Online Master of Public Health in Population Aging

The Rutgers School of Public Health's fully online Master of Public Health (MPH) in Population Aging degree is designed to train scholars, clinicians, advocates, and community leaders in public health approaches to understanding, analyzing, and improving the health outcomes of older adults – the fastest growing segment of the United States population.

Students in this program will learn about the public health interventions, policies, theories, and challenges relevant to older adults. The innovative courses that make up the program will also prepare graduates to develop and implement innovative public health research programs and identify novel policy solutions aimed at improving older adults' physical and mental health.

The MPH in Population Aging degree is offered to students on a full-time or part-time basis. All courses are exclusively available online. There is no option for taking in-person classes as part of this program.

Click on the video below to hear more about the program and this rapidly growing area from concentration director Dr. Elissa Kozlov.

Full and partial scholarships are available for highly qualified students enrolled in the MPH in Population Aging degree program.

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Each concentration identifies competencies for each degree offered. These competencies reflect the full range of knowledge, skills, and other attributes that a student will acquire as a result of completing the requirements for a particular degree.

Upon graduation, a student completing the MPH curriculum in Population Aging will be able to:

• MPH-POPA1: Explain the obstacles to, or facilitators of, improved older adult outcomes and population aging outcomes;
• MPH-POPA2: Compare the experience of aging in the United States with the experience of aging outside the United States;
• MPH-POPA3: Analyze interventions or policies to improve population aging outcomes (physical health, mental health, well-being, morbidity, mortality, etc.);
• MPH-POPA4: Analyze the effects of inequality at birth and adverse childhood experiences on population aging outcomes;
• MPH-POPA5: Analyze treatments and interventions to improve end-of-life outcomes; and
• MPH-POPA6: Use theories of aging in the analysis and evaluation of current health care issues.

Beginning Fall 2024, the degree program will be fully online. 

The MPH in Population Aging degree is offered to students on a full-time or part-time basis. Courses are available in-person, remote, and/or online. Students will complete a total of 45 credits, including a practicum experience and capstone research project. 

Students must complete their academic work with a minimum GPA of least 3.0; earn no more than nine (9) credits bearing grades less than “B,” and complete the degree requirements within six years. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted and the semester when each course is typically offered is noted parentheses. Students should review the Forward Schedule for long-term course planning and the Schedule-At-A-Glance for each semester to determine when, where, and how a course is offered.

If completing the program as a full-time student (nine or more credits per semester), the degree requirements may be completed in as little as two years (four to five semesters).Part-time students taking at least six credits per semester may expect to finish within four years. Taking courses in the summer may help expedite part-time students’ timing.

Dual-degree options are available in partnership with other Rutgers University schools.

Students are also required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.

Students can earn a post-baccalaureate certificate alongside their degree with an additional 6-12 credits. Contact admissions for additional information at admissions@sph.rutgers.edu.

Fall Semester Start Date
January 15 (priority)
May 1 (regular)

Spring Semester Start Date
October 15 (priority)
December 1 (regular)

A complete application includes:

• Completion of the online application
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Statement of goals, one-to-three pages in length, which addresses:
  • Interest in the program
  • Preparedness for the program
  • Goals and aspirations
• Two letters of recommendation with at least one letter from an academic reference if you are currently enrolled in a degree program or have graduated within the last four years.
• Resume or CV
• GRE General Exam (optional)
• TOEFL or IELTS score for applicants educated in a non-native English-speaking country

Applications are accepted on a rolling, space-available basis following the regular deadline.

One full scholarship is available for a student enrolled in this program.  All applicants who apply for the program are automatically considered for this scholarship. Applicants must apply by March 15 to be considered and will be notified by April 1 if they have been selected.