PH:MPH - Master of Public Health
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Admissions Requirements for the Master of Public Health (MPH)
Applicants for the MPH program must submit an application and supporting documents through SOPHAS: https://sophas.org/.
Applicants must meet the University’s general graduate admission requirements:
(1) A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university or, in the case of foreign students, an institution recognized in its own country as preparing students for further study at the graduate level.
Additional educational requirements per MPH major:
Environmental Health Sciences: A Bachelor’s (or Master’s) degree in biology, chemistry, physics, nursing, medicine, engineering, or other appropriate field with at least one (1) undergraduate biology, and one (1) undergraduate chemistry course.
Brain, Behavior and the Environment: A Bachelor’s (or Master’s) degree in biology, chemistry, physics, nursing, medicine, engineering, or other appropriate field with at least one (1) undergraduate biology, and one (1) undergraduate chemistry course.
Biostatistics: Preference will be given to applicants having completed coursework in mathematics through calculus.
(2) A minimum 3.0 GPA on the last 60 undergraduate hours.
(3) In addition, applicants are required to submit:
--a current resume;
--a written statement of purpose (career goals);
--three letters of recommendation.
(4) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a standardized proficiency of English test score which meet FIU requirements.
Major in Biostatistics
Biostatistics is a field that facilitates the conduct of health and medical research through a focus on designing sound experiments and studies relevant to human health and through the process of collecting, managing, analyzing and interpreting data. Biostatisticians collaborate in the identification and refinement of important research questions and in the methods and procedures required to obtain high quality and reliable answers to these questions. There remains a shortage of professional biostatisticians and the field provides meaningful and rewarding careers for those interested and able to go down this path.
Admission Requirements for the 4 + 1 BA-BS/MPH degree pathways
Eligibility
The Accelerated 4+1 MPH Degree Pathways are generally open to qualified currently enrolled FIU undergraduate students from all bachelor’s degree programs. Note additional educational requirements per specific MPH major below.
The undergraduate degree program in which the student is currently enrolled must have the flexibility to use electives outside of the degree department. Check with academic advisor before applying to the specific MPH major accelerated degree pathway
Program application and admission requirements
1. Students can apply after having completed 75 credits in a bachelor’s degree program. Students should choose the MPH major of their choice in submitting the application.
2. Overall GPA of 3.2 or better. Students must have a minimum of a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale in the previous 15 credits of undergraduate upper-division hours.
3. Students must apply prior to the semester in which graduate credits will be counted towards the undergraduate degree program. See specific majors below for appropriate semesters for application acceptance.
4. Students must apply through MyFIU and must submit the following documents:
· Statement of Purpose
· Three letters of recommendation
· Resume/CV
5. A $30 application dee is paid via the MyFIU portal.
6. Students may not enroll in graduate level classes until they are admitted to the graduate program.
Designated Semester for Admittance per MPH major:
1.Brain, Behavior and the Environment; Environmental Health Sciences; Epidemiology; Global Health; and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Fall semester only (students must meet the University Graduate School deadline for admittance in the fall semester).
2.Generalist Online: Fall or Spring semester (students must meet the University Graduate School deadline for either admittance in the fall or spring semester).
3.Biostatistics, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, and Maternal and Child Health do not currently offer 4+1 MPH degree pathways.
Additional educational requirements per specific MPH major:
1.Brain, Behavior and the Environment: Students must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program in biology, chemistry, physics, nursing, engineering, or other appropriate field with completion of at least one (1) undergraduate course in biology, and one (1) undergraduate course in chemistry.
2.Environmental Health Sciences: Students must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program in biology, chemistry, physics, nursing, engineering, or other appropriate field with completion of at least one (1) undergraduate course in biology, and one (1) undergraduate course in chemistry.
3.Epidemiology: Students must have a 3.0 (B) or higher grade in College Algebra , Statistics, or higher level math course.
Tuition and Fees:
• Any graduate courses taken as an undergraduate student will be charged at the FIU Graduate School rate.
• Qualifying students can receive financial aid to cover the undergraduate credit hours of their 4+1 enrollment. The difference in cost for the graduate-level credits is not covered by traditional financial aid. Students who have scholarships, grants, and other funding in their student financials account can apply these funds to the cost of the graduate credit hours.
The MSW/MPH in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention degree pathway is an interdisciplinary, three-year pathway incorporating knowledge and skills from social work and public health with a specialization in clinical social work and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. The first year will consist of social work courses, followed by public health courses in the second year, and a combination of social work and public health courses in the final year. The required credits for the pathway would be 88 credits. Any deviation from the course plan set forth by the program will result in the student no longer being a part of the combined degree pathway.
Substitutions:
--course Field Practicum II may substitute for course Practicum in Public Health with approval from internship coordinator in public health.
--Students may choose to take either course Research Methods in Public Health or course Social Work Research Methodology.
--Students must take two (2) electives in social work and two (2) electives in HPDP. The two (2) social work electives may substitute for the 3rd and 4th HPDP electives usually required.
--MSW/MPH students do not have to take course Foundations in Public Health.
Students may take other advisor approved graduate level courses.
Admissions Requirements for the MPH (major: Epidemiology) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) Joint Degree Pathway
--Medical students in the summer or fall of their third (M3) year (prior to November 1st) must make a formal application to the COM MPH Application Committee.
--This application will include a personal statement. They must also get approval from the MSEPC and the Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs prior to applying to the MPH program.
--Applications will only then be reviewed by the MPH - Epidemiology program admission committee. Applicants to the combined MD/MPH pathway will not be required to submit GRE scores. MCAT scores will be accepted.
The MSW/MPH in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention with Advanced Standing degree pathway will be an interdisciplinary, two-year accelerated pathway incorporating knowledge and skills from social work and public health with a specialization in clinical social work and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Only students who already have an undergraduate degree in social work and meet the criteria for the advanced standing MSW may apply to this accelerated pathway. Both the first and second years of the pathway will involve social work and public health courses. Any deviation from the course plan set forth by the program will result in the student no longer being a part of the combined degree pathway.
The required number of credits for the program is 64.
Substitutions:
--course Field Practicum II may substitute for course Practicum in Public Health with approval from internship coordinator in public health.
--Students must take two (2) electives in social work and two (2) electives in HPDP. The two (2) social work electives may substitute for the 3rd and 4th HPDP electives usually required.
--MSW/MPH students do not have to take course Foundations in Public Health.
Major in Brain, Behavior and the Environment
The Brain, Behavior and the Environment (BBE) MPH major is a rigorous program that emphasizes emerging themes in neuroscience, pharmacology, neurotoxicology, imaging, psychology and psychiatry, alongside environmental exposures to prepare students for medical, industrial, research, and government careers. The program provides students with the unique perspective of integrating environmental influences into understanding and combating complex neurobiological disorders.
Admissions Requirements for the MPH (major: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention) and Master of Social Work (MSW) Joint Degree Pathway
--Students will need to apply to and be accepted into each degree program separately in order to qualify for the combined degree pathway. Students will have to meet the regular admissions criteria for each program.
--Applicants must be admitted into both programs for the same term in order to proceed in the combined degree program.
--At the time of admission, the student must notify both programs that they are pursuing the combined degree pathway.
--Applicants cannot have any outstanding prerequisites.
The MSW (Clinical)/MPH (Generalist) with Advanced Standing program will be an interdisciplinary, two-year accelerated program incorporating knowledge and skills from social work and public health. Only students who already have an undergraduate degree in social work and meet the criteria for the advanced standing MSW may apply to this accelerated program.
Both the first and second years of the program will involve social work and public health courses.
Any deviation from the course plan set forth by the program will result in the student no longer being a part of the combined degree pathway.
The required number of credits for the pathway is 60.
Substitutions:
--course Field Practicum II may substitute for course Practicum in Public Health with approval from internship coordinator in public health.
--course Health Policy Analysis may substitute for course Social Welfare Policy Services II.
--Students must take two (2) electives in social work. These electives may substitute for the electives in the MPH Generalist.
--MSW/MPH students do not have to take course Foundations in Public Health.
Admissions Requirements for the MPH (major: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention) and MSW (Advanced Standing Status) Joint Degree Pathway
Admissions Process
--Students will need to apply to and be accepted into each degree pathway separately in order to qualify for the combined degree pathway.
--Applicants must be admitted into both programs for the same term in order to proceed in the combined degree program.
--At the time of admission, the student must notify both programs that they are pursuing the combined degree pathway.
--Applicants cannot have any outstanding pre-requisites.
The MSW (Clinical)/MPH (Generalist) program is an interdisciplinary, three-year program incorporating knowledge and skills from social work and public health. The combined degree program consists of a combination of social work and public health courses. Any deviation from the course plan set forth by the program will result in the student no longer being a part of the combined degree pathway.
Substitutions:
--course Field Practicum II may substitute for course Practicum in Public Health with approval from internship coordinator in public health.
--Students must take two (2) electives in social work. These electives may substitute for the electives in the MPH Generalist.
--MSW/MPH students do not have to take course Foundations in Public Health.
Major in Environmental Health Sciences
The graduate training programs in the Environmental Health Sciences are both interdisciplinary and interdepartmental. The Department of Environmental Health Sciences performs high quality mechanism- and evidence-based translational research, which impacts our teaching and training for future Environmental Health leaders. Our multidisciplinary EHS Faculty conduct world class research to investigate and prevent human diseases caused by environmental exposure, that goes beyond the traditional focus on hazardous agents.
Admissions Requirements for the MPH (Generalist) and MSW (Advanced Standing Status) (Clinical) Joint Degree Pathway
Admissions Process
--Students will need to apply to and be accepted into each degree program separately in order to qualify for the combined degree program.
--Applicants must be admitted into both programs for the same term in order to proceed in the combined degree program.
--At the time of admission, students must notify both programs that they are pursuing the combined degree pathway with advanced standing in social work.
--Applicants cannot have any outstanding prerequisites.
--Applicants cannot have less than a “B” in any core, social work courses in their undergraduate program
Students may take other advisor approved graduate level courses.
Major in Epidemiology
The Master of Public Health major in Epidemiology courses prepare students to investigate the distribution of diseases and health conditions in the population, disease outbreaks, and the factors determining the distribution.
Admissions Requirements for the MPH (Generalist) and MSW (Clinical) Joint Degree Pathway
--Students will need to apply to and be accepted into each degree program separately in order to qualify for the combined degree program. Students will have to meet the regular admissions criteria for each program.
--Applicants must be admitted into both programs for the same term in order to proceed in the combined degree program.
--At the time of admission, the student must notify both programs that they are pursuing the combined degree pathway.
--Applicants cannot have any outstanding pre-requisites.
or any other advisor-approved elective, including those offered as Major in Epidemiology Core Courses.
Major in Public Health Generalist
The Major in Public Health Generalist prepares students for interdisciplinary public health positions that investigate the distribution of diseases, as well as determinants of social and environmental health among diverse populations. Students also learn how to use existing health policies and influence policies in support of optimizing population health.
Students are required to take three courses (3-credits per course) for 9-credits of the following graduate public health electives. Students may take other advisor approved 6000 level courses to meet the 9-credit requirement.
Major in Global Health
The Masters of Public Health degree with a Major in Global Health trains students to apply global health principles to both domestic and international challenges, with a focus on identifying and addressing health inequities. The program leverages a transdisciplinary approach to prepare technically skilled and cross-culturally competent professionals to overcome challenges in a continually-shifting and complex landscape, to analyze the impact of translational problems, to apply an integrative approach to contemporary health issues, to diplomatically function within and in conjunction with international agencies, to advocate as ethical leaders, and to work, communicate, and excel across diverse global and local settings. Graduates are positioned to start or advance careers in global health practice, research, education, or policy.
Global health-specific elective courses are listed below. Other courses relevant to global health may be substituted with advisor approval.
Major in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
The courses prepare students to develop and implement health promotion/health education programs in various sites. This program of study is concerned with personal and public health lifestyles, identification of risk factors and behavioral change strategies that promote positive health behaviors of individuals, groups, and community. See also Graduate Certificates in Health Promotion and Maternal and Child Health, which do not require enrollment in the MPH degree program.
Students may select four from the following list of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention courses. Students must consult with a faculty advisor for approval prior to selecting courses not on this list.
Major in Infectious Disease Epidemiology
The Master’s of Public Health major in Infectious Disease Epidemiology (INFDISEPI) is designed to prepare students to address the challenge of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, especially for tropical locations such as Miami and South Florida.
Major in Maternal and Child Health
The Master's in Public Health major in Maternal and Child Health provides graduate- level instruction in the foundation of MCH. Students will gain skills to implement programs, conduct research, and inform policy to improve the health and well-being of women, children, and families.
Electives may be selected from the following list of Maternal and Child Health courses. Students must consult with a faculty advisor for approval prior to selecting elective courses not on this list.
Students must earn at least a grade of B in four of the five core courses. Students must earn at least a grade of B minus in one core course.
Only grades of C or higher in the major or electives will count toward degree completion.
course (Practicum) and course (culminating experience) are both required for all MPH students. The Practicum may be taken after completing a minimum of 30 hours, including all core courses. The Practicum may be waived if the student has at least 3 years of relevant practice experience working in a public health practice setting. The waiver request is prepared and submitted by the student, through their Faculty Advisor and Department Chair, for final approval/disapproval by the Academic Public Health Director. If the Practicum requirement is waived, the student will need to substitute additional approved hours so that the total curriculum hour requirement of 42 is met. MPH students are expected to complete course Integrative Seminar in Public Health during their last semester in the program.
Admissions Requirements for the Master of Business Administration (Professional) and MPH (Generalist) Joint Degree Pathway
Candidates for the pathway must meet the entrance requirements for and be accepted by both the College of Business and the Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work. Both colleges must be informed by the student at the time of application to the second college that the student intends to pursue the joint degree pathway.
The joint degree pathway is not open to students who have already earned one degree.
The Accelerated 4+1 Degree Pathway allows undergraduate students interested in the MPH -Brain, Behavior and Environment to enroll in graduate courses while obtaining their bachelor's degree. This pathway facilitates completion of the MPH degree in less time.
Admitted students can take up to 12 credits (4 courses) from the Public Health Core courses which will count both towards the bachelor’s degree and the MPH. Students must earn at least a B in each of the courses. These should be selected from the following courses (students should consult with the public health advisor):
• Students must apply for the award of their bachelor’s degree the semester the degree requirements will be completed.
• The bachelor’s degree and master’s degree cannot be awarded in the same term.
• No undergraduate credit may count toward the graduate degree.
• Upon receiving the undergraduate degree, students will be fully admitted into graduate status in the MPH degree and all graduate courses with a B or higher grade will be transferred into the specific major of the degree program.
• See the catalog section for MPH - Brain, Behavior and Environment for all degree requirements.
The Accelerated 4+1 Degree Pathway allows undergraduate students interested in the MPH - Environmental Health Sciences to enroll in graduate courses while obtaining their bachelor's degree. This pathway facilitates completion of the MPH degree in less time.
Admitted students can take up to 12 credits (4 courses) from the Public Health Core courses which will count both towards the bachelor’s degree and the MPH. Students must earn at least a B in each of the courses. These should be selected from the following courses (students should consult with the public health advisor):
For this pathway, students should select PHC 6000, PHC 6052, PHC 6315, and either PHC 6102 or PHC 6410. If less than four MPH courses are taken as an undergraduate, then the MPH degree may take longer to complete.
• Students must apply for the award of their bachelor’s degree the semester the degree requirements will be completed.
• The bachelor’s degree and master’s degree cannot be awarded in the same term.
• No undergraduate credit may count toward the graduate degree.
• Upon receiving the undergraduate degree, students will be fully admitted into graduate status in the MPH degree and all graduate courses with a B or higher grade will be transferred into the specific major of the degree program.
• See the catalog section for MPH - Environmental Health Sciences for all degree requirements.
The Accelerated 4+1 Degree Pathway allows undergraduate students interested in the MPH - Epidemiology to enroll in graduate courses while obtaining their bachelor's degree. This pathway facilitates completion of the MPH degree in less time.
Admitted students can take up to 12 credits (4 courses) from the Public Health Core courses which will count both towards the bachelor’s degree and the MPH. Students must earn at least a B in each of the courses. These should be selected from the following courses (students should consult with the public health advisor):
Two of these must be PHC 6000 and PHC 6052. If less than four MPH courses are taken as an undergraduate, then the MPH degree may take longer to complete.
Students must apply for the award of their bachelor’s degree the semester the degree requirements will be completed.
The bachelor’s degree and master’s degree cannot be awarded in the same term.
No undergraduate credit may count toward the graduate degree.
Upon receiving the undergraduate degree, students will be fully admitted into graduate status in the MPH degree and all graduate courses with a B or higher grade will be transferred into the specific major of the degree program.
See the catalog section for MPH - Epidemiology for all degree requirements.
The Accelerated 4+1 Degree Pathway allows undergraduate students interested in the MPH - Generalist Online to enroll in graduate courses while obtaining their bachelor's degree. This pathway facilitates completion of the MPH degree in less time.
Admitted students can take up to 12 credits (4 courses) from the Public Health Core courses which will count both towards the bachelor’s degree and the MPH. Students must earn at least a B in each of the courses. These should be selected from the following courses (students should consult with the public health advisor):
• Students must apply for the award of their bachelor’s degree the semester the degree
requirements will be completed.
• The bachelor’s degree and master’s degree cannot be awarded in the same term.
• No undergraduate credit may count toward the graduate degree.
• Upon receiving the undergraduate degree, students will be fully admitted into graduate status
in the MPH degree and all graduate courses with a B or higher grade will be transferred into the
specific major of the degree program.
• See the catalog section for MPH - Generalist Online for all degree requirements.
The Accelerated 4+1 Degree Pathway allows undergraduate students interested in the MPH - Global Health to enroll in graduate courses while obtaining their bachelor's degree. This pathway facilitates completion of the MPH degree in less time.
Admitted students can take up to 12 credits (4 courses) from the Public Health Core courses which will count both towards the bachelor’s degree and the MPH. Students must earn at least a B in each of the courses. These should be selected from the following courses (students should consult with a public health graduate advisor):
If less than four MPH courses are taken as an undergraduate, then the MPH degree may take longer to complete.
Students must apply for the award of their bachelor’s degree the semester the degree requirements will be completed.
The bachelor’s degree and master’s degree cannot be awarded in the same term.
No undergraduate credit may count toward the graduate degree.
Upon receiving the undergraduate degree, students will be fully admitted into graduate status in the MPH degree and all graduate courses with a B or higher grade will be transferred into the specific major of the degree program.
See the catalog section for MPH - Generalist Online for all degree requirements.
The Accelerated 4+1 Degree Pathway allows undergraduate students interested in the MPH - Health Promotion and Disease Prevention to enroll in graduate courses while obtaining their bachelor's degree. This pathway facilitates completion of the MPH degree in less time.
Admitted students can take up to 12 credits (4 courses) from the Public Health Core courses which will count both towards the bachelor’s degree and the MPH. Students must earn at least a B in each of the courses. These should be selected from the following courses (students should consult with the public health advisor):
If less than four MPH courses are taken then the MPH degree may take longer to complete.
• Students must apply for the award of their bachelor’s degree the semester the degree requirements will be completed.
• The bachelor’s degree and master’s degree cannot be awarded in the same term.
• No undergraduate credit may count toward the graduate degree.
• Upon receiving the undergraduate degree, students will be fully admitted into graduate status in the MPH degree and all graduate courses with a B or higher grade will be transferred into the specific major of the degree program.
• See the catalog section for MPH - Generalist Online for all degree requirements.
Public health challenges are becoming increasingly complex, requiring leaders who can navigate both the science of health and the operation of health systems. A joint MBA/MPH program equips graduates with the ability to understand the biological, social, and environmental determinants of health, while also developing the skills to manage resources, lead interdisciplinary teams, oversee finances, and drive strategic initiatives. This combination of expertise is critical for success in today’s evolving healthcare landscape.
Candidates must satisfy all requirements for each degree. To meet degree requirements, specific identified courses must be transferred from one degree program to the other in order to count for both degrees. All courses transferred between degrees must be completed with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
To complete the Professional MBA (PMBA) program, students must complete the three Professional Development Seminars (Professional Development I - Presentation Skills Seminar (PDS 1002), Professional Development II – Building Meaningful Networks, Professional Development III).
The Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM) and the Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work (Stempel College) offer a combined degree pathway of a Master's of Public Health with a major in Epidemiology and a Doctor of Medicine.
An MPH is a professional public health degree emphasizing the understanding of population health and disease. The MD degree is a clinical medicine degree focusing on patient-centered clinical care.
Students may apply to the combined pathway in their third year of medical study. Each College will independently review and admit applicants to their programs. Only students admitted to both programs will enroll in classes in the combined program. Students will be expected to complete 42 credits for the MPH and all requirements for the MD degree.
Combined degree pathway students complete the first three years of coursework in the MD degree program at HWCOM. At the beginning of the fourth period of study of the MD degree program curriculum, students admitted to the combined degree pathway pause their medical studies and begin classes as part of the MPH program. Classes in the MPH program are taken during the fall, spring, and summer semesters of the medical student's fourth year of study. During this time, students complete 33 hours of course work in the MPH program. Nine credits taken through HWCOM count toward the 42 credits required for the MPH degree.
At the beginning of the fifth year, students resume study in Period 4 of the MD degree program curriculum. Students who successfully complete all requirements graduate with both degrees at the end of the 5 years.