Frequently Asked Questions

What sets Cal-State Fullerton’s MPH program apart from other schools?

The MPH program provides a valuable link between the University and the community in a most important way, the public health of all citizens in Orange County. CSUF has the only MPH program in Orange County. The goals of the MPH mirror the University. In addition to ensuring the pre-eminence of learning, the MPH provides a high quality program that meets the evolving needs of our students, community and region. The program’s interdisciplinary nature fosters collaboration between members of different academic disciplines as well as between students and faculty. It creates an environment where students have the opportunity to succeed not only as students but also as members of the community both before (through internship experience) and after graduation.

What types of learning objectives should I expect as a student in the MPH program at Cal-State Fullerton?

Students will learn to :
1. Become masters in the knowledge areas that are integral to public health. These include: biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health services management, and social and behavioral sciences.
2. Apply public health competencies and collaborative models to solve public health problems.
3. Understand the influence of a multi-cultural society on health and behavior change.
4. Integrate public health knowledge and experience in a community or worksite setting.
5. Become proficient in research skills (i.e. research design, methods, analyses and reporting).
6. Assume leadership roles through coursework and experience in program planning, program design, implementation, administration and evaluation.

I work in the day; will the program accommodate my needs?

Yes, the program is geared towards working professionals. All core classes start at either 4:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. Electives vary on course schedule times.

How do I apply?

Graduate applications are available on-line at www.csumentor.edu, or from the Admissions and Records Service Center, Langsdorf Hall 114. Applications are for Fall semester only. There are no rolling admissions.

What is required for admission to the Master’s degree program?

Students must apply to both the department and the university for admission. Minimum requirements for admission to the university are:

a. An earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
b. GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 units attempted
c. Good standing at the last college attended.

For a complete list of requirements always refer to the Graduate Studies Website at www.fullerton.edu/graduate

After meeting the above criteria, additional requirements for acceptance into the MPH program include:

a. Copy of official transcript(s) from all college work sent directly to the MPH Graduate program director.

b. Two letters of recommendation

c. A narrative statement (300-500 words describing how the program relates to professional goals).

d. A current resume.

e. Completion of 6 units of statistics and research methods (appropriate courses include: statistics, epidemiology, research methods, program design and evaluation, etc) with a grade C or better.

f. Appropriate educational background for career track courses (9 units or equivalent within specialized track. Professionals currently in field can demonstrate proficiency by coursework or by portfolio review or similar supporting evidence).

g. GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 units attempted.

h. Paid or volunteer experience in public health, health education or related health area.

i. Communication skills utilizing a second language encouraged.

Is the GRE required for admission?

No the GRE is not required for admission to the MPH program. If you have taken the GRE then it is strongly encouraged that you submit your scores to the department.

What if I do not fill all of the admission requirements?

It may be possible for applicants who have minimal deficiencies in prerequisite requirements, as detailed above, but who are otherwise highly qualified, to be admitted in conditionally classified graduate standing, with provisions made for removal of deficiencies prior to the granting of classified standing. For further information, consult with the MPH Program Coordinator.

If I am waiting to apply to the program, can I still take courses towards the MPH?

Yes. Adjunct or Open University enrollment through extended education permits students who are not formally admitted to the University to enroll in regular University courses. No more than 9 units of extension credit may be applied to a graduate degree. If you would like to seek this option, please contact the MPH Program Coordinator, Dr. Shari McMahan for a list of courses that can be applied to the MPH curriculum. Remember, this does not guarantee admission into the program.

Is the program accredited?

California State University, Fullerton, is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The MPH program is currently under accreditation review by the Council on Education for Public Health. A two-year self-study process is required of all new programs.

What are the degree requirements?

Forty-two units are required for the MPH degree. Twenty-seven units are core competency classes (which includes a six-unit internship) an additional fifteen units are electives .

HESC 500 Issues in Public Health (3)
HESC 508 Statistical Methods in Kinesiology and Health Science (3)
HESC 501 Principles of Epidemiology (3)
HESC 515 Advanced Environmental Health (3)
HESC 524 Public Health Administration (3) or
HESC 540 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (3)
HESC 550 Graduate Internship (6)
HESC 597 Project (3) / HESC 598 Thesis (3) or Comprehensive Examination
Electives (15 units required of which 3 units must be a research methods course)

What other work is needed besides the core requirements?

In addition to core requirements, students will work with a faculty advisor to select 15 units of electives to support career areas in health promotion, environmental and occupational health, gerontological health, nursing leadership, or in a ‘special studies’ track such as health anthropology or health counseling to be developed with an adviser to meet special academic/career needs. These career tracks allow students to select unique combinations of courses appropriate for their professional objectives.

Can you tell me more about the health promotion, environmental and occupational health, gerontological health, and nursing leadership advisory tracks?

Health Promotion Track
This practitioner oriented program addresses behavioral theory, communication and motivation processes, community intervention strategies, strategies for dealing with multicultural populations, and evaluation procedures for community health promotion and primary prevention. Graduates are prepared to:

Assess individual and community health needs;
Plan effective health education and health promotion programs;
Conduct health education and health promotion research;
Manage and supervise health education programs in a variety of settings

Environmental and Occupational Health Track
The environmental and occupational health career track provides students with the necessary scientific and public health background to protect the general public and workers from adverse effects caused by exposure to harmful agents in air, water, soil, food and consumer products. Graduates are prepared to:

Recognize safety and health hazards in the workplace;
Characterize exposures to airborne chemicals, noise and other occupational hazards;
Function as a safety and health professional within a management structure, including working with managers, labor representatives, occupational health physicians and nurses, ergonomists and industrial engineers;
Recommend personal protective equipment, engineering controls and management controls for safety and health hazards;

Gerontological Health Track
The gerontological health career track provides students with the opportunity to develop in-depth understanding of human aging in society as they prepare for professional practice within the field of public health gerontology. Gerontological knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to developing, implementing, and evaluating community based health programs for older populations are addressed. Graduates may be involved in:

Providing direct services to older adults
Planning and managing health and social service programs
Advocating the need for services, resources, and health policies for older adults
Evaluating community programs for the elderly

Nursing Leadership Track
The nursing leadership track provides students with additional experience and expertise in the field of public health. Students will gain knowledge of and insight into public health issues and controversies; the environmental effects on the health of individuals, families and the community; and interventions designed to improve community-based health care service delivery methods and outcomes, including data collection, management, and research utilization. Graduates are prepared to :

Utilize research and theory to direct and provide quality health care
Analyze data collected to identify trends and formulate expected outcomes
Implement interventions to promote and protect health, prevent illness and injury, and facilitate rehabilitation
Advocate the health care goals of individuals, families and groups to influence policy decisions

Do 300-level courses count toward the Masters Degree?

To be included in the degree, courses must be a 400- or 500-level. Students may take 300-level courses, but these are not counted towards meeting degree requirements.

What is the difference between a project and a thesis?

There will be no difference in your diploma’s wording whether you do a project or thesis. The amount of work required is equivalent. A thesis is a manuscript that reports on an investigation into a hypothesis using the scientific method. A project is a report, which describes the project’s goals, design, and outcomes in a comprehensive fashion.

What about transferring from other schools?

If approved by the program coordinator, Public Health graduate students may transfer a limited amount of transfer coursework from other universities to their Study Plans. See the "Graduate Regulations" section of the CSUF catalog for transfer requirements. Or refer to the Graduate Studies Website at www.fullerton.edu/graduate

How do I know if the courses are transferable?

If you have already taken the course, provide a copy of your transcripts, the course description from the university catalog and speak with the Coordinator. Generally, the courses are NOT transferable if: (1) the courses have been used to complete (a) general education requirements, (b) bachelor's degree requirements, (c) graduate degree requirements, (2) they are not within your five (5) year limit, (3) they are not graduate level or upper division, (4) you earned below a "B."
If you have not taken the course provide a copy of the course description to the Coordinator and ask for approval. Be sure you (1) make the appropriate changes on your Study Plan and (2) request two sets of transcripts be mailed to the University Admission and Records and Public Health program to have them apply on your Study Plan.

How long do I have to finish the Public Health Masters Program?

Five (5) years, beginning with the semester of the earliest course on your study plan. When individual circumstances warrant, this time limit may be extended to seven (7) years by filing a petition with the Graduate Studies Office. The Director and the Graduate Studies office must both give prior approval for extending the time limit for the degree.

Please consult Graduate Studies Website at www.fullerton.edu/graduate for a more detailed explanation.

What type of leadership positions should I expect to acquire with my Master’s in Public Health?

* Government Agencies: federal, state and local (various health-related departments);

* Hospitals and Health Care Institutions: health maintenance organizations, residential care to community improvement programs;

* Not-for-profit Organizations such as national, state and local voluntary agencies; and

* Private Corporations providing wellness/health & safety programs for employees.

What are some specific topics I could study with my Master’s in Public Health?
• AIDS
• Cancer
• Career Opportunities in Public Health
• Children's Health
• Chronic Disease and Disorders
• Community Health, Health Promotion, and Advocacy
• Epidemiology
• Environmental and Occupational Health
• Food Safety and Issues
• Governmental Health Agencies
• Health Services Research
• Injury and Violence Prevention
• International Resources
• Mental Health
• National and Professional Health Organizations
• Reproductive Health
• Resource Locators
• Schools of Public Health
• Social Marketing
• State and Local Health Departments
• Tobacco Control and Prevention
• Traffic Safety
• Upcoming Public Health Events
• Additional Public Health Resources

What is the difference between public health and clinical health professions?

While public health is comprised of many professional disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, nutrition, social work, environmental sciences, health education, health services administration, and the behavioral sciences, its activities focus on entire populations rather than on individual patients. Public health professionals monitor and diagnose the health concerns of entire communities and promote healthy practices and behaviors to assure our populations stay healthy. Communities need public health all of the time in order to stay healthy.

What are some examples of public health issues dealing with populations?

* Assures our drinking and recreational waters are safe
* Prevents pollution of our air and land through enforcement of regulatory controls and management of hazardous wastes
* Eradicates life threatening diseases such as smallpox and polio
* Controls and prevents infectious diseases and outbreaks such as measles, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and the Ebola virus
* Reduces death and disability due to unintentional injuries through the formulation of policies designed to protect the safety of the public, such as seat belt and worker safety laws
* Facilitates community empowerment to improve mental health, reduce substance abuse and social violence
* Promotes healthy lifestyles to prevent chronic diseases such as cancer, hearth disease and obesity
* Educates populations at risk to reduce sexually transmitted diseases, teen pregnancy and infant mortality
* Assures access to cost-effective care
* Evaluates the effectiveness of clinical and community-based interventions

*Adopted: Fall 1994, Source: Public Health Functions Steering Committee, Members (July 1995): American Public Health Association•Association of Schools of Public Health•Association of State and Territorial Health Officials•Environmental Council of the States•National Association of County and City Health Officials•National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors•National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors•Public Health Foundation•U.S . Public Health Service --Agency for Health Care Policy and Research•Centers for Disease Control and Prevention•Food and Drug Administration•Health Resources and Services Administration•Indian Health Service•National Institutes of Health•Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health•Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration