Why Choose GW for an Online MPH Degree? – Expert Interview

Taylor Burke, J.D., L.L.M.

Taylor Burke specializes in legal and policy issues as they relate to health insurance exchanges, health information technology (HIT), the law of health information, and the application of law to health care payment reform and quality improvement.

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Why did the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University decide to start offering an online MPH program?

Never in the Milken Institute School of Public Health’s history has our school’s capacity for innovative research been as powerful as it is today. A large part of our mission is to share our research and engage with populations worldwide thereby expanding opportunities for students to experience all that our public health programs have to offer. Our school is unique among schools of public health. Our location in Washington, D.C. provides us with a direct connection to both the real world practice of public health and to the policy process. By offering the online MPH@GW program, we can enable more students to take part in that connection and leverage it to make a positive difference in public heath in their local and global communities.

What has been the overall reception been from staff and students regarding the program?

The MPH@GW program has opened up academic and professional opportunities that never existed before for our faculty and students. It has broadened our GW learning community and allowed both faculty and students to learn from different perspectives in public health. They are able to bring these diverse perspectives to the virtual classroom and experience our school from wherever they are in the world.

Some prospective students may wonder about the differences between the on-campus and online programs. What would you tell them?

The admissions requirements are the same for both the on-campus and online program. Students in each modality are following a case-based curriculum that is designed and taught by GW’s expert faculty. Online students have access to the Milken Institute School of Public Health’s library resources and career services. They have the opportunity to participate in our commencement ceremonies held in Washington, D.C. After graduation, online students become lifetime members of our global George Washington University Alumni Association.

As an additional benefit to our MPH program, we offer our students an opportunity to blend their learning experiences. Students in our online program can take up to 15 credits on campus, and on-campus students can also take up to 15 credits online. This exciting change illustrates how we are leading the way in education innovation by further integrating our residential and online programs.

What would you tell a prospective student who is interested but undecided on the importance of earning their MPH?

A Master of Public Health is a versatile degree that can open doors to an array of career opportunities. It is also a degree that can empower you to truly make a meaningful difference in the world. By earning an MPH, you are equipping yourself with the science-based knowledge and skills you need to change policy and improve health conditions for the greater good.

As we are faced with complex health challenges such as climate change, disease outbreaks, antibiotic resistance and obesity, there is a growing need for experienced public health professionals to drive educational programs, lead research initiatives and improve conditions for underserved populations. Those with an MPH are in high-demand to perform those tasks.

For a student who is just starting to become interested in earning his or her MPH — what can they expect to learn from the MPH@GW online program?

Taking advantage of the expertise that our faculty offer, MPH@GW students will be able to develop their foundational skills through the use of cases and other learning materials. The pedagogy of the MPH@GW program enables students to customize their studies to the community, national or global level and further hone their skills by selecting a specific focus area in public health.

The MPH@GW program emphasizes competencies in areas such as biostatistics and epidemiology, health communication, leadership, biology, planning and evaluation and systems thinking.

Students in the MPH@GW program can also take their real-time challenges from work, bring them to class to discuss the issue, and get advice that can be immediately applied to solve the problem.

The practicum component seems very important for MPH candidates who will be applying their knowledge out in the workforce. Online master’s programs are often geared toward working professionals. For prospective students who may have work obligations, how should they prepare for the time commitment of the practicum?

The practicum is an opportunity to gain experience in an area of interest to the student and can often lead into a new career trajectory. For that reason, we encourage our online students to select a practicum site and preceptor that will enable them to enrich their academic experience and inform their career development. They should meet with their practicum coordinator early on in the program to discuss potential practicum site locations and preceptors.

Our MPH@GW online students have the opportunity to select from a breadth of practicum sites that include health service delivery organizations, volunteer health agencies, non-profits and health startups. Many of these organizations offer opportunities for students to complete practicum hours outside of normal business hours. In addition, MPH@GW offers working professionals with three or more years of public health experience the option to petition for a practicum waiver. Instead of completing a practicum, students with waivers can complete an elective course to fulfill the program requirements.

Can you explain the time commitment of the practicum and what students will be learning in the field?

The MPH@GW practicum is designed to enhance a student’s professional experience in the field of public health. The practicum serves as a compliment to the student’s classroom education and provides an opportunity to gain new knowledge in an area of interest. Each student selects the MPH@GW program competencies that he or she wishes to expand upon through a practicum experience. An example of this could be developing communication campaigns and strategies to disseminate health promotion information through media channels. Students are required to complete 120 hours on site under the guidance of a preceptor.

How will online students be placed for the practicum? Does GW’s online program match students with their practicum or is it up to the students? Can current or past work experience count towards their field commitment?

Each student is paired with an MPH@GW practicum coordinator who can provide guidance if the student needs assistance in identifying a qualified site and preceptor. Past experience can be counted toward the practicum requirement. Working professionals with three or more years of public health experience can petition for a practicum waiver. Instead of completing the field component, these students would complete an elective course.

GW offers four focus areas for the online MPH: Health Communication, Health Policy, Program Planning & Evaluations and Global Health. Can you briefly describe each focus area?

The Health Communication focus area emphasizes the strategic tools that are used in influencing communities when it comes to public health. The Health Policy focus area enables students to gain the tools they need to shape policy and advance the public health education, research and services throughout the country and the world.

The Program Planning and Evaluation focus area aims to prepare students to become public health professionals who can assess, implement, manage and analyze health education and promotion programs. The Global Health focus area delves into developing, implementing and evaluating the policies that are targeted at improving public health in underserved populations across the US and around the world.

Are there core courses that each student will complete in addition to their chosen focus area?

All MPH@GW students begin the program by completing core public health courses, which emphasize the essential public health principles. Coursework focuses on the biologic basis of public health, biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental and occupational health, as well as management, policy and behavioral approaches to public health. In addition to these foundational courses, students complete a practicum and culminating experience, which allows them to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom to real-world situations.

What types of careers can an MPH graduate pursue? Would you recommend any specializations for certain career paths?

MPH graduates can pursue a vast array of career options, from analytics and bioengineering to lobbying and research. If a student wants to become a health policy analyst, political scientist, lobbyist or biostatician, I would suggest pursuing the Health Policy focus area. Aspiring community outreach managers, public health journalists and medical writers may want to select the Health Communication focus area. For students who are interested in nutrition, health science or infectious diseases, the Global Health focus area would be the best learning avenue. Students who would like to pursue a career in emergency preparedness, managing medical staff or public health engineering would be well-positioned if they selected the Program Planning and Evaluation focus area.

What should a prospective student consider as he or she applies to the program? Any specific advice for applicants?

Before applying to the MPH@GW program, prospective students should consider how committed they are to earning their degree. While their experience as an undergraduate may have been academically challenging, they will find that a master’s degree program is uniquely rigorous, especially while working. I would advise prospective students to consider the contributions they will make to the field and how the MPH@GW program will help them achieve their career goals. Knowing these answers will help them better craft their statement of purpose, which they will need to submit with their application.

Are there any hints or advice you would recommend to a student who is new to online education to help them succeed?

Time management is key. You will need to appropriately allocate time for studying. Finding a healthy balance between school, work and your personal life is important to being successful in the program. While the MPH@GW learning platform provides students with a high level of convenience and flexibility, the program is still very rigorous. As a student, you are going to be challenged and find yourself pushed to limits you did not know were possible, but upon completing the program you are going to feel a great sense of accomplishment. It is demanding yet rewarding.

What do you believe a student will gain by choosing the MPH@GW online program over other online programs?

Our students are a part of an interactive, transformational educational experience. The technology that is used to deliver the MPH@GW program is truly unmatched. Unlike other online programs, MPH@GW blends self-paced weekly coursework with live, online classes that enable classmates and faculty members to collaborate face-to-face in real time — developing close connections that will last a lifetime. GW faculty members are renowned educators and leaders in public health. They are active in conducting research and serve as advisors to government and industry leaders to help shape public health policy. Online MPH@GW students are able to benefit from GW’s comprehensive curriculum, expert faculty and respected reputation from wherever they are in the world.