Pre-Public Health Preparation at UHMānoa
(Text compiled from the Association of Schools of Public Health website, the Public Health Institute website, the Center for Disease Control website, Pfizer’s Guide to Careers in Public Health website by ASPH, and the UHM 2011-2012 Catalog.)
Hawai'i Public Health program: University of Hawai'i Office of Public Health Studies
Public Health Programs
Prerequisites for Admission
What makes a strong candidate?
Entrance Exam
The Application Process
Contact Information
Additional Information
Downloadable Brochure
The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) defines public health as follows: “Public health is the science and art of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research for disease and injury prevention.
“Public health is concerned with protecting the health of entire populations. These populations can be as small as a local neighborhood, or as big as an entire country. Public health professionals try to prevent problems from happening or re-occurring through implementing educational programs, developing policies, administering services, regulating health systems and some health professions, and conducting research. Public health professionals also analyze the effect on health of genetics, personal choice and the environment in order to develop programs that protect the health of your family and community.”
According to the Center for Disease Control, public health in the twentieth century dramatically increased the quality of life and average lifespan of Americans by developing programs for vaccination, motor vehicle safety, workplace safety, controlling infectious diseases, family planning, ensuring safer and healthier food supplies, and fluoridation of water, to name only a few.
Public health encompasses a wide variety of disciplines, such as biology, sociology, mathematics, anthropology, public policy, medicine, education, psychology, computer science, business, engineering, and more. Consequently, there is no single pathway to public health and there is no “typical” public health job.
Because public health is so broad, students pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree choose an area of specialization, or concentration. Schools vary in which concentrations they offer, but all accredited schools offer the five core disciplines.
Core Disciplines
Behavioral Sciences/Health Education
Behavioral Science/Health Education focuses on ways that encourage people to make
healthy choices. These include the development of community-wide education programs that range from researching complex health issues to promoting healthy lifestyles in order to prevent disease and injury.
Biostatistics
Biostatistics identifies health trends that lead to life-saving measures through the application of statistical procedures, techniques, and methodology.
Environmental Health
Environmental Health studies the impact of our surroundings on our health and how to reduce environmental risk factors.
Epidemiology
Epidemiology investigates the cause of disease and controls its spread. Epidemiologists do fieldwork to determine what causes disease or injury, what the risks are, who is at risk, and how to prevent further incidences. They spot and understand the demographic and social trends that influence disease and injury and evaluate new treatments.
Health Services Administration/Management
Health Services Administration/Management combines politics, business, and science in managing the human and fiscal resources needed to deliver effective public health services. Health services administration studies health care systems, health care reform, health care law, financial management, clinic management, and policy analysis.
Additional Concentrations may include:
International/Global Health
International/Global Health addresses health concerns among different cultures in countries worldwide.
Maternal and Child Health
Maternal and Child Health improves the public health delivery systems specifically for women, children, and their families through advocacy, education, and research.
Nutrition
Nutrition examines how food and nutrients affect the wellness and lifestyle of populations. Nutrition combines education and science to promote health and disease prevention.
Public Health Laboratory Practice
Public Health Laboratory Practices tests biological and environmental samples in order to diagnose, prevent, treat, and control infectious diseases. Practitioners include bacteriologists, microbiologists, and biochemists.
Health Policy
Health Policy works to improve the public's health through legislative action at the local, state, and federal levels.
Public health professionals work in both public and private sectors, including local, state, or federal health departments, non-profit organizations, pharmaceutical companies, health insurance companies, and universities.
Related fields include: social work, sociology, psychology, health administration, law, medicine, and dentistry.
Public Health Programs
Becoming a public health professional requires 6-10 years of education:
Bachelor degree (~4 years);
Master (~2 years);
Doctoral (~4-5 years)
The public health curriculum varies from school to school, but often includes courses in each of the five core disciplines, courses within the area of concentration (sometimes called the major), electives, practicum experiences, and a final, culminating experience, often conducted in a work environment.
Schools of public health offer a variety of degrees, which can be separated into two categories: professional or academic. Professional degrees (i.e. Master of Public Health (MPH), Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Master Health Administration (MHA)) are oriented towards practice in public health settings. Academic degrees (i.e. Master of Science (MS), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Science (ScD)) are oriented towards a career in teaching at a university or conducting research.
Because public health incorporates such a broad spectrum of disciplines, many students pursue a public health degree in tandem with a second degree related to their intended area of specialization. Joint/dual degrees can be completed simultaneously or sequentially. Some of the most common joint/dual degrees include:
MPH/MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)
MPH/MSW (Master of Social Work)
MPH/MPP (Master of Public Policy)
MPH/MD (Medical Doctor)
MPH/DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery)
MPH/JD (Juris Doctor)
MPH/MBA (Master of Business Administration)
University of Hawaii’s Department of Public Health Studies (DPHS) currently offers:
Degree |
Specialization |
Master of Public Health |
Epidemiology |
Master of Science in Public Health* |
Epidemiology |
Doctor of Public Health |
Community-based and Translational Research |
Doctor of Philosophy |
Epidemiology |
Graduate Certificate |
Global Health and Population Studies |
*The MPH degree provides a set of skills and principles essential for students who intend to apply their training in a professional setting, provide leadership in a specific health specialty, and improve and protect the health and well-being of populations. In general, the MPH degree will include coursework in a number of public health disciplines, such as administration, epidemiology, environmental health, and behavioral health. The MSPH degree prepares practitioners for a career that includes research in a specific aspect of public health. It provides a set of skills in research design, data collection, analysis and application of research in public health intended to improve and protect the health of populations. The degree is suited for students with good quantitative and/or qualitative skills and an interest in the science of public health and a comprehensive research experience. The MSPH degree usually requires completion of a research project.
A MD/MPH combined degree program is now available at the John A. Burns School of Medicine starting with the 2012 entering class. To be eligible for admission to the MD/MPH program, applicants must fulfill all admissions requirements by their posted deadlines. Applicants must apply to both programs simultaneously: to the MD program through AMCAS and to the MPH program through UHM. The MD/MPH program AMCAS deadline for the application is November 1, 2011 (EST).
UHM’s John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) offers Master of Science (MS) and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees in three of the core disciplines: Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management, and Social & Behavioral Health Sciences. Degrees in these concentrations require approximately two years to complete. The MS degree prepares students to pursue research or a doctoral degree; the MPH prepares students to begin a career in public health.
Prerequisites for Admission
Almost any major can prepare students for a career in public health, but it does help to have foundation courses in your intended area of concentration. For example, to pursue biostatistics, a student does not have to major in math, but does need to have basic competency in pertinent math principles.
The following list, provided by the Association of Schools of Public Health and adapted to UHM majors, demonstrates how a variety of majors can prepare students for a career in public health. Whatever your major, courses that develop strong verbal and written communication skills are essential.
Undergraduate Majors/Minors Public Health Concentrations
Education, Sociology, Psychology, Behavioral Sciences/Health Education
Anthropology, Biology, Marketing,
Communication, Criminology
Math, Statistics, Biology and other Basic Biostatistics or Epidemiology
Sciences, Molecular Biosciences and
Bioengineering, Computer Sciences
Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Health
Agriculture, Earth Sciences (Geology,
Meteorology, Oceanography), Archeology,
Psychology, Natural Resources and
Environmental Management
Business, Economics, Public Policy, Health Services Administration
Political Science, Health Science, Marketing
Social Sciences, Linguistics, Political Science, International/Global Health
History, Biology and other Basic Sciences,
Anthropology, Communication, Ethnic and
Culture Studies, Social Sciences
Biology, Social Sciences, Health Science, Maternal and Child Health
Public Policy, Social Work
Biology, Chemistry, Food Science and Nutrition
Human Nutrition
Although no specific major or degree is required, DPHS recommends the following academic preparation for the various specializations:
Specialization |
Degrees Required |
Recommended Coursework |
Epidemiology (MPH/MS) |
Bachelor’s degree |
Biology |
Health Policy and Management (MPH) |
Bachelor’s degree |
Training in social science, health, or human services |
Social & Behavioral Health Sciences (MPH/MS) |
Bachelor’s degree |
Mathematics or Statistics |
Epidemiology (PhD) |
Master’s degree |
Natural and/or social sciences |
Community-based and Translational Research (DrPH) |
MPH or graduate degree in allied profession |
|
Global Health and Population Studies (certificate) |
Bachelor’s degree or concurrent graduate degree |
|
What makes a strong candidate?
Schools of public health are graduate programs, which means that admission is competitive. Admissions committees are looking for applicants who
- have strong academic records
- have a strong overall GPA
- have effective written and oral communication skills
- understand the field of public health and have clear career goals
- performed well on a standardized test (not required for all schools)
- have relevant volunteer, school-based (e.g. internships), or work experience
- have the necessary academic foundation for the chosen concentration
- submit a well-written, carefully considered personal statement
Applicants to UH’s OPHS should have not only an appropriate academic background, but also experience in public health, and should be able to demonstrate their interest and commitment.
Researching Schools
There are now 50 Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredited schools of public health, each one unique in its mission, philosophy, criteria, and strengths.
Although there are resources that “rank” schools (The Gourman Report, U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, etc.), the rankings are rarely pertinent to specific graduate programs or for individual applicants. More important is whether there is a good match between you and your school.
To find schools that are a good match for you:
- Assess your individual strengths and weaknesses, your professional interests, learning style, and personality;
- Start with a list of all schools you would consider attending, which usually includes all 50 CEPH-accredited schools;
- Using the websites of the schools and programs of public health, create your “Long List” by omitting the schools that do not match your professional interests, learning style, and personality (PAC offers a list of 7 factors to consider, found here: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/pac/Choosing%20a%20School%20Handout.pdf );
- Once you have your exam scores, create your “Short List” by categorizing the schools on your Long List into ‘Reach,’ ‘Match,’ and ‘Safety’. Next, rank the schools by preference, and then decide how many schools you can afford to apply to (PAC peer advisors can help with this process). Be sure to apply to schools in all 3 categories (‘Reach’, ‘Match’, and ‘Safety’);
- If possible, visit the schools to see the facilities, talk to the Admissions Directors, and chat with students.
Entrance Exam
Requirements about standardized tests vary by school and program. Visit the School of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) website to check school specific test requirements.
Schools of public health accept a number of different standardized tests. The most frequently requested test is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
GRE Overview: The GRE is administered year-round, appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis, and is available only in computer-based format. The test requires approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete and assesses your skills in Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing, and Quantitative Reasoning.
GRE Scoring: Scores for the Verbal and Quantitative sections each yield a scaled score of 130 to 170, in 1-point increments. The Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale of 0 to 6 in half-point increments, and you will receive a single score for your overall performance in this section.
Preparation: Your most important preparations for both the GRE and the MCAT are your undergraduate courses (not only the prerequisites for public health graduate programs, but all of your courses), many of which sharpen your writing and verbal reasoning. Remember that your Analytical Writing (GRE) score is not only the most accurate predictor of how well you will do in graduate school, but also the most difficult score to improve.
Schools of public health accept a number of different standardized tests, including the Dental Admission Test (DAT), the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). Students who learned English as a second language may also need to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
If you are planning to take one of the tests other than the GRE, summary sheets about each test are available in PAC. PAC peer advisors can also help you learn about each of the tests, and test preparation materials are available.
Note: For tests other than the GRE, you will need to provide a designation code to indicate that you are applying to schools of public health; the codes are available on the SOPHAS website.
Click Here for the GRE Breakdown
The Application Process
Some schools offer a single, combined application; others require that students apply and be accepted to each program separately. Many schools (37 of the 46 CEPH-accredited schools, as of June 2011) now use the centralized application service, Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS).
Note that there are schools of public health and programs of public health which can vary in the types of concentrations they offer as well as the application process.
Primary Application: With SOPHAS, you can submit one application, which will be forwarded to the schools you designate after it is verified as complete. The SOPHAS application requires:
- Official transcripts;
- Test scores (check if Testing Agency should send scores directly to SOPHAS or to individual schools);
- Statement(s) of Purpose and Objectives;
- 3-5 letters of reference; and
- An application, which includes:
- Contact and personal information,
- Research and work experience,
- Community and volunteer experience,
- Honors and awards,
- Colleges and universities attended,
- Coursework completed, including grades, and
- A curriculum vitae (CV) or resume (required by only some schools).
Secondary Applications: Some of the schools use the SOPHAS application only for initial screening, in which case, they will request an additional, secondary application. Secondary applications often request another essay or essays and sometimes, additional letters of recommendation. All secondary applications are submitted directly to the individual school(s).
Applicants interested in attending UH Department of Public Health Sciences should apply directly to the program.
Contact Information
University of Hawai‘i
Department of Public Health Sciences
1960 East-West Road, Biomed D204
Honolulu, HI 96822
pubhlth@hawaii.edu
(808) 956-8577
For questions regarding epidemiology, contact Dr. Andrew Grandinetti at (808) 956-7495 or andrewg@hawaii.edu. For questions regarding health policy and management, contact Dr. Maile Taualii at (808) 956-7231 or mtaualii@hawaii.edu. For questions regarding social and behavioral health sciences, contact Dr. Claudio Nigg at (808) 956-2862 or cnigg@hawaii.edu. For questions regarding community-based and translational research, contact Dr. Kathryn Braun at (808) 956-5768 or kbraun@hawaii.edu.
For further information regarding the MD/MPH degree program, please contact:
Andrew Grandinetti, MD, PhD
Associate Chair & Associate Professor
Ph#: (808) 956-7495
Fax#: (808) 956-5818
Email: andrewg@hawaii.edu
For Application Information:
Office of Graduate Student Academic Services (OGSAS)
John A. Burns School of Medicine
1960 East West Road, Biomed D204
Honolulu, HI 96822
(808) 956-8267
Email: ogsas@hawaii.edu
Additional Information
UHM’s Pre-Health and -Law Professions Advising Center (PAC) has reference books, lists of volunteer opportunities, academic planning worksheets, and one-on-one advising by peers who can help you prepare for and apply to schools of public health.
| UH Office of Public Health Studies | http://www.hawaii.edu/publichealth/ |
UH Global Health and Population Studies |
http://www.hawaii.edu/publichealth/ghaps/ |
| American Public Health Association | www.apha.org |
| Association of Schools of Public Health | www.asph.org |
| What is Public Health? | http://whatispublichealth.org/ |
ASPH’s Public Health Employment Resource |
http://publichealthjobs.net/ |
| Graduate Record Examination | http://www.ets.org/gre |
| Schools of Public Health Application Service | http://sophas.org/ |
| Council on Education for Public Health | www.ceph.org |
| Preparing for Graduate School by the Honors Program | http://preparingforgraduateschool.weebly.com/ |