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 Blended 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.  A number of required and elective courses are taught in the classroom on the Medical School Campus and there are also courses online through the Amherst Public Health Practice Program. The online options are useful since the medical student would be trying to complete the 42 credits in one year.  The cost per3 credit course is $1815 with a $45 registration fee each semester. 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 Theories In Public Health Interventions

Total: 15 credits

Choose 7 elective courses, the following list is just  sample of the online and live course offerings.   For a complete list of classes each semester, go to umassulearn.net - click on the semester, graduate, and courses are listed under Health Policy and Promotion, Epidemiology, Biostatistics or Environmental Health.

Applied Epidemiology
Research Methods,
Epidemiology of Medical Care 
Intermediate Biostatistics 
Public Health Law
Health Policy and Politics
Public Health Ethics
Financial Management of Health Care Institutions 
Global Health in the Developing World
Program Planning and Evaluation
Environmental Regulations
Public Health Emergency Management
Comparative Healthcare Systems
Health Care Organization and Administration
(as well as other courses available through the PHP Program)

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