with different challenges for different students. For those concerned about scheduling, commuting to campus, or fully uprooting their lives to move to school, online degree programs may allow the flexibility you need. Over the years, online higher education has been questioned about its quality. Today, many online MPH programs use the same faculty and curriculum standards as their on-campus counterparts and still include required applied practice experiences, so the key is to compare accreditation, format (live vs. asynchronous), practicum placement support, and concentration options. In North Carolina, two CEPH-accredited MPH programs are available in a fully online format: the UNC Gillings online MPH (MPH@UNC) and Lenoir-Rhyne University’s 100% online MPH.

From the comfort of your home (or anywhere else you can log on), online courses enable you to access homework, complete tests, communicate with classmates, participate in live lectures, and even watch recorded ones. If accreditation is important to you, confirm a program’s status in CEPH’s official directory. Both the UNC Gillings online MPH (MPH@UNC) and Lenoir-Rhyne’s online MPH are listed as CEPH-accredited. Choosing an accredited MPH program can help ensure you receive an education that is valid and relevant in public health.

Public Health Careers Outlook in North Carolina

Healthcare and public health are closely tied to North Carolina’s economy and workforce needs: a statewide economic impact analysis found that health systems and hospitals generated about $40 billion in GDP impacts and directly created 268,000 jobs. The North Carolina Department of Commerce also reports that Education & Health Services and Government accounted for 97% of North Carolina’s net job growth in 2024, pointing to continued momentum in health-related careers. To understand where public health needs are most urgent, the state tracks progress through Healthy North Carolina 2030 and the NC State Health Improvement Plan (NC SHIP), which publishes updated indicators on issues such as chronic disease, substance use harms, and access to care. Communicable disease prevention remains a priority as well.

The North Carolina HIV/STD Surveillance Report (Vol. 2025, No. 4) summarizes statewide STI and HIV trends for January 1–December 31, 2025, which can help you choose an MPH focus aligned with real needs on the ground. 

Specializations in High Demand in North Carolina

In North Carolina, there are a number of rewarding paths for aspiring public health students. Epidemiology is a field that uses various methods of data collection and testing to determine how diseases arise and are transmitted within society. Public health professionals in this role help develop effective policies and programs, research different prevention options, and assist with protecting the public from the dangers of mass illness. If you want to be part of this field, degree programs across North Carolina can prepare you. In North Carolina, epidemiologists and medical scientists account for approximately 3,860  jobs, according to 2024 BLS data.

The North Carolina Division of Public Health supports women’s and children’s health through dedicated units, including the Women’s and Children’s Health Section and the Women, Infant, and Community Wellness Section, which coordinate statewide initiatives focused on maternal and infant health and family well-being. There are also several organizations, such as NC Child, that work to improve children’s healthfrom birth through early development—and into their teenage years. 

A degree that specializes in women’s, children’s, and family health may be another fulfilling career choice in North Carolina. A vastly in-demand profession, North Carolina employs approximately 13,960 child, family and school social workers, according to the BLS—and many other professionals that support these demographic groups.  

Organizations to Work with a Public Health Degree

With a public health degree in North Carolina, you qualify for a wide range of jobs spanning schools, state and local government offices, hospitals, and health systems. North Carolina’s largest employers vary by sector and region; the NC Department of Commerce publishes updated lists of the state’s largest public- and private-sector employers based on quarterly employment data. You can review job openings on their site. 

If you are interested in working in a healthcare setting, you may look to North Carolina’s larger cities. Major hospital systems with a large presence in North Carolina include Duke Health (with Duke University Hospital in Durham), Atrium Health (based in Charlotte), UNC Health (a statewide system owned by the state of North Carolina), Novant Health, and WakeMed.

Other websites where you can explore job prospects for MPH graduates and professionals include the   following:

Local State Public Health Resources

North Carolina’s public health system includes statewide and local agencies that publish current data, program updates, and guidance for residents and public health professionals. Below is a list of current public health resources in NC: 

  • North Carolina Division of Public Health: The NCDHHS Division of Public Health (DPH) website provides statewide public health information, program contacts, guidance, and publications, including the State Health Director Annual Report series. 
  • Women’s and Children’s Health (DPH): NCDHHS supports women’s and children’s health through units such as the Women’s and Children’s Health Section and the Women, Infant and Community Wellness Section, which coordinate maternal, infant, and family health initiatives and resources.
  • Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (OMHHD): A statewide resource focused on advancing health equity and reducing health and health care disparities among racial/ethnic minorities and underserved populations.
  • North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics: Provides official North Carolina public health data, reports, and trend dashboards (including county- and statewide trends in key health indicators).
  • North Carolina Department of Public Instruction: The state’s education agency, which shares updates on K–12 initiatives and resources related to student health and well-being in schools.
  • NC.gov (North Carolina State Government): A central portal linking to state agencies, services, and resources; many official announcements and program updates are published through NC.gov and individual agency sites.
  • North Carolina Local Health Department Directory: Use NCDHHS’s directory to find contact information for your county or district health department, often the best starting point for local services, internships, and community programs.

Information last updated: February 2026