Six MCPHS Degrees for Public Health Careers
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences appears in our ranking of the 10 Most Affordable MPH Online Degrees in the East.
Each fall, the School of Arts & Sciences led by Dr. Delia Anderson admits Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Year II cohorts into the 123-credit Boston BS in Public Health with optional Acupuncture, Occupational Therapy, or Physical Therapy pathways plus 180 practicum hours. The Bachelor of Health Sciences headed by Dr. Robin Harvan specializes its 122-credit, four-year sequence in Health Education or Healthcare Management with opportunities to join the Pre-Med Society, semester in Morocco, and intern at Shriners Hospital for Children. Chaired by Dr. Carly Levy, the 2010 Manuel Carballo Governor’s Award recipient, the Master of Public Health builds a 42-credit, CEPH-accredited curriculum in Boston or online with 240 hours of fieldwork placements like Spaulding Hospital, Havenwood Heritage Heights, Onyx Pharmaceuticals, and Reliant Medical Group.
Online on Blackboard, the School of Pharmacy managed by Dr. Paul DiFrancesco confers a 30-credit, 16-month MS in Clinical Research with intensive 800-level courses from Biostatistics to Health Epidemiology plus patient-based thesis work in partnership with UMass Memorial Center. Directed by Dr. Rebecca Heick, the MS in Clinical Management starts its 36-credit, business-centered program thrice-yearly online to take seminars like Health Systems Policy for AAHAM certification with 96 percent job placement. The Doctor of Health Sciences uniquely plots a 54-credit, post-master’s online track under Dr. Helen Ewing to train scholar-practitioners in Global Health or Health Systems Administration concentrations before an evidence-based capstone project with the Center for Health Humanities.
About Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences originated on December 8, 1823, when 14 Boston druggists joined together to open the nation’s second pharmaceutical science school. In 1825, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy notably published the American Pharmaceutical Library Catalogue. In 1852, the General Court passed legislation to give it degree-granting power. In 1918, the College of Pharmacy built its first permanent building in Boston across from Harvard Med. By 1979, its curriculum was expanded to teach allied health courses. In 2000, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences name was formally adopted. Two years later, the fast-growing nonprofit expanded to Manchester and Worcester. In 2005, the School of Arts & Sciences was debuted with public health degrees. In 2016, MCPHS University purchased the New England School of Acupuncture.
Endowed for $578 million, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences now employs 826 faculty teaching 7,074 Cardinals from 56 countries online, on the nine-acre Longwood Medical Area campus, or at two extensions with 70+ clubs like the Public Health Student Organization for 80 percent retention. The U.S. News & World Report ranked MCPHS University 127th for public health education. On Niche, MCPHS boasts America’s 34th best location, 106th most diversity, and 261st best nursing courses. Money magazine named Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences the 179th best value. The Wall Street Journal placed MCPHS #1 for salary potential nationwide. College Factual honored MCPHS for the 26th most popular health professions training. The Institute of International Education picked MCPHS University ninth for studying abroad too.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Accreditation Details
In November 2017, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) took action to reaffirm the Level VI accreditation at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences through 2027 under its fifth president, Dr. Charles Monahan Jr., who won the WCMA Master Mechanic Award. Located 19 miles up Interstate 93 in Burlington, this superb six-state Northeast Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department to review MCPHS’s 49 undergrad and 33 graduate options. Further, the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredited the School of Arts & Sciences through July 1, 2023.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Application Requirements
Admission at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 4,634 of the 5,526 Fall 2018 applicants were okayed for 84 percent acceptance. First-year Cardinals can fly into pre-major BS in Public Health courses after a high school diploma. Culminating four units of secondary English and math to Pre-Calculus is required. The Class of 2022 presented an average GPA of 3.51. The middle 50th percentile had SAT composite scores of 1040-1260. Mid-range admitted ACT scores were 21-27. Transfers need 12+ regionally accredited bachelor’s credits graded C or better. Prerequisite courses include General Biology, General Chemistry, and Expository Writing. The Graduate School seeks master’s entrants with four-year degrees at GPAs above 3.0. Past or current employment in health care settings is preferred. International students need a minimum 79 TOEFL iBT, 6.5 IELTS, or 4.0 iTEP score. Online Doctor of Health Sciences cohorts must be industry credentialed with a master’s or equivalent degree.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences set freshman deadlines of November 1st for Early Action I, December 1st for Early Action II, or February 1st for Regular Decision. Transfers are welcome until two weeks before the semester starts. The Graduate School usually reviews candidates on a rolling basis. However, the BS/MSOT in Occupational Therapy Pathway closes on March 1st. BS/DPT in Physical Therapy Pathway cohorts must file by April 1st. Complete the MCPHS or Common Application online for $0. Send official transcripts to 179 Longwood Avenue in Boston, MA 02115. Forward testing reports using SAT/TOEFL code 3512 or ACT code 1860. Fulfill checklist items, such as the personal essay, 1-3 recommendation letters, transfer credit evaluation, current resume, and 500-word statement of goals. Contact (617) 879-5964 or admissions@mcphs.edu with questions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is billing BS in Public Health majors $1,235 per credit. Full-time Boston undergrads pay $33,600 annually. Three-year accelerated bachelor’s are $48,650 each year. Clinical practicum fees are $381 each term. Living at the Boston campus’ housing like Matricaria Hall adds $$6,925 to $7,990 for semester rent. Nine-month meal contracts for the Dining Hall are $1,731 extra. MCPHS budgets $1,214 for textbooks and $3,312 for miscellaneous. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals about $55,120 on-site or $40,556 at home. The Graduate School charges flat-rate Boston tuition of $1,235 per credit. Online master’s and doctoral programs are discounted to $990 per credit.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Student Financial Services Office on White Hall’s 2nd Floor links 86 percent of full-time MCPHS Cardinals to median tuition aid of $9,896 apiece for $32.94 million combined. Institutional funds include the Estella Arzoomanian Scholarship, Joseph Brant Scholarship, Raymond Chamberlain Scholarship, Charkoudian Family Scholarship, Roland Gosselin Scholarship, Howard Jenkins Scholarship, Beatrice Miller Scholarship, Sally & Harold Porter Scholarship, Leon Saphire Scholarship, Dr. George Skenderian Scholarship, and Esther Wilkins Scholarship. The MCPHS Advantage Scholarship covers full tuition for bachelor’s alumni to complete the Online MPH or Master of Health Sciences. The Giving Day Scholarship has a September 1st deadline for financially needy sophomores and juniors with minimum 3.7 GPAs. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and SEOG Grant, require submitting applications coded 002165. Bay State residents also claim the Mass Grant, Gilbert Matching Grant, Part-Time Grant, Christian Herter Memorial Scholarship, One Family Scholarship, and others.
Learn more about Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the Public Health Department website.