Public Health Program information
The Master of Public Health (MPH) program is designed to address the needs of individuals who aim to promote and protect the health and well-being of human populations as public health professionals. Masters degrees in public health are intended to prepare public health professionals for a broad range of positions within public health practice. There is currently increased demand throughout the world as the need and expectation for high quality public health services continues to grow. The UM-Flint MPH program is designed to enable students to excel in their chosen careers in the medical profession as both participants and leaders in the field. The program provides graduates the knowledge and skills necessary to develop broad-based and collaborative strategies to contribute to successfully resolving the public health challenges of not only today, but tomorrow as well.
Overview
The program consists of a minimum of 42 credits. It provides students with an innovative level of flexibility and individualized program iteration. Students complete an Applied Practice Experience and an Integreative Learning Experience through which they will develop and carry out one or more projects demonstrating the acquisition and synthesis of competencies and knowledge gained through the interdisciplinary coursework the student has completed.
Student Characteristics
Students interested in the MPH program include recent college graduates who have completed a bachelor’s degree and have an interest in public health, as well as practicing health professionals working in healthcare settings, health insurance agencies, government agencies, community health organizations, academic institutions, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Important qualities for successful MPH applicants include passion, a commitment to diversity, motivation, creativity, and a genuine willingness to persevere until a problem is successfully resolved. Individuals entering public health want to improve the health of communities around the world; it is important that they have a passion for working on particular issues and the contemporary challenges that face society.
Admissions Policy and Process
Applications for admission are accepted throughout the year for the following semester. (Application deadlines are posted on the Office of Graduate Programs website.) Applicants must satisfy the following requirements to be considered for admission.
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with sufficient preparation in algebra to succeed in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
- Minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of BIO 104 or an equivalent course in anatomy and physiology prior to enrolling in graduate courses. This may be taken at any regionally accredited university.
Admission decisions are made by the program admission committee in consultation with the program faculty. More information on admission to the UM-Flint MPH program is available on the Office of Graduate Programs website: http://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/public-health-mph#tab-applying.
Note: Applicants who have been admitted to UM-Ann Arbor’s former Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health (CFPH) program qualify for automatic admission to the UM-Flint MPH program upon application and have prerequisite course requirements waived.
Use of Technology
The UM-Flint MPH program is taught in both online and on-campus formats. The UM-Flint Office of Extended Learning (OEL) provides administrative support of Blackboard (the UM-Flint course management system) and Elluminate. Both on-campus and online Blackboard training through OEL is available to students when they begin the program; there is also a list of Student Help Guides available on the OEL website. In addition, students and faculty have access to a Help Desk, operated by Information Technology Services and staffed by individuals knowledgeable in the hardware, software, and delivery systems associated with the online courses. The Help Desk is open extended hours including evenings and some weekend hours. Help Desk assistance is available by phone or e-mail. The University’s Writing Center is also available for assistance with writing courses: in-person and via e-mail for online courses.
Transfer of Credit
Up to six (6) graduate credits from an accredited university may be transferred and applied to the MPH program, subject to the approval of the program faculty. See Transfer of Credit in the Graduate Study section for additional information on University of Michigan-Flint policies regarding the transfer of graduate credit.
Time Limit for Degree Completion
Coursework must be completed within six (6) years of the date of first admission to the program. Students may request or petition for an extension of this time limit. Approval of a time extension will be at the discretion of the program director, program faculty, and the Dean of Graduate Programs.
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