Master of Public Health Online - The University of Alabama

Program Overview

Advance your career with a Master of Public Health in Health Education & Promotion earned online so you can help communities improve their well-being and respond to their health concerns. With an MPH, you can pursue a rewarding career working in federal, state or community public health agencies, consulting firms, universities or hospitals, as well as other research and nonprofit organizations.

Online Program Format

42 Credit Hours

$480 Tuition Per Hour

Make a Difference in Your Community

A Master of Public Health in Health Education & Promotion earned online from The University of Alabama will expand and deepen your understanding of environmental and community health issues and strategies. Delivered in a flexible, online format and taught by health education leaders from around the country, this program is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to plan, implement, evaluate and advocate for health-related programs across a wide range of industries, corporate environments and communities.

Application Deadline	July 15 for fall admission, November 15 for spring admission, and April 15 for summer admission
Other Program Specifics	Eligibility to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) or the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) and the Certified Public Health (CPH) professional certification exams.
Scholarships and Grants Available	Discover a range of scholarships and grants to support your educational journey

Curriculum

The Master of Public Health in Health Education & Promotion program consists of 42 credit hours. All coursework can be completed online, while the required applied practice experience provides students a variety of options to apply their learning. Please note that courses are subject to change.

Required Courses (33 hours)

HHE 512 Advanced Foundations of Public Health
HHE 515 Advanced Foundations of Health Promotion
HHE 520 Theories of Health Behavior
HHE 521 Basic Epidemiology
HHE 526 Biostatistics
HHE 530 Health Promotion Techniques
HHE 565 Planning Health Promotion Programs
HHE 566 Program Evaluation in Health Promotion
HHE 586 Environmental Health Promotion
HHE 587 Health Disparities
HES 509 Research Methods

Electives (6 hours)

Please view electives list through the University’s catalog.

Master of Public Health students must complete two courses for the experiential learning requirement known as the Applied Practice Experience (APE) to graduate. The APE provides students with real-world public health experience at the public health organization of their choice under the guidance of a public health professional.

*Course requirements are subject to change each semester. The information below is the most recent available.

HHE 580 Appplied Practice Experience I (1 hour)

In HHE 580, students prepare for their APE by selecting an approved site and identifying a professional at the site to serve as their preceptor or site supervisor. Students also complete a planning process for HHE 581, including project and competency selection, along with preparatory assignments designed to ensure they are ready to begin their APE the following semester.

Students must pass and complete all HHE 580 requirements.
Registration for HHE 581 will not be permitted until students complete Module 1 in HHE 580.

HHE 581 Applied Practice Experience II (2 hours)

In HHE 581, students complete their APE, gaining 75 hours of hands-on experiential learning while developing two approved projects. Throughout the course, students complete key assignments, including evaluations of their APE performance, a competencies assignment, an APE technical report that serves as the Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) and a midterm progress meeting with a faculty member. Preceptors also provide feedback through midterm and final evaluations.

Complete at least 75 hours of hands-on experience under the guidance of a public health professional.
Complete two projects for your APE site.
Complete the ILE with at least a grade of 80%.

Integrative Learning Experience

All students must complete an ILE to earn an MPH from a Council on Education for Public Health accredited program. Details will be provided in HHE 581. The ILE is a culminating technical report that will be shared with the preceptor at the end of HHE 581. The ILE must:

Be a high-quality written document.
Be competency-based.
Integrate two courses in the MPH program.
Go through an iterative review process.
Utilize a non-academic, non-public health perspective to inform the ILE.
Be focused on a priority population.

APE Sites

Spring 2026 APE Sites | Location

Luminis Health | Annapolis, MD
Penelope House | Mobile, AL
Camellia Center | Tuscaloosa, AL
Whitfield Regional Hospital | Demopolis, AL
Alabama State Department of Education | Montgomery, AL
BirthWell Partners | Birmingham, AL
Table of Grace | Tuscaloosa, AL

Summer 2026 APE Sites | Location

Chromosome 18 Registry and Research Society | San Antonio, TX
The Health Collaborative | Cincinnati, OH
Sustaining Way | Greenville, SC
Comunidad Connect | Decatur, GA

Career Outcomes of Recent Graduates

Health Program Specialist – San Antonio Metro Health District
Cardiac Programs Implementation Manager – American Red Cross
Health Educator – Five Horizons Health Services
Fitness and Wellness Coordinator – U of Wisconsin, River Falls
Director of Educational Services – Cherry Creek Neurology (Denver)
Prevention & Outreach Specialist – AIDS Alabama
Prevention Coordinator – Crossbridge Behavioral Health
Public Health Planner – Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Teaching Assistant – Peace Corps
Health Education Specialist – Perinatal Health Division of the Alabama Department of Public Health
Opioid Health Education Specialist – Utah Department of Health and Human Services
Crisis Services Lifeline Coordinator – Spring Hill College

Admission

A completed application package includes the following:

Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
If your GPA is lower than recommended, you may be considered for admission with additional requirements. Please check with your prospective program for more information.
Statement of Purpose
Application fee (if not paid previously as a non-degree student)
Three letters of recommendation

Additional materials may be required. Applications are accepted year-round.

Find more information and learn about restrictions related to this degree program that may exist regarding licensure in the state in which you reside.

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