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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from students applying to the Master of Public Health Program at MU.  If you have any other questions that are not answered here about the MPH Program, please email Lise Saffran or Eliana Jeanetta.
Degrees Offered?
The MPH Program at MU offers one degree (Master of Public Health) with concentration areas in: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Public Health Policy and Administration, and Veterinary Public Health.  The MPH is the standard professional degree recognized throughout the world for public health practice.
Do you offer doctoral programs?
Not at this time.
What is the job market like for recent graduates with a Master of Public Health Degree?
The rapid aging of the public health workforce and emerging public health challenges such as disaster preparedness make job prospects for MPH graduates very bright.  MPH graduates find employment working for government agencies, local public health departments, non-governmental non-profit organizations and private industry.  Many careers in international development also begin with a Master of Public Health degree.
To get a more comprehensive feel for positions requiring MPH degrees, search the Monster.com website for “MPH” and “Master of Public Health,” www.medcareers.com or What is Public Health.
When are applications to the program due?
The MPH Application deadlines are noted on the Admissions tab.  Only completed applications received by the deadline date will receive full admission review by the MPH Admission Committee.  Incomplete applications will not be considered; those completed applications received after the deadline will be considered for the next appropriate semester.
Are there any exceptions to the deadlines?
No.  The application deadlines are firm.
What type of undergraduate degree do I need to apply to the MPH Program?
Because public health is a broad multi-disciplinary field, applicants to the Program come from a diverse range of undergraduate programs including medical and other physical sciences, social sciences, business sciences, and clinical programs.
I took the GRE a long time ago (8 years, 10 years, etc.).  Do I have to re-take the exam?
Yes.  The MPH Program requires an official copy of your GRE score from the Educational Testing Services (ETS).  ETS does not keep scores that are five years old or older.  This requirement may be waived in the event that the applicant already holds a U.S. degree or an international master’s or PhD degree.  Please note that some international degrees, for example, M.D., J.D., M.B.B.S., B.D.S, etc., are considered as an equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree per our university policy.
How long is my application valid?
Your application is valid for two successive semesters.  For example, if you originally apply for Fall 2008, your application is good until the end of Spring 2009.
I am an international student and have a Visa interview approaching.  Can I find out about my application status right away?
No.  The MPH Admissions Committee meets approximately two weeks after receiving the complete application. No notice of their decision can be given until the whole process is complete.
I am an international student.  Are there additional application requirements that I should know about?
Yes.  Please see the Graduate School website for specific instructions.
What is your tuition?
The Office of Cashiers posts Education and Enrollment Fees per semester here.
I am an international student.  What funding can I apply for?
An extremely limited number of graduate assistantships are awarded at the discretion of the departments involved in the MPH Program.  Furthermore, current students are given priority for these positions and incoming international students are rarely provided with a GA position.
If you are interested in being considered for an assistantship, please fill out the assistantship application available here.  Unless invited to do so in the listing information, please do not contact professors directly about assistantship opportunities.
International students, except those with Permanent Resident status, are not eligible for government student loans and are advised to seek financial aid through their country of citizenship, private foundations, and international agencies.
Is the MU MPH Program accredited?
The University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC), which is an institutional accrediting body.  The MPH Program has applied for accreditation with the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), a specialized accrediting body for master of public health degrees nationwide.
Can I take MPH courses at MU without being admitted into the MPH Program?
The MU Public Health Program offers the opportunity for students to begin their public health studies without formal acceptance through the Dean’s Certificate of Graduate Studies in Public Health Program.
Upon completion of 12-credit hours with a grade of a B or better in all four courses, students will be automatically eligible to be admitted to the Master of Public Health (MPH) Program should they wish to continue their studies.
Can I transfer any credits towards the MPH Program?
Requests to transfer credits are considered on an individual basis after students are admitted to the Program.  In order to transfer credits to be given, a course must be a graduate course from an accredited institution, and still be less than 8 years old by the time the MPH degree is conferred.  Transfer credits must be appropriate to the student’s course of study at MU, and approved by the student’s advisor, the Program Director, and the Graduate School.  A maximum of 8 credit hours may be transferred and the 8 year time limit also applies to completion of such.
How long will it take to complete the MPH degree at MU?
The number of semester hours required to complete the MPH Program is 45 hours.  On a full-time basis, the MPH is typically completed in two years.  Full- and part-time students must complete all program requirements within 8 years.
When will core courses be offered?
Course schedules are always tentative, reflecting shifting demand and faculty availability.  See the About the Degree tab and click on the concentration area of your interest for more information.
At what time of day are the MPH courses typically offered?
Classes are mostly offered during the day.  Some courses are offered via internet and a few courses are offered in the late afternoons or evening.
May I take courses on a part-time basis?
Yes, but all coursework must be completed within 8 years.
Can I complete the MPH degree completely online?
No.  A few of the core courses are offered via the internet, as are some courses required for the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention concentration area.  Some classroom work is still required to complete the degree.
Are all MPH students required to take six-credit hours of practicum?
Yes.  Each concentration area requires that students gain 6 credit hours of practicum experience in the field.
I am a non-traditional working student.  Can I complete the MPH Program without leaving my job?
There are a number of working students in the MPH Program currently.  Most of them are pursuing the degree part-time with a combination of traditional and on-line courses.
How many students are enrolled in the Program?
Currently, there are approximately 58 graduate students enrolled in the Program.