Interdisciplinary Program
Introduction
The Interdisciplinary M.P.H. is a 11-month program designed to meet the needs of mature scholars who have specific public health career goals and a demonstrated ability to work independently.
Applicants are professionals holding a master's degree or its equivalent who have significant health care experience or interest in public health. In special cases, applicants from other disciplines (journalism, business, social work, anthropology, economics, and law) will be considered if their future career paths include public health activities and/or significant interaction with public health systems. The program is also appropriate for select joint degree M.D./M.P.H. students or post-qualifying exam Ph.D. students. Its curricular flexibility allows successful applicants, in consultation with their faculty advisers, to develop an individualized course of study tailored to meet their needs. Courses may be chosen from any of the academic offerings across the Berkeley campus.
Summary of Requirements
As of 2008, a minimum of forty-two units will be required for the 11-month Interdisciplinary M.P.H.. In order to meet the 42-unit requirement, students should plan on taking courses during the summer before or after the academic year in which they enroll. We advise students to take the summer session Epidemiologic Methods course, PH 250A, and /or the Introduction to Biostatistics, PH 141, from July 1st- August 10th. This will reduce their course load to manageable levels in the following Fall and Spring semesters. Students with previous biostatistics and epidemiology experience are encouraged to take the exemption exams in epidemiology and biostatistics in late August.
Students will need to take a heavy course load (15-17 units per semester) to satisfy the 42-unit degree requirement. Consequently, students should not plan on working during the Fall and Spring semesters. They should also make every effort to minimize work-related responsibilities while at school.
The core requirements of the program are the four school-wide core courses (Breadth and integrative courses PH200D and PH200C, Biostatistics, PH142 and Epidemiology, PH250A), and a substantial field project spanning November to April of the academic year. Students also participate in a 2-semester seminar that focuses on leadership development, communication skills, and interdisciplinary approaches to contemporary public health problems. This leaves 19-22 units available for electives, to customize a curriculum that fits your career building needs.
To accomplish its interdisciplinary mission, the admissions committee seeks mature students with diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. Different perspectives add to the richness of the dialogue in the program's seminar and, as the year progresses, students develop an interdisciplinary understanding of complex issues and the leadership challenge for successful implementation. Graduates are well-rounded public health professionals who leave with a heightened understanding of the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to analysis and intervention in public health practice.
Applicants are required to meet the School's admissions requirements to be admitted to the program.
For further program information, please contact Laura Spautz at lspautz@berkeley.edu or (510) 643-2700.