Health Promotion and Health Behavior
Master of Public Health Option
Help make communities a healthier place to live
Applications reviewed on Dec 1 (Priority), March 1 and June 1 (Final).
Help people change behavior to improve health and well-being
With an MPH in health promotion and health behavior you’ll work to understand the social and behavioral influences at play in various communities, especially those with health disparities.
Whether it’s looking at living conditions, lifestyle choices or new evidence about what works, you’ll use scientific approaches to create real solutions to communities’ most pressing health challenges.
Our public health programs are ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s best graduate programs for 2025.
Join a diverse community that shares your desire to reduce risk, prevent disease and injury, and promote human health.
Your experience as a health promotion and health behavior student
Oregon State’s MPH in health promotion and health behavior consists of small classes taught by tenure-track faculty who provide individualized attention to create a positive and welcoming environment. These faculty members will also be your advisors and mentors.
You’ll learn to develop, implement and evaluate health promotion programs and translate evidence-based programs to practice.
Our faculty have a strong background in practice-based public health, engage in interdisciplinary research and can help guide you in developing skills and conducting research that can be applied to health issues across various contexts.
Affordability
Your graduate public health education is an investment in your future. We understand you must weigh the cost and benefits of your graduate education.
OSU’s MPH options are among the most reasonably priced in the Pacific Northwest.
We have reduced the tuition cost by nearly $4,000 to help address affordability and reduce barriers for the future of public health.
The Oregon State MPH participates in the Western Regional Graduate Program. You may be eligible to save about $8,000 in tuition over the course of the program.
Estimated costs
The MPH program is a 59-61 credit program that can be completed within 6 quarters on a full-time credit load (except for summer). Estimated costs for the whole program:
Resident
$31,591
Resident Tuition ($26,892)
+ Fees ($4,699)
Non-resident
$63,397
Non-resident Tuition ($58,698)
+ Fees ($4,699)
Western Regional Graduate Program
$45,037
WRGP Tuition ($40,338)
+ Fees ($4,699)
Tuition and fees estimates were calculated using the 23-24 academic year tuition and fees tables in combination with the tuition calculator. Please note, tuition and fees can change for the 24-25 academic year.
Conor Foley
MPH: Health Promotion and Health Behavior student
MPH Ambassador
"I would encourage anyone who is interested in working on making communities or the world a better place to live in, to consider pursuing an MPH."
MPH curriculum and coursework
The Oregon State MPH health promotion and health behavior program requires 60 credit hours (about 40 semester credits), does not require a thesis and culminates with an integrative learning experience.
You’ll get hands-on experience, build professional contacts and learn from experts in the field as part of a required 200-hour professional internship. You’ll be guided along the way by a dedicated MPH internship coordinator.
See which courses you'll take as a health promotion and health behavior student.
What you'll learn as an MPH student.
How you'll apply your knowledge.
Health promotion and health behavior career options
Careers in the health promotion and health behavior sector focus on addressing factors that impact health so individuals, groups and communities can make changes to optimize personal health and working and living conditions.
Graduates of our MPH program in health promotion and health behavior often find work in federal, state and local health agencies, non-profit organizations, private companies, colleges and universities, and as consultants.
Sample careers:
- Community health worker
- Prevention system manager
- Project director
- Health promotion specialist
- Research coordinator
Marissa Song Mayeda, '20
"The MPH-HPHB program has given me a great opportunity to gain a well-rounded public health experience that encapsulates theory and practice that fits my interests and has given me the tools to better serve the communities I work in.
"I have not only had the privilege to meet and work with faculty, peers and mentors from multiple disciplines with a wide variety of experiences but have also gained a community."
We’re here to help
For questions about the application process and requirements, contact College of Health graduate admissions.
To talk about curriculum and life as an MPH student, contact MPH Administrative Director.
For academic or professional information specific to the Oregon State MPH health promotion and health behavior program, please contact the MPH Program Director Jonathan Garcia, PhD
Accreditation
Our BS, MPH and PhD Public Health programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. This distinction ensures your education meets the nationally-agreed-upon standards developed by public health academics and practitioners.