Public Health Degrees at Idaho State University
Idaho State University appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Cheapest MPH Degrees Online.
The goal of public health is to improve and protect the health of communities through research for disease and injury prevention, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and education. The College of Health Professions at Idaho State University (ISU) offers contemporary, engaging coursework under the direction of nationally recognized, highly skilled faculty. All of the programs are accredited, and graduates boast high placement and employment rates after they earn their degrees.
Undergraduate students looking to enter the field may choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in health education, which is designed to prepare organizations, groups, and students to facilitate and educate the voluntary adoption of behaviors and actions conducive to help. Undergraduates are also prepared to perform the seven areas of competencies of entry-level health educators as indicated by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). In order to earn a Bachelor of Community and Public Health, students must declare a health education major and complete all of ISU’s general education requirements. In addition, the degree consists of 21 credits of major core requirements as well as the completion of courses from one of three areas of emphasis such as Addictions, School Health, or Community/Worksite Health.
The Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Idaho State University (ISU) is designed to meet the needs of the field of public health through continuing professional education, research, community service, and instruction. It is unique to Idaho as it is the only MPH program in the state that is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The coursework focuses on community health and allows students to develop the skills and knowledge they need in a number of critical public health areas such as environmental health, research methodology, community health promotion, health program planning and evaluation, health organization and policy, public health ethics, biostatistics, and epidemiology. MPH students may choose from in-person or online class options as the program is designed to meet the needs of those in rural areas as well as working individuals.
About Idaho State University
Idaho State University (ISU) is a public research university located in Pocatello, Idaho. The campus lies within an outdoor lover’s paradise and is just a short drive away from exciting outdoor recreation opportunities as well as some of the country’s greatest natural wonders. Founded in 1901 as the Academy of Idaho, ISU now offers more than 280 degree programs at its main campus as well as at locations in Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, and Meridian. ISU is Idaho’s designated lead postsecondary institution in medical education and health professions. ISU’s Division of Health Services (DHS) is home to most of the health-related professional programs in the state. More than 12,000 students attend ISU each year, representing 40 U.S. states and 58 countries. ISU students and faculty are leading the way in innovative solutions and cutting-edge research in the areas of business, biological sciences pharmacy, technology, performing and visual arts, engineering, humanities, teaching, nuclear research, health professions, and energy.
Idaho State University Accreditation Details
Idaho State University (ISU) is accredited by the Northwest Commission on College and Universities (NWCCU), and the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is the only one of its kind in the state of Idaho to earn specialized accreditation through the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Accreditation of a university or college by both regional and specialized accreditors indicates that the school exceeds or meets criteria for the quality of the institution and its programs as determined by a review conducted by a team of its peers. An accredited school is one who has the available resources necessary to achieve its goals and adhere to its mission statement through high-quality educational programs and provides reasonable evidence that it will continue to maintain these high standards of quality for the foreseeable future.
Idaho State University Application Requirements
Undergraduate students entering the College of Health Professions must complete an application for admission and pay a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Idaho State University (ISU) also requires official SAT or ACT scores as well as an official high school transcript or GED. Students must also submit all official college credits for dual enrollment work after they are accepted into the university. Graduate students seeking admittance into the Master of Public Health (MPH) program must meet all of the requirements of the ISU Graduate School. ISU requires a completed graduate application, an application fee, two letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources, and a one- to two-page essay describing the applicant’s interest in pursuing the MPH degree. Two years of experience working in the health field is preferred for admission, but a bachelor’s degree in health or a health-related discipline may be provided in lieu of working experience. Graduate applicants must submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions and show evidence of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores are also required.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate students who reside in Idaho and who are seeking a bachelor’s degree in public health from Idaho State University (ISU) will pay $3,583 per semester or $7,166 per year in tuition. Non-residents will pay $10,791 per semester in tuition and $21,582 per year. Tuition costs do not include room and board, the meal plan, or books and supplies. Graduate resident students who are taking nine or more credits are considered full-time, and they can expect to pay $3,710 per semester plus a graduate fee of $978 per semester for a total full-time resident graduate tuition rate of $4,688 per semester. Graduate residents taking eight or fewer credits do not need to pay the graduate fee, but they will pay $470 per credit for their degree. Full-time non-resident graduate students will also pay $3,710 per semester and the $978 graduate fee per credit as well as an additional non-resident full-time fee of $7,760 per semester for a total tuition cost of $12,448 per semester. Part-time non-resident graduate students will pay $722 per credit hour.
Students who wish to utilize financial aid in order to finance their education must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that will indicate what types of aid and the amount of aid for which a student may qualify. Idaho State University offers various types of financial aid to eligible undergraduate and graduate students, including scholarships, grants, loans, military benefits, work-study programs, employment, and aid from private and public sources.
