MPH Option for University of Massachusetts Medical Students

UMMS medical students who are interested in obtaining an MPH degree have the opportunity to complete the degree in the Worcester Campus MPH Program. UMMS students have the option of taking a 1-year leave of absence from the Medical School and enrolling as graduate students in the WCMPH. The MPH degree is granted by the University of Massachusetts/ Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences. Medical students work with the WCMPH Program Director, Dr. Jacalyn Coghlin-Strom, to develop a course of study that meets their career interests. The majority of required and elective courses are taught in the classroom on the Medical School Campus. However, in order to complete the 42 credit requirement in one year, some students may choose to take a small number of on-line* elective courses. The cost per course is $1400 for classroom-based courses and $1800 for on-line courses. Students may apply for student loans to cover the cost of the MPH, no other financial aide is available. The specific requirements for the MPH are listed below. UMMS course credits cannot be applied to the MPH requirement.

5 required courses:

Principles of Epidemiology

Introductory Biostatistics

Environmental Health Practices

Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System

Applications of Social and Behavioral Learning Theories

Total: 15 credits

7 elective courses: Applied Epidemiology Research Methods,

Communicable Disease Epidemiology Survey Research

Epidemiology of Medical Care Scientific Writing

Intermediate Biostatistics Psycho-Social Epidemiology

Chronic Disease Epidemiology Public Health Law

Health Policy and Politics Public Health Ethics*

Financial Management of Health Care Global Health

Program Planning and Evaluation Environmental Regulations*

Emergency Management Comparative Healthcare Systems

Health Care Organization and Administration

Total: 21 credits

Practicum experience: The 3-credit practicum experience is developed on an individual basis to provide students with the opportunity to work in public health agencies and community-based organizations

Culminating experience: The 3-credit MPH project provides students with the opportunity to synthesize and apply the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom. Each student works with a faculty advisor to identify a project of interest.

Sample MPH Course Schedule for UMMS Medical Students

*On-line courses (Classroom-based courses are not currently offered during Summer Session 2)