What will an MPH degree do for me?

A graduate degree, in one word, provides opportunity! The entry-level requirement for a management position in public health is a master's degree. The majority of our students work in public health-related fields and desire to move into a management position or enhance their skills-the MPH degree will provide them this opportunity. For students with limited public health experience, or those looking to transition their career into public health, an MPH degree can supplement their academic and professional experience by providing nationally recognized competencies.

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Is the MPH degree available entirely online?

Yes, the entire MPH degree can be completed without coming to campus. All core MPH courses are offered online at least once every two years. Most core courses are available at least once per year. The internship and capstone experiences can be completed within or near your community. While you don't have to come to DMU, you are welcome to visit for a tour, to meet your advisor or to participate in graduation!

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I can't decide between the MHA and the MPH programs. What is the difference between these two programs? When would I consider applying to the dual MHA/MPH Program?

The degree program you choose depends on how you see yourself fitting into the health care system. The kind of work you do - or would like to do - will influence your degree path. Each program offers a distinct course of study. The MHA Program emphasizes effective management and responsible oversight within the health care delivery system. The MPH program focuses on identifying, resolving, and preventing health problems that affect communities and populations. Beyond these foundations, both programs challenge students to lead their organizations toward satisfying the future wants and needs of their communities.

Simply put, an MHA Program emphasizes the history, organization, and professional make-up of the health care system and develops the business skills for the student to manage or lead health care organizations and cope with the changes as dictated by society, the economy, public policy, and the industry itself. Successfully managing within health care demands knowledge of what makes this industry so unique. It isn't that most health care facilities or organizations are non-profit entities, or that they employ a vast number of uniquely licensed professionals that makes it so unique. Perhaps it is the value that our society places on life and nursing back to health those who are ill. In essence the MHA is a business degree that focuses on the intricacies of the health care industry and prepares students to lead their organizations to meet, and even exceed, the needs of their communities.

An MPH degree is different. Public health takes a different view of health care-typically a more broad, community perspective. It focuses on identifying, resolving, and preventing health problems that affect communities and populations. The DMU Public Health Program is based upon nationally recognized, entry-level competencies that address changing health behaviors, the delivery of services in a culturally sensitive manner, service delivery with limited funding, and protecting the environment and ensuring the safety of homes, workplaces, and food and water supplies.

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Why earn a dual MHA/MPH degree?

There is naturally some overlap between the MHA and MPH programs. One of our objectives is to mesh the principles of public health - intervention and prevention - with traditional health services management.

Along with sharing some course work, both programs build upon a growing awareness that prevention and community health, when integrated into the health care delivery system, offer the greatest potential for optimal health.

Traditional health care (treatment of an isolated, single patient) is becoming an event of the past. The new system of delivering care needs to be built on a model that blends the fields of health care administration (designing and managing systems to delivery efficient and effective health care) and public health (a team-, data-, population-, and community-based focus). A dual MHA/MPH degree prepares students to respond and succeed to the new demands of the system.

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What if I don't have a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average? Will I be considered for admission?

The program has a recommended GPA of 3.0. Students who have a GPA below a 3.0 are encouraged to apply. Each individual application is reviewed for the student's ability to be successful within the program.

A conditional admission allows the program to admit students with a strong application and who show the potential for success but do not meet the GPA recommendation under a probationary status providing them an opportunity to begin their program of study while their performance is monitored by their advisor. A typical condition is that a student admitted with a condition is to complete a limit of 6 credit hours at DMU with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA. If the student meets the requirement of the condition, the condition is removed from their admission and they are given full admission to the program. If the student does not meet the requirement of their condition, their admission into the program is denied.

Why do we provide conditional admissions? The faculty of the MPH program believes that a student's past performance is one, and only one, indicator of their ability to succeed in a graduate-level program. We prefer to give students with less than perfect academic records a chance to further their education.

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Do I need to submit GMAT or GRE scores?

The program does not require submission of graduate testing scores (GMAT or GRE) unless the applicants' cumulative undergraduate grade point average is below average and the faculty request a test score to supplement the application documents to aid the admission decision. If you have already taken the exam, you are welcome to submit the scores and they will be added to your admission file. If you have not taken the exam, we advise you to wait and apply first. If it is determined that you do not meet the admission criteria, you may be asked to submit graduate testing scores to supplement your application. If your test scores are strong, they could provide the needed boost you will need to gain admission to the program.

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I have a full-time job and a family, is it really possible for me to work towards a graduate degree?

Most of our students work full-time, have families and many other commitments outside of school. The non-traditional structure of the MHA Program (evening/weekend on-campus courses, online courses, and full- or part-time attendance) provides a great deal of flexibility to students in completing the program. On average, students complete 6 credit hours or two courses each term. Courses are offered using a trimester system allowing us to offer courses year round. Course calendars are made available to allow students to plan their schedules around courses they need. Finally, faculty has an understanding of the demands on adult students and work with them to meet the requirements of the curriculum.

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How long do I have to complete the program? How long does it usually take students to complete the MPH degree?

As a part-time student, taking an average of 6 credit hours a trimester, year-round, you can complete the program in less than 2 years. Full-time students, taking an average of 9 credit hours a trimester, year-round, can complete the program in less than 18 months. It is important to note that a student's ability to meet these expectations is dependent on when they start the program, how many credits are taken each trimester, and the flexibility of the student to take courses when they are offered. All students have up to seven years to complete all degree requirements from the date they are admitted into the program.

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I noticed that there is an internship requirement for MPH students. How can I complete this and still work?

Students in the Master of Public Health Program are required to complete an internship. This experience is completed as an independent study where the student works with an MPH Internship Coordinator and an outside Preceptor to develop the goals and objectives of the experience. The internship schedule is developed by the student, approved by the preceptor and coordinator, and can be complete within up to a year from the date the student is registered for the course. The course flexibility was designed to allow students to complete a field experience while accommodating their work schedule and family obligations.

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When is the application deadline?

There is no deadline to apply for admission to the MHA program. Applications are accepted year-round. Individuals interested in applying for admission are encouraged to do so as soon as possible, as the application process can take four to six weeks or longer if the students' degrees were earned outside the United States. Individuals interested in applying for admission are encouraged to do so 3-6 months before the term they would like to begin. Applications received after this time are accepted and welcome although there may be less time to receive an admission decision, register for courses or process financial aid before the start of the desired term of enrollment. Submitting all required documents one month prior to the start of the desired term of enrollment is highly recommended. International graduates will want to allow more time for the application process especially if the international transcripts will need to be evaluated.

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Have a question that we didn't answer?

Contact us and we will get back to you with an answer.

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