Balancing Work, Life, and an Online MPH.
Advancing your education is often the key to reaching leadership positions and roles that shape the public health landscape. However, balancing work and school can be challenging which is why it’s important to choose a graduate degree program that provides a supportive environment for online students.
At Boston University, the online MPH is designed with working public health professionals in mind. We recognize that most of our learners are balancing work and school, and we want them to be able to have it all. When you enroll in our program, you will be set up with the resources and support systems needed for success in your personal, professional, and academic life.
Why Flexibility Matters for MPH Students
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is widely considered the next step for professionals who want to assume specialized or leadership roles in the field. As a result, most students who enroll are working professionals, and they often have family responsibilities or other obligations to manage. The support provided for balancing work and school (combined with the increased accessibility of advanced technology) has made the online MPH more appealing, with many students citing flexibility as the main reason for their enrollment.
In today’s higher education landscape, online degree programs provide the same academic rigor and value as traditional formats. And they offer a variety of options for modern learners, such as asynchronous learning opportunities, hybrid options, and pacing control.
For example, Boston University’s online MPH is designed specifically for working professionals with experience in public health. The curriculum is divided into modules, with students expected to complete one module per semester. Each module consists of two graduate-level courses and requires a time commitment of about 20 hours per week. The flexibility and autonomy appeal to students who are balancing work and school while also allowing them to develop the skills needed to address key public health challenges.
How to Balance Work, Life, and an Online MPH Program
While flexibility is one of the greatest advantages of an online MPH, it also requires strong organization and self-discipline. Developing habits that support both your personal and professional goals will help you stay on track. The following strategies can help you balance coursework, career responsibilities, and everyday life.
Create a Realistic Schedule
Knowing your limits and creating a realistic schedule are essential to your success as an online MPH student. Of course, pacing can be a challenge, particularly for those who are motivated to complete their degree program as quickly as possible. While it may seem ambitious to try to accelerate your path toward graduation, it’s important to set a sustainable pace that allows you to fully master the course material.
Online graduate students can manage their time effectively by:
- Planning daily schedules in advance. You should block out time for work and personal obligations, then identify windows of time when you can work on your module deliverables. Designating time each day to complete small tasks — such as watching a video lecture or finishing a reading assignment — will make your weekly goals more manageable.
- Using a digital calendar and sharing it with those who need to be informed of your schedule. For example, if you are managing family responsibilities while balancing work and school, a shared calendar will keep your partner informed of when you are handling schoolwork and when you are free to help with household tasks.
- Blocking out time for self-care. Balancing work and school alongside family commitments can be incredibly overwhelming, and it may be tempting to take self-care off the schedule. However, making time for yourself is essential to protecting your mental health and preventing burnout.
For inspiration, you can take the lead from Malu Foley, an online MPH student who enrolled in the program while working as a full-time business consultant. Although she was originally worried that an online program would lack human connection, she quickly found the online MPH to be flexible, versatile, and engaging. After enrolling, she carefully organized her daily schedule, carving out time to complete her graduate degree while still giving it her all as a business consultant.
By proactively communicating your availability with your employers and family, you can create a comprehensive schedule that helps you succeed academically without neglecting your other responsibilities. In most cases, employers and family members will appreciate your transparency and honesty, and they may be willing to give you additional flexibility as you work toward earning your degree.
Leverage Support Services to Stay on Track
When exploring online MPH programs, it’s worth choosing one that offers the support, quality, and community to help you succeed. Boston University has created an online MPH Student Support Team designed to provide personalized support for students.
Here are some of the support services that can help you stay on track:
- Technical Support — Advanced technical support helps you effectively leverage the power of technology within your degree program and assists with any malfunctions.
- Learning Facilitators — Learning facilitators are subject matter experts who support online students through regular communication to assist with all course-related material.
- Student Success Specialists — The Student Success team is dedicated to helping you thrive in the online MPH program—offering personalized support, encouragement, and strategies to help you stay engaged and succeed.
- Career Services — Online tools and platforms support career resources by helping students engage in public health practice. Our office of Career Services offers networking opportunities, employment listings, and other career development resources that connect students with real-world experiences.
- Student Affinity Group — By helping peers connect with one another, student support groups play a pivotal role in forging connections and improving engagement within an online format.
- Student Ambassadors — Student Ambassadors serve as a bridge between students and administrators, providing feedback that informs the ongoing development of the program.
Recognizing that online learning environments have both benefits and drawbacks, Boston University has actively worked to create a nurturing online MPH program that appeals specifically to working professionals. Ultimately, the resources available to online students can significantly reduce stress, which helps when balancing work and school.
Set Expectations and Give Yourself Grace
Remember, balancing work and school doesn’t mean that you have to achieve perfection. For most online MPH students, it’s a learning curve that involves adapting to schedules and responsibilities as needed. As you begin your courses and establish the pace that works for you, it’s important to properly manage your commitments. Be aware of the signs of burnout, and always protect your own peace.
Successfully completing your online MPH while working or managing other obligations is entirely possible. In fact, the majority of students in the program are working professionals from fields such as nursing, education, pharmacy, business, and public service. With thoughtful planning and commitment, many professionals find that pursuing an MPH complements their ongoing careers rather than competing with them.
Balancing Work and School is Possible — Learn More About Boston University’s Online MPH Program Today
You don’t have to sacrifice your personal life or your professional goals to earn your graduate degree. The online MPH at Boston University is designed for modern learners like you — students who are trying to make it all work while furthering their education. Our nationally recognized School of Public Health offers an online MPH program with a flexible, skills-based curriculum that emphasizes health equity, allowing you to develop an advanced understanding of the evolving public health landscape.
Learn more about our online MPH program and the Student Support Team that is in place to help you succeed from the moment you enroll until the day that you graduate. Now could be the time to pursue your master’s in public health. Apply to Boston University today.