Top 20 MPH Programs in Allentown, PA in 2026

A Master of Public Health (MPH) degree provides students with the skills and knowledge to address pressing public health challenges facing communities. As public health threats like emerging infectious diseases, substance abuse, environmental hazards, and health inequities persist, there is a growing need for public health professionals equipped to tackle these complex issues.

Allentown, located in eastern Pennsylvania‘s Lehigh Valley region, is home to a population of over 120,000 residents. Serving as a medical hub for the surrounding area, Allentown has a bustling healthcare and social assistance industry. Those interested in advancing community health and wellness can take advantage of several accredited MPH programs located right in Allentown or within commuting distance.

This guide provides an overview of the top 20 MPH programs in the Allentown area for 2024 to help prospective students find the right fit for their public health career aspirations.

1. Kutztown University

Location: Kutztown, PA, 14 miles from Allentown

Kutztown University‘s MPH program emphasizes health education and health promotion, preparing students to plan, implement, and evaluate population health initiatives in schools, workplaces, hospitals, local health departments and community settings.

Key highlights:

• 42 credit master‘s program
• In-state tuition of approx. $477 per credit
• Specialized concentrations in health education or global health available
• 100% online coursework options
• Accelerated 7-week courses to complete degree faster

Kutztown‘s program is CEPH-accredited and culminates in a mentored field experience capstone where students have the opportunity to apply their skills in a professional public health setting.

Website: Kutztown University MPH

2. DeSales University

Location: Center Valley, PA, 14 miles from Allentown

With a focus on community and population health, DeSales University‘s MPH curriculum is centered around health education, health leadership, research methods, and an applied practice experience.

Key highlights:

• 42 credit hour program
• Fall, spring and summer enrollment options
• 100% online course delivery
• Specialized concentration in health administration/policy
• Faith-based university sponsored by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

DeSales MPH graduates are equipped to pursue public health positions within local health departments, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, health insurance groups, and corporate wellness programs.

Website: DeSales University MPH

3. Moravian University

Location: Bethlehem, PA, 5 miles from Allentown

Moravian University‘s CEPH-accredited MPH program emphasizes public health foundations like epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, environmental health, social determinants of health and population health management.

Key highlights:

• 45 credit hour program
• Fall, spring and online term enrollment options
• On-campus and online courses available
• Accelerated degree options to finish in 16 months
• Dual degree options: MPH/MBA or MPH/MSN

The program culminates in an intensive 240-hour mentored field experience focused on applied public health practice. Graduates pursue careers in settings like health departments, community health agencies, hospitals and nonprofit organizations.

Website: Moravian University MPH

4. East Stroudsburg University

Location: East Stroudsburg, PA, 38 miles from Allentown

East Stroudsburg University‘s MPH curriculum covers the foundations of public health, including epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, environmental health, social and behavioral sciences, and health services administration.

Key highlights:

• 45 credit hour program
• Specialized concentrations in community health education or public health administration
• 100% online course delivery
• Fall, spring and summer start dates
• Affordable state university tuition rates

The program incorporates a culminating field experience where students develop and implement a public health initiative to address the needs of a specific population. Graduates pursue public health leadership roles within communities across Pennsylvania.

Website: ESU MPH

5. Albright College

Location: Reading, PA, 29 miles from Allentown

Albright College offers an interdisciplinary MPH curriculum integrating public health foundations with specialized tracks focused on health equity, health innovation management or global health populations.

Key highlights:

• 45 credit hour program
• On-campus and online blended course options
• 8-week accelerated terms
• Affordable private college tuition rates
• Experiential learning and study abroad opportunities

Students complete an intensive 200-hour mentored field experience designed to apply public health competencies within a professional setting addressing authentic community health issues.

Website: Albright MPH

6. West Chester University

Location: West Chester, PA, 46 miles from Allentown

West Chester University‘s MPH program delivers an evidence-based public health curriculum aligned with CEPH accreditation standards and competencies. Students specialize in one of two concentrations: public health education or health administration.

Key highlights:

• 45 credit hour program
• Specialized concentrations in health education or administration
• Fall, spring and summer enrollment start dates
• 100% online course delivery options
• Affordable state university tuition rates

The program incorporates a culminating field experience where students have the opportunity to integrate and apply public health competencies in a professional setting.

Website: West Chester MPH

7. Temple University

Location: Philadelphia, PA, 65 miles from Allentown

Temple University‘s CEPH-accredited MPH program is one of the largest in the nation, offering concentrations spanning public health core disciplines along with dual degree options.

Key highlights:

• 46 credit hour program
• On-campus and online delivery options
• 10 specialized MPH concentrations
• Several dual and joint degree options: MD/MPH, PharmD/MPH, JD/MPH, MSN/MPH, MHA/MPH
• Top-ranked research university setting

Temple public health students benefit from the university‘s expansive research infrastructure, experiential learning opportunities, and connection to the Philadelphia-area public health workforce.

Website: Temple University MPH

8. Misericordia University

Location: Dallas, PA, 15 miles from Allentown

Misericordia University‘s MPH program delivers an interprofessional curriculum focused on contemporary public health challenges like substance abuse, mental health, health disparities and environmental health issues impacting rural/underserved communities.

Key highlights:

• 42 credit hour program
• Specialized concentration in interprofessional studies
• 100% online course delivery options
• Affordable private university tuition
• Faith-based institution founded by the Sisters of Mercy

Students complete an intensive 240 hour mentored field experience where they develop, implement and evaluate a public health initiative addressing the needs of a vulnerable population.

Website: Misericordia MPH

9. Cedar Crest College

Location: Allentown, PA

Cedar Crest College, located right in Allentown, offers a CEPH-accredited MPH program oriented towards public and community health leadership to improve population health and health equity, especially among underserved communities.

Key highlights:

• 48 credit hour program
• Emphasis on community health leadership and advocacy
• On-campus and online course options
• Affordable private women‘s college

The program culminates in a 240-300 hour mentored field experience where students integrate and apply public health skills within an organizational, agency or community setting.

Website: Cedar Crest MPH

10. Arcadia University

Location: Glenside, PA, 60 miles from Allentown

Arcadia University‘s MPH curriculum emphasizes public health foundations like epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, environmental health, social determinants and population health. Students additionally select one of two concentrations: global health or health equity.

Key highlights:

• 48 credit hour program
• Specialized concentrations in global health or health equity
• 100% online course delivery
• 8-week accelerated terms

The program incorporates a 200+ hour mentored field experience where students have the opportunity to integrate and apply public health knowledge within a professional public health setting.

Website: Arcadia MPH

11. Marywood University

Location: Scranton, PA, 75 miles from Allentown

Marywood University‘s online MPH degree focuses on developing leaders equipped to address pressing public health issues impacting communities on local, national and global levels through health education, promotion, policymaking and research.

Key highlights:

• 36 credit hour program
• Specialized concentrations in health promotion or global health
• Fully online course delivery
• Spring, summer and fall start dates

The program includes an intensive 200 hour mentored field experience where students develop and implement an applied public health initiative tailored to the needs of a specific population or community.

Website: Marywood MPH

12. Wilkes University

Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA, 60 miles from Allentown

Wilkes University‘s Master of Public Health program delivers a curriculum grounded in public health foundations while allowing students to pursue individualized interests through elective courses in areas like epidemiology, environmental health, health policy, health education, health administration and global health.

Key highlights:

• 36 credit hour program
• On-campus or online course delivery
• Customizable curriculum through public health electives
• Small class sizes

Students complete an intensive 200 hour mentored field experience where they develop, implement and evaluate a public health initiative tailored to an identified need within a specific population.

Website: Wilkes MPH

13. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Location: Philadelphia, PA, 65 miles from Allentown

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) offers a 48 credit Master of Public Health degree incorporating public health foundations,program planning and evaluation, public health policy, epidemiology and evidence-based public health.

Key highlights:

• 48 credit hour program
• 100% online course delivery
• Fall, spring and summer start dates
• Degree can be completed in as little as 2 years
• Osteopathic medical school setting

PCOM‘s program incorporates a 200-400 hour supervised field experience providing students with the opportunity to apply public health competencies within a professional setting.

Website: PCOM MPH

14. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Location: Bloomsburg, PA, 64 miles from Allentown

Bloomsburg University‘s accredited MPH program emphasizes public and community health, preparing graduates for roles focused on health education, assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation within public health organizations.

Key highlights:

• 36 credit hour program
• Specialized concentration in health education
• On-campus or online options
• Affordable state university

Students complete an intensive 200 hour mentored field experience where they develop, implement, and evaluate a health education initiative tailored to a specific community‘s needs.

Website: Bloomsburg MPH

15. King‘s College

Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA, 60 miles from Allentown

King‘s College offers an online Master of Public Health degree incorporating core public health knowledge in areas like epidemiology, environmental health, data analysis, health policy, population health, and social determinants of health.

Key highlights:

• 36 credit hour program
• Fully online course delivery
• Summer, fall and spring enrollment terms
• Small class sizes

The program includes a culminating 200 hour field experience tailored to student interests and career goals within an organizational public health setting.

Website: King‘s College MPH

16. Duquesne University

Location: Pittsburgh, PA, 199 miles from Allentown

Duquesne University‘s CEPH-accredited MPH program delivers a public health curriculum aligned with professional workforce needs and trends to prepare graduates for leadership roles focused on population health promotion, policy and practice.

Key highlights:

• 42 credit hour program
• On-campus or online options
• Fall, spring and summer start dates
• Catholic Spiritan university

Students complete an intensive 240 hour mentored field experience designed to integrate and apply public health competencies within an organizational or community context.

Website: Duquesne MPH

17. TCNJ School of Public Health

Location: Ewing, NJ, 60 miles from Allentown

The College of New Jersey School of Public Health offers a CEPH-accredited MPH program focused on social justice, health equity and developing public health leaders prepared to tackle systemic health disparities impacting marginalized communities.

Key highlights:

• 45 credit hour program
• Emphasis on health equity and social justice
• On-campus program with opportunities for online electives
• Small public university setting

Students complete an intensive 240 hour mentored field experience where they integrate and apply public health competencies within a professional setting.

Website: TCNJ MPH

18. York College of Pennsylvania

Location: York, PA, 92 miles from Allentown

York College of Pennsylvania‘s Master of Public Health degree provides a comprehensive curriculum integrating public health foundations like epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy and population health with an emphasis on health education, promotion and community health assessment.

Key highlights:

• 30 credit hour program
• Specialized health education focus
• Primarily online with some campus options
• Affordable small private college

The program culminates with a mentored 200 hour field experience where students develop and implement an applied public health initiative.

Website: York College MPH

19. East Carolina University

Location: Greenville, NC, 457 miles from Allentown

East Carolina University‘s accredited online MPH degree delivers a comprehensive public health curriculum aligned with CEPH standards and infused with health equity and social justice principles to develop graduates prepared to eliminate disparities and promote wellness among marginalized communities.

Key highlights:

• 45 credit hour program
• Emphasis on health disparities and social justice
• Fully online course delivery
• Out-of-state students eligible for ECU‘s e-tuition rate

The program includes an intensive 240 hour mentored field experience focused on applied practice within a public health setting.

Website: ECU MPH

20. Ohio State University

Location: Columbus, OH, 379 miles from Allentown

Ohio State University offers a top-ranked on-campus CEPH-accredited MPH program delivering public health foundations supplemented by specialized concentrations in areas like epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health behavior & promotion, veterinary public health and global health.

Key highlights:

• 45 credit hour program
• Numerous specialized MPH concentrations
• On-campus program at OSU‘s Columbus campus
• Large public university setting

Students complete an intensive 200 hour mentored field experience tailored to their concentration area and career goals.

Website: Ohio State MPH