Frequently Asked Questions about the Public Health Major

When can I apply?
You can apply at any time during the semester or over the summer.  It generally takes a week or two to hear back.  If your GPA is below 2.5, your application is held until the current semester’s grades come in.

Can I minor in Public Health?
No.  There is no established minor.  The program has only been in existence since April 2007, so the focus has been on the requirements for a Major only.

Can I double major in Public Health?
Yes.  The earlier you identify your interest in Public Health, the better.  Still, students who enter the program as Juniors—if they’re up to date with credits and university requirements—can generally finish on time.  Depending on what the second major is, some of those classes usually can count toward the Major’s Collateral Field requirement. 

If I want to apply should I meet with an advisor?
If you’re interested in the Major, there are group advising sessions several times during the semester:  two during add/drop and two during the advising period prior to registration.  Each semester these advising times will be posted on the website and you can sign up to attend.  These sessions cover information about Public Health in general; the Major in particular; classes; requirements; practicum/independent study options; and study abroad considerations.  They are also an opportunity to ask questions and meet others interested in the Major. 

How do I get into closed classes?
Because the program is new, the required PUBHLTH classes fill up quickly.  We are currently adding sections of both PUBHLTH 129 and PUBHLTH 320.  Generally, once you are accepted into the Major, it’s not an issue to add a required class.  However, courses that fulfill other parts of the public health requirement (foundation classes, collateral field classes, and math and statistics classes) are not under our jurisdiction.  You’ll need to contact professors or departments and find out how they each handle closed courses.  Additionally, as part of your collateral field, or as arranged with your Advisor, you may wish to take a class that is closed to non-majors in that department.  Still, you might contact the professor, explain how you’re incorporating the course into your Public Health studies and see if they’ll make an exception.  Often times, professors are interested in the public health perspective and will allow you to register.  It’s always a case-by-case basis, though, and it helps to approach all faculty and staff with respect and courtesy.

Do I need a RAC code to register?  How about meeting with my Advisor?
There is no RAC code needed to register.  Lynn Koerbel, the Chief Undergraduate Advisor, meets with groups of students prior to registration periods in order to answer general questions and share information about various options.  This is an excellent opportunity for students to share information as well.  Click here to see postings of scheduled advising sessions.

It is imperative that you regularly check your Academic Requirements Report (SPIRE's new version of degree progress report), noting requirements you need for both the university and the Major.  Also, you are entirely responsible for making sure you complete the necessary 120 credits to graduate.  If you have questions about SPIRE or university requirements outside of the Public Health Sciences Major, please see the Registrar. 

We send out websites and other good information before registration to help in your course selection.  We also depend on your feedback about particularly good classes you’ve taken—especially if the instructors are open to public health students’ perspectives. 

How is advising done?
First:  Advising is NOT about telling you what to take or what to do in the Major.  The Major Advisor, the Program Director, faculty, and any Peer Advisors are interested in helping you think about the field and your individual interests and supporting and empowering you to find coursework, internships, and opportunities that will give you the best in-class and experiential learning for what you’re passionate about—or that will help you find that. 

A lot of what happens in initial group advising sessions  is getting clear on what Public Health is, what the Major offers, and what you’re interested in.  If you have a feeling Public Health is for you but haven’t found a particular focus for yourself—that’s ok!  Many Public Health students enter the Major unsure or with only a vague idea of a particular direction in Public Health.  It’s a broad, diverse discipline.  There are many websites of interest on the program’s main webpage, and that’s a good place to start if you’re interested in learning more about the field.  

Since Public Health is so diverse and interdisciplinary, the freedom of choice in the major is sometimes overwhelming.  However, if you’re excited to think about connections between disciplines, challenging yourself to think outside the box, and interested in creative problem-solving—Public Health has a lot to offer.  So advising is really about helping you think about your interests and making connections to departments and programs on campus. While we want to encourage your curiosity and interests, it’s also part of your responsibility to investigate courses in other departments.  To support you in doing that, prior to each registration period, we send out a list of good classes and websites that can help you choose. 

Students are also encouraged to contact Lynn Koerbel, the Academic Advisor, for assistance and support via e-mail:  lkoerbel@schoolph.umass.edu.  If you are facing academic problems, are encountering issues that need more individual attention, or are planning to study abroad and need to discuss individual classes that can fulfill requirements, uou can make an appointment with her to talk more in depth. When you meet, always bring your most recent degree progress report and whatever form you use to track your major requirements. 

What is Capstone 490B
The Capstone course is designed to be a culminating academic experience of the learning and coursework completed in the public health major.  The result of the class is a research project, program, or other public health intervention or study that draws from all the theories and experiences in the undergraduate Major along with the student's individual interests.

Most students present their Capstone project/paper at the state-wide undergraduate research day in late spring.

Commonwealth College students CAN do a combined capstone (NOT duplicate--but can integrate both).  Please make an appointment to see Lynn Koerbel at lkoerbel@schoolph.umass.edu or Dan Gerber at gerber@schoolph.umass.edu if you do plan on doing a combined captstone.

What is the Program’s perspective on internships?
We highly recommend you take advantage of any volunteer or formal internship programs!  The program’s coursework requirements cover the basic areas of public health, laying a general and sound foundation.  But experience in the field offers a perspective that classroom learning just cannot replicate. 

Are there specific internships I can apply for?
There are a few internships that are ongoing from year to year.  There are more internships that come in, regularly, from various organizations around the area looking for students.  You’ll receive information from these via e-mail and you are encouraged to read all of them, since some e-mails contain several opportunities. 

However, you are encouraged to investigate possible internships on your own.  Your hometown, parents, friends of parents—these are all good sources for internship sites as well as informational interviews and career “shadowing” experiences.  Many students enter Public Health because of a personal story, a helpful relationship or inspiring event (even if it’s inspiring in what not to do!).  These experiences can be useful in making personal connections with people who are usually very interested in mentoring and supporting young people in the field.  You are encouraged to follow-up on these kinds of interactions. 

When do internships happen—during the school year or over the summer?
Internships can occur either during the regular semester or over the summer.  There are some important logistics to take into account:  Internships taken during the school year are part of your regular tuition.  Internships that you take part in over the summer and wish to receive credit for must be paid for separately, through Continuing and Professional Education. If you are not looking to receive credit, we highly encourage you to set up the internship and know that just having it on your resume (even without course credit) is a strength you take into the workplace. For some students, paying for the credits over the summer makes their schedule of classes more feasible (lighter credit load).  This might be particularly true for a science track student who uses internship credits toward the collateral field requirement—and taking only 12 credits of math or science requirements during the regular semester.  It’s good to think through your options. 

Credits for internships can range from 1-9, although the norm is 3 per semester, with no more than 9 total credits allowed for internships and independent study work for your entire undergraduate career.  Three credits is equivalent to 125 hours of work for the semester. This works out to roughly 8-9 hours a week for 13 weeks, with journaling and a final summary paper included. 

Are there abroad programs specifically for public health?
There are a few.  But many students find that if a program isn’t specific to public health, they can find collateral field courses or equivalent foundation courses they can apply.  This is an important consideration to go over with the program advisor.  You must gain approval for your major requirements prior to going abroad, so plan accordingly.

Like internships, study abroad can be a rich learning experience and we encourage students to take the opportunity to travel, live and study in other contexts.