FAQ
1. What do I need to apply to the program?
Although we will not exclude applications from people with less experience from consideration, we give high priority to applicants with at least two years of professional experience in the field of public health. The application has 5 basic components: (1) your undergraduate GPA, (2) your GRE scores, (3) your work experience (or resume), (4) letters of reference, and (5) your personal statement. All 5 elements are carefully considered to get a better understanding of the applicant. The admissions committee pays particular attention to the personal statements.
2. What should go into one’s personal statement in the MPH application?
The Admissions Committee is looking for two key points: first, the candidate has a clear understanding of the field, based on experience and personal and professional interests; and second, the candidate demonstrates clear knowledge about how the MPH degree will advance their career goals and provide them with the skills, knowledge and qualifications they need to gain entry to the work they most want to do.
3. Does the program offer financial aid?
There are two basic forms of financial aid, that provided by the university and that provided by the school. Applicants should apply for financial aid from the university directly. The University offers a limited number of scholarships, job opportunities (such as a Resident Advisor) that include tuition & fee waivers, and federal loans. The School of Public Health & Health Sciences and the CHE program have no control or influence over these financial aid programs.
The primary form of financial aid offered by the CHE program comes in the form of employment as Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants. Generally, students work for 10 hours per week and get paid roughly $18 per hour. In addition, the most important benefit of TA & RA positions is that they include tuition & fee waivers, including out-of-state tuition, and health and childcare benefits. Thus, students typically earn over $3,000 per semester, and have approximately $3,000 in tuition and fees waived each semester. Currently, we are able to provide financial aid to over 90% of students in need. Interested students should contact individual faculty members to inquire about the availability of TA or RA positions.
4. Do I need to take the GREs? What are acceptable scores for admission? What if I do not score well on the GREs?
Yes. Applicants must have taken the GREs within the past 7 years. If you already have another Master’s or other advanced degree, we will consider waiving the requirement in response to a formal request submitted by you. As mentioned above, the GRE score by itself is not sufficient either to gain admission to the program or to deny entry.
5. Can I visit the program? How do I arrange that?
Yes. If you are ever in the area, please do contact us and we would be happy to arrange for you to meet with faculty and students and to attend classes if you want. We also have an annual Open House to which you are welcome and invited to attend (see School home page for information on the date of the next Open House).
6. Can I transfer course credits from another university?
You may transfer up to 6 credits from another institution. This includes courses taken as a “non-degree” student (see #8 below).
7. Is it possible to take courses on-line?
You may take up to 6 credits (usually 2 courses) on-line in the UMass MPH on-line degree program and apply them towards your degree program here. Please be aware that you must pay a separate fee for taking courses on-line.
8. Is it possible to take classes as a “non-degree” student?
Prior to one’s formal application and admission into a graduate degree program, the University of Massachusetts allows interested individuals to take up to 6 credits (typically, 2 classes) as a “non-degree” student. All that one needs to do is to pay for the classes, without submitting a formal application for admission.
9. Where do people go to work after completing your program?
Graduates work in a variety of settings, including state and local health departments, hospitals and community health centers, private non-profit agencies that deliver public health services, HMOs, educational institutions, in particular in student health services on college campuses and health programs in secondary schools, private business in wellness programs and employee assistance programs, and international health settings. (See Careers in CHE under “About” on our home page.)
The largest employer of public health graduates across the country is probably state and local health departments. In Massachusetts, however, due to our unique historical circumstances, public health services are largely delivered through a privatized “purchase-of-services” system, where contracts for implementing programs are put out to bid in a competitive application process. In this system, most public health services are delivered by private non-profit agencies, and hence, in Massachusetts, most of our graduates find jobs working at these types of agencies.
10. Do you accept student for admission in the Spring?
In general, no. The reason that we do not is that it puts students out of sequence with respect to the schedule of course offerings, and as a consequence, it often results in taking an extra semester to complete the program requirements. However, there are exceptions where we will consider an application for admission in the Spring under special circumstances. If you think that you may qualify, please contact us to discuss your situation.
11. What is the difference between the MPH and MS degree programs?
Most applicants enter our MPH program. It is sometimes called a "professional" or "terminal" degree, which means that students are expected to terminate their education at this point and not go on for doctoral education but rather work in their profession for the rest of their career. In contrast, the MS degree is designed for students who are interested in going on for their doctorate. The MS degree is research-oriented, where the MPH degree is oriented toward practitioners. MS Students are required to do additional coursework in research methods and biostatistics and they must complete a MS thesis that involves conducting original research. The MS degree program is highly recommended for students who think that they might eventually want to go on for their doctorate; completing an MS thesis provides invaluable experience in preparing for one's doctoral thesis.
It is important to note that having an MPH degree does not preclude one from applying for doctoral level studies, should you change your mind at some later point in your life. The MS degree provides certain advantages in applying to PhD programs, but it is quite common for applicants with an MPH degree to be accepted into doctoral programs.
If you have any further questions, please contact Dr. David Buchanan at buchanan@schoolph.umass.edu, or (413) 545-1005, or contact our department secretary, Ms. Gloria Seaman, at gjseaman@schoolph.umass.edu, or (413) 545-4603.
