Texas faces some serious public health challenges, from increasing rates of chronic disease to underserved communities struggling with access to care; the demand for skilled public health professionals has never been higher. That’s where a Master of Public Health (MPH) comes in, a degree designed to give you the skills to make an impact where it matters most.
An MPH teaches practical skills in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, program management, and leadership. For those already in healthcare, it opens doors to research, policy-making, and leadership roles. For newcomers, it’s a pathway into a field where every decision you make can touch thousands of lives. Public health work is sensitive and high-stakes, which is why the quality of your MPH program really matters.
Choosing the right school means finding one that balances challenging coursework, hands-on training, and support from experienced faculty. In this post, we’ve identified the top MPH programs in Texas, based on reputation, accreditation, curriculum, and career outcomes. Check out the top 5 colleges for MPH programs below.
Best MPH Programs in Texas
1. UTHealth Houston – School of Public Health (MPH)
UTHealth Houston’s MPH is a well-rounded, professional degree requiring 45 credit hours, making it strong but manageable. Students take core courses in biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy, and environmental health, then choose a concentration such as Community Health Practice, Environmental Health, Health Services Management, or Epidemiology.
What makes this program solid is the applied practice requirement: students complete an internship (practicum) with real-world public health organizations, which gives hands-on experience. There’s also an Integrative Learning Experience (ILE), either a capstone, independent project, or thesis, so you graduate having applied everything you learned.
They offer several dual-degree options, too: MD/MPH, JD/MPH, and more, all coordinated to share some credits. This flexibility is perfect if you want to combine public health with another career path.
2. Texas A&M University – School of Public Health (MPH)
Texas A&M’s MPH program is coursework-rich and very applied. Depending on your focus, you can dive into six different concentrations, including Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Health Policy & Management, Biostatistics, Occupational Safety, and Health Promotion & Community Health Sciences.
The curriculum balances familiar core public health subjects (like epidemiology and health behavior) with specialized classes unique to your concentration. For instance, in the Occupational Safety track, students study industrial hygiene, ergonomics, and risk management, and also complete a practicum.
Another plus: A&M makes you do an integrative learning experience (capstone) to connect theory and real public health practice. Overall, it’s a hands-on program meant for people who want to do more than just study public health.
3. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) – MPH
TTUHSC’s MPH is flexible and designed for working professionals. Their online generalist MPH emphasizes core public health disciplines, epidemiology, policy, and biostatistics, and applies them to real-world prevention and community health work.
The program requires 45 credit hours, which includes a practicum (Applied Practice Experience) and an integrated learning experience. If you’re a medical or pharmacy student, TTUHSC lets you do a dual degree: MD/MPH or PharmD/MPH. The PharmD/MPH is especially clever — you earn both degrees within your pharmacy program, with 45 credits covering core courses, an APE, and a capstone.
4. UNT Health Science Center – Online MPH
UNT Health offers a fully online MPH that’s built for working professionals. You can choose between a 42-credit track (for those with public health experience) or a 48-credit track (for career changers or fresh graduates).
The pacing is very flexible: part-time students can take just two classes per semester, so you don’t have to quit your job or relocate. Despite being online, there’s a hands-on practicum: students pick local or remote public health organizations, complete up to 400 hours (but experienced professionals may waive up to 300), and get real experience in project design and implementation.
UNT also lets you do a DO/MPH dual degree, integrating public health training with medical school. This program is perfect if you want to lead in public health but need flexibility: real-world training, expert faculty, and a format that can work around your life.
5. UT Health Science Center San Antonio (UTHSCSA) – MPH
UT Health San Antonio’s MPH focuses on public health practice and administration, offering a comprehensive 45-credit program designed to train public health leaders. Students take courses in health systems, management, policy, and quality improvement, then apply their learning through 180 hours of hands-on fieldwork (applied practice experience).
After that, they complete an integrative learning experience (ILE), a capstone project where they pull everything together into real-world solutions. This MPH is especially tuned to the needs of underserved communities in South Texas, where students learn to design, evaluate, and run public health programs with local relevance.
If you want to lead public health work in community settings, nonprofits, or public agencies, this program gives you both the knowledge and the practical experience to do it well.
Career Opportunities After an MPH in Texas
Getting an MPH in Texas can really open doors. Many graduates move into roles like epidemiologists, health policy analysts, program managers, or biostatisticians. Some work in hospitals, nonprofits, or government agencies, while others focus on community health, environmental health, or occupational safety. The work matters; what you do can affect thousands of lives, so having the right training is key.
Salaries are solid, too. Entry-level positions usually start around $55,000–$65,000 a year, while more specialized roles or leadership jobs can reach $80,000–$120,000 or more. Programs like UTHealth Houston and Texas A&M give students hands-on experience through practicums or capstones, so you graduate ready to take on real-world challenges.
An MPH isn’t just about a piece of paper; it’s about building the skills to make a difference, lead public health programs, and improve communities. Choosing the right program can really shape how far you go.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which MPH programs in Texas are best for working professionals?
Online MPH programs like UNT Health Science Center or TTUHSC allow part-time study and flexible schedules. You can earn your degree without leaving your job.
Are online MPH programs respected by employers?
Yes. All the top programs listed are CEPH-accredited, meaning employers recognize the degree as equal in quality to on-campus programs.
How long does it take to finish an MPH in Texas?
Full-time students usually finish in 2 years; part-time or online students may take 2.5–3 years, depending on their schedule.
Do I need a GRE to apply?
Requirements vary. Schools like UNT Health Science Center and TTUHSC often waive the GRE if you have work experience or prior graduate education.
What careers can I pursue after earning an MPH?
Graduates work as epidemiologists, health policy analysts, program managers, biostatisticians, or global health officers. Your concentration and practicum experience guide your career path.