Caldwell, NJ – Caldwell University’s School of Nursing and Health Services is proud to announce the launch of its new fully online Master’s in Public Health (MPH) program, a vital step in preparing future leaders to protect and promote the well-being of entire populations.

Rooted in Caldwell University’s mission to transform students’ lives by preparing them to contribute to a just society, this program emphasizes the crucial role of public health in preventing disease and injury, responding to infectious diseases, and addressing health inequities. Consistent with Caldwell’s core values of respect, integrity, community, and excellence, the program aims to guide students in upholding these principles in their preparation and future service.

The program’s robust learning objectives are designed to cultivate comprehensive expertise in broad areas of public health. Upon completion, students will be able to ascertain the interdisciplinary nature of public health efforts, develop skills in utilizing research statistics and health informatics to achieve health equity, and demonstrate proficiency in epidemiological methods for understanding health occurrences.

Furthermore, graduates will gain in-depth knowledge of teaching and learning models necessary to confidently lead public health initiatives with diverse populations and policymakers, while also exploring population areas of interest through vital research and practicum experiences. These objectives align with the foundational competencies outlined by the Council on Education of Public Health (CEPH).

Caldwell University’s MPH program offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum with a distinct focus on health education, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for roles as Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) and Master’s Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES). The 42-credit fully online program includes required courses such as “Applied Techniques: Cultural Health Promotion and Social Determinants of Health,” “Global Health,” and “Health Informatics and Digital Health.”

Students can further tailor their studies with electives like “Biostatistics for Decision-Making in Public Health,” “Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management,” or “Climate Change and Global Responses,” providing a broad and interdisciplinary perspective across various disciplines including Applied Behavior Analysis, Business, Education, Mental Health Counseling, Nursing, and Psychology.

While other institutions offer MPH degrees, Caldwell is one of only three fully online MPH programs in the state, the sole faith-based institution, and one of only two private institutions in New Jersey to offer such a program. Based on the 2024-2025 tuition, Caldwell’s program is also the least expensive per credit among its New Jersey counterparts. Though not initially CEPH accredited, the curriculum meticulously follows the 22 foundational competencies listed by CEPH and the 8 Areas of Responsibility and Competencies listed by the CHES credentialing body.

The demand for public health professionals, particularly health educators, is experiencing significant growth both in New Jersey and nationally. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17% growth in health education and community health worker roles from 2021 to 2031, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. In New Jersey, public health jobs, including health educators, are expected to grow by approximately 13% over the next decade, with average wages ranging from $69,130 to $106,100, among the highest in the nation. New York has observed similar trends, with a projected growth of around 12-15% for public health roles. This surge is driven by increased health awareness, a post-pandemic focus on preventive care, and a growing recognition of health disparities.

Graduates of Caldwell’s MPH program will be prepared for in-demand careers as Public Health Educators, Health Promotion Specialists, Epidemiologists, and Public Health Program Managers, ready to address the critical need for experts who can improve community health outcomes and foster health equity.

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MPH Admissions 

The Master of Public Health (MPH) program offers rolling admission with no formal deadline. Accepted students may begin the program in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Application Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Completion of an undergraduate course in statistics with a grade of C+ or better
• Formal application to Caldwell University Office of Graduate Admissions
• Two letters of recommendations
• Writing sample, submission of an essay on the following topic: How would you envision the Master’s in Public Health helping you to achieve your career goals?

Caldwell University will accept the transfer of six credits of graduate work from an accredited institution, provided the credits were completed within five years of the student’s initial registration at the University. Official transcripts of previous graduate work as well as the description of each course must be submitted for review at the time of application. Approval of transfer credit is based on course content and grade earned.

For admissions questions, contact [email protected]. To apply, get started on the graduate application.