1. Helpful hints and tips for furthering your
education!
The Guide to
Graduate School
for Community Health
Students

2. The Guide to Graduate School
Interested in furthering your studies in graduate school? This how­to­guide will give you tips on
the process of applying and how to be prepared through each step.
Table of Contents
Why Pursue a Graduate Degree?………………………………………………………………….1
Preparing to Apply………………………………………………………………………………...2
Undergraduate Studies…………………………………………………………………….2
What to Major In……………………………………………………..................................2
Where to Apply…………………………………………………………………………....3
The GRE and Other Tests………………………………………………………………....4
The Application Process…………………………………………………………………………..4
Letters of Recommendation……………………………………………………………….4
Personal Essay……………………………………………………….................................5
Other Experiences………………………………………………………………………....5
School Information………………………………………………………………………..5
Submitting Your Application……………………………………………………………...6
Interviews…………………………………………………………………...……………………..6
Prevention Research Centers……………………………………………………………………...7
Online MPH Degree Programs……………………………………………………………………8

3. Why Pursue a Graduate Degree?
Growth.​ Pursuing a degree specific to your field, helps you to grow as a professional. You will
be able to learn from people who have years of real life experiences and grow your professional
networking connections immensely.
Opportunity. ​Attaining a master’s degree can expand your employment opportunities
and allow a more fluid path towards career advancement. Studies also show that those
who are employed with a master’s degree earn a higher income than their colleagues in
similar positions.
Experience. ​When you graduate with a master’s degree, you obtain experience unique from
other forms of education. Many of the experiences made here can also be used to help strengthen
your resume and help you stand out against your peers.
Freedom.​ Graduate school offers the opportunity to change the course of your education.
When choosing a course of study, you may choose something similar to what you studied
as an undergrad, but you can also choose something completely different. This freedom
to choose from thousands of courses of study and concentrations, encourages exploration
and provides the you with the opportunity to find your niche in the professional work
world.
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4. Preparing to Apply
Applying to graduate school can be a lengthy and grueling process, which is why it is important
to start thinking and planning for all of the different aspects of your application early on.
Undergraduate Studies
● Before or during your junior year of college, be sure to establish a solid relationship with
your advisor or another professor. This can strengthen your application as they have a
diverse expertise and knowledge in this process.
● Most graduate programs have prerequisite courses that they prefer completed prior to
admission, varying according to your major. Some universities may allow you to take
these courses within your first semester, but it’s best to do some research and find out
what classes you need so that you are prepared when you apply and don't have to make
any special accommodations.
What to Major In
● Many people continue the same studies in graduate school as they did in undergrad,
however there is often a more specific concentration. Others may choose to focus on
something they did not study, which may require a bit more research by the applicant,
however, the option is always there.
● Make sure to do some research before deciding on a graduate major. There could be
certain aspects to the major not readily known which can alter your decision. Look up
tuition rates, fastest or longest possible time to complete the degree, and some of the
faculty you may work with. Do this as early as possible so that you have time to begin
building a strong application and can tailor it to what each admissions committee is
looking for.
● Attending college/graduate fair and workshops may also be helpful, as these are great
ways to learn about different schools and programs and what they have to offer.
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5. Where to Apply
● When making a shortlist of possible schools, make sure to consider the location, as it is
likely you will be spending 2­3 years there. ​An easy way to determine the location you
want to be in is to split the U.S. up into regions: the Northeast, the Midwest, the South,
and the West. Pick the region(s) you would want to live in and begin by looking for
schools there.
● Graduate programs can be fairly competitive, so apply to more than one school if
possible. Don't sell yourself short when applying, as confidence is key in the professional
world and could be the one thing helping you to stand out from other applicants. As
applications do cost money to submit, begin by researching the amount of the application
fee, so that you can be prepared for the cost. Schools may also offer waivers to those who
qualify financially, be sure to check if that is an option that may work for you.
● The cost of graduate school can seem intimidating at first, but don’t let the cost of the
program waiver you from your decision to pursue an education. Allow yourself to
consider every avenue of help that can be provided to you for graduate school. There is
an option to apply for FAFSA while pursuing a degree in graduate school, and if
necessary, federal and third party loans can also be a resource.
● Once you have selected a few schools, you may want to contact any faculty that are
working on research projects within your area of interest. Research experience is a highly
valued attribute to bring to your application and will add great depth to your resume, thus
making you a stronger candidate.
● Be sure to carefully consider online programs, they are often more accessible to those
who are working but would still like to continue their education. Online programs will
provide just as valuable of a degree and with a lot more flexibility to meet your schedule
needs. On page 8, you will find a list of some of the more popular online degree
programs that can be completed part­time or full­time from anywhere in the world.
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6. The GRE and Other Tests
● Most schools will require you to take the Graduate Record Examination or the GRE. This
standardized test scores you based on analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and
quantitative reasoning.
● Schools typically prefer applicants that score at the 50th percentile or above. If you are
unhappy with your score, you can retake the test once every 21 days, and up to 5 times
within any 12 month period. The GRE costs around $200 every time you take it and
requires travel to a test center. It is important to prepare for the test in advance, the
Mantor Library has multiple practice books and the GRE website offers free study and
practice tools.
● Leave yourself plenty of time to take the test before you apply, this way you can receive
your scores and have enough time to retake the test if you decide that is something you
want to do. Be careful about when you decide to send your scores, as you want to make
sure you have done your absolute best.
● Certain programs may also require tests in addition to, or in substitute of, the GRE.
The Application Process
Applying to graduate school is best done as early as possible, so make sure you are aware of the
deadlines. Some schools will have individual applications, while certain courses of study will
have one centralized application where you can apply to multiple schools at once such as
SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service).
Letters of Recommendation
● Letters of recommendation are an important and unique part of your application. They
often note on your character and work ethic, which may not be expressed as strongly as
in any other part of your application. This is why it is important to seek a mentor or
someone you have worked with who can really speak of your skills and traits.
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7. ● Most programs require 2­3 letters of recommendation, suggesting that you have 2
academic references and 1 non­academic reference. Ask your professor/supervisor if they
would be willing to write you a letter far in advance, be sure to give a good amount of
time to complete the recommendation.
Personal Essay
● Graduate programs require an essay accompanying your application. Essay topics vary by
school and can range from very general questions about your career path and why you are
applying, to very specific questions, depending on what the school finds valuable in a
candidate. It’s important to write a personal essay for each school that you are applying
to, do not try to make one fit all.
● Personal essays are often a chance to sell yourself and explain why you would be a great
addition to the program, meaning that you may want to spend a bit of time writing them.
If you get stuck, there are resources at the library, as well as the Career Center, that may
be able to help. Professors can also be helpful here, especially if you have asked them to
write you a letter of recommendation, it may give them a bit of insight as to why you
want to pursue graduate school.
Other Experiences
● Internships, work­study positions, volunteer hours, and research experiences can make
your application stand out and become more appealing to admissions. It’s important to
include any relevant work in your field, often you will have room to explain why these
experiences have prepared you to enter the program.
School Information
● The website of the school you are applying for will have all of the information needed to
apply, even though it may require some digging. If you don’t find the information you're
looking for, or if something is unclear, contact the admissions department of the school.
Admissions is always willing to help and you may even gain a bit of name recognition.
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8. ● It’s highly recommended that you attend a tour or an information session at your schools.
This will allow you to visit the campus, experience what it’s like to travel there (and how
much it costs), as well as an opportunity to learn more about your program in a hands­on
manner.
Submitting Your Application
● Be sure to submit your application and all other materials 3 weeks before the deadline, or
more. It takes take a few weeks for schools to process all submitted materials (test scores,
personal essay, transcripts, etc.) after they have been sent, so the earlier the better.
● Have all transcripts sent to the school a month before the deadline at the latest, as well as
your GRE and any other test scores. Schools will typically send an email when all
materials have been verified and received.
Interviews
● Before making a final decision, some schools will offer interviews to the candidates
applying for their program. While on­campus interviews are encouraged, travel and
timing can often be a barrier, so Skype interviews are sometimes offered.
● Be sure to practice and prepare for your interview, ask people already working in the
field for advice as well your professors and colleagues. Knowing what you are going to
say and preparing, will increase your confidence and allow your interests to shine, not
just your nerves. Tell them why you are the best candidate and what you can bring to
their program.
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9. Prevention Research Centers/MPH Programs
The Prevention Research Centers are a network of 26 academic research centers in the U.S. that
study how people and their communities can avoid or reduce the risks for chronic illnesses, such
as heart disease, obesity, and cancer. These centers (listed below) are located at schools of public
health and/or medical schools that have a preventive medicine residency program.
Center Locations
University of Alabama at Birmingham University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
University of Arizona New York University School of Medicine and
City University of New York School of Public
Health
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of California, San Francisco Oregon Health and Science University
Case Western Reserve University University of Pennsylvania
Dartmouth College University of Pittsburgh
University of Illinois at Chicago University of Rochester
University of Iowa University of South Carolina at Chapel Hill
Johns Hopkins University University of South Florida
University of Kentucky Tulane University
University of Massachusetts Medical School,
Worcester
University of Washington
University of Minnesota West Virginia University
Morehouse School of Medicine Yale University
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10.
Online MPH Degree Programs
Name of School Description
George Washington
University
The online Master of Public Health (MPH) program from the Milken
Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University helps
students succeed in advancing the health of populations locally and
globally.
Emory University Emory University's Executive Master of Public Health (MPH) degree
offers distance learning in three concentrations. MPH degree students may
choose from applied epidemiology, applied public health informatics, or
prevention science.
University of Southern
California
The Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California
offers an online Master of Public Health degree program designed to
educate emerging and current professionals in the field. USC's online MPH
students have access to the same types of practicum opportunities as those
reporting to classrooms.
University of North
Texas Health Science
Center
University of North Texas Health Science Center's Master of Public Health
Professional degree can be earned totally online. The MPH degree focuses
on health policy and management, professionalism and leadership skills.
Northern Illinois
University
Northern Illinois University's Master of Public Health degree program is
accredited by the CEPH and available completely online as a distance
learning degree. The MPH is offered as two specializations: health
promotion or health services management.
New Mexico State
University
New Mexico State University­Main Campus offers their accredited Master
of Public Health degree completely online. The program is accredited by
the Council for Public Health and is aimed at students who are currently
working in the field of public health and are not able to attend the physical
campus to earn a traditional MPH.
University of Iowa The University of Iowa's College of Public Health does not just offer one
Master of Public Health degree ­­ it has several MPH degrees in different
specialties: community and behavioral health, epidemiology, policy, health
communication, occupational and environmental health, and quantitative
methods.
San José State
University
San Jose State University's online Master of Public Health degree is a
rigorous, practice­oriented program designed with flexibility in mind. All
courses are delivered online, though students must meet once a year in San
Jose for a four to five day intensive, depending on the cohort. Courses are
accelerated, lasting between five to seven weeks.
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11. University of Alaska ­
Anchorage
The University of Alaska at Anchorage designed its Master of Public
Health in Health Practice degree to prepare future leaders to identify,
assess, prevent and mitigate community health challenges.
University of
Massachusetts ­
Amherst
UMass Amherst offers an online Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in
Public Health Practice through its School of Public Health and Health
Sciences. This 100 percent online degree program provides a broad
introduction to the main areas in public health.
West Virginia
University
West Virginia University has a Master of Public Health Practice (MPH)
degree offered through WVU Online. Designed for professionals currently
working in the healthcare industry, the program blends online coursework
with practical experience gained through fieldwork.
University of New
England
University of New England's Master of Public Health (MPH) degree can
be earned online using Blackboard Learn software, with no campus visits
necessary. The program is designed for working professionals, and
students can complete it on either a full­time or part­time schedule.
University of North
Carolina, Chapel Hill
UNC Chapel Hill offers Master of Public Health degrees in different
concentrations, some of which can be earned mostly, if not completely
online. Online MPH degrees in both the leadership and occupational health
nursing concentrations require just one or two intensive campus visit(s).
University of Vermont Students in the University of Vermont's online Master of Public Health
(MPH) program can complete their degree without visiting the campus, as
they can organize their final project at their own location. The university's
MPH is a generalist degree, which means that students learn about a
variety of issues related to public health, population health sciences and
health policy.
SUNY at Albany SUNY at Albany offers their Master of Public Health to graduate students
looking to expand their professional skills and knowledge in the public
health field. Students choose from core courses in six areas: epidemiology,
biostatistics, health policy and management, behavioral science,
environmental health, and biological basis of public health.
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