New Mexico State University Masters of Social Work student Ashley Bellon, left, listens to Anna Nelson, center, assistant professor in the School of Social Work and Sue Forster-Cox, professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences, as they explain the public health social work dual master's degree program. The Masters of Public Health degree program has been ranked as one of the nation's best by the Top Masters in Public Health Degrees website. (NMSU photo by Jane Moorman)WRITER: Adriana M. Chavez, 575-646-1957, adchavez@nmsu.edu

New Mexico State University has been named as having one of the best online Masters of Public Health degree program in the nation by Top Masters in Public Health Degrees, a national rankings website.

The program was ranked 16th out of 50 in the U.S. According to Laura Kilmartin, the online relations specialist for the website, the ranking considered tuition, student to faculty ratio, and national recognition.

"Top Masters in Public Health Degrees' mission is to share expert knowledge on the best possible Master's in Public Health programs available in the United States," Kilmartin said.

The website noted that the Masters of Public Health program at NMSU, housed in the College of Health and Social Services, has a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1. The program is a 42 credit hour program that offers two concentrations: community health education and health management, policy and administration. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

"We are thrilled to have our MPH degree program recognized on a national level," said Donna Wagner, dean of the College of Health and Social Services at NMSU. "The MPH degree is a very popular degree among students. With an MPH, students have a wide variety of professional opportunities to serve their community, state and nation. The faculty in the MPH program is top notch and actively involved in state health activities as well as national professional organizations. Students who are interested in public health and health policy issues get a jump start on their careers by pursuing the MPH degree."

All Master of Public Health degree programs offered at NMSU are designed to accommodate working professionals while providing high-quality instruction. The graduate program began in fall 1996, received initial accreditation in 2000, and full accreditation in 2003 through the Council on Education for Public Health. The program is also a member of the Council of Accredited MPH programs and the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Fellows Program.

For information, visit http://www.topmastersinpublichealth.com/best/online-mph/ or https://publichealth.nmsu.edu/graduate-programs/mph/.