A1) Why is a college-level math class required of most applicants?
Biostatistics is a required course for all GC-PHP and 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 and therefore prefer that students have taken a college level math course in the last 5 years.
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A2) What math classes do you recommend?
The acceptable courses offered at WSU are : MAT 1050 Algebra and Trigonometry or MAT 1000 Mathematics in Today’s World
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. You should consult with the MPH Graduate Student Officer to obtain approval of a syllabus for a math course taken off campus, before you register.
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A3) Does the requirement regarding having a math class apply to practicing physicians?
Yes. As noted above, success in biostatistics requires good math skills. Our requirement is a college-level degree course (or equivalent) which is typically about 32-45 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 MPH Program but not the GC-PHP, does allow transfer of graduate credits at a grade of B or better provided they have not been part of an earned degree. Transfer credits must be appropriate to the MPH degree and are handled on a case by case basis. You will 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 is 1898.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required when English is not the primary language. Official copies of scores must be submitted to the Graduate School as part of the application process. 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 Graduate Record Examination General Test scores for both MPH and Graduate Certificate in Public Health Practice (GC-PHP) applications. Success in these programs requires good verbal and quantitative reasoning skills together with proficiency in analytical writing. Hitherto, successful applicants have submitted scores on the verbal reasoning section of the GRE at or above the 60th percentile level, on the quantitative reasoning section at or above the 55th percentile level, and on the analytical writing section at or above the 50th percentile (http://www.ets.org/gre ) . Individuals who have already completed a graduate level degree (Ph.D.,MA, MS, MSN, MBA) etc: can apply for a waiver of the GRE requirement. Physicians who have passed USMLE Part I and other US licensed health professionals (DOM, DDS, DVM, Pharm D, etc) without the GRE can apply to the GC-PHP (but not the MPH) with a request for a waiver of the GRE requirement. On completion of 9-12 credit hours students with good academic standing can transfer all earned course credits from the GC-PHP to an MPH degree plan of work. 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 are required to take the GRE or alternatively first apply to the Graduate Certificate Program requesting a waiver of the GRE and then if in good academic standing after completing 9-12 credit hours can transfer all earned course credits to the MPH Program.
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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 requirement 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?
Each year MPH applicants are accepted for the Fall semester only. All material for review must be submitted by June 1st at the latest. It is strongly recommended that international students submit their applications early. GC-PHP applications must be received by June 1st for Fall, October 1st for Winter and April 1st for Spring semester admissions.
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A11) How many students are accepted each year?
At this point, approximately 15 -25.
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A12) Do I have to apply to the university as well as apply to the MPH program?
You apply to the MPH and GC-PHP Programs on line at the Graduate Admissions website and will be required to meet both Graduate School and program specific requirements. Apply online at http://www.gradadmissions.wayne.edu, provide admission fees, and arrange for all official transcripts to be submitted directly from your colleges including from WSU.
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 supplemental information to address requirements specific to the MPH degree and the GC-PHP Program. In order to expedite the review process, students must submit on line unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, licensure examination scores if required, list examples of prerequisite courses passed, provide a resume, and a personal interest statement, as well as arrange three (3) letters of recommendation. Applications will not be reviewed until all materials have been submitted.
Further information can be found at: http://www.med.wayne.edu/fam/mph/
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MPH Program
Admission Requirements