Public Health Degrees Offered at Emory University
Emory University appears in our ranking of the 10 Best MPH Degrees in the South
The Rollins School of Public Health offers two different types of master’s degrees, the Master of Public Health (MPH) which focuses mostly on practice and the Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) which is research-based. All students in both programs complete seven core classes including Statistical Methods, Perspectives in Environmental Health, Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System, and Critical Issues in Global Health. In addition, there is a required practicum involving 200 to 400 hours of field work and a culminating research experience project.
To determine the remainder of their courses, students must choose a specialty. Both the MPH and MSPH degrees offer specialties in epidemiology, environmental health, global epidemiology, health policy, and biostatistics. Other available MPH options include behavioral sciences and health education, global environmental health, healthcare management, and global health. Total credit hour requirements are 42 for the MPH and 48 for the MSPH. There are also 12 dual-degree programs that combine the MPH with another graduate or professional degree like the Master of Arts in Bioethics, Master of Business Administration, Master of Divinity, or law, medical, or nursing degrees. These programs all take different lengths of time to complete, and some offer an accelerated study option. The Executive MPH is designed for working professionals and can be completed entirely online. Students can choose between three tracks, epidemiology, environmental health, and global health. All tracks include the core classes which are similar to the on-campus core, and then students complete the courses in their specialty. The executive program includes some 0-credit-hour mandatory workshops like Introduction to Public Health, Inter-Professional Education and Training, and Public Health Professional Development Seminar.
While there is not a specific undergraduate degree in public health, interested students can opt for one of the three joint bachelor’s programs, the BS/MPH in Environmental Sciences and Environmental Health, the BA/MPH in Math and Computer Science, or the MSPH/BA in Biostatistics. Dual-degree applications are due in the second semester of sophomore year. At the doctoral level, there are six different degree tracks, and these are all offered through the Laney Graduate School. The areas of study include nutrition, epidemiology, and health services research among others. Most individuals take five years to complete their doctorate with the first two consisting of coursework followed by three years of dissertation preparation. Public health students at all levels are encouraged to attend the Grand Rounds lecture series throughout the year to learn more about current research in the field.
About Emory University
Emory University originally began in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia, as Emory College, and it was run by the Methodist Episcopal Church. Years later, in 1914, the church began planning major expansions to the school but decided to open a new campus, about 35 miles away, in Atlanta after receiving $1 million and a land donation by the founder of Coca-Cola, Asa Candler. Over the years, the new campus became known as Emory University, and the original campus was named Oxford Campus. For their first two years of undergraduate study, students can choose between the larger urban university experience of Atlanta or the smaller, more intimate atmosphere of Oxford. Today, the university is a leading research institution offering over 100 degree programs in nine schools and colleges.
According to the U.S. News and World Report, Emory University is the 21st best national university with a ranking of 19 for Best Value Schools, and the public health graduate programs rank #5 in the country.
Emory University Accreditation Details
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is responsible for evaluating the quality of colleges and universities in the southwestern region of the United States. Using a variety of methods including peer reviews, self-reporting, and site visits, the commission studies 14 aspects of the university including the business model, utilization of resources, campus life, faculty expertise, depth and breadth of curriculum, and student outcomes. Schools who meet all quality standards are accredited. Emory University first received this designation in 1917 and has since maintained continuous accreditation with its next reaffirmation scheduled for 2024.
Other private organizations evaluate specific degree programs to ensure that they align with industry practices. The Council on Education for Public Health has accredited the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University since 1978.
Emory University Application Requirements
Applicants to the undergraduate programs at Emory University can submit either the Common or the Coalition Application. Additional application materials include official high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and three recommendations, one from a school counselor and two from teachers. Students are encouraged to apply early for the best chance of receiving scholarships. Prospective master’s students can apply for admission using the SOPHAS platform and must include supplemental documents like official undergraduate transcripts showing completion of a degree, two letters of recommendation, GRE test scores, list of relevant extracurricular activities, and a statement of purpose. Ph.D. applicants need to submit transcripts, GRE scores, a resume, three letters of recommendation, and a completed application along with $75 fee. Admission to individual specialties may have additional requirements like a specific major, prerequisite courses, or work experience.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate tuition at Emory University is approximately $53,000 per year with online tuition at a rate of $1265 per credit hour. Graduate costs are dependent on the program of study. For the MPH degree, the four-semester plan costs $17,400 per semester with the three-semester track at $23,200. The MSPH runs $20,100 for each of the four semesters of the program, and the dual-degree program requiring only one year of MPH courses is $26,900 each semester. The online executive MPH is $1800 per credit hour with a discounted rate of $11,600 per semester for students with a nine-hour course load.
Both the university as a whole and the Rollins School of Public Health offer merit and need-based scholarships. At the departmental level, students must be nominated for these awards by faculty members. Another option for financial assistance is the Rollins Earn and Learn which pays students for off-campus work in a public health-related position. Emory University also offers grants, assistantships, and other financial aid programs, and students are encouraged to contact an adviser for more information.