Frequently Asked Questions
Is an MPH at WSU right for you?
1) Why should I study public health at Wayne State University?
2) What types of jobs do graduates find?
3) How do I know if the Graduate Certificate is a better choice for me?
4) Is the MPH Program designed for both part time and full time students?
5) When are classes offered?
6) How many years do I have to complete my MPH or GC-PH?
7) Can I be enrolled in two programs at the same time?
8) How much does it cost to obtain a degree in this program?
9) How long must I have resided in Michigan before I am eligible for resident tuition?
10) Is financial aid available for MPH students?
11) Are university housing opportunities available?
12) Is the MPH Program at WSU accredited?
Additional Information about Admission Requirements
1) Why is a college-level math class required of all applicants?
2) What math classes do you recommend?
3) Does the requirement regarding having a math class apply to practicing physicians?
4) How many credits can I transfer into the program?
5) Which standardized tests are required?
6) What are acceptable standardized test scores?
7) Are standardized test waivers available?
8) I was born in a country other than the USA but I am a graduate of a US college or university. Do I need to take the TOEFL or IELTS test?
9) What is an acceptable TOEFL score?
10) When are applications accepted?
11) How many students are accepted each year?
12) Do I have to apply to the university as well as apply to the MPH program?
13) What if my undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.0?
Is an MPH at WSU right for you?
1) Why should I study public health at Wayne State University?
- Quality program offered in the evening
- Can complete program on full-time or part-time basis
- Practicum and research experiences in urban settings
- Cost effective tuition rates
- Small classes
- Opportunities to participate in faculty research
2) What types of jobs do graduates find?
This program provides every student with a strong foundation in general research skills, health promotion and prevention, urban community health issues, the organization of health care, and current health care policy issues. Students' choice of electives, practicum, and research project will partially determine their career direction. Additionally, many students are building on their past skills and experience, so the type of job they take after completing the MPH degree is partially based on their previous work. Common job positions are in health care management, planning, evaluation, and research. Job titles include: community health educator, patient education coordinator, planning coordinator, project coordinator, research analyst, health planner, program specialist, and health policy analyst.
3) How do I know if the Graduate Certificate is a better choice for me?
The Bridge Graduate Certificate in Public Health Program (BGC-PH) requires only 15 credits of coursework and can be completed in one year if attending the program fulltime. The BGC-PH provides a valuable credtential for students who want a background in core areas of public health practice, but are not sure that they are ready to complete the full MPH degree.
The BGC-PH provides a bridge to the MPH Program. The BGC-PH is comprised of first year MPH courses, and after completing the BGCPH, students in good academic standing may change their graduate status to the MPH Program, if desired.
4) Is the MPH Program designed for both part time and full time students?
Yes. Full time students are expected to take a minimum of 3 classes most semesters and usually complete the program within 2 years. Part time students are expected to take 1-2 classes most semesters and complete the program within 3-4 years.
Your advisor will help you develop a Plan of Work to guide you through the program.
5) When are classes offered?
Most classes are offered at 5 pm to accommodate the needs of employed students. Practicum hours often must be completed during the day or in some cases, students have used vacation time. There are no weekend courses at this time.
6) How many years do I have to complete the MPH?
The University requires that the BGC-PH be completed within three years and the MPH degree be completed within six years.
7) Can I be enrolled in two programs at the same time?
Yes. The University does permit this. For example students may enroll in a Ph.D. or a masters degree program and the MPH degree program simultaneously. Occasionally, a student may be enrolled in two Master's programs or a Master's and a Certificate program. Be sure to discuss this decision with advisors in both programs to ensure that it is the right decision for you.
8) How much does it cost to obtain a degree in this program?
The MPH program currently requires 42 credits. The GC-PH requires 15 credits. Tuition rates per credit hour can be found at http://reg.wayne.edu/students/tuition.php . The MPH Program is a graduate program in the School of Medicine.
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9) How long must I have resided in Michigan before I am eligible for resident tuition?
You must have been a resident for a minimum of 6 months prior to the first day of classes in order to receive resident tuition. Residents of Ontario, Canada, and residents of Fulton, Lucas, Ottawa and Williams counties in Ohio who enroll in Wayne State University academic programs will have the non- resident portion of fees waived. https://wayne.edu/registrar/tuition/
10) Is financial aid available for MPH students?
Funds to support MPH students are limited - Please contact Student Financial Aid for details: http://finaid.wayne.edu/
11) Are university housing opportunities available?
Yes. Graduate housing is available at the Towers. The majority of the rooms are suite style, containing four bedrooms attached to a shared living space. There are also studio rooms. Within the building there is a cafe style dining hall, a mini Barnes and Noble Bookstore and multiple fitness rooms. For more information visit the Office of Housing and Residential Life web site at http://www.housing.wayne.edu
12) Is the MPH Program at WSU accredited?
Yes. The WSU MPH Program is accredited by the Council for Education for Public health (CEPH) through December 31, 2023. CEPH is an independent agency recognized by the US Department of Education to accredit public health programs. More information may be found at www.ceph.org.
Additional Information about MPH Admission Requirements
1) Why is a college-level math class required of most applicants?
Biostatistics is a required course for all BGC-PH and MPH students. Success in statistics requires that students have adequate math skills. Past experience has demonstrated that students whose math skills are rusty have a difficult time in biostatistics. We want all our students to be successful and therefore prefer that students have taken a college level math course in the last 5 years.
2) What math classes do you recommend?
The acceptable courses offered at WSU are: MAT 1050 Algebra and Trigonometry or MAT 1000 Mathematics in Today's World
You will need to contact the math department about placement tests if you want to take a math course at WSU. More information is available at: http://www.math.wayne.edu/. If you take a class at another university, make sure that it is a college-level course, not a remedial high school level course. Before you enroll, send the course syllabus to mphprogram@med.wayne.edu to make sure that this course will fulfill our math requirement.
3) Does the requirement regarding having a math class apply to practicing physicians?
Yes. As noted above, success in biostatistics requires good math skills. Our requirement is a college-level degree course (or equivalent) which is typically about 32-45 hours of class time. Most medical schools do not provide that many hours of biostatistics. If you are in doubt about your math skills, you should take the WSU Math Department's placement exam to evaluate your proficiency. More information is available at: http://www.math.wayne.edu/
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4) How many credits can I transfer into the program?
The MPH Program does allow transfer of graduate credits at a grade of B or better provided they have not been part of an earned degree. Transfer credits must be appropriate to the MPH degree and are handled on a case by case basis. You will need to provide syllabi from past classes for review.
Credits may not be transferred to the BGC-PH.
5) Which standardized tests are required?
Students may submit Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) verbal, quantitative, and analytical reasoning scores, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT scores to fulfill the standardized test requirement. The institution code for Wayne State University is 1898.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required when English is not the primary language. Official copies of scores must be submitted to the Graduate School as part of the application process. A student cannot be officially admitted until they are received.
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6) What are acceptable standardized test scores?
Successful MPH students have good verbal, math, and writing skills. While there is no minimum test score requirement, successful applicants have previously earned standardized test scores above the 50th percentile. The standardized test score should provide evidence that the applicant will be successful in the MPH program and provide information about an applicant's strengths as a learner.
We recommend that applicants with low scores consider the options below to strengthen their application:
- Write a letter to the admissions committee providing evidence that you will be successful in our program and that your standardized test scores do not reflect your academic ability. This evidence could include information about undergraduate or post baccalaureate courses that you have taken, skills that you utilize in your employment, leadership experiences, experiential learning related to public health, and any recognitions, awards or scholarships. Title the letter "GRE Explanation" and upload the letter to the additional documents section of your application.
- Make sure that your referees include professors who can speak to your academic achievement and ability to be successful in a graduate program.
- Study for and retake the standardized test with the goal of strengthening your scores.
Please note that the admissions committee makes the final decision regarding your admission to the MPH Program.
7) Are standardized test waivers available?
Yes, applicants who have fulfilled one of the requirements below may apply for a standardized test waiver:
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- Completed an undergraduate degree at Wayne State University and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Completed a graduate degree (e.g. MS, MBA, MSN, Ph.D.) from a regionally accredited institution within the United States or a comparable degree from an officially recognized institution outside of the United States.
- Completed a terminal professional degree (for MD, DO, DDS, DVM, PharmD, etc.) and who have passed a professional licensure exam in the U.S. (USMLE, COMLEX-USA, BDE, NAPLEX, NAVLE, etc.). Apply to the Bridge Graduate Certificate (BGC-PH) and upload a copy of the professional licensure exam.
- Completed a terminal professional degree and are currently licensed to practice in Michigan. Apply to the Bridge Graduate Certificate (BGC-PH) and upload a copy of the Michigan license.
- Demonstrated significant experience as a public health professional (minimum of 5 years).
8) I was born in a country other than the USA but I am a graduate of a US college or university. Do I need to take the TOEFL or IELTS test?
In this case, the English language proficiency requirement is waived.
9) What is an acceptable TOEFL or IELTS score?
The MPH Program requires a minimum TOEFL IBT score of 90 and an IELTS score of 7.
10) When are applications accepted?
The MPH Program admists students during the fall, winter and spring summer semesters.
11) How many public health students are accepted each year?
Approximately 40 -50 students.
12) Do I have to apply to the university as well as apply to the MPH program?
You apply to the MPH and BGC-PH Programs on line at the Graduate Admissions website and will be required to meet both Graduate School and program specific requirements. Apply online at http://www.gradadmissions.wayne.edu and arrange for all official transcripts to be submitted directly from your colleges including from WSU.
The Graduate School requirements are minimum standards that must be met by all graduate students, regardless of their program of study. Like most departments, the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences requires supplemental information to address requirements specific to the MPH degree and the GC-PH Program. In order to expedite the review process, students must submit on line unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, licensure examination scores if required, list examples of prerequisite courses passed, provide a resume, and a personal interest statement, as well as arrange three (3) letters of recommendation. Applications will not be reviewed until all materials have been submitted.
13) What if my undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.0?
If you do not meet our minimum admission requirements you may consider the options below to strengthen your application. Please note that the Wayne State University Graduate School requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75.
- Write a letter to the admissions committee providing evidence that your GPA does not reflect your academic ability. This evidence could include information about undergraduate or post baccalaureate courses that you have taken, your standardized test scores, skills that you utilize in your employment, leadership experiences, experiential learning related to public health, and any recognitions, awards or scholarships that you have received. Title the letter "GPA Explanation" and upload the letter to the additional documents section of your application.
- Make sure that your referees include professors who can speak to your academic achievement and ability to be successful in a graduate program.
- Earn GRE or standardized test scores that meet or exceed our minimum requirements.
Please note that the admissions committee makes the final decisions regarding admission to the MPH Program.