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?
G12) Is the MPH Program at WSU accredited?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION about Admission Requirements.

A1)   Why is a college-level math class required of most applicants?
A2)    What math classes do you recommend?
A3)    Does the requirement regarding having a math class 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, project 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 Graduate Certificate in Public Health Practice Program (GC-PHP) requires only 15 credits of course work as opposed to the 42 credits required for the MPH degree 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. Physicians and other health professionals who are waiting to obtain a residency can complete the GC-PHP within one year and if not accepted into a residency can transfer to the MPH and complete it in a second year. Others who already have a Master’s degree and are only interested in obtaining the certificate in order to enrich their career choices can obtain background and credentials in core areas of public health practice. Others who have not been in school for a long time and may feel more comfortable starting with a certificate program before taking on the full MPH degree. If you start in the Certificate program, you can apply to transfer to the Master’s program after completing 9-12 credits of coursework provided you are in good academic standing.

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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 usually complete the program within 2 years. Part time students are expected to take 1-2 classes most semesters and complete the program within 3-4 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 or in some cases, students have used vacation time. 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 the GC-PHP be completed within 3 years and the MPH degree be completed within six years.

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

Yes. The University does permit this. For example student enroll in a Ph.D. or a masters degree program and the MPH degree program simultaneously. Occasionally, a student may be enrolled in two Master’s programs or a Master’s and a 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://reg.wayne.edu/students/tuition.php .

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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?

Funds to support MPH students are limited – Please contact Student Financial Aid for details: http://finaid.wayne.edu/

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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 http://www.housing.wayne.edu.

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G12) Is the MPH Program at WSU accredited?

Yes. The MPH Program at WSU is accredited by the Council for Education for Public health (CEPH) through July, 2016. The CEPH is an independent agency recognized by the US Department of Education to acc4redit public health programs. More information may be found at www.ceph.org.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION about MPH Admission Requirements.

 

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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