FAQs
General Questions
How long is the program?
The program requires 45 credits. Full-time students may be able to complete the program in four consecutive semesters (Fall1, Spring, Summer, Fall2), although many students choose to complete their requirements in two traditional academic years (Fall1, Spring1, (possible Summer courses) Fall2, Spring2).
Is the program accredited?
VCU's MPH Program (in the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health) has been fully accredited since 1996 by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), which accredits schools of public health and graduate public health programs outside schools of public health (http://www.ceph.org). The most recent accreditation was awarded in June 2007 for seven years.
Do you have an open house/information session?
No, we do not currently offer an open house or information session. However, individuals may request a visit and can meet with faculty and student representatives who will answer questions and give campus tours.
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Applying to the Program
Do I need to have a science background to apply?
A science background is not required, though it is recommended.
What are the requirements for admission?
All applicants must provide the following:
- Scores from the Graduate Record Examination [GRE] or its equivalent (e.g., MCAT, DAT). Questions regarding the substitution of other examinations or possible exemptions should be addressed to the Admissions Committee.
GRE scores: verbal: 500, quantitative: 500, analytical writing: 4.5
Note: The successful completion of Steps I, II, & III, of U.S.M.L.E. can be substituted for GRE test scores.
MCAT scores: 24- Official Transcripts of all prior undergraduate/graduate work, with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- A Statement of Purpose for application to the program
- A current Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- Three current letters of recommendation
In addition, international applicants must provide scores from a Test of English as a Foreign Language [TOEFL] or an ILPT; and official transcripts to the VCU Office of International Education.
How long will it take to get an admissions decision?
No decision can be made until all information required for application has been sent to our Program by the VCU Graduate School. Once we receive your full application, the review
and decision process is completed in a matter of weeks.
What are your acceptance levels?
There are two levels of acceptance: full acceptance and provisional acceptance . Full acceptance is unconditional acceptance and is the highest level of acceptance granted by the University.Provisional acceptance is given when the admissions committee has doubts about your current skills, interest and ability to complete the rigor of our program. This may be triggered by scores on GPA or GRE just below the minimal standard (noted on our web site), by significant differences between GPA and GRE, by the personal statement of your desire for a career in public health, or by lack of science/statistics course in your undergraduate training. You may be able to manage the course work. The provisional acceptance allows you to demonstrate, in the first semester, that you are capable of maintaining a grade of B or better in your course work. Completion of a satisfactory first semester results in full acceptance into the remainder of the MPH program. A student who does not obtain all B's or better his first semester after provisional acceptance will not be allowed to continue in the MPH Program.
Should I send in my application before I have all my supporting documentation, such as
letters of reference and GRE scores?
Submitting your “on-line” application starts the admissions process, but the process cannot be finalized and your application cannot be fully reviewed until we receive your application
fees and all required, supporting documents.
Where do I send my supporting documents?
VCU Admissions prefers that all supporting documents be sent directly to the VCU Program the applicant is applying to, however including supporting documents in their application packet to VCU Admissions is acceptable also.
Do you admit students in the spring?
No – we only officially matriculate students in the fall. However, applicants can take up to two classes prior to formal admission, and these credits will be counted toward the degree. Note that only 6 credit hours will be applied towards the MPH degree prior to formal acceptance into the program.
Should reference letters for admission to the MPH program be academic or professional?
To be effective, the letters must show that the referee can explain why your background prepares you for a career in public health/preventive medicine. A letter from a heath professional would be more effective than a letter from a business professional, unless it is from a past employer/ supervisor who can speak directly to relevant skills.
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Where can I find graduate school applications?
Please click here to go to the graduate school's website, where you will find detailed application information as well as forms.
Testing
Can other tests replace the GREs?
MCATs are accepted as well as DATS, administered within the last 2 years, when applicants are also applying to or are in medical or dental school. If you have a terminal US degree (Ph.D., MD), you may request that the GRE requirement be waived. It is not automatically waived.I took the GREs 10 years ago. Do I have to retake them to apply?
Yes, GRE test scores are only accepted within 5 years of the test date.
What is the VCU code for the GRE scores?
VCU’s code is 5570.
If I am a foreign student and English is my first language. Do I need to take the TOEFL test?
Since lectures, laboratory instructions, and written and oral examinations are conducted in English, you must be proficient in the language. If your native language is not exclusively English, you must satisfy VCU’s English proficiency requirement before you begin your academic classes. This may be done by either presenting an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score or the International English Language Testing Services (IELTS) score (at the appropriate level), by passing the VCU English Language Placement Examination, or by successfully completing VCU’s intensive English language course (ELP). If you have taken the TOEFL or IELTS, your official score report must be sent to the university directly from the testing service.In addition to TOEFL or IELTS, VCU considers other factors affecting English language proficiency, such as amount and type of formal U.S. education and standardized test scores. VCU also provides English-as-a-second-language instruction for students who require additional language support.
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Application Deadlines
When may I apply to the program?
We have rolling admissions beginning January 1, and we accept applications until all slots are filled. However, all applications received before April 1st will receive priority for consideration for the upcoming academic year.
What is the deadline for international applications?
January 31st
What is the deadline for US applications?
Absolute deadline: April 1st.Will my application be reviewed if I miss the deadlines?
Our application process is a rolling process. Applicants are accepted until all available slots are filled by eligible applicants. However, due to the number of applications the program receives on time each year, applications received after the April 1st deadline typically are reviewed for admission in the following academic year.
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Transfer Credit
Can I transfer courses that I took at another school?
Up to 6 credit hours of appropriate courses from other accredited four-year institutions may be transferred if they were not part of the requirements for a previously awarded degree. The transfer course(s) must be of graduate level and relevant in the field of public health. The MPH Program Curriculum Committee reviews all requests for course transfers.
Can I get credit for any of the other education I have?
If you have a terminal degree (MD, Ph.D.) from an accredited U.S. institution or are a practicing physician in the US, you can request a waiver of up to 9 credits. The waiver is not automatic; you must submit a written request to the MPH Program Curriculum Committee to review.
Can I take classes before I enter the program?
You can get credit for up to 6 credits of MPH Program coursework prior to matriculation.
Many students take one or two classes prior to fall matriculation.
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Dual Degree Programs
I want to apply to a dual degree program. Where do I apply to first?
For the dual degree with the School of Nursing, apply to the School of Nursing first. That School will forward your application to the MPH Program. For all other dual degree programs, apply to both the MPH Program and the other School at the same time.
How does the MD/MPH dual degree program application process work?
I’ve heard there is more than one option.
There are two pathways for the MD/MPH Program. Both require 5 years. Any student who enters the MPH Program while applying to medical school and who is accepted into medical school within the fall semester of the MPH Program’s first year can be transferred into the dual degree program. This allows students to decrease the number of MPH Program credits they take and to get some credit for work in medical school. The second pathway is top complete 3 years of medical school, then transition to the MPH Program for one year and return to medical school in the fifth year. For both pathways, students are awarded both degrees after successfully completing the fifth year.
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Tuition and Financial Support
What are the tuition rates?
Tuition and fees depend on individual needs for housing, meals, etc. Please go to the VCU Enrollment Services website for more information: http://www.vcu.edu/enroll/sa/tuition/
Do you provide any funding for graduate student tuition or expenses?
Funding is usually limited, not guaranteed to be available every year, and highly competitive. After being accepted into MPH Program, students are encouraged to write a letter requesting funding assistance to Graduate Program Director.
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Program FAQs:
What type of a thesis will I need to prepare?
The MPH Program is a professional degree program, so students do not complete a thesis, but a research project that represents the “capstone” experience of the degree program. The MPH Research Project is a culminating experience designed to demonstrate application of the knowledge acquired in the MPH Program. The major product is a scholarly written report on a topic of public health significance. The project could be designed to be observational, analytic, or evaluative. Observational or analytic studies may be conducted on such topics as urban violence, low birth weight, school attendance, childhood lead poisoning, teen pregnancy, incomplete immunization of children, or HIV transmission and AIDS. The evaluative study may consider the efficacy and effectiveness of ongoing preventive interventions, or the evaluation of various existing programs (e.g., alcohol, drugs, asthma, diabetes or tuberculosis treatment programs). These examples are illustrative, not limiting.
All research projects must be human-based and involve data analysis. The data may consist of existing data sets or data collected by the student specifically for the research project. The completed project will be presented orally on Research Day to demonstrate understanding of the topic and ability to defend the study design and interpretation of results. More details are available at the MPH Research Project web page: http://www.epidemiology.vcu.edu/MPH_Program/researchguide/guidelines_05-24_07.html
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Internship
What kind of internships are required?
All students in the MPH Program must complete a practicum experience known as the Public Health Internship (PHI), which is a 3-credit-hour experience in a professional public health setting. Students work a minimum of 180 contact hours in a setting such as a local or state health department office, a non-profit organization such as the American Cancer Society or Central Virginia Health Planning Agency, or an appropriate private enterprise. Through the internship, students gain valuable practical experience in the professional public health work environment. More information is available at the Internship web page: http://www.epidemiology.vcu.edu/Internship/internship.htmAre the internships paid?
Since the purpose of the PHI is to expose students to everyday experience in a professional setting, pay is neither required nor expected. However, some internship sites are willing to pay student interns.
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Class Registration
I’m a new student. When can I register for classes?
We ask that all new students wait until they have attended the Program’s Orientation session, which is scheduled during the first week of classes in August.
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Non-matriculated [Special] Students
Requesting Registration in Courses
I am a special student. When can I request permission to register for an EPID course?
Special student are given permission to register for EPID courses after all matriculated MPH students have submitted their request for registration and there is still available seating in the course(s).
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