Admissions

Eligibility

• The Master of Public Health (M.P.H) degree is available as either a dual track program (when admitted to or concurrently enrolled in another Midwestern primary degree program) or as a stand-alone program.
• For dual track student eligibility, see the table below. Eligibility is based on the primary program/year of the student, their progress in that program, and the meeting of admissions requirements.

Admission Requirements

Dual Degree Applicants

• A completed application for the M.P.H. program which includes:
  • A personal statement that expresses the applicant’s interest in public health, experiences relevant to public and/or One Health, and how the M.P.H. degree fits into their professional goals.
  • Resume/curriculum vitae
• Additional Requirements (obtained by Admissions)
  • Incoming Dual Degree Applicant
    • Additional information pulled from primary program application
  • Current Midwestern University Student
    • Unofficial Midwestern University transcript
    • A letter indicating satisfactory progress and support from the Dean for the primary degree (to be obtained directly by M.P.H. program)

Stand-Alone Applicants

• Completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
• A completed application for the M.P.H. Program which includes:
  • Official transcripts of course work from each college or university attended
  • Two letters of recommendation; one of which provides comments supporting the academic readiness of the applicant (preferably from a student’s professor or instructor)
  • A personal statement that expresses the applicant’s interest in public health, experiences relevant to public and/or One Health, and how the M.P.H. degree fits into their professional goals.
  • Resume/curriculum vitae
• A minimum score of 90 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) the internet-based test (iBT) is required for non-native speakers seeking to enroll in the M.P.H program.

All Applicants (Dual Degree and Stand-Alone)

• International candidates must abide by the Midwestern University International Student Applicant Policy.
• Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
• Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.

Application Process and Deadlines

The M.P.H. degree program uses a rolling admissions process in which completed applications are reviewed and decisions are made at regular intervals during the admissions cycle. Admission to the M.P.H. degree program is considered on a competitive basis for applicants submitting completed applications. To maximize an applicant’s competitiveness within the rolling admission process, applicants are advised to submit their completed applications early in the admission cycle. The deadline for applications is April 15 or the first business day thereafter.

To be considered for admission to the M.P.H. degree program, applicants must submit their applications online through the Midwestern University direct application.

To submit application: https://apply.midwestern.edu/portal/mwu_app

After receiving completed application packets, the Midwestern University Office of Admissions verifies the information provided to determine whether all prerequisites have been completed satisfactorily, or they will be completed prior to potential matriculation. They also verify the cumulative GPAs for all completed courses. Completed applications are forwarded to the M.P.H. Program for review.

Please Note: Applicants may track the receipt of their application materials and the status of their files on the University's website using instructions for accessing account information that will be sent by the Office of Admissions after receipt of their applications.

Applicants are responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions of any changes in their telephone number, mailing address or e-mail address. All requests for application withdrawals must be made in writing to the Office of Admissions:

Midwestern University Office of Admissions
19555 N. 59th Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85308
888/247-9277 or 623/572-3215
admissaz@midwestern.edu

Midwestern University Office of Admissions
555 31st Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
630/515-6171 or 800/458-6253
admissil@midwestern.edu

Selection Process

Multiple criteria are used to select the most qualified candidates, including selection of those students the M.P.H. Admissions Committee determines who would benefit the most from the program. Selection decisions for the program are made by the M.P.H. Admissions Committee, with the approval of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. Applicants are notified either electronically (i.e., through their admissions portal or by e-mail) or by letter of admissions decision.

Advanced Placement/Exemption from Coursework (Dual Degree and Stand-Alone)

Graduate-level or healthcare professional degree coursework completed by either a dual degree or stand-alone applicant prior to matriculation (within the past 10 years) may be allowed for transfer of required* or elective** credit into the M.P.H. program.  The M.P.H. program decides upon all requests for advanced placement by newly admitted students on a course-by-course basis. To request such consideration, a student must submit a letter of request to the Program Director, in which the student lists the previously taken course which might be similar in content to M.P.H. coursework prior to matriculating in the program. The student must also provide an official description and syllabus of the previously taken course. The Program Director will share the submitted course materials with the appropriate Course Director to determine if the course is an appropriate substitute.

Typically, advanced placement will only be considered for coursework in a CEPH-accredited M.P.H. or an accredited professional healthcare degree program in which a minimum letter grade of "B" has been earned. A "C" letter grade is not acceptable for advanced placement/exception consideration. If the Program denies the request for advanced placement, the student may appeal this decision to the CGS Dean. If a course is accepted for credit in the M.P.H. program, the equivalent course and the Advanced Placement (AP) notation will be recorded on the transcript. Any earned letter grade will not be included on the transcript or used in the GPA calculation.

No more than 18 credits can be earned from outside the Midwestern University M.P.H. program, inclusive of advanced placement credit and credit earned in other Midwestern University professional programs.

*Exemption of required M.P.H. coursework must demonstrate that the specific skills or competencies associated with the two courses are equivalent, and that the context and frame of instruction are also equivalent.

**Exemption of elective M.P.H. coursework must demonstrate a population-level or public health orientation.

Primary Program Liaisons

The M.P.H. program assigns an advisor to students to assist with academic concerns. For dual degree students, primary program liaisons are available to assist students with the unique challenges of simultaneously managing two programs of study. In addition, the Program Director, CGS Dean, Associate Deans, and the Dean of Students are also available to assist students. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate contact with these individuals for assistance.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

A student enrolled as a dual degree student in the M.P.H. program and in a qualifying Midwestern health professional degree program is required to pass all required M.P.H. courses with a grade of “C” or higher and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher in the M.P.H. program. Regardless of satisfactory academic progress in the M.P.H. program, the CGS Student Promotion and Graduation Committee may determine that a dual degree student who experiences academic difficulty in the primary degree take a leave of absence from the M.P.H. program until satisfactory academic progress in the primary program is achieved. Separate criteria for achieving satisfactory academic progress in the primary degree program are listed in the catalog under the respective degree program.