FAQs

General Questions | Applying to the School| School Demographics| After Graduation

General Questions

The Full Time (2-year) MPH program costs $805 per credit.

The Executive MPH program costs $940 per credit.

The DrPH program costs $825 per quarter credit.

The MD/MPH program costs $805 per credit.

The Certificate in Epidemiology and Biostatistics costs $805 per quarter credit.

Can I receive a master's degree through distance education?
Presently, we do not have a distance education program for a master's degree.

What majors do you offer?
Second-year students have an opportunity to develop concentrated knowledge and skills in one of the five core public health disciplines: epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioral sciences, environmental and occupational health, or health management and policy.

How do you grade?
Students are required to maintain an overall minimum grade point average of B (3.00) for graduation. No graduate credit is allowed for grades below B in required core courses. A grade of C in electives will be allowed for credit. A grade of D or F in any course will not be accepted for credit.

Are students assigned to a mentor?
All students have a faculty advisor. Faculty members and students are expected to check-in with each other on a regular basis. Student evaluations are shared with their advisors.

Do full-time students have the opportunity to work in the community and apply their knowledge in a practical setting?
We have a strong community focus throughout the program. In the fall quarter of the first year, students complete a series of site visits to community-based organizations. In the spring quarter of the first year, students are required to complete a 4-week practicum that provides them with hands-on experience in the community. In the second year, students are required to work one and a half days per week for the full year to complete a Community-Based Masters Project.

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Applying to the School

Is a test required for admission and is there a minimum score I must get?
We have students come in with the GRE, the MCAT, the LSAT or the GMAT exam. We waive the exams if the applicant has a doctoral degree. For these tests, we do not have a stated minimal score. The minimum TOEFL scores are 80 (Internet-based), 213 (computer-based) and 550 (paper-based).

I took the GRE a long time ago. Do I have to retake the test?
The application process is a profile; we don't look at one specific item. Our decisions are based on the score of the GRE, how long ago the test had been taken, and the experiences of the applicant since he or she took the test. It is really on a case-by-case basis.

What are the application deadlines?
We have a rolling admissions process with all students accepted for the Fall semester.

What type of undergraduate degree do I need to apply to the school of public health?
There is a diversity of undergraduate experience among students in our program. We have students with science degrees, social science degrees, economics and the humanities. We actually look forward to a diverse population of students and undergraduate degrees are one of the elements of diversity.

What GPA are you looking for? What is the average GPA of your students?
Like the GREs, the GPA is on a case-by-case basis. Again, the application is viewed as a portfolio and we look at all of the information presented.

Can I transfer credits toward a master's degree program?
It is difficult to transfer credits toward a degree in our program. This is because we follow a problem-based learning curriculum that is sequential, meaning that students are required to take the courses in the order that they are offered. All 1st year students are taking the same course at the same time, as are the 2nd year students. So it becomes difficult to fit in previous credits into the master's program.

How long is my application valid?
We allow a one-year deferral.

I am a foreign medical doctor. What do I need to apply?
Same process, same application form. We also need TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores and a credential analysis. The miniumum accepted TOEFL score is 550 on the paper-based version and 213 on the computer-based version.

Can I schedule an appointment to discuss admissions?
We love people to come visit the school and we encourage people to visit. Interviews are not required for admission except for the DrPH program; while it is preferable to conduct those in person on campus, they may be done over the phone if necessary.

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School Demographics

How many students are enrolled in the School of Public Health?
Our total student enrollment for the 2008-09 academic year is 289.

Is your class diverse in ethnicity and gender?
Our ethnicity breakdown in the 2008-09 academic year is 26% African-American, 18% Asian or Pacific Islander, 5% Hispanic, and 47% non-Hispanic white. Gender-wise, we are 70% female and 30% male.

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After Graduation

What career services are available?
Through the university, we have a career service office that works closely with students in a number of ways. They offer workshops for job searching and writing resumes. The office also will work with students individually and help them put together a package.

In addition, the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center serves students, alumni, faculty, administrators, and the University's participating employer organizations. Services focus on integrating co-operative education experiences and academic programs; and teaching and prioritizing effective career management that empower clients with skills essential for their future careers and lives. The Center City SCDC is conveniently located on the second floor of the Bellet Building.

What are the job prospects for people with MPHs?
Fantastic! Our graduates have a good track record. They are working as health planners, epidemiologists, and evaluators in hospitals, community-based organizations, and businesses. We have other students who have continued on for doctorates, have gone into internships, or been awarded fellowships, particularly with federal government agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Click here for more information about careers in public health.