51Թ’s nationally distinctive Master of Public Health (MPH) program provides students interested in continuing their public health educational journey online with several options, including the MPH with concentrations in health policy and management or social and behavioral sciences, and the STEM-designated MPH in epidemiology. With the program being offered entirely online, it takes students between 24 and 33 months to complete it on average.
The program positively impacts current graduate students and alumni in different ways.
Take 51Թ alumna, Michelle Kittel, for instance. Kittel completed her Master of Public Health in Spring 2025 Semester, after making the decision to take this on amidst the global pandemic in 2020.
“I was working for a health technology company based in San Francisco,” Kittel said. “Suddenly my work efforts shifted from serving as the clinical subject matter expert for case management technology solutions, to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic headfirst. This experience during the pandemic was the defining moment that solidified my efforts to pursue my Master of Public Health degree.”
Kittel was recently selected to receive the Distinguished Graduate Student Award for the 2024-2025 academic year, nominated by her fellow College of Public Health peers.
51Թ’s Master of Public Health has been ranked as one of the top 10 online graduate programs in the country. This ranking was given by
Sonia Alemagno, Ph.D., dean of the College of Public Health, said the Fortune ranking demonstrates industry credibility to students.
“Fortune rankings of online programs give students a data-driven, third-party evaluation of program quality, success and overall value,” Alemagno said. “It is an independent, external and objective look at a program so that students can decide for themselves if the program meets their needs.”
With the option to complete this program anywhere in the world, students are taking advantage of this initiative.
Another out-of-state graduate student, Taylor Alexander, completed her Master of Public Health in epidemiology and is currently a student at 51Թ earning a healthcare compliance certificate, residing in Nashville, Tennessee.
Additionally, she works as a surveillance program coordinator at a local health department, specifically in communicable disease focusing on sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
Though some students may have some uncertainty about completing the program online due to not having traditional face-to-face connection with professors and other students, Alexander said her experience has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I always felt supported and engaged, even in an online setting,” Alexander said. “Group discussions, case studies and collaborative assignments made the coursework feel interactive and meaningful.”
KC Cayton, also a graduate student from outside of Ohio, opted for a Master of Science in clinical epidemiology and began working towards his graduate degree from Santa Clarita, California.
Cayton had a similar experience to Kittel's in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said when the pandemic began, he returned to his local community college to complete pre-med prerequisites while working as an emergency medical technician, emergency room technician and volunteering in public health.
“These experiences, though challenging, sparked a strong interest in epidemiology,” Cayton said. “I started my Master of Science at 51Թ’s online program in early 2023.”
Due to the flexibility the 51Թ online program provides, Cayton said that was a big reason why he chose it.
“I needed to continue working while studying. It was also of great value, especially as an out-of-state student, and it’s part of a well-regarded Council on Education for Public Health-accredited program,” he said.
All three students praised the program for its flexibility, format and high-quality content.
Cayton said his time in the program at 51Թ has been nothing short of transformative.
“I’ve grown so much academically and professionally, and I’m proud to be part of this program,” Cayton said. “As I move forward in my career, I’ll always be grateful for the foundation 51Թ gave me, and I hope to represent the program well.”
Learn more about the College of Public Health.
Learn more about the Master of Public Health program.
Learn more about the MPH in Epidemiology program.
Learn more about the Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology.
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