Dr. Wayne McCullough and Dr. Connie Currier and Dr. Darline El Reda

As part of the accreditation process, the Michigan State Master of Public Health (MPH) program has been engaged in a self-study of the program’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement related to the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accreditation criteria. Our site visit with the accreditors concluded on November 12, 2021. Having met all 35 criteria, the Council on Education for Public Health Board of Councilors acted to accredit the Michigan State University Master of Public Health from June 15, 2019, through July 1, 2027.

April 4, 2019 (Updated June 14, 2022)

Michigan State is advancing the health well-being of local and global communities by educating the next generation of public health professionals. Over the past 12-years, we have been educating public health students online and produced more than 670 Spartan alumni that are mobilizing change in meaningful ways. 

Spring semester 2019, the Master of Public Health program launched a new curriculum to prepare our future public health practitioners. The MPH program has undergone significant changes to ensure that our program is relevant, competitive, and able to make an impact on the greatest health challenges of our time. 

To advance health equity and showcase our public health strengths in Flint, Michigan; programmatic changes and curriculum changes are led from a community-engaged practice-oriented experience. 

We are committed to continual improvement through ongoing critical evaluation of our program, regular assessment of student needs, and the development of a responsive and cutting-edge online curriculum. 

Student-Centric Mentoring from Application through Matriculation 
Throughout the educational journey, graduate students are guided by expert faculty and staff vested in the success of each individual scholar. From inquiry to application and enrollment, through matriculation, students are guided by a formative and summative evaluation process.

Emphasis on Competency and Applied Knowledge 
Spartans in public health are leaders who enact change and promote health and well-being. They translate and disseminate public health knowledge into evidence-based practice, policy change, and advocacy.

New Online Curriculum 
Foundational courses provide students with information that encompasses the root values of the program: leadership, health equity, and practical application. Courses cover the breadth of the practical methodology utilized by public health practitioners, including systematic review, program evaluation, and study design.

Diverse Selection of Elective Courses  
Students are able to customize their public health education and pursue their passion. With a range of topics to select from, students are able to engage in courses that ignite their interest. Elective courses vary from policy/administration, global/cultural health, nutrition, infectious disease, and epidemiology/biostatistics/surveillance.

Community-Engaged Practice Experience 
As a pioneer land-grant institution, MSU works side-by-side with communities to identify relevant health issues. These experiences help to create public health practitioners armed with skills to address the social determinants of health and improve community health.

A culmination of these efforts prepares MSU to pursue CEPH accreditation.I am pleased to announce that Michigan State University is an applicant for accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health. 

Progress Toward Accreditation: 

  • February 4, 2019, accreditation application request signed by Dean Norman Beauchamp and Interim President Satish Upda
  • February 6, 2019, application submitted to the Council on Education for Public Health
  • June 3-15, 2019, the governing body of the Council on Education for Public Health formally acted at its June meeting to approve Michigan State University’s request to begin the accreditation process
  • June 9, 2021, MSU mailed the preliminary self-study report to CEPH
  • August 11 - October 11, 2021, feedback on the preliminary self-study report from alumni, faculty, staff, community partners, and members o the general public to CEPH
  • October 7, 2021, MSU mailed the final self-study report to CEPH
  • November 11-12, 2021, a site visit by the accreditors
  • November 12, 2021, having met all criteria, we await the written site visit report

  • June 1 – 3, 2022, at the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) Board of Councilors Meeting, CEPH acted to accredit the Michigan State University Master of Public Health Program from June 15, 2019, through July 1, 2027

MSU's Master of Public Health Program Earns Accreditation
“We are pleased to be included among a select group of accredited public health programs,” Division of Public Health Interim Director Wayne R. McCullough, PhD, said. “Having met or exceeded all 35 CEPH accreditation criteria sets a high bar for the program. We are very proud of this accomplishment and strive to deliver world-class education and experience that helps advance the careers of our Spartans in Public Health.”

This accreditation review addresses the Master of Public Health program. Other degrees and areas of study offered by this institution will not be included.For additional information go to https://ceph.org/.

To review CEPH's final accreditation report, requests can be made by email to CHM.MPH_GenInfo@msu.edu.

Wayne R. McCullough, PhD
Master of Public Health Director
Interim Director of the Division of Public Health
mph.msu.edu