The Master of Public Health (MPH) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is designed for students who are passionate about advancing health equity and creating change at the population level. Rooted in both science and social justice, public health is about more than treating illness—it’s about preventing disease, promoting well-being, and improving health outcomes across entire communities.
Prepare to Make a Difference!
At Illinois, we don’t just educate public health professionals—we develop leaders committed to building healthier, more equitable communities.
Our nationally accredited program offers three tracks:
- Epidemiology (STEM-designated): Focused on understanding patterns of disease and the data that drive public health decisions.
- Health Behavior and Promotion: Prepares students to influence the social, cultural, and environmental factors that shape health behaviors.
- Physical Activity and Health: Equips students to promote wellness, prevent chronic disease, and design programs that encourage active lifestyles.
Students engage in a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum that combines classroom learning with real-world application through hands-on practice experiences and public health projects. Whether your background is in biology, psychology, social sciences, or another field, our program values diverse perspectives and prepares graduates for meaningful careers in government, nonprofit, health system, and community settings.
Pathways to Your MPH
Students can choose the on-campus program for a collaborative, in-person experience or the online program for maximum flexibility. Both options share the same rigorous curriculum, dedicated faculty, and commitment to public health excellence.
Our Mission
The mission of the University of Illinois Master of Public Health Program is to promote equitable health in communities locally, nationally and internationally through (a) interdisciplinary training of public health practitioners to address the most pressing health issues of our time and (b) innovative, community-engaged and responsive research to address current and emerging challenges in public health.
Our Vision
The vision of the University of Illinois Master of Public Health Program is an equitable society prioritizing health for all through sustainable solutions within our interconnected world.
The Master of Public Health Program at Illinois, in terms of instruction, research, practice and administration, embodies the following values:
Excellence
Models excellence in teaching, research, and service which reflects the dedication, self-awareness and passion required to work with communities on addressing today’s complex health needs.
Equity
Prioritizes the needs and inputs of marginalized communities, ensuring participation and shared decision-making across all levels.
Relevance
Engages in community-centered projects and activities that support both the academic mission of the University of Illinois and public health.
Integrity
Follows and promotes principles of ethics in research, instruction, practice and administration.
Our Goals
- Cultivate interdisciplinary, experience-based learning opportunities to prepare students to respond to current and emerging public health challenges.
- Continually enhance and refine our curriculum and program accessibility for students around the world with opportunities to learn about public health practice and research in an inclusive and collaborative environment.
- Strengthen campus, community and national partnerships to engage in rigorous, collaborative, and community-engaged research that improves population health and prioritizes health equity.
- Leverage our faculty’s multidisciplinary expertise and collaborative networks to conduct innovative, translational research that addresses pressing challenges in public health practice and policy.
Contact Us
MPH Program
Department of Health and Kinesiology
1206 S. Fourth St.
Champaign, IL 61820
217-300-0330
mph-admissions@ahs.illinois.edu