Recommended Preparation

In addition to the minimum requirements and general criteria, each field of specialization has particular criteria used in evaluating applicants. Although no specific undergraduate major is required for admission to any of the programs in the College of Public Health, certain courses or content may be required as prerequisites or recommended.

Biostatistics

The most important background for biostatistics is good preparation in mathematics, especially courses in calculus and linear algebra. A first course in probability and statistics is desirable, and any applied statistics courses will be helpful. Close attention will be paid to grades in quantitative courses of any kind. Verbal and quantitative GRE scores should individually be 600 or above, and many students will score well above that, especially on the quantitative portion.

 

Clinical Investigation

The curriculum in clinical investigation draws heavily on epidemiology and biostatistics, so students should be prepared for the quantitative demands of those fields. In addition, because of the nature of the work, the specialization in clinical investigation is limited to persons who have a clinically-related doctorate (e.g., MD, DO, DDS, DVM, PharmD) or who are in a combined degree program for that degree along with the MPH.

 

Environmental Health Sciences

A strong undergraduate curriculum in life sciences is recommended. Applicants need to have sufficient science background for the heavy emphasis on toxicology in environmental health sciences. Verbal and quantitative GRE scores should individually be 600 or above.

 

Epidemiology

Students should have experience and strength in undergraduate mathematics and quantitative courses. Prior courses in statistics are helpful. GRE verbal and quantitative scores are both important, and the combined total should be at least 1200. The analytical writing score should be at the fiftieth percentile or higher.

 

Health Behavior and Health Promotion

Applicants should complete academic programs that allow them to develop good analytical and communication skills. Students are admitted from a wide variety of majors. Ideally, the applicant's record includes demonstrated excellence in the social and/or health sciences as well as coursework in quantitative methods. Applicants should also have work and/or volunteer experience that contributes to their career interests in health behavior and health promotion.

 

Health Services Management and Policy

Applicants should choose majors that allow them to develop good analytical and communication skills. Regardless of major, the student's record should show rigorous courses in quantitative and verbal skills. The MHA and MPH degrees require one introductory course in financial accounting as a prerequisite. Applicants may apply without having taken an accounting course, but need to complete it before starting the program. Introductory courses in economics and statistics are strongly recommended. In addition, it is preferred, but not required, that MHA applicants have had some work experience.

For the MHA

The MHA degree is intended primarily to prepare students for a career in professional practice. Students need to have the academic potential to succeed in a rigorous graduate program, and thus must have evidence in their records that they can do so. Generally undergraduate grades should meet the Graduate School standard of a grade point average of 3.0 or better, and admissions test scores should show ability in every area (verbal, quantitative, analytical writing).

Every applicant's file is reviewed as a whole. Factors such as relevant prior work experience, community service activities, leadership, and communication skill are considered. In addition, the program evaluates the applicant's motivation for and commitment to assuming a leadership role in improving the delivery and financing of health services, both as found in the applicant's statement of purpose for graduate study, and as evidenced by prior activities and experience. Applicants need to be aware that admission is competitive, and they must show evidence of strong academic performance and potential. The MHA program enrolls approximately 25-30 new students each year, so that students can have close interaction with the faculty and fellow students.

The program is designed to be accessible to persons with a broad range of backgrounds and no specific undergraduate degree is expected. Nonetheless, applicants whose majors require them to develop good analytical and communication skills and whose records include rigorous courses that develop quantitative and verbal skills will be best prepared to succeed in the program. The MHA degree requires one introductory course in financial accounting as a prerequisite.  Applicants may apply without having taken an accounting course, but need to complete it before starting the program.  Introductory courses in economics and statistics are strongly recommended. In addition, it is preferred, but not required, that MHA applicants have had some work experience.

 

Program for Experienced Professionals

Students in the MPH Program for Experienced Professionals (PEP) are chosen based on a combination of characteristics. They must first have the academic skills to succeed in the curriculum and benefit from it, as measured by traditional indicators. PEP students are also expected to bring a significant experience base to their cohort in the program, and show potential for leadership positions in public health. Thus admission is limited to persons who either have at least an undergraduate degree and two or more years of health-related work experience, or a relevant doctoral degree and at least one year of health-related work experience.

 

Veterinary Public Health

Applicants to the MPH specialization in veterinary public health must have completed a bachelor's degree with a strong science background. Courses in microbiology, biosecurity, physiology, genetics, and/or related subjects are desirable, and student performance in these courses is considered. GRE scores should be competitive at the graduate level. GRE scores may be waived for professionals with doctoral degrees (e.g. MD, DVM) that have a GPA above 3.0 during their undergraduate and professional training and several years of appropriate experience in the field.