Maryland offers promising opportunities for students seeking a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program. Students can choose from MPH programs at multiple CEPH-accredited public health schools and programs based in Maryland. Many of these programs are available on campus, online, or in both formats.

Program graduates may also enjoy plenty of public health career opportunities within the state. Maryland’s population of over 6 million residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s fact sheet, depends on community resources for care and support. In the 2025 America’s Health Rankings summary for Maryland, key strengths included a low prevalence of excessive drinking, a low economic hardship index score, and a low prevalence of adults using e-cigarettes. The report also noted persistent challenges, including a high homicide rate, a high incidence of chlamydia, and a high prevalence of insufficient sleep.

Students interested in pursuing public health degree programs in Maryland have a variety of options available. With programs offering hybrid models, valuable research opportunities, and more, the right MPH program helps prepare you for a rewarding career addressing Maryland’s public health needs.

To start comparing programs, check this list of CEPH-accredited MPH programs offered across Maryland with concentration information:

Earning your master’s in public health helps prepare you to contribute to society. This degree program may open up many potential career paths, and you could have the chance to work with families, communities, global populations and more. 

It’s beneficial to explore all of your MPH program options. In addition to the programs listed above, some of these schools also offer dual degree programs. These dual-degree programs include MPH-MS, MPH-MD, and more. Sometimes called joint programs, dual-degree programs let you focus on two areas of study while saving you time and money. 

Maryland is home to five CEPH-accredited public health schools and programs that offer MPH-level training. These institutions provide a range of public health pathways, often extending beyond the MPH to include bachelor’s- and doctoral-level options, depending on the school and department. Across Maryland’s programs, students can typically expect a blend of applied learning (such as practica or internships) and opportunities to engage in faculty-led research and community partnerships, though the specific experiences and requirements vary by program.

615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD

The Bloomberg School of Public Health was founded in 1916 and was the first graduate school of public health. Today, the school is the largest public health school in the world and has received top rankings from U.S. News & World Report since 1994. Today, the school comprises more than 80 centers and institutes, and it receives 16% of the grants and contracts awarded to schools of public health across the United States. 

Students can choose from a wide range of graduate options, including master’s and doctoral programs (PhD and DrPH), as well as combined/dual-degree pathways that integrate public health with fields such as medicine, business, and social work. Doctoral programs include both a doctor of philosophy and a doctor of public health. The school also offers postdoctoral training for students who wish to further explore a certain area of public health. Ten combined programs are also available, including an MPH/MBA, MSW/MPH and MSN/MPH

1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University first launched its Public Health Program in 1999, and today that program focuses on the challenges that urban communities face, including violence, obesity and infant mortality. The School of Community Health and Policy was founded in 2005. Today, the school focuses on urban communities and eliminating health disparities. It uses a practice-based service-learning framework and offers students a rigorous education. 

The School of Community Health and Policy offers both graduate and undergraduate programs in public health, nutrition and nursing. Through the Public Health Program, students may pursue an MPH or DrPH degree. Morgan’s School of Community Health and Policy offers undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing and Nutritional Sciences, as well as graduate public health pathways. 

4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD

The Uniformed Services University School of Medicine is an entity of the U.S. Government. The school educates uniformed military and U.S. Public Health Service physicians, but students also include uniformed and civilian public health practitioners. The school consists of 19 departments, including the Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics (PMB). 

Within USU’s School of Medicine, the Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics (PMB) houses multiple graduate public health and related degree options (including the MPH and other master’s and doctoral programs) and supports additional training opportunities and certificates aligned with preventive medicine and force health protection. PMB faculty participate in research opportunities, and students may pursue continuing medical education through this department.

4200 Valley Drive, Suite 2242, College Park, MD

The University of Maryland School of Public Health comprises six departments that offer students the opportunity to work across multiple disciplines. Departments include the Department of Behavioral and Community Health, the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, the Department of Family Science and more. Staffed by award-winning teachers and mentors, the program offers unique research opportunities to help prepare students for careers in both research and practice. 

In addition to MPH programs, the school offers both undergraduate and doctoral degrees. Bachelor of science degrees are available in concentrations like family science and kinesiology while doctor of philosophy degrees are offered in fields like health services and maternal and child health.

655 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD

Chartered in 1807 as the nation’s first public medical school, the University of Maryland School of Medicine is closely linked to the Baltimore Infirmary (opened in 1823), described as the first hospital built by a medical school in the United States. The School of Medicine is also recognized as the first medical school in the nation to institute a residency training program, and its Health Sciences and Human Services Library is distinguished as the first library established by a medical school in the United States.

The department traces its roots to 1833, when the School of Medicine established an early academic focus on hygiene and preventive medicine, a focus highlighted in the department’s historical timeline. In addition to an MPH program, the department also offers a master of science in fields including clinical research and biostatistics. Doctor of philosophy degree programs are available in gerontology, epidemiology and additional fields. The department also offers certificates in clinical research and a Middle East research ethics training initiative.

Online MPH programs have become more common as universities expand digital learning options, giving students a flexible way to complete core public health training without relocating or commuting. Many online pathways are designed to cover the same foundational MPH competencies as on-campus programs, while making it easier to balance school with full-time work and family responsibilities. In Maryland, several schools offer online or online-friendly MPH options, including Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland (College Park), though some programs remain primarily campus-based—so it’s important to confirm the format directly with each school. When comparing online MPH programs, look closely at how courses are delivered (asynchronous, live online, or hybrid), whether you’ll move through the program with a cohort, and how required hands-on experiences like practica or capstones are completed.

If you are interested in addressing public health issues in Maryland, there are plenty of career opportunities available. As shown in the career table below, many public health roles in Maryland offer competitive pay compared with national figures, although salaries vary by occupation, region, and experience level.

As seen in the table below, many public health careers have a higher projected job growth rate in the state than the national average of 3.1% for all occupations from 2024-2034. In the table below, several careers show projected growth that can outpace overall national job growth, depending on the occupation and projection timeframe.

For additional public health career opportunities in Maryland, view the table below for salary and projected growth estimates published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

When pursuing an MPH degree in Maryland, you can choose from a variety of MPH concentrations and program options offered across the state’s CEPH-accredited public health schools and programs. Nationally, medical and health services managers tend to earn higher wages than many public health roles (BLS reports a $117,960 median annual wage in May 2024), while epidemiologists also earn solid pay ($83,980 median). Health education specialists ($63,000 median) and occupational health and safety roles can still offer competitive earnings, depending on your experience and setting. Below are examples of MPH concentration areas you may find in Maryland-based programs (availability varies by school).

Salary can be an important factor, but it shouldn’t be the only one. The right specialization is one that fits your interests and strengths, and helps you build a career you’ll find meaningful and sustainable. When you enjoy the work that you do and see that you’re able to make a positive impact on public health, you’re more likely to enjoy your career. Look for a specialization that not only offers the salary you desire but that also positions you for job opportunities that you’ll enjoy and find personally rewarding.

As a public health professional, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy diverse career options in Maryland. The following career resources may help you find your first job or identify new opportunities that you may wish to explore: 

Maryland has a land area of about 9,710.9 square miles and a water area of about 2,694.9 square miles, making it one of the smaller states by total area and one of the more densely populated, according to the US Census Bureau. Maryland’s population was 6,263,220 as of July 1, 2024, and 6,265,347 as of July 1, 2025.  People ages 65 and over make up 17.6% of Maryland’s population. People under age 18 make up 21.9% of Maryland’s population.  Among Maryland residents under age 65, 8.1% have a disability. In Maryland, 7.4% of residents under age 65 are without health insurance.

Information last updated February 2026

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