Master of Public Health

The MPH Program draws a variety of students representing a wide array of health and non-health related undergraduate majors. The minimum requirements for the graduate program include:

• Undergraduate Statistics Requirement

  • An undergraduate statistics course (MAT 121 or other) is required as a prerequisite for two of MPH core courses - HEA 520 Public Health Epidemiology and HEA 526 Biostatistics for Public Health. If a student is unsure if a statistics course meets the requirement, please request a review by forwarding your course description and/or syllabus to Dr. Stacie Metz, MPH Program Director.
  • Students may begin the MPH Program (without the undergraduate statistics requirement) if other academic requirements are met, however students will be admitted under provisional status. To remove the provisional status and be eligible to register for HEA 520 Public Health Epidemiology and HEA 526 Biostatistics for Public Health, proof of statistics course completion is needed by submitting a copy of a transcript to the MPH Program Director and the Graduate School.
  • We strongly encourage students to complete the undergraduate statistics prerequisite course as soon as possible so as not to delay graduation.
• MPH Environmental Health Track candidates should have an undergraduate degree in a science, engineering or public health field but others with coursework in the sciences are also encouraged to apply.

The following materials are required from all applicants:

• A completed West Chester University Graduate School online application.
  • In the online application, you will be asked about your academic and employment history.
• Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited in the United States or its equivalent from a school in another country.
  • International degrees will have to be evaluated.
• One official copy of your academic records (transcripts) from every college and university attended (except West Chester University). Each official transcript should be sent directly to you in the enclosed envelopes or your own No. 10 envelope. Make sure the envelope is marked "transcripts." The envelope should be sealed with the registrar's name signed across the seal. Do not open the transcript envelope. If the seal has been broken, the transcript is no longer official and will not be accepted.
• A minimum 2.80 undergraduate GPA is required for admission. Provisional acceptance may be possible under some circumstances for applicants who do not meet this standard.
  • Requirements to resolve academic deficiencies are to be met prior to registering for graduate courses. Individual departments may have more rigorous requirements.
• A written statement of your professional goals should be inserted into the online application. Note: This statement is critically evaluated by Department of Public Health Sciences faculty. It should be a sample of your best professional writing and at the minimum it should include the following information:
  • Which of the MPH Tracks (Community Health, Environmental Health, or Health Care Management) you intend to pursue
  • How your academic and/or professional background prepares you to study within your chosen MPH Track
  • Why you are choosing this particular MPH Track and how you hope it will help you reach your professional goals
• Two letters of recommendation from persons who know you in an academic or professional capacity.

The applicant is responsible for assuring that all necessary materials are received by the The Graduate School by the recommended application deadlines. (All application materials become the property of West Chester University and may not be returned or forwarded to another institution.) West Chester University's policy for graduate admissions includes that the highest possible grades/test scores do not guarantee admission to graduate school, nor do low grades/test scores automatically disqualify a candidate. Our policy is a wholistic approach that is no applicant should be admitted unless we expect that applicant to do well enough to graduate and have no serious academic problems.

While the Department of Public Health Sciences accepts applications at any time, space must be available in the program. A student's ability to schedule desired courses may be impacted by the timing of application processing.

Note: Graduate admission decisions are made using a variety of criteria including the undergraduate grade point average, letters of reference and an applicant's goal statement. Individuals who have questions about their admissibility are encouraged to contact the Graduate School or the MPH Program Director.