FAQs

General Questions

What degrees do you offer?
The School of Public Health offers the following degrees:

Full-time MPH with concentrations in:

Biostatistics
Community Health and Prevention
Environmental and Occupational Health
Epidemiology
Health Management and Policy

Executive MPH
MS in Biostatistics
DrPH in Community Health and Prevention
DrPH in Health Policy and Social Justice
PhD in Epidemiology
MD/MPH
JD/MPH

What is the difference between the full-time and Executive MPH?
The Executive MPH is a generalist degree designed for working professionals. The Executive MPH program is a 21 month program utilizing a combination of online and on-campus coursework held one weekend per month. The full-time MPH program is 2 years in length with no courses held during the summer between first and secnod year.

The full-time MPH Program offers concentrations in 5 areas: Biostatistics, Community Health and Prevention, Environmental and Occupational Health, Epidemiology and Health Management and Policy.

How long will it take to complete a master's degree program?
The full-time MPH program and MS program are completed in two-years with no courses held during the summer. The Executive MPH program is completed in 21 months. Doctoral programs typically take 3-5 years to complete on a full-time basis.

What are your tuition costs?
For the 2012-13 academic year, tuition rates are as follows:

Full Time (2-year) MPH program: $970 per credit
Executive MPH program: $1,200 per credit
MS in Biostatistics: $970 per credit
MD/MPH and JD/MPH programs: $970 per credit
Doctoral Programs (DrPH and PhD): $990 per credit
Certificate in Epidemiology and Biostatistics: $970 per credit
Certificate in Global Health: $970 per credit
Certificate in LGBT Health: $970 per credit

Do you offer scholarships and financial aid?
Yes, applicants to the full-time MPH and MS in Biostatistics programs are eligible for merit-based scholarships at the time of application as well as other scholarships once enrolled. In addition, need-based aid is available in the form of grants, loans and work-study. Please visit http://www.drexel.edu/financialaid/ for more information. Full-time doctoral students typically receive some type of tuition funding or a stipend. Executive MPH students usually receive tuition assistance from their employer.

Do you offer teaching or graduate assistantships?
Full-time doctoral students receive teaching/graduate assistantships as part of their tuition funding and stipend. Full-time MPH students often work on a part-time basis as research assistants for faculty members or for research centers at the School of Public Health and throughout the University. Second-year MPH students are eligible to be teaching assistants for first-year MPH courses. These positions are paid on hourly basis, and given to students in good academic standing.

Can I receive a master's degree through distance education?
Presently, we do not have a distance education program for a master's degree, however students enrolled in the Executive MPH program travel from as far as New York, Washington, DC and Canada.

Do students have the opportunity to specialize in a particular public health field?
Yes, during the second year of the full-time MPH, students will take courses in one of five concentration areas:

Biostatistics
Community Health and Prevention
Environmental and Occupational Health
Epidemiology
Health Management and Policy

In addition, students will also complete 3 elective courses which can be taken in the School of Public Health or in a variety of approved graduate departments throughout the University.

Do students work closely with faculty?
Yes, all students are assigned a faculty advisor with whom they can collaborate on research and community-based projects.

Do full-time students have the opportunity to work in the community and apply their knowledge in a practical setting?
Yes, we have a strong community focus throughout the program. In the spring quarter of the first year, students are required to complete a 120-hour practicum that provides them with hands-on experience in community-based settings. In the second year, students spend 1.5- 2 days per week across the academic year at a community site where they are developing their required Community-Based Master's Project linked to their area of concentration. Both the practicum and the Community-Based Master's Project are developed in collaboration with community partner agencies.

Drexel Univeristy is in a big city. Is it safe?
Security magazine recently ranked Drexel University No. 3 in the nation for safety among colleges and universities for 2012. Drexel University has a number of programs focused on the safety of its students, faculty and staff on campus, including a 24-hour escort service, alert system and campus-wide emergency phones. >>Watch YouTube video for more on safety

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Applying to the School

What undergraduate degree do I need to apply to the school of public health?
There is no specific undergraduate degree required for admission to the School of Public Health. However, it is recommended that applicants complete a course in statistics. Students in our programs have completed undergraduate degrees in the science, math, social and behavioral sciences, economics, business and the humanities. Applicants to the MS in Biostatistics program should have a bachelors degree in a quantitative field such as mathematics, engineering, computer science, etc. Applicants to the doctoral programs must have an MPH or related degree.

When is the application deadline?
All masters program applications are reviewed continually up until the application deadline. Average turnaround time for a decision is 3-4 weeks. Doctoral applications are reviewed after the listed program deadlines. All programs begin in the fall of each year with deadlines as follows:

Full-time MPH: June 30
Executive MPH : June 30
MS in Biostatistics: June 30
DrPH programs: January 15 for early admission, March 15th for regular admission
PhD program: January 15

Do you require work experience prior to enrolling?
The full-time MPH program does not require work experience, however students in the Executive MPH program must have a minimum of 3 years of professional work experience (in any setting) prior to enrolling.

What GPA is required for admission?
There is no minimum GPA required for admission, however at least a 3.0 is considered competitive.

What standardized test do you require for admission?
The School of Public Health will accept the GRE, MCAT, LSAT or the GMAT exam taken within the last 5 years. Most applicants submit GREs with scores of at least the 50th percentile in each section considered competitive.

What is your GRE code?
Applicants to the full-time MPH program should report their scores to SOPHAS using the code 7890. All other applicants should report their scores to Drexel University using the code 2194.

What should the application essay address? Is there a word limit?
Your essay should discuss how you became interested in the public health profession, your career or research goals if known at this time, and why you are interested in Drexel University. There is no length requirement, however 1,000 words is usually sufficient. Please visit the program pages for the MS and doctoral programs to view essay requirements.

What are your requirements for international students?
International students must have all foreign transcripts evaluated by the World Education Service (visit www.wes.org for more information). Non-native English speaking applicants are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Drexel University requires a minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS exam. This requirement can be waived if the applicant completed their degree at an accredited college or university in the United States.

Can I transfer credits toward a master's degree program?
Transfer credit can be considered on a case by case basis. Requests to transfer credits will be reviewed by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

I am a foreign medical doctor, is my application process different?
No, the process for all international applicants is the same. Please see above for minimum required TOEFL scores.

Can I schedule an appointment to discuss admissions?
Yes, prospective students are encouraged to visit the School. Please consult our Visit page for a list of upcoming events. Individual appointments are also available. Interviews are not required for admission to the MPH or MS programs, however the DrPH programs and PhD program require an in-person or telephone interview.

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School Demographics

Where do students live?
Many students live in Stiles Hall which offers 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments in close proximity to the School of Public Health. Click here to download more info on these apartments, including floor plans.

In addition, the Drexel University Office of Off-Campus Housing assists graduate students in finding accommodations in the area. A free shuttle service is provided between the Center City, Queen Lane and Main Campuses for students who wish to live closer to the other Drexel campuses.

How many students are enrolled in the School of Public Health?
Our total student enrollment is 455. The full-time MPH program typically enrolls 140 students each year, and the Executive MPH enrolls 20-30 students in each cohort.

Is your student body diverse?
Yes. We normally enroll approximately 50% of students from non-white populations. Our ethnicity breakdown in the recent academic year was 26% African-American, 18% Asian or Pacific Islander, 5% Hispanic, and 47% Caucasian. Typically we enroll about 70% females and 30% males. The average age of students enrolled at the School of Public Health is 29.

Additionally, our student population is geographically diverse. We have students from many states including, but not limited to, Pennsylvania, California, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, New Jersey, Washington, Arizona, Connecticut, North Carolina, Ohio, New Hampshire, Colorado and Illinois.

We also have a strong international presence, including students from India, Nigeria, China, Korea, Ghana and other countries across the globe.

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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 throughout the year in resume writing, interviewing and other related career services. In addition, the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center (SCDC) serves students, alumni, faculty, administrators, and the University's participating employer organizations. Services focus on integrating experiential education experiences and academic programs; and teaching and prioritizing effective career management that empower students with skills essential for their future careers and lives. The Center City SCDC is conveniently located on the second floor of the Bellet Building. The Career Center hosts two career fairs each year on the Center City campus for students seeking employment in health professions. Additionally, the School of Public Health regularly provides its students with career development information and job/internship/fellowship postings. Also, career development workshops for public health students are held throughout the academic year.

What are the job prospects for people with MPHs?
Fantastic! Our graduates have a good track record. They are working as health planners/educators, epidemiologists, and evaluators in hospitals, community-based organizations, and businesses. We have other students who have continued their education in doctoral programs, as well as medical school. Other graduates have 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.

If you have additional questions, please contact:
Colleen Baillie
Director of Enrollment, Recruitment and Retention
cpb32@drexel.edu