Graduate Public Health Programs for Veterans & Military
Your Service Is a Head Start in Public Health
At a glance
GI Bill accepted
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) for all eligible graduate programs
Yellow Ribbon Program
Additional funding beyond the GI Bill cap, up to 10 students per year
30+ graduate programs
MPH, MS, DrPH, and PhD programs across public health disciplines
Online options available
Fully online MPH programs for students still serving or recently separated
Dedicated VA certifying official
One person handles all VA benefit certification for WSPH students
From the Field to Public Health — the Connection Is Closer Than You Think.
Veterans and active-duty service members already know what public health demands. You've protected the people around you, managed complex systems under pressure, and made decisions where the stakes were real. At Tulane, that background isn't something we ask you to set aside — it's something we build on.
Whether you're transitioning out of service or looking to advance your career while still serving, a graduate degree in public health from Tulane gives you the tools to lead in one of the most mission-driven fields there is. And we make it as straightforward as possible to get here: we accept Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for every eligible graduate program, participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, and have a dedicated certifying official specifically for WSPH students.
Public health careers span the VA, the CDC, FEMA, global health organizations, and federal agencies — familiar environments for people who've served.
If you've worked in defense health, intelligence, or crisis response, this program was made for professionals like you. The MS in Health Security sits at the intersection of public health, emergency preparedness, and national security policy - bridging the two worlds many veterans already live in.
If you've spent your service paying attention to how environments affect the people working in them - this is the program that formalizes and deepens that expertise. The MSPH in Industrial Hygiene prepares graduates to become Certified Industrial Hygienists, with direct applications in military, federal, and civilian occupational health settings.
This fully online program is designed for working professionals - including those still in service or recently separated. You'll learn to lead community health programs from wherever you are, on a schedule that works around your life.
Epidemiology is the science of tracking, analyzing, and stopping the spread of disease across populations. Military personnel and veterans with experience in field medicine, data analysis, or strategic operations will find the transition to this work intuitive - you already think in systems.
Veterans with backgrounds in hazardous materials, environmental monitoring, or industrial safety will recognize a great deal of this work. This program prepares you to protect communities from environmental and occupational health threats - a direct extension of the work many service members have already been doing.
If you've deployed abroad and seen firsthand how instability, poverty, and infrastructure failures shape health outcomes, this program gives you the framework to address those problems at scale.
Understanding the laws, funding structures, and policy systems that drive public health decisions - at every level, from local communities to federal agencies - is its own kind of operational knowledge. This program builds it.
If you've managed budgets, led teams, or navigated the operational complexity of a military health system, the MHA translates that experience directly into healthcare leadership - including at the VA.
Senior military leaders already know that the hardest health problems aren't clinical - they're social. Food insecurity on base. Mental health stigma in the ranks. The downstream effects of repeated deployment on families and communities.
You've operated in environments where health systems barely exist, where the mission depended on understanding local infrastructure, building trust across cultures, and making decisions with incomplete data.
GI Bill & Yellow Ribbon Benefits at Tulane
Tulane's School of Public Health is fully committed to making this work financially for students who've served. Here's exactly what's available and how it works.
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
Tulane accepts GI Bill benefits for all eligible graduate programs at the School of Public Health - online and on-campus. If you're entitled to the full benefit, the GI Bill covers tuition up to the annual cap set by the VA, plus a monthly housing allowance and a books-and-supplies stipend.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Tulane participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program for WSPH graduate students. The Yellow Ribbon benefit covers tuition costs that exceed the GI Bill's annual cap - with Tulane and the VA splitting the difference. Up to 10 WSPH students per year are eligible, and spots are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. If you're planning to apply, contact us early.
Your dedicated VA certifying official
Susan Cantrell handles VA benefit certification specifically for WSPH graduate students. She's your go-to for getting everything in place before you enroll - and for navigating any questions that come up along the way.
Susan Cantrell
VA Certifying Official, Tulane School of Public Health
Already using GI Bill benefits at another institution? You'll need a new VA form and Tulane's Veterans Enrollment Form each term. Susan can walk you through the process.
Common Questions About Using VA Benefits at Tulane
Does Tulane's School of Public Health accept the GI Bill?
Yes. Tulane's School of Public Health accepts Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits for all eligible graduate programs, including online programs.
Is Tulane in the Yellow Ribbon Program?
Yes. Tulane participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program for WSPH graduate students. Up to 10 students per year receive Yellow Ribbon funding, which covers tuition above the GI Bill's annual cap. Spots are first-come, first-served. Contact our admissions team or Susan Cantrell early in your application process to confirm availability.
Can I complete an MPH at Tulane while still on active duty?
Yes. Several of our programs, including the MPH in Community Health Sciences, the MSPH in Industrial Hygiene or the MS in Health Security, are fully online and designed for working professionals, including active-duty service members. You can apply and enroll regardless of your duty station.
Does Tulane waive the GRE for veterans or military applicants?
No GRE is required for any WSPH program.
How do I start the VA certification process at Tulane?
Contact Susan Cantrell, Tulane's VA certifying official for WSPH students, as early as possible - ideally before you're admitted. She'll walk you through the steps. Reach her at cantrell@tulane.edu or 504-988-7642.
Ready to Take the Next Step? Admissions requirements and application process
Veterans and active-duty students follow the same admissions process as all WSPH applicants. Most programs accept applications three times a year — which means you don't have to put your life on hold to find the right entry point.
Admissions deadlines
Deadlines vary by program type, modality, and degree level. The table below shows general final deadlines — check our detailed deadlines page for your specific program.
| Term | Online final deadline | On-campus final deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | July 1 | June 15 |
| Spring | December 1 | December 1 |
| Summer | April 1 | March 15 |
We encourage military applicants to reach out before applying — our team understands deployment schedules, PCS moves, and the realities of separating from service. If you have questions about timing or your specific situation, just ask.
Contact our admissions team:
Meet Us in Person
While we don't have any in-person event dedicated to service members or veterans planned at the moment, we'll he happy to meet you virtually, or at one our upcoming events.
Can't make? Fill out the form below and we'll be in touch.
Contact Us
WSPH Admissions Office
If you have any questions about our programs and the admissions process, please get in touch with our admissions office at sphtmadmissions@tulane.edu, or fill out the form.
WSPH Certifying Official
Susan Cantrell
504-988-7642 | cantrell@tulane.edu
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits is available at benefits.va.gov/gibill.
