Lisa Sullivan (left), associate dean for education, and Lora Sabin (right), associate professor of global health, speak with Online MPH students over Zoom from the BU Virtual studio where SPH faculty record instructional content and hold weekly live sessions.

Student Life

Cracking the Code: Thriving in the Online MPH Program

Online MPH Program staff answer frequently asked questions about the resources and opportunities available to support the success of Online MPH students.

The School of Public Health’s Online Master of Public Health (MPH) Program aims to make higher education in public health a possibility for anyone, anywhere. Designed to be completed fully online in as little as 24 months, or up to five years for students who need additional flexibility, the program has attracted students from a variety of backgrounds across all stages of life.

Represented in the current student body of more than 200 students are nurses, physicians, pharmacists, social workers, teachers, veterans, business consultants, and a variety of other professionals. Together, they form a diverse global community of health equity scholars.

The program’s holistic curriculum is composed of six modules completed in sequence, all with an overarching focus on improving the health of populations and eliminating inequities. Lessons and assignments are completed asynchronously to accommodate students’ full-time careers, while program modules progress in real-time. Weekly live sessions offer students the opportunity to connect virtually with SPH faculty experts and leaders.

As students prepare to enter their third week of classes, the Online MPH program staff seeks to support them in successfully balancing a meaningful learning experience alongside their multiple competing commitments. Mahogany Price, the Online MPH program’s associate director for student success, and two of the program’s learning facilitators, Emily Doke and Urvi Mujumdar, answered frequently asked questions about the resources and opportunities available to support Online MPH students.

How does the Online MPH program foster community among students spread across the country and the world?

Mahogany Price: As the associate director for student success, I work to ensure that our students have the resources and support they need to succeed. The Student Success team works to build community by offering exclusive events for our online students, such as social, academic, and wellness events—all accessible online. Additionally, we encourage our students to attend any virtual SPH events, such as lectures and seminars, to further engage with the larger BU community. These events can be found on the SPH calendar.

The Student Ambassador Program is another great way for students to connect with each other and build relationships. Online MPH student ambassadors are current students who serve as a point of contact for prospective students and help to create a sense of community. Finally, faculty and learning facilitators host live sessions about course content to provide students with an opportunity to ask questions and interact with their colleagues. These sessions are held weekly and provide a great way for students to connect with peers, faculty, and staff, and to gain a deeper understanding of the course content.

What types of extracurricular programming are available to Online MPH Program students?

Price: Online MPH students have access to a variety of extracurricular programming. We have held events such as a Women in Public Health panel featuring SPH faculty across different disciplines sharing their stories and what led them to careers in public health. In February 2023 during Black History Month, we held an event with Yvette Cozier, associate dean for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, who led a discussion on racial inequities and health disparities within a US and global context. Another event was a library resources and citation workshop. This workshop was designed to help students become familiar with the library resources available to them and to learn how to properly cite sources in their academic work. The workshop was led by Kristen Sheridan, education and information services librarian.

In addition, students are encouraged to attend events offered by the wider SPH community, such as participation in the SPH Reading program, Public Health Conversations, and any other event that is offered to the public and or to all students. Our programming is tailored to support the development and engagement of online students, who are frequently working professionals. All events provide students with the opportunity to engage with the public health community, learn more about the field and each other.

How does the Online MPH Program help students successfully handle the added challenges of graduate school?

Price: We understand that many of our students have established careers or other pre-existing commitments, which is why we’ve identified and provided helpful resources to help them navigate these challenges. Our program has learning facilitators who are content experts, like teaching assistants, to help students with the material. Learning facilitators all have MPH degrees and are the main academic touchpoint for the students in their courses. In addition, students have access to library resources, as well as the other offices and departments at SPH that have online resources. Online MPH students also have access to the Headspace app, which offers guided meditations and mindfulness exercises to help students manage stress.

The Online MPH Program has a unique structure, offering real-time asynchronous learning through modules taught by a variety of SPH professors. Can you share with us how the content for the program is produced?

Emily Doke: In the production of our Online MPH Program, the expertise of SPH’s faculty blends seamlessly with the technological resources of BU Virtual, creating a dynamic and accessible learning journey. Each week we host live sessions in the studio, where students engage in face-to-face discussions with our top-notch faculty. While it might appear to be just a two-person act on screen, behind the scenes a dedicated production crew orchestrates the lighting, camera work, and music. These sessions ensure that online learning is not only informative, but also an engaging and enjoyable experience.

How does the Online MPH Program ensure accessibility and inclusivity in its curriculum?

Urvi Mujumdar: The online MPH program promotes an inclusive environment for all students by embracing the diverse backgrounds and lived experiences within each cohort. Students are encouraged to collaborate and share their perspectives with another. We also partner with the Disability and Access Services office to ensure that our online student population is aware of the resources and opportunities available to them.

What do you look forward to in the coming semester?

Price: I look forward to the Online MPH program expanding and seeing students form affinity groups. Affinity groups provide a space for students to come together and discuss topics related to their shared identities and experiences. I believe affinity groups will further our efforts to foster a sense of community because they are a great way to get involved and meet new people. They can also provide valuable leadership and networking opportunities, as well as the chance to develop new skills.

For the most up-to-date resources and opportunities available to current Online MPH Students, please refer to the Online MPH Student Success webpage.

Learn more about Boston University School of Public Health’s Online MPH

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