Master of Public Health

The Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) Master of Public Health (MPH) is a 46-credit-hour generalist degree designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of each of the five core areas of public health including Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Health Services Administration, and Social and Behavioral Health. The MPH program is designed to prepare students for a career where they can influence public health on a local, state, national and/or global level. Provided from a distinctly faith-based foundation through an online learning model, students will value, understand, and apply the interrelated social-behavioral theories and contextual factors needed to address the complex health problems of 21st-century households, communities, and organizations.

IWU's MPH program is an online degree offered through a well-recognized instruction modality. Students will take one eight week course at a time allowing them to earn a degree while maintaining their personal and professional commitments. Students will also engage in a hands-on, mentored experience in a public health setting that is arranged to coincide conveniently with one's work and life.

Upon satisfactory completion of the MPH program, students should be able to:

• Apply evidence-based knowledge of social, biological, and environmental determinants to disease and health conditions.

• Employ appropriate methods of design, analysis, and synthesis to address population-based health problems in urban, rural and global environments.

• Synthesize the interrelationships among the organization, delivery, and financing of health services.

• Communicate public health principles and concepts through various strategies across multiple sectors of the community.

• Promote diversity and cultural understanding in public health education, research, and practice.

• Demonstrate public health knowledge and skills in practice settings.

• Demonstrate effective leadership competencies for building partnerships in advocating for public health programs and policies.

• Articulate a Christian worldview toward various public health issues.

Accreditation

This degree program offered through Indiana Wesleyan University is seeking national accreditation with the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH). Candidacy awarded on September 2014.

Mission

We are committed to prepare students to improve the health of populations locally and globally through strengthening health systems, building stronger communities, and facilitating healthy behavior from a faith-based foundation.

Admission Requirements

A carefully completed application for admission should be submitted to the IWU School of Health Sciences MPH program. Admission to this degree program is based on qualifications and space availability. The IWU MPH program is a competitive program and application alone does not guarantee admittance. Admission is granted without regard to sex, race, color, age, religion, national origin, or handicap.

• Degree:  Applicants to the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program must have a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. The minimum grade point average (GPA) is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for any completed undergraduate and graduate programs. Applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or below must take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

• Application Form: Submit a completed School of Health Sciences graduate application form.

• Official Transcript: Submit official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended. Official transcripts from all post-high school educational experiences are required. Transfer students from a college or university abroad are also responsible to have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service such as World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) for an official course-by-course credential evaluation (document-by-document evaluations will not suffice). Transcripts from international programs are individually reviewed.

• International/Non-English Speaking Students: A student who is living in the United States but is not a United States citizen must submit a copy of a visa or permanent resident status during the process of application. Students who do not speak English as their first and primary language must submit satisfactory scores from one of the following before admission to the university:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). For graduate students, a score of at least 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), or 100 (Internet-based) is required for regular academic admission.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For graduate students, a score of at least 6.5 is required for regular academic admission.

• References: Submit three professional references. At least one of the references should be from a previous faculty member who can speak to your capacity to do graduate level work.

• Writing Sample: In a double-spaced typed essay of 500 to 750 words, explain your interest in the program, what you hope to achieve by completing the program, and how your personal or professional background relates to your interests or goals. The essay’s content and the clarity of writing are assessed as part of the admissions process.

• Prerequisite Courses: Students are required to have a grade of "B" or better in a 200-level math (e.g. college algebra) or statistics course as a foundation for success in a professional level graduate MPH program.

• Resume: Other aspects of an applicant’s record, such as educational achievement, professional experience, and clarity of career goals should be reflected in the resume. Admissions decisions are based on an overall assessment of the adequacy of an applicant’s preparation and desire for the successful completion of a graduate degree in Public Health.
• Criminal History:  After acceptance, but prior to enrollment, a company certified criminal history background check is conducted at the applicant’s expense. Clinical sites may have additional requirements, e.g., immunizations. A second background check and/or drug screen at progression in the program may depend on your compliance and/or the results of these checks.

• Interview:  Applicants to the MPH program must pass a formal interview with the program faculty.  This interview assesses the applicant's understanding of public health and suitability for the academic rigors of the program.
• Deadline for Application:  Deadlines exist for the review of all application materials and the applicant interview with the faculty. These deadlines exist for the Fall (March 1 and July 1) student intake. Students applying after the respective deadlines are considered on seating availability. The Admissions Committee decides the acceptability of applicants for the MPH program after evaluation of all required application materials. Applications will not be reviewed until all application materials are received and requirements are met. New or updated applications are required for those applicants who defer entrance after a year or who re-apply after initially refusing an offer of acceptance.

Graduation Requirements

To fulfill graduation requirements students must have completed all of the following:

• All credits required in the course of studies with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.

• Minimum grade of "B-" or higher all MPH courses.  Any MPH course with a grade below "B-" must be repeated.
• Payment of tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.