Overview
The Master of Public Health in Health Promotion, Policy and
Leadership is designed to provide advanced training to address
the health needs of diverse communities. Students will learn how
to enhance their practical skills for the implementation of
health policies and promotional tools to reduce health risks
and protect populations. They will also gain the tools to work
with legislators, health advocates and leaders in the profession
to impact policies and regulations that affect public health.
The program is offered in a cohort-based, hybrid class format,
providing working professionals the flexibility to attend classes
at night and complete the degree in two years. As public health
practitioners, students will prepare for leadership positions
across promotion and policy in the public, private and
government sectors. Please note this is not a STEM
program.
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
accreditation
The Program of Public Health at California State University,
Sacramento is undergoing a review by the Council on Education for
Public Health (CEPH) for accreditation. Part of this process
includes the provision of a third-party comment period, which
allows anyone, including students, alumni, faculty, staff,
community and practice partners, and members of the public, to
share relevant information about the program directly with CEPH.
If you have any information about the Master of Public Health
program you would like to share with CEPH to inform their review,
send your comments to submissions@ceph.org by
Monday, Aug. 25,
2025.
INFORMATION SESSIONS
Please join us at our Zoom information session to ask
questions and learn about our MPH program and the Fall 2025
cohort admission process. Registration link follows:
Benefits
- Flexible hybrid schedule, with one evening of classes per
week
- Curriculum combines training in health policy and promotion
- Culminating experience focused on solving a public health
problem in the community
- Learn to serve local populations through a social justice
lens
- Self-guided practicum requirement that helps students explore
new areas of practice
- Sacramento location allows for insight into policy-making in
California
- Degree can be completed in two years
Audience
Designed for working professionals, this program offers a high
level of flexibility. A health-related background is not
necessary to pursue this master’s degree; however, 2 or more
years of full-time professional work experience in public health
(or related field) is preferred. The program is ideal for
advancing or transitioning to a career in Public Health
leadership.
Applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree from an
accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 from
the last undergraduate or graduate degree completed.
Admitted students who do not have a baccalaureate degree in
public health are required to take a non-credit, online,
training module before starting classes, with a passing score of
80% or higher, in order to prepare them for the program
content. The fee for the online training module is
$200.
Structure
The Masters in Public Health can be completed in two years,
including one summer (five consecutive semesters). Classes are
offered in a hybrid format, with classes taking place in person
two evenings per week. With a practice-based approach to
coursework, students will learn the foundational material
and apply it in a real-world setting.
Three intensive residencies will be required
throughout the program over one weekend: one at the start of the
program, one in the middle and one at the very end. Students will
also participate in both practicum and
capstone project requirements that
complement their professional experience. The practicum is a
guided field experience that will be completed in the summer,
which includes a consultative position providing technical
assistance to local organizations to help solve community issues.
The capstone is a culminating project, to be completed in the
final term, where students devise practical solutions for a
pressing public health concern.
Prerequisites
Foundational knowledge competencies are prerequisite knowledge
that students are expected to have when entering the MPH program.
Students may demonstrate mastery of the competencies in either of
the following two ways:
- Undergraduate degree in public health, community health from
a CEPH
accredited program.
- Successful completion of the MPH 100 course with a score of
80% or higher on all course assessments.
Students are informed once they have submitted their Intent To
Enroll (ITE) as a final step in the admission process whether
they must complete MPH 100 in order to matriculate as a student
in the MPH program. MPH 100 is a self-paced asynchronous course
with a cost of $200. Students must complete the course and final
exam before the first day of their first semester in the MPH
program.
Accreditation
Sacramento State is fully accredited by
the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Sacramento State’s Master of Public Health’s individual program
accreditation application was accepted by the Council on
Education for Public Health (CEPH) in January 2023. The MPH
program now embarks on a two-year self-study for Council approval
in the spring of 2026. If granted accreditation based on the
self-study, the accreditation of the MPH is retroactive to the
date of the application acceptance (January 2023).
Fees
Course fees for this program are on a per-unit basis and will
remain the same for the duration of the two-year cohort.
- Fall 2024 cohort course fees are $650/unit.
- Fall 2025 cohort course fees will be $689/unit.
- Fall 2026 cohort course fees will be $730/unit.
Students pay for each course as they enroll. Additionally,
admitted students who do not have a baccalaureate degree in
public health are required to take a non-credit, online,
training module before starting classes, with a passing score of
80% or higher, in order to prepare them for the program
content. The fee for the online training module is
$200.
Application fees include the $70 non-refundable university
application fee paid online through CSU Apply, and a $50
departmental fee which is paid upon formal admission to the
program. Admitted students will be given instructions on how
to pay the $50 departmental fee.
You will be responsible for additional university fees related to
program completion such as the graduation application,
graduation date change (if needed), culminating experience
workshop, thesis upload, graduation regalia and continuous
enrollment (if needed).
Financial Aid
Financial Aid is available for qualified students in
the program. Please visit the College of Continuing Education Financial
Aid page for detailed information.
To assist with completing some Financial Aid forms, please see
the MPH Program of Study flyer for course titles and more
information. You can also find semester begin and end dates in
the University’s
academic calendars. (Please note that CCE class dates may
vary slightly.)
Still have questions about Financial Aid?
Email ccefinancialaid@csus.edu
