Best MPH Programs in Texas
By Staff Writer

mph programs in texasPublic health in Texas is no small matter (of course, according to tradition, there are no small matters in Texas). The state itself is big, obviously, but it’s also extremely diverse, with a large and growing Latinx/Hispanic population and massive influxes of new residents to the biggest cities, like Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin. Of course, there are also major variations in communities, from remote rural regions out west, to major metropolitan areas that are some of the fastest-growing in the world. And life in a state that is both mostly arid, and built on fossil fuels, means unique ecological and environmental challenges to health.

How does Texas keep it all in check? With some of the strongest public health schools in the nation, especially those concentrated in the University of Texas System. MPH programs in Texas are designed for the unique and complex needs of Texas’ people, and no matter how many public health professionals there are, there is always need for more. That’s why MPHOnline has ranked the Best MPH Programs in Texas.

How We Ranked the Best MPH Programs in Texas

MPHOnline is committed to guiding students to programs that will give them a real education and have a positive impact on their careers, and that means first seeking out reputable, accredited public health schools and departments. To rank the Best MPH Programs in Texas, we featured only regionally-accredited programs, ranking them by data gathered from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and Niche. These three criteria are equally weighted: Alumni Salary, Cost, and Student Reviews – giving students assurance that their MPH will be worth the investment.

1. Texas A & M University — College Station, TX

Texas A & M University (TAMU) offers an on-campus Masters of Public Health degree program with six concentrations — Environmental Health, Biostatistics, Health Policy & Management, Occupational Safety & Health, Health Promotion & Community Health Sciences and Epidemiology. The MPH in epidemiology is available online entirely. The online MPH program is open to US residents only and is considered among the best Texas MPH programs through distance learning. Students graduate prepared to identify patterns of human disease as a way to strategize against it.

Texas A & M University was established in 1871 under the Morrill Land-Grant Act. TAMU holds the distinction of being a sea grant space grant, land grant, and senior military college. Texas A & M University is the first institution of higher learning to be established in the state of Texas. The school’s 5,00+-acre ‘college town’ campus is home to nearly 70,000 students and nearly 5,000 university staff and faculty.

2. The University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center at Houston — Houston, TX

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston’s (UTHealth) School of Public Health offers one of the top on-campus MPH programs in Texas.  UTHealth’s MPH degree program is recognized as the number one program in the state in many national rankings. Coursework requires the completion of 45 credit units, which includes a six-credit practicum/thesis combination — a requirement by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston was established in 1972. The school is a part of the Texas Medical center, the largest medical center in the world. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is the most extensive medical center in a school setting in the University of Texas system. The school’s urban campus is home to nearly 5,300 students.

3. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center  — Lubbock & Multiple Locations, TX

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s (TTUHSC) Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers one of only a few Texas MPH programs that can be completed entirely online. TTUHSC’s Master of Public Health degree program is also offered as a fast track program that can be completed in 15 months. Coursework includes classes in Social & Behavioral Sciences, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Health Care Policy Management. The MPH degree is offered without a specific concentration or emphasis. Degree candidates must complete 45 credit hours to graduate.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center was established in 1969 as a member school of the Texas Tech University System. The school operates from several campuses in Texas — Lubbock, Odessa, El Paso, Amarillo, Dallas, and Abilene — serving 100+ counties in the Lone Star State. TTUHSC’s student population nears 5,000 students.

4. UT Medical Branch at Galveston — Galveston, TX

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) offers a Master of Public Health degree program that has been accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). UTMB’s on-campus program allows students to select from three MPH tracks — Biostatistics, Aerospace Medicine, and Epidemiology. In addition, the MPH degree program is available as dual degrees as an MD/MPH or a Ph.D./MPH. UTMB’s graduate degree in public health requires the completion of 42 credit hours, which is generally finished in 2 years.

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston was established in 1891 and is a member school of the University of Texas system. UTMB’s 300+-acre urban campus is home to nearly 3,200 students and only about an hour from Houston’s downtown. UTMB Medical School is the oldest in the state of Texas.

5. The University of North Texas (UNT) Health Science Center — Ft. Worth, TX

The University of North Texas Health Science Center’s (UNTHSC) School of Public Health offers an on-campus Master of Public Health degree with three areas of concentration. These include Epidemiology, Public Health Practice, and Child & Maternal Health. Degree candidates are required to successfully complete an extensive practicum educational experience (600 hours for 3 Classes) with a local health system, government agency, or a nonprofit organization dedicated to public health issues. The MPH program can be completed in five terms. UNTHSC’s concentration classes range between 10 and 20 students.

The University of North Texas Health Science Center was established in 1970. The school’s 30+-acre urban campus, located in the cultural district in Fort Worth, is home to nearly 2,300 students studying from UNTHSC’s five colleges. The UNT Health Science Center is responsible for managing numerous NIH research-funded programs.

6. Baylor University — Waco, TX

Baylor University’s (BU) Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences offers an MPH degree program that completed entirely online. BU’s Master of Public Health degree program emphasizes the area of public health known as Community health. Baylor University’s 42-credit unit MPH online program can be completed as a part-time student (in 2 years) or as a full-time student (in 1.5 years). Coursework includes Epidemiology, Health Equity, Global Health Perspectives, the Fundamentals of Health Behavior Theory.

Baylor University is a private institution of higher learning that was established in 1845. The school was one of the first schools located west of the Mississippi River and chartered by the last Republic of Texas’ Congress. BU is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and is considered the largest Baptist University across the globe. BU’s 1,00-acre campus is located in Waco, a college town that is home to nearly 17,000 students.

7. The University of Texas (UT) El Paso    — El Paso, TX

The University of Texas El Paso’s (UTEP) College of Health Sciences offers an on-campus Master of Public Health degree program that has been accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). UTEP’s MPH program requires degree candidates successfully complete 42 credit hours and a practicum at a nearby public health facility to graduate. MPH students must also complete either a graduate project or a thesis to demonstrate their ability to integrate the many facets of public health policy and management.

The University of Texas in El Paso was established in 1914 and holds the distinction as having the second largest Mexican-American student population in the country. The school hosts the annual Sun Bowl tournament each year. UTEP’s urban campus is home to more than 25,000 students and overlooks the Rio Grand River and the Mexican-American border.

8. The University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center at Tyler — Tyler, TX

The University of Texas Health Science Center’s (UTHSCT) School of Community & Rural Health offers a Master of Public Health degree program that prepares students for rewarding careers in the many areas of Public Health. UTHSCT offers one of the most flexible on-campus MPH programs in Texas. Degree candidates must complete a practicum prior to graduation, as a platform for students to apply the principles learned in class. UTHSCT’s MPH degree program has received accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).  

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler was established in 1971 as a state university. UT Tyler is a public institution of higher learning that operates with six colleges. UT Tyler is a member school of the University of Texas System. The school’s 400-acre suburban campus is home to more than 10,500 students studying from the more than 90 academic degree offerings.

Public Health in Texas

In creating a decent healthcare system for society, public health should be made a high priority whether one lives deep in the heart of Texas or elsewhere. Public health care ensures that the general population is better protected against disease, illness, injury, behavioral issues, and environmental hazards. Because public health maintenance is so important, this sector will always be hiring qualified professionals.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for healthcare jobs is projected to increase by 18 percent from 2016 to 2026. Texas public health jobs are expected to grow alongside this trend. Are you interested in learning about public health jobs in Austin, Texas? What about public health jobs in Dallas, Texas? Read the FAQ below to find out more.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

1. What are some common Texas public health careers?

The great thing about the public health field is that there are a variety of jobs to choose from, depending on the job seeker’s skillset and interests. Public health organizations will hire epidemiologists, doctors, nurses, scientists, environmentalists, economists, health educators, health inspectors, medical assistants, sociologists, psychologists, statisticians, sex experts, and more. Public health employers like to hire health experts who are able to provide expertise, education, or assistance in a particular area. For example, if a state’s public health organization wants to perform more research into a particular disease, that organization might hire epidemiology researchers for a research program. If a public health organization wants the public to be better informed about contraceptives, it could hire sex educators to perform public speaking tours about that subject.

2. How do I become a public health professionals in Texas?

This will depend on what kind of career you pursue within the public health field. Most public health workers will need a bachelor’s degree related to public health. It is common for public health workers to have educational credentials in nursing, environmental science, biology, chemistry, public health, epidemiology, sexual reproduction, or public policy. Some programs also offer degrees that combine public health education with a specific area. For example, you could earn a public health degree in environmental science.

Some work requires public licensure. Texas offers numerous public health programs in Texas, including both in-person college schools and online programs. A public health school in Texas should teach students about how to research and promote healthy behaviors to a general populace.

3. Where can I find a list of public health schools in Texas?

You could start by Google searching for public health schools that are accredited by a credible organization. The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) has created a list of schools and public health programs. The University of North Texas Health Science Center is listed as holding one of the public health programs in Texas.

4. What are the best cities for Texas public health jobs?

Austin, Dallas, and Houston, would be the cities with the largest in-state public health centers. In order to find more information about public health jobs in Houston, try doing Google searches in order to find helpful online resources. For example, you can use this online resource to find public health jobs in Austin, Texas or elsewhere. Online resources will often feature a way to narrow down search results by keyword, location, or specialization.

5. What are some public health employers in Texas?

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is one of major employer’s of the state. This department offers resources, news updates, online services, certification, licensing, immunization services, and more. Another Texas public health department would be the Texas Public Health Association (TPHA). The TPHA does research and advocacy about specific health issues that impact Texans. Both of these organizations have website pages that provide more information on the employment opportunities that are available.

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