Diverse DMU Pathways into Public Health
Des Moines University appears in our ranking of the Top 10 MPH in Health Policy and Management Degrees Online.
Founded in 1980, the College of Health Sciences awards a Master of Public Health on-site or online via D2L Bright Space for Des Moines University post-grads seeking certified roles in three concentrations: Public Health Practice, Public Health Administration & Policy, or Health Education & Promotion. Chaired by Dr. Rachel Reimer, this 46-credit, CEPH-accredited degree spans two years with 180-hour internship placements, such as the Centers for Disease Control, Mercy Medical Center, Iowa Lutheran Hospital, and World Health Organization. The Master of Healthcare Administration follows a 48-credit, two-year hybrid curriculum under Dr. Pamela Duffy for online 12-week seminars like Clinical Decision Making, three five-day executive residencies, and a field-based capstone. Each July, the 47-credit Master of Biomedical Sciences headed by Dr. Suzanne Bohlson admits Des Moines cohorts of 10 dedicated to epidemiological discoveries with an eight-week Mentored Student Research Program paying $12.25/hour. Other DMU degrees include the Master of Science in Anatomy, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
About Des Moines University
Des Moines University originated in 1898 when Drs. Summerfield and Ella Still started the College of Osteopathy on West Locust Street for holistic medical training. By 1909, it was named for the Still Family and relocated to the former Iowa Sanitarium. During World War II, it was titled the Des Moines Still College of Osteopathy & Surgery for broader curricula in 1945. Two decades later, it began the first alcoholism treatment at Harrison Rehabilitation Hospital. By 1972, it had acquired St. Joseph’s Academy to erect today’s 22-acre Polk County campus in Forbes’ seventh best city. On September 18, 1999, the United States’ 15th biggest medical school officially became Des Moines University. In 2007, DMU notably opened the Iowa Simulation Center for Patient Safety & Clinical Skills. Raising $25 million in 2018, Des Moines now employs 94 faculty teaching 1,815 students online and on-site with 55+ clubs like Homeless Community Outreach. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Des Moines University 118th for physical therapy and 81st for physician assistant studies.
Des Moines University Accreditation Details
On May 23, 2012, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council voted to extend the Level VI accreditation at Des Moines University through 2022 under its 15th president, Dr. Angela L. Walker Franklin, who earned the Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award in Human Rights. Based 335 miles east via Interstate 88 in Chicago, this giant 19-state Great Plains Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department to effectively evaluate DMU’s five master’s and three doctoral offerings. Particularly, the College of Health Sciences was last accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) on June 27, 2016. The Online MHA received full approval from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) on December 18, 2018. Des Moines was also reaffirmed by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) on October 18, 2017.
Des Moines University Application Requirements
Becoming Purple & Proud at Des Moines University is labeled “very difficult” by Peterson’s since only 480 of the 3,350 Fall 2017 applicants were triumphant for 14 percent acceptance. Post-grad Master of Public Health entrants must have finished 120+ semester credits of regionally accredited bachelor’s prep. Online courses require internet access, Java Runtime, Adobe Flash, and 20GB of hard drive space. On average, MPH cohorts present a 3.4 GPA and 303 GRE General Test score. The Master of Healthcare Administration only accepts bachelor’s majors relevant to health and business. Cumulative GPAs above 3.0 are mandated. Students should have at least 24 months of full-time experience showing leadership potential. Clean drug screens and background checks are needed before each internship. Most Master of Biomedical Sciences entrants have B.S. majors in biological or physical sciences plus GPAs above 2.8. Prerequisites, such as Organic Chemistry and Immunology, must be graded “C” or greater. The Class of 2019 boasts a median 3.53 GPA and 492 MCAT score.
Des Moines University offers rolling admission for the Online MPH and MHA each Spring, Summer, or Fall. However, the Master of Biomedical Sciences set a June 1st deadline. Master of Science in Anatomy cohorts apply from August 15th to June 15th yearly. The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine requires filing before March 1st. The College of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery only considers applicants until June 30th. Accordingly, complete the free DMU Direct or SOPHAS Application online. Registrars mail official bachelor’s transcripts to 3200 Grand Avenue in Des Moines, IA 50312. Test submissions require selecting GRE code 2256 or MCAT code 4414. Other steps include the three professional evaluations, résumé or vita, career objectives statement, personal interview, and English fluency score above 600 (TOEFL pBT). Please pose further questions to (800) 240-2767 or dmuadmit@dmu.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Des Moines University has billed Master of Public Health cohorts $640 per credit or $29,440 total. The Master of Healthcare Administration similarly cost $640 per credit for $30,720. Master of Biomedical Sciences students paid $638 per credit or $29,986 overall. The Master of Science in Anatomy had $28,072 tuition at $638 per credit. The Master of Physician Assistant Studies charged flat-rate fees of $13,903 per semester or $34,758 annually. Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine post-grads spent $24,931 each term or $49,862 by year. The DPM Program cost slightly less at $17,741 every semester and $35,482 yearly. Doctor of Physical Therapy majors were accountable for $12,884 per term or $25,768 every nine months. Please note the $1,650 health insurance fee, $60 background check fee, and $29 drug screen fee are extra.
The Financial Aid Office on the Academic Center’s 4th Floor awarded over $2.7 million in 2017 for student assistance though. For example, university funds include the Dorgan Memorial Scholarship, Justice Alfred Lerner Scholarship, Claude Oster Scholarship, Glanton Scholarship, Navajo Nation Graduate Fellowship, Physician Assistants for Latino Health Scholarship, Medical School Diversity Scholarship, Willie Stevenson Scholarship, Aletha Tente Dawson Scholarship, Murray Goldstein Scholarship, Desert Storm Veterans Scholarship, and Fronton Scholarship. The $mart Cents Participation Scholarship gifts $2,500 to students attending two financial literacy workshops. The Master of Public Health Scholarship ranges from $1,500 to $5,000 annually based on GPA and commitment. Submitting FAFSA forms coded 015616 determines Federal Direct Unsubsidized, Graduate Plus, and Super Primary Care Loan amounts. Borrowed money up to $50,000 could be forgiven with the National Health Services Corps Repayment. The American Medical Association selects 12 Minority Scholars Award recipients of $10,000 each year. Federal Work-Study awards of $2,000 to $4,000 are also available in Des Moines.
Learn more about Des Moines University at the College of Health Sciences website.