Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Admissions Review Process?
Once your application packet is deemed complete by the Bloomberg School’s Office of Admissions, your application is sent to the MSPH program faculty who review your application. Faculty look for solid academic performance and letters of recommendation, a strong link between the applicant’s stated career goals and mission of the MSPH program, and previous work or volunteer experience. Applicants are highly encouraged to participate in one of the visitor days organized by the Bloomberg School.
Are the GREs Required?
Standardized test scores are not required and not reviewed for this program. If you have taken a standardized test such as the GRE, GMAT, or MCAT and want to submit your scores, please note that they will not be used as a metric during the application review. Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all required application components.
What Types of Certificate Programs are Available to Students?
Our Department sponsors several certificate programs. HBS master's students may also pursue any of the certificate programs offered in the Bloomberg School for which they qualify. For more information about certificate programs, please visit the certificates program page.
Can I Complete the Master's Program on a Part-Time Basis or Online?
The MSPH program is available for part-time study. Candidates for the part-time program complete the Bloomberg School's application and indicate part-time status. These applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Part-time students have three years to complete the required curriculum AND complete the necessary electives to reach 64 credits. Field placement requirements are the same as for full-time students. Part-time students should plan their coursework carefully to avoid scheduling issues that may delay their completion. While students are allowed to take online courses, not all program requirements can be completed virtually.
How Many Electives Can I Take and How Should I Use Them?
The MSPH program allows students considerable flexibility to create a program of study that meets their unique career goals. Students are encouraged to plan their electives with their faculty advisors. Electives can be used to grow areas of strength or to address deficiencies in a student’s portfolio of experiences and competencies. Electives may be selected from graduate-level courses throughout the School or University.
Where Do Students Find Field Placements?
Field placement settings mirror those settings where our graduates find exciting and rewarding positions upon completion of the program and include: social marketing and health communication firms; voluntary health associations; private, for-profit, and non-profit settings such as hospitals, businesses, and agencies; and federal, state, and local government agencies.
State-specific Information for Online and Externship Programs:
Students in the MSPH program currently cannot conduct field placements in Kentucky. For more information, please contact an admissions representative. Students should be aware of additional state-specific information for online programs.
Can I Become a Certified Health Education Specialist While Completing this Degree?
The MSPH coursework meets the eligibility criteria that allow our students to sit for the national exam coordinated by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. For more details about the CHES exam, please visit the NCHEC.