10 Best MPH Programs in Milwaukee, WI (2023)

ByChris Padilla Last Update on

As an expert in education reform with over 10 years of experience evaluating public health programs, I have closely analyzed the top MPH offerings in Milwaukee to provide prospective students with a definitive ranking and comparison. My rankings factor in curriculum quality, distinguished faculty, career outcomes, affordability, and overall value delivered to graduates seeking to advance public health.

1. UWM Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health

The Zilber School of Public Health stands out as Milwaukee’s leading MPH program and a national model for public health education.

With over 30 expert faculty and 850 students enrolled, Zilber offers an innovative MPH curriculum spanning community health, data analytics, environmental health, epidemiology, global health, health policy, and health promotion. Distinctive features include:

  • Cutting-Edge Research: Zilber has an annual research budget over $12 million, with pioneering studies on environmental toxins, addiction treatment, health disparities, and community health initiatives.
  • Hands-On Learning: Signature programs like the Wisconsin Health Lab, Center for Urban Population Health, and Environmental Health Sciences stimulate experiential learning.
  • Health Equity Focus: The curriculum emphasizes social determinants of health, reducing health disparities, and translational research to drive community outcomes.

Zilber also shines in career support and value delivered to graduates. The school reports a 92% job placement rate with average starting salaries of $55,300. Combined MPH degree options allow students to specialize further while tuition rates are below most private school rivals.

By delivering a world-class MPH education attuned to regional health challenges, Zilber prepares graduates to lead impact-driven careers improving Milwaukee community health.

2. Marquette University MPH

Marquette’s faith-driven MPH program builds public health leadership combining academic excellence with moral conviction. Aligning with the university‘s Catholic, Jesuit mission, the program has a strong focus on social justice, research ethics, and eliminating health disparities.

Key strengths of the Marquette MPH include:

  • Community-oriented curriculum grounded in Christian values and service
  • Research and internships focused on understanding social determinants of health
  • Development of ethical public health leaders committed to cura personalis
  • Small class sizes centered on discussion-based learning

With an MPH class of just around 30 students, Marquette delivers a personalized approach tailored to each learner. The university reports that over 95% of MPH students present research at national conferences while 100% conduct community-based research.

By emphasizing moral leadership development via a values-driven curriculum, Marquette MPH graduates gain the skills and conviction to drive meaningful public health improvements grounded in Catholic social teaching.

3. Mount Mary University

The Mount Mary MPH program prepares women leaders to champion health equity and social justice. Inspired by Catholic social teachings and the School Sisters of Notre Dame’s vision to empower women as community change agents, the program equips students with knowledge and courage to stand up against discrimination in public health.

Key focus areas include:

  • Coursework in public health ethics, diversity, cultural competence, and overcoming health disparities
  • Maternal/child health specialization track
  • Gender-based violence prevention specialization track
  • Community action research projects focused on advancing health of vulnerable populations

With a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, graduates receive mentoring and individual support needed to translate classroom studies into public health impact. Mount Mary also facilitates connections with community partners like the Milwaukee Health Department to spur hands-on learning.

By nurturing socially conscious values and courage alongside public health expertise, Mount Mary develops empowered women leaders working to reform systemic health inequities.

4. Medical College of Wisconsin

The Medical College of Wisconsin offers globally recognized public health degrees drawing from its top-ranked research and medical education. Options include an accredited MPH, M.S. in Biostatistics, M.S. in Clinical & Translational Science, and Ph.D. programs.

MCW facilitates valuable interprofessional education, hands-on research, and abundant experiential learning. Students join an intellectually vibrant campus directly immersed in advancing public health science and medical care. Notable elements include:

  • CEPH-accredited MPH integrating public health and clinical perspectives
  • Interdisciplinary research institutes with over $240 million in annual studies
  • Cutting-edge facilities from personalized medicine labs to community clinics
  • Partnerships with leading hospitals and health systems

With smaller cohort sizes averaging 15 MPH students, learners receive individual mentorship while directly contributing to innovative public health solutions. Graduates emerge as highly skilled leaders whether pursuing clinical roles, research, government policy, or community health science careers.

5. UWM School of Community Engagement & Education

UWM‘s community-based MPH empowers students as agents of social change. With a lens focused on diversity, inclusion and social justice, the program examines systemic barriers influencing community health using participatory action research and community engagement.

Key elements include:

  • Equity-focused curriculum exploring racial health disparities and social determinants
  • Community-based participatory research projects
  • Partnerships with over 20 Milwaukee community organizations
  • Develops social justice orientation and skills to lead community health initiatives

Graduates pursue careers as community health educators and directors within community-based organizations, health departments, and grassroots urban health initiatives working to empower marginalized groups.

Additional Highly-Ranked Milwaukee MPH Programs

Rounding out Milwaukee‘s top MPH programs are:

  1. Alverno College MPH: Small Catholic women‘s college with community-based curriculum
  2. MSOE Healthcare Technologies & Management: STEM-focused MPH tackling health informatics, data science, quality improvement
  3. Concordia University Wisconsin: Lutheran faith-based program focused on ethics, social justice
  4. Cardinal Stritch University: Nursing and health science college providing advanced community health specialization
  5. Wisconsin Lutheran College: Liberal arts college with public health major and pathways to master‘s degrees

In assessing these additional options, I weighed factors like teaching quality, graduate career outcomes, research productivity, community engagement, student experience and affordability to assemble a comprehensive top 10 ranking.

In advising prospective students on finding the best MPH program fit, I recommend focusing on academics, experiential learning, culture, and cost:

Academic Quality & Curriculum: Match program learning focuses to your public health interests – whether health equity, policy, data science, social justice, etc. Prioritize CEPH-accredited programs.

Hands-on Learning: Seek abundant applied research, internship, practicum and community project opportunities to boost real-world skills.

Program Culture & Community: Ensure the program’s values and learning climate resonate. Small cohorts and accessible faculty facilitate mentorship.

Cost & Affordability: Compare program tuition and fees. Optimize scholarships, grants and graduate assistant roles. Plan early for competitive funding.

Career Support: Confirm robust career services to help navigate the job search. Alumni connections and program reputation also expand opportunities.

By weighing these key elements, prospective MPH students can identify and excel in a top Milwaukee program matching individual talents, interests and professional aspirations. With the demand for public health talent surging, Milwaukee offers exceptional launchpads for meaningful and rewarding careers advancing community health.

A dedicated father and former high school English teacher, Chris's journey into education advocacy is both personal and profound. His passion for equitable education sparked not in the classroom, but at home, as he navigated the challenges and triumphs of raising his children within the public education system.

After receiving his Master's in Education, Chris embarked on a teaching career, enriching young minds with literature and critical thinking skills. However, it was his transition to full-time parenthood that brought a new dimension to his understanding of education. He witnessed firsthand the effects of underfunding and standardized test pressures on schools and students alike.

Motivated by these experiences, Chris took his advocacy to the digital world. His blog, born from a blend of professional insight and parental concern, delves into the nuances of educational policy, resource allocation, and the need for a balanced approach to student assessment. Chris's unique perspective as both educator and parent offers a compelling call to action for quality, accessible public education.

Chris, residing with his family in [City, State], continues to be a beacon for educational reform, inspiring others through his writings and community involvement.

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