University of North Carolina Online MPH Programs

• Online Master of Public Health (MPH) - Applied Epidemiology
• Online Master of Public Health (MPH) - Leadership in Practice
• Online Master of Public Health (MPH) - Nutrition, Food Systems and Health

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By Sara Navratil Reviewed By Jocelyn Blore

Updated August 11, 2025

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For the latest academic year, we have 170 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.

The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill offers an online master of public health (MPH) program through the Gillings School of Global Public Health. Graduate students choose two concentrations: leadership in practice, nutrition, food systems and health; or applied epidemiology. The courses are delivered 100 percent online, with local clinical hours and no campus visits.

The Gillings School of Global Public Health approaches education through research, practice, and service. The courses focus on evidence-based solutions, experiential learning, and interdisciplinary knowledge. Core courses cover systems thinking, epidemiology, population health, public health policy, public health solutions, evidence-based thinking and decision-making, and fundamental leadership skills.

The leadership in practice MPH prepares graduates to work with communities, implementing wide-reaching changes that promote population health and address healthcare inequities.

The nutrition, food systems and health MPH prepares graduates to improve the health of individuals and groups through nutrition science, behavior change, counseling, communication, and community-based education.

The applied epidemiology concentration prepares graduates to utilize epidemiologic methods to detail disease patterns and reduce or eliminate public health issues in various populations.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and offers several online master’s programs. The MPH program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The dietetics and nutrition MPH program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Admission Requirements: Applicants to MPH@UNC must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. No GMAT or GRE test scores are required, nor are they recommended. Although no work experience is required, a resume or CV must be submitted that outlines professional and volunteer work experience. Additionally, MPH@UNC looks for applicants to the applied epidemiology MPH with foundational analytical and quantitative skills.

With the application, prospective MPH students must submit unofficial transcripts, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and a resume or CV. A personal statement must also be submitted with nutrition and dietetics MPH applications. A non-refundable application fee is also required, although most applicants can have this waived. Official transcripts must be submitted upon acceptance.

Study Plan: MPH@UNC begins in January, May, and September. Both part-time and full-time plans are available for the leadership, nutrition, and applied epidemiology concentrations. Full-time students can complete the degree in 20 to 24 months, even while working. Notably, the nutrition MPH is offered in an intensive 16-month option. This accelerated schedule requires that students refrain from working while enrolled in the program.

Part-time students in these concentrations may take 28 to 36 months to complete the MPH program. Once the MPH core curriculum is completed, students schedule and take a comprehensive exam. Additionally, the required 200-hour practicum is completed during the summer.

Curriculum: The University of North Carolina MPH program comprises 42 credits, including a practicum, comprehensive exam, and culminating experience. The MPH integrated core courses include data analysis for public health; systems approaches to understanding public health issues; methods and measures for public health practice; leading from the inside-out; MPH pre-practicum assignments; public health solutions: systems, policy, and advocacy; developing, implementing, and evaluating public health solutions; and MPH post-practicum assignments.

• Leadership in Practice concentration courses include core principles in public health leadership; systems and design thinking for public health leaders; leading quality improvement in public health; leadership in health policy for social justice; and community engagement and leadership in health. MPH leadership students then take nine credits of electives and complete a three-credit culminating experience.
• Nutrition, Food Systems and Health concentration courses include human nutrition; food and your life stages; nutrition communication and culture; nutrition policy; and nutritional epidemiology. MPH nutrition students also take nine credits of electives and complete a three-credit culminating experience.
• Applied Epidemiology concentration courses include fundamentals of epidemiology; data in public health; fundamentals of public health surveillance; epidemiologic data analysis; and methods in field epidemiology. Applied epidemiology students then take three electives related to their field of study or desired career goals.

Online Experience: Through an interactive global classroom, MPH students learn and connect with faculty and peers. Online courses include live, online class sessions hosted on Zoom, and taught by UNC faculty. Online students participate in live discussions, ask questions, and receive immediate feedback, face-to-face. Additionally, all sessions are recorded for later viewing.

The student dashboard provides a complete overview of coursework, grades, and progress of MPH degree. Outside of live class sessions, assignments may include video case studies, recorded lectures, and interactive, multimedia assignments. Students can access technical support, networking and career services, one-on-one career coaching, academic support, program support, tutors, student success advisors, and practicum placement support. Each student is also assigned a faculty mentor.

On-Site Requirements: MPH@UNC does not require any campus visits. Courses are delivered online, and a 200-hour practicum is required For four leadership, nutrition, and applied epidemiology concentrations. 1,000 hours of supervised field experiences are required for nutrition and dietetics MPH students.

UNC online MPH program tuition is detailed in the tables below. Prospective students should contact the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health for cost clarifications and updates.

Graduate MPH students may be eligible for unsubsidized graduate Stafford and PLUS loans through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Employers may also offer tuition reimbursement programs to employees earning a graduate degree. Other funding considerations may be private loans, and outside scholarships and grants. Candidates can learn more about financial aid from the UNC Office of Scholarships and Student Aid.

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She's the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online MHA programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.