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10 MPH Low GPA Programs (And How to Find Your Ideal Master of Public Health Program!)

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MPH Programs that accept low GPA [geo-in-name]

Low GPA MPH Programs may offer a second chance if your undergraduate grades weren’t as high as you’d have liked. We’ve rounded up partner schools offering Master of Public Health programs that may look beyond your low GPA. Check them out, or fill out the form on this page to get matched with MPH programs that may be perfect for you!

List of 10 Graduate Schools With Low GPA MPH Programs

While you can’t change the past, your less-than-impressive undergraduate GPA doesn’t necessarily have to hold you back from your career goals in Public Health. Browse these sponsored listings for MPH programs that may give weight to other factors besides your low GPA – like your work history, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation.

All listed GPAs are on a 4.0 scale and are cumulative unless otherwise specified; GPA and other admissions requirements to grad school programs are subject to change.

written by Shannon Fandler

1

Walden University

Walden University is a 100%-online institution with over 45 years of excellence. They offer programs in the health sciences, human services, counseling, psychology, public administration, and much more. And, Walden is committed to the educational needs of working adult students from diverse walks of life.

Walden’s online Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program is designed to help you face public health challenges ranging from infectious diseases to health inequities. Candidates study core courses like biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, and more, taking a global approach to the field. The program culminates with completion of a Practicum, Capstone, and ePortfolio.

Master in Public Health Programs

MPH GPA Requirements:

  • 2.5 in bachelor’s degree coursework; 3.0 in prior master’s coursework

Other MPH Admissions Requirements May Include:

  • Transcripts
  • Names and contact information of two references
2

Benedictine University

Benedictine University is a private, Catholic institution founded in 1887. The university takes pride in being an early adopter of fully-online education, and they offer a variety of flexible programs to serve learners with diverse needs. Benedictine also has campuses in Lisle and Springfield, Illinois, as well as in Mesa, Arizona.

Benedictine’s CEPH-accredited, online Master of Public Health (MPH) program is designed to be earned over approximately two years. The 58-credit program features foundation courses, electives, and a required internship. Students may also be able to focus on a particular area of public health and earn a certificate alongside their general degree. Certificate areas include:

  • Health Management and Policy
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Health Education and Promotion
  • Epidemiology

Master in Public Health Programs

MPH GPA Requirements:

  • 2.75 (applicants not meeting this requirement may be admitted provisionally)

Other MPH Admissions Requirements May Include:

  • Transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Resume
  • Letter of intent
  • GRE (waivers may be available to students meeting certain requirements)
3

Indiana Wesleyan University

Indiana Wesleyan University is a private Christian university founded in Marion, Indiana. They also serve adult students (0ver 10,000 of them!) online and at education centers in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. IWU focuses on professional education and the liberal arts, as well as helping students discover their life callings.

The online Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Indiana Wesleyan University focuses on five major areas of public health: Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Health Services Administration, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The 43-credit program is designed for busy, working adults, so you can take the eight-week courses one at a time. Students also participate in a mentored experience in a public health setting.

Master in Public Health Programs

MPH GPA Requirements:

  • 3.0, but applicants with a lower GPA may potentially meet this requirement by taking the GRE

Other MPH Admissions Requirements May Include:

  • Transcripts
  • Three professional references (at least one from a previous faculty member)
  • Essay (500-750 words)
  • Resume
  • Interview with program faculty
  • GRE (if your GPA is below 3.0)
4

Liberty University Online

Founded in 1971, Liberty University has been offering online programs since the 1980s! Today, this evangelical liberal arts university serves over 100,000 students across more than 550 programs of study – over 250 of which may be pursued online, from anywhere in the globe!

The Online Master’s in Public Health program (MPH) at Liberty University takes a Christ-centered approach to the ministry of health. Designed for health professionals hoping to expand their knowledge areas, the program offers three career-focused specializations: Global Health, Health Promotion, and Nutrition. The online MPH program is designed to be earned in less than two years.

Master in Public Health Programs

MPH GPA Requirements:

  • 2.5

Other MPH Admissions Requirements May Include:

  • Transcripts
  • Proof of English proficiency
5

South University

South University is a private, accredited institution offering online and traditional programs at campuses across nine states. The university – originally known as Draughon’s Practical Business College – was founded in 1899, in Savannah, Georgia. Since then, they’ve expanded to serve thousands of students across multiple academic areas that include Public Health, Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Theology, and more.

South University’s MPH program is offered both online and on campus in Savannah. Designed to be earned in as few as 21 months on campus or 17 months online, the program features courses in health promotion and disease prevention, epidemiology, biostatistical methods, public health policy, and much more.

Master in Public Health Programs

MPH GPA Requirements:

  • 2.7 (Applicants not meeting this requirement must earn minimum GRE scores in the 45th percentile for Verbal and 32nd percentile for Quantitative.)

Other MPH Admissions Requirements May Include:

  • Transcripts
  • Essay (1-2 pages)
  • Resume
  • Completion of a statistics course with a grade of C or better
6

St. John’s University

St. John’s University is a Catholic, Vincentian institution with a history that dates back to 1870. The university is dedicated to serving others, in the footsteps of St. Vincent de Paul. Students may choose from campuses throughout New York, including Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, and Long Island. Many programs are also available online.

St. John’s online Master of Public Health (MPH) program focuses on helping both local and global communities lead healthier lives. The flexibility of online learning meets hands-on field experience in this program, helping participants pursue the best of both worlds. While a 3.0 GPA is required, there may be hope for those with a lower GPA: conditional admission. Students who receive conditional acceptance must earn a minimum grade of B for all six core courses.

Master in Public Health Programs

MPH GPA Requirements:

  • 3.0, but conditional acceptance may be offered.

Other MPH Admissions Requirements May Include:

  • GRE scores
  • Transcripts
  • Resume or CV
  • Three letters of recommendation (at least one from a from a Public Health Practitioner preferred)
  • Personal Statement (not more than 1,000 words)
7

The George Washington University

Did you know the George Washington University was chartered by an act of Congress in 1821? This private research university has an impressive history of helping students prepare for exciting new goals. Today, GW offers several ways to learn: online or at campuses throughout the Washington D.C. area and Virginia.

GW’s online Master of Public Health program is offered through the CEPH-accredited Milken Institute School of Public Health. (The MPH program is also accredited.) Known as MPH@GW, the program focuses on local, national, and global health practice, plus an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Candidates may pursue the degree either part time or full time.

Master in Public Health Programs

MPH GPA Requirements:

  • None listed; applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution

Other MPH Admissions Requirements May Include:

  • Transcripts
  • GRE scores
  • Statement of Purpose (500-1,500 words)
  • Resume or CV
  • Two letters of recommendation
8

Lasell College

Lasell is a private college located eight miles from Boston in Newton, Massachusetts. In addition to undergraduate programs, Lasell is home to graduate and professional programs in online, classroom, and blended formats. Six start dates throughout the year means you may be able to start your Lasell graduate program sooner than you thought!

The MS in Communication program at Lasell College offers a Health Communication concentration with a focus on health communications campaigns, the ethics of health communication, interpreting international policies related to global health issues, and much more. The 36-credit program may be pursued 100% online or in a blended on-campus format.

Master in Public Health Programs

MPH GPA Requirements:

  • None, though a 3.0 is recommended for applicants with fewer than 3 years of professional work experience.

Other MPH Admissions Requirements May Include:

  • Official transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty and/or employers
  • A one-page personal statement
  • Resume

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Are there Masters in Public Health Programs for a 2.5 GPA?

There may be some Master of Public Health programs that set 2.5 as a minimum GPA requirement, including these schools from our sponsored listings, above:

What are Masters in Public Health admission requirements for a low GPA?

With a low GPA, it may be particularly important to get all other MPH admissions requirements simply perfect. That means acing your personal statement or essay, proofreading your CV, and making sure you check all the boxes when it comes to your application.

Common MPH admissions requirements may include:

  • Official transcripts from any previous institutions you attended
  • Letters of recommendation from faculty who can speak to your academic strengths, and/or from work supervisors who can attest to your on-the-job excellence
  • A resume or CV…if you have relevant experience in public health or a related area, all the better!
  • A writing sample, personal statement, or essay questions, which may pertain to your academic and professional interests, your goals in the field of public health, etc.
Top States for Employment for Medical and Health Services Managers
StateEmploymentAnnual Mean Wage
California34,140$113,790
New York25,850$119,350
Texas23,740$96,830
Ohio15,330$90,830
Pennsylvania14,540$86,830

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Top Salary Metro Areas in the United States: Medical and Health Services Managers
Metro AreaAnnual Mean SalaryEmployment
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$146,1902,110
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA$145,440520
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA$125,5005,150
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA$124,1302,300
Stockton-Lodi, CA$122,130400

Bureau of Labor Statistics

3 Things You Should Know About Comparing Low GPA MPH Programs

You might wish you’d done better as an undergraduate, but a low GPA may not be a deal-breaker when it comes time to apply to Master of Public Health programs. In fact, some schools may take a more holistic approach to admissions, accepting GPAs on the lower side while giving weight to other aspects of the application – like your writing sample or professional experience.

As you take the time to learn more about these and other schools, keep these considerations in mind:

Are there Masters in Public Health programs that offer provisional admission?

Some programs may admit applicants who don’t meet the minimum GPA, but will then place those students on academic watch or probation. That’s potentially a chance to prove yourself, if your past academic performance wasn’t as good as it could have been. At St. John’s University, conditional acceptance may be possible for applicants with a GPA below 3.0. However, students admitted conditionally have to earn a minimum grade of B for all six core courses in the program.

Do Masters in Public Health programs that accept low GPA require the GRE?

Some programs may accept GRE scores as proof of your academic potential…even if your undergraduate grades were low. For example, South University permits applicants with a GPA below 2.7 to apply with minimum GRE scores in the 45th percentile (Verbal) and 32nd percentile (Quantitative).

3. Don’t Just Look for “Easy MPH Programs to Get Into”

Take the time to make sure the programs you’re applying to seem like the ideal fit for both your professional goals and your current lifestyle. Accreditation, career-specific concentrations, and flexible learning paths are just a few things to consider.

Find partner MPH programs that accept students with low GPA scores below. 

List of MPH Programs that Accept LOW GPA

MPH GPA RequirementsMPH Programs
1. Walden University2.5 Bachelor’s GPAMaster of Public Health – General
2. Benedictine University2.75 GPAMPH Health Education, MPH Health Management, MPH General
3. Indiana Wesleyan University3.0 GPA, but lower may be accepted if high GRE scoresMaster of Public Health
4. Liberty University Online2.5MPH – Global Health
5. South University2.7, but some flexibilityMaster of Public Health
6. St. John’s University3.0, but conditional acceptance may be offeredMaster of Public Health
7. The George Washington UniversityNone listedMaster of Public Health Online
8. Lasell CollegeNone listedMS in Health Communication

Featured Schools

Find MPH Low GPA Programs That May Be Perfect for You

Click any of our sponsored listings above to learn more. Or, fill out our form to get matched with Master of Public Health programs that may help you jumpstart your career goals! You can also find 1 year MPH programs, and Public Health Doctorate degrees!

All Partner Schools with Masters in Public Health (or Related) Programs

 

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