Masters in Public Health Nursing Online Programs

Public health and nursing are both health science fields that deal with wellness and the goal of increasing health outcomes. Both types of professionals can work in a variety of settings. Some nurses choose to specialize in public health nursing. One of the best ways to do this is by earning a master's in public health. Keep reading to learn more about public health master's degrees for nurses.

Top Online Master's in Public Health Programs for Nurses

One of the best ways for a nurse to specialize is to earn a master's degree in public health. Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees cover various topics related to population health, community health, and health policy. Often, these programs are available online. Below, we've featured some top online master's in public health degrees for nurses.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university in Chapel Hill, NC. It offers an online Master of Public Health with three concentrations:

• applied epidemiology
• leadership
• nutrition

Core courses required for all concentrations include:

• Systems Approaches to Understanding Public Health Issues
• Measurements and Methods for Public Health Practice
• Public Health Solutions: Systems, Policy and Advocacy
• Developing, Implementing, and Evaluating Public Health Solutions

The applied epidemiology specialization studies how diseases affect a population. The leadership specialization is for those who want to be promoted into leadership roles, and the nutrition specialization focuses on nutritional science.

American Public University

American Public University is a private, for-profit online university based in Charles Town, WV. It offers only online programs, including a Master of Public Health.

This master's degree includes courses like:

• Biostatistics
• Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation
• Research Methods in Public Health
• Disaster Health Management

This program also includes a public health practicum to give students hands-on experience in public health. Students conclude the program by choosing between a final exam or a capstone research project.

Liberty University

Liberty University is a private evangelical university in Lynchburg, VA. It offers programs on campus and online, including an online Master of Public Health and an online Master of Science in nursing with a community health concentration.

The MPH degree offers four concentrations: community health promotion, environmental health, global health, and nutrition. Core courses for all concentrations include:

• Biostatistics
• Principles of Epidemiology
• Principles of Environmental Health
• Public Health Administration

The MSN program offers many of the same courses as the MPH, and courses specifically for nurses. Both degree programs include at least one practicum.

Florida International University

Florida International University is a public research university in Miami, FL. It offers online and on-campus degrees, which include an online Master of Public Health degree.

This program offers courses such as:

• Introduction to Public Health Policy and Management
• Data Management and Applied Epidemiologic Analysis
• Environmental Health and Safety
• Health Promotion in Culturally Diverse Communities

The program also requires a practicum so students can get real-world experience in public health. A culminating integrative seminar is also required.

University of South Florida

The University of South Florida is a public research university in Tampa, FL. It offers an online Master of Public Health with the following concentrations:

• epidemiology
• nutrition and dietetics
• social marketing
• global disaster management, humanitarian relief, and homeland security
• health, safety, and environment
• infection control
• public health practice

Core courses cover the history of public healthcare systems, population assessment, and translation to public health practice. All concentrations are required to complete a practicum and an integrated learning experience.

George Washington University

George Washington University is a private, non-profit research university in Washington, D.C. It offers a master's degree program in public health with four concentrations:

• health informatics and analytics
• climate and health
• global health
• women, youth, and child health

All concentrations must take core courses that cover health care policy, health needs, and more. Final requirements include a practicum, culminating experience, and interprofessional education experience.

University of Massachusetts Lowell

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public research university in Lowell, MA. It offers an online Master of Public Health. Concentrations include epidemiology and healthcare management.

Both concentrations require core courses like:

• Public Health Policy
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• Applied Health Economics
• Healthcare Information Systems

Students must complete an MPH practicum to fine-tune their competencies and decision-making skills.

University of Florida

The University of Florida is a public research university in Gainesville, FL. It offers an online Master of Public Health with concentrations in:

• population health management
• public health practice
• social and behavioral sciences

Core courses for all concentrations include:

• Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health
• Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System
• Environmental Health Concepts in Public Health
• Psychological, Behavioral, and Social Issues in Public Health

All students close out their program with a capstone and practicum experience.

Rasmussen University

Rasmussen University is a private, for-profit university based in Minnesota. It offers degrees through multiple campuses and online, including an online Master of Public Health degree.

This degree includes courses like:

• Epidemiology for Public Health Professionals
• Evidence-Based Public Health Research
• Environmental Health and Emergency Preparedness
• Healthcare Policy, Ethics, and Laws

Students are required to complete a public health practicum and a capstone project.

Walden University

Walden University is a private, for-profit online university in Minneapolis, MN. It offers an online Master of Public Health and an online Master of Science in nursing with a public health nursing specialization.

The MPH degree includes courses such as:

• Environmental Health: Local to Global
• Epidemiology: Decoding the Science of Public Health
• Fundamentals of Biostatistics
• Global Health and Social Justice

The MSN program includes many of the same courses and courses specifically for nurses. Both programs include practicum, and the MPH requires a final project.

MPH vs. MSN for Nurses

Master of Public Health and Master of Science in nursing degrees teach students to provide health services to diverse populations and sometimes cover similar subjects. However, they're not the same. We've broken them down below.

What Is a Master's in Public Health?

Master of Public Health degrees are focused on studying public health. Coursework often covers topics like:

• health disparities
• community interventions
• disease prevention
• health initiatives
• methods of healthcare delivery

These programs are for students interested in pursuing career paths in public health, and many programs offer concentrations or specializations. They usually require 30-40 credit hours, which full-time students can typically finish within two years.

What Is a Master of Science in Nursing?

Master of Science in nursing degrees are most commonly offered to students with a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) and a registered nurse license who want to pursue advanced nursing practice. They prepare students to be nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and other nurse leaders.

These nursing programs focus on training students to use evidence-based practice. MSN programs usually allow nursing students to specialize in a specific area of clinical practice.

Which Degree Is Best for Nurses?

The best option for those wanting to be public health nurses is to find a Master of Science in nursing program with a public health specialization. However, very few of these programs exist. The next best option is for students to attend a nursing college for their bachelor's degree, and then continue their education with a Master of Public Health. This allows students to be trained in both nursing and public health.