FAQ

The MPH Program at CSUN is a community-based professional program. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in health education or a related field. CSUN's MPH program has an eclectic student population, which brings together the experiences of health professionals from many different health areas. The MPH combines a set of required courses in accordance with CEPH (Council on Education in Public Health) guidelines, fulfilling required courses and options for electives to gain depth and focus in specific fields. The CSUN MPH Program is designed for those seeking training in Public Health Education or Applied Epidemiology.

The professional opportunities open to students completing the MPH degree are extremely varied and are significantly impacted by their prior training.  As a mid-career program, the MPH training at CSUN typically achieves the following:

• Enhances prior training,
   
• Provides new sets of skills,
   
• Enables students to enter new careers or opportunities.

Recent graduates now have responsibilities for pubic health prevention, education, and preventive medicine programs in:

• Hospitals,
   
• Public and mental health programs,
   
• Analysts at the county or state level,
   
• Health maintenance organizations,
   
• Long-term care facilities,
   
• Business and industry,
   
• Universities and community colleges.

Still others have taken on responsibilities for:

• Directorships of public health programs,
   
• Evaluators of public health prevention programs,
   
• Advisors to state elected legislators, 
   
• Public health consulting.

The MPH in Community Health Education trains students to identify and assess the needs of the communities; plan, implement and evaluate programs to address these needs. This MPH also develops skills to become a certified health education specialist, to develop curriculum in health education, and create public health programs aimed at improving quality of life and health within communities. 
 

The MPH in Applied Epidemiology trains students in how epidemiologic evidence informs public health practice, how to design epidemiologic studies, identify risk factors, collect and analyze data using appropriate methodologies, use statistical software and evaluate the strengths and limitations of epidemiologic investigations and incorporate into study interpretations and implications.

Yes, the CSUN's MPH program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Initial accreditation was awarded on October 20, 2011 and we continue to maintain the reaccreditation. More information on our accreditation can be found online at http://www.csun.edu/health-human-development/health-sciences/mph-accreditation.

For the Community Health Education program, Monday through Thursday required courses are offered in the afternoon (4-7pm) and elective courses in the evenings (7-10pm).

• We schedule the program so that students should usually only be on campus 2 days a week. 
• Occasionally classes are offered on Friday and the weekend.
• We encourage students who work full-time to communicate with their employers to ensure they have ample time to commute to campus for the 4pm required courses for about 2 days a week.
• We are working to add more hybrid classes in the CHE program.

It is similar for the Applied Epidemiology program with most classes being on Monday through Thursday required courses are offered in the afternoon (4-7pm) and elective courses in the evenings (7-10pm).

• We schedule the program so that students should usually only be on campus 2 days a week. 
• Labs may start at 2PM one day a week for the first year

In general the CSUN MPH program is lower cost than many other MPH programs. CSUN was named one of the most cost effective institutions in the nation. The cost of the MPH program depends on the number of units taken each semester. Please see the CSUN Tuition and Fees website for more information.

Prospective students can view our MPH brochure and information sheet on the main MPH website here: http://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/mph-brochure.pdf.

The program can be completed in four semesters of full-time study. Full-time students will take between 3 to 4 classes per semester and the price is at a flat full-time rate (making it more cost effective to take more classes). Part time students may require as many as six to eight semesters to complete the program and will average 2 to 3 classes per semester priced at a part-time rate. 

Each individual student's academic record is individually reviewed. Graduate level courses that can be verified to be equivalent to CSUN MPH course work will be seriously considered toward fulfillment of the degree requirements. Up to nine transfer units may be included as part of the graduate course work. Students may petition to waive a course if they feel the course would repeat material they have already learned in a prior course. Such petitions are reviewed by the faculty member teaching the course, and by the MPH program director. Students should have a copy of the description of the prior course, a copy of the syllabus, and evidence of course completion on an official transcript.  If permission to waive is granted, students then have the opportunity to replace the course with one of our many electives.

The MPH in Applied Epidemiology is designated as a STEM program so that graduates are eligible for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension.

The MPH in Community Health Education is not designated as a STEM program.

Our traditional MPH program requires students to attend class in person.

Some classes in the Community Health Education program may be hybrid (half online and half in-person), but the overwhelming majority are in-person. The Community Health Education program is continuing to add more hybrid classes to provide more flexibility. 

All of the Applied Epidemiology program classes are in person and we do not have an online Epidemiology program. 

CSUN also offers a separate MPH program in Community Health Education that is completely online through Tseng. You can find more information about this program here: http://tsengcollege.csun.edu/programs/MPH.

CSUN does not offer full scholarships to cover the full cost of the program. However, graduate students may apply for scholarships while enrolled. Applications are competitive and awards typically range from $500 -$4,000.

Information about Cal Grants, State University Grants, EOP Grants, and graduate fellowships can be located at the California Student Aid Commission Web site. Scholarships applications can be filed via the CSUN Scholarships Web site.

Our MPH program does offer some graduate research assistance positions and teaching assistant positions. These are promoted to students throughout the year, and are attained on a first come first serve basis via applications. 

For financial aid information, please call the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department at 818-677-4085. You can also visit their website at http://www.csun.edu/financialaid.

Financial opportunities for CSUN graduate students can also be found on the Graduate Studies website. 

We hold information sessions each Fall semester. The current dates can be found on the info session page. You are always welcome to call, email or visit us with any questions you may have pertaining to applying to our program.

No, the program does not require any specific coursework before applying.

To be considered for admission to the MPH program, applicants must have graduated with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college. While a major in public health or health-related field is preferred, other majors will be considered for admission.

Yes, students are required to complete 300 hours of internship in the field with an approved community partner. Students typically begin their internship the start of their second year. At this time, internship hours may NOT begin during the summer months. We encourage those who work full time to communicate with their employer well in advance (at least a year prior) in expectation of the internship commitment.

At this time, internship hours may NOT begin in the summer months.

Students have the option to complete the Comprehensive Exam or an Integrated Learning Experience. The majority of students take the Comprehensive Exam the semester they plan to graduate. Those who elect to complete a Thesis/Project generally spend an additional one to two years in the program, extending the program to possibly four years.

No, we only offer Fall admissions. 

The application deadlines may change from year to year, so please refer to our admissions page for more information. The application generally opens in early October and closes in early March. Students begin the program only in the Fall semester.