School of Medicine

Wayne State University School of Medicine















 

 

Frequently Asked Questions - Master of Public Health Degree

GENERAL INFORMATION to help prospective students decide if an MPH at WSU is right for them.

G1)   Why should I study public health at Wayne State University?
G2)   What types of jobs do graduates find?
G3)   How do I know if the Graduate Certificate is a better choice for me?
G4)   Is the program designed for both part time and full time students?
G5)   When are classes offered?
G6)   How many years do I have to complete the MPH?
G7)   Can I be enrolled in two programs at the same time?
G8)   How much does it cost to obtain a degree in this program?
G9)   How long must I have resided in Michigan before I am eligible for resident tuition?
G10)  Is financial aid available for MPH students?
G11) Are university housing opportunities available?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION about Admission Requirements.

A1)   Why is a college-level math class in the last 5 years required of most applicants?
A2)    What math classes do you recommend?
A3)    Does the requirement regarding having a math class in the last 5 years apply to practicing physicians?
A4)    How many credits can I transfer into the program?
A5)    Which test scores are required?
A6)    What are acceptable GRE scores?
A7)    I'm a licensed physician practicing in the USA . Do I have to take the GRE?
A8)    I was born in a country other than the USA but I am a graduate of a US college or university. Do I need to take the TOEFL?
A9)    What is an acceptable TOEFL score?
A10)   How often do you accept applications?
A11)   How many students are accepted each year?
A12)   Do I have to apply to the university as well as apply to the MPH program?

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION to help prospective students decide if an MPH at WSU is right for them.

 

G1) Why should I study public health at Wayne State University?

  • Quality program offered in the evening
  • Can complete program on full-time or part-time basis
  • Practicum and research experiences in urban settings
  • Cost effective tuition rates
  • Small classes
  • Opportunities to participate in faculty research

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G2) What types of jobs do graduates find?

This program provides every student with a strong foundation in general research skills, health promotion and prevention, urban community health issues, the organization of health care, and current health care policy issues. Students' choice of concentration, electives, practicum, and research project will partially determine their career direction. Additionally, many students are building on their past skills and experience, so the type of job they take after completing the MPH degree is partially based on their previous work. Common job positions are in health care management, planning, evaluation, and research. Job titles include: community health educator, patient education coordinator, planning coordinator, research analyst, health planner, program specialist, and health policy analyst.

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G3) How do I know if the Graduate Certificate is a better choice for me?

The Certificate program is only 15-16 credits as opposed to the 42 credits required for the Master's program. The Master's degree requires a research project and practicum in addition to 36 hours of coursework. Some students choose the certificate because they do not have the time to complete a Master's program. Others have not been in school for a long time and feel more comfortable starting with a certificate program. Others already have a Master's degree and are only interested in obtaining certification in Public Health.

If you start in the Certificate program, you can apply to transfer to the Master's program. You are still required to fulfill all admission requirements for the MPH and acceptance is not guaranteed. The application for the certificate program can be found at: http://www.med.wayne.edu/fam/mph

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G4) Is the program designed for both part time and full time students?

Yes. Full time students are expected to take 3 classes most semesters and complete the program in 2 years. Part time students are expected to take 2 classes most semesters and complete the program in 3 years.

Your advisor will help you develop a Plan of Work to guide you through the program.

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G5) When are classes offered?

Most classes are offered at 5 pm to accommodate the needs of employed students. Some electives are offered during the day. Practicum hours often must be completed during the day. There are no weekend courses at this time.

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G6) How many years do I have to complete the MPH?

The University requires that Master's degrees are completed in six years.

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G7) Can I be enrolled in two programs at the same time?

Yes. The university does permit this. Usually the student is enrolled in a Ph.D. or Ed.D. program and the Master's program simultaneously. Occasionally, a student may be enrolled in two Master's programs or a Master's and Certificate program. Be sure to discuss this decision with advisors in both programs to ensure that it is the right decision for you.

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G8) How much does it cost to obtain a degree in this program?

The MPH program currently requires 42 credits. Tuition rates per credit hour can be found at http://sdcl.wayne.edu/registrar/feesgeninfo .

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G9) How long must I have resided in Michigan before I am eligible for resident tuition?

You must have been a resident for a minimum of 6 months prior to the first day of classes in order to receive resident tuition. Residents of Ontario , Canada , and residents of Fulton, Lucas, Ottawa and Williams counties in Ohio who enroll at Wayne State University in academic programs will have the non- resident portion of fees waived.

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G10) Is financial aid available for MPH students?

No, WSU does not offer financial aid for MPH students.

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G11) Are university housing opportunities available?

Yes. Graduate housing is available at The Towers. The majority of the rooms are suite style, containing four bedrooms attached to a shared living space. There are also studio rooms. Within the building there is a café style dining hall, a mini Barnes and Noble Bookstore and multiple fitness rooms. For more information visit the Office of Housing and Residential Life web site at www.centerofitall.wayne.edu or call (313) 577-2116.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION about MPH Admission Requirements.

 

A1) Why is a college-level math class in the last 5 years required of most applicants?

Biostatistics is a required course for all MPH students. Success in statistics requires that students have adequate math skills. Past experience has demonstrated that students whose math skills are rusty have a difficult time in biostatistics. We want all our students to be successful.

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A2) What math classes do you recommend?

The acceptable courses offered at WSU are :

MAT 1800 Elementary Functions. Cr.4 or STA 1020 Elementary Statistics. CR.3

You will need to contact the math department about placement tests if you want to take a math course at WSU. More information is available at: http://www.math.wayne.edu/ If you take a class at another university, make sure that it is a college-level course, not a remedial, high school level course. The Graduate Officer may wish to approve the syllabus for a math course taken off campus, before you register.

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A3) Does the requirement regarding having a math class in the last 5 years apply to practicing physicians?

In some cases we will waive the math requirement for practicing physicians. As noted above, success in biostatistics requires good math skills. Our requirement is a college-level degree course (or equivalent) which is typically about 45 hours of class time. Most medical schools do not provide that many hours of biostatistics. If you are in doubt about your math skills, you should take the WSU Math Department's placement exam to evaluate your proficiency. More information is available at: http://www.math.wayne.edu/

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A4) How many credits can I transfer into the program?

The University does not allow departments to accept more than six graduate credits at ?B? or better. Transfer credits must be appropriate to the MPH degree and are handled on a case by case basis. You need to provide syllabi from past classes for review.

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A5) Which test scores are required?

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) verbal and quantitative scores are required. The institution code for Wayne State University in 1898.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required when English is not the primary language. Official copies of scores must be submitted; a student cannot be officially admitted until they are received.

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A6) What are acceptable GRE scores?

We evaluate all of a student's credentials and the GRE is part of the package. Success in the MPH program requires good verbal and quantitative skills. Hitherto successful applicants have submitted scores on the verbal reasoning section of the GRE at or above the 60th percentile level and on the quantitative reasoning section at or above the 55th percentile level. http://www.gre.org/pracmats.html#gentest . Individuals who have already completed a graduate level degree, or are licensed practicing physicians, dentists or equivalent health professional in the USA can apply for a waiver of this GRE requirement (see supplementary application form) http://www.med.wayne.edu/fam/mph .

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A7) I'm a licensed physician practicing in the USA . Do I have to take the GRE?

Physicians who are licensed to practice in the USA and who are actively working in health care are not required to take the GRE.

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A8) I was born in a country other than the USA but I am a graduate of a US college or university. Do I need to take the TOEFL?

In this case, the TOEFL is waived.

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A9) What is an acceptable TOEFL score?

WSU requires a minimum TOEFL score on the paper version of the exam of 550. On the computer-based test, the minimum acceptable score is 213. An adequate essay score is between 5.5 and 6.0.

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A10) How often do you accept applications?

MPH students are accepted for fall semester only. It is strongly recommended that foreign students submit their applications by January 1 and that USA students do so by February 15 to be considered for admission the following fall. After this deadline, applications will be considered until the program is full.

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A11) How many students are accepted each year?

At this point, approximately 15.

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A12) Do I have to apply to the university as well as apply to the MPH program?

Yes, this is extremely important. Wayne State University Graduate School admits you to graduate study. Send an ?Apply Yourself? application (which is available at http://www.gradadmissions.wayne.edu), fees, and arrange for all official transcripts to be sent to:

Wayne State University
Graduate School Admissions
The Welcome Center , Suite # 436
42 W. Warren
Detroit , MI 48202

The Graduate School requirements are minimum standards that must be met by all graduate students, regardless of their program of study. Like most departments, the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences requires a supplemental application to address requirements specific to the MPH degree. Students must submit the MPH Supplemental Application, resume, personal interest statement, three (3) letters of recommendation, and verification of all requirements to:

MPH Office
Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences
101 Alexandrine
Wayne State University
Detroit MI 48201
Application materials are available at: http://www.med.wayne.edu/fam/mph/

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