Public Health Degrees – Options & Specifics

Choosing the right public health degree can feel overwhelming. Students can study public health at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level, and programs may focus on areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, global health, health policy, community health, or health administration.

This guide breaks down the most common public health degree options, what each degree is designed for, and how to choose the path that fits your career goals.

Specialties in Public Health

The expansive nature of the public health degree allows for many areas of specialty. Because of this, most colleges and universities offering a degree in public health offer concentrations that students can declare. Below are four of the most common specialties offered:

• Epidemiology: Study disease, illness, and the associated risk factors in a population
• Environmental Health: Study human health and the health of the environment as it affects the general well-being of the population
• Community Health & Health Promotion: Focus on the needs of all citizens within a designated area and/or teach specialized groups & individuals how to better take care of themselves and their families
• Occupational Health: create healthier communities & workplaces, promote sustainable workplace environments, develop emergency response & disaster planning

Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) Accreditation

The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is the primary accrediting body for public health degree programs in the United States and is considered the gold standard for accredited public health schools and programs.

What is CEPH Accreditation?

The Council on Education for Public Health is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health within universities, public health programs housed in other academic units, and standalone baccalaureate programs.

CEPH Accreditation Criteria

CEPH accredits schools of public health within universities, public health programs housed outside schools of public health, and standalone baccalaureate programs. To qualify as a CEPH-accredited school of public health, an institution must offer a professional public health master’s degree in at least three concentration areas and doctoral programs in at least two public health areas. CEPH also accredits standalone public health programs and undergraduate public health programs that are housed within larger universities. While the accreditation process follows a similar structure across categories, CEPH uses different criteria for schools of public health, public health programs, and standalone bachelor’s programs.

To earn accreditation, schools and programs must demonstrate that they meet CEPH standards related to curriculum, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, advising, graduation rates, applied practice experiences and program administration. Schools and programs seeking accreditation typically complete a self-study process and undergo an external site visit as part of CEPH’s review. Once accredited, schools and programs must continue submitting required reports and updates to maintain accreditation status.

Why CEPH-Accredited Schools or Programs in Public Health?

CEPH-accredited schools or programs let prospective students know that the degree program has undergone a multi-level review and meets nationally agreed-upon standards developed by public health academics and practitioners.

• This helps ensure that accredited public health schools and programs meet recognized standards for quality, curriculum, faculty, student support and workforce preparation.
• CEPH accreditation may help schools evaluate transfer credits, but transfer decisions are made by individual institutions and are not guaranteed.
• Some employment and fellowship opportunities may require or prefer graduation from a CEPH-accredited school or program, including some roles with the U.S. Public Health Service, the U.S. military and government agencies.
• Graduating from, or being an eligible student in, a CEPH-accredited school or program can provide a pathway to sit for the Certified in Public Health exam, administered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.

CEPH accredits public health schools and programs regardless of delivery format, so students considering an online MPH should confirm that the school or program is CEPH-accredited.

Information Last Updated: May 2026