1. What kinds of career opportunities exist for people with this degree?
Research, project management, public health program management, work in governmental health
or social services programs, work in managed care.
2. How easy is it to get a job upon graduation?
Many students work as research assistants with faculty during the time they take classes.
These positions may lead to full time work upon graduation. The MSPH program maintains a
listing of job opportunities that come to us from the community and around the nation.
The MSPH program receives phone and email requests on a frequent basis for student workers/researchers.
3. What is the difference between an MSPH degree and an MPH degree?
Our MSPH degree denotes our faculty's interest in the Science aspect of the program. This
program requires a thesis or a publishable paper to complete the degree requirements. At one
time, the thesis requirement was a distinction of MSPH degrees, but that distinction does not
hold across all schools and programs. The important point is that accredited MSPH and MPH
degree programs that have a Generalist focus, such as ours, have to meet the same content
requirement (epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, behavioral health and health care systems).
One degree is not preferable to another.
4. How many students do you admit to the MSPH program?
Only one admission cycle per year exists. The class size is generally about 35 students.
Of the 35 students, six places are generally reserved for physicians and/or fellows who
must have the degree to sit for board certification exams.
5. How do I increase my chances of a strong application?
Meet the February first deadline with a complete file. Show strength in the GRE,
especially in the quantitative and analytic sections of the exam. Prepare a statement
of interest that is as specific as you can make it about why you need a graduate
degree in public health to accomplish your career goals. Provide recommendation
letters that can speak clearly to your academic potential.
6. Can I attend part time?
You must take at least two courses per quarter/semester until all course work is completed.
You must be registered every quarter/semester (except for the summer) until you have
completed your degree requirements. The program requires that you complete all degree
requirements within four years from entering the program.
7. Can I transfer courses to apply toward the degree?
The MSPH program director would have to evaluate the courses proposed for transfer and
determine whether such courses are acceptable for transfer. A maximum of 18 quarter
hours of credit is permitted to be transferred by the Graduate School.
