Can You Earn An Online MPH Without a GRE?

We now live in an age where more people are college educated than ever before. This is definitely a good thing. A well-educated workforce is a vital component of any company’s strategy to thrive in a world of ever-increasing competition, global trade, and rapid change. But while the overall increase in education has been great for employers, it can make standing out from one’s peers difficult when competing for a raise or promotion. With many careers in the healthcare industry now requiring a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions, the only way for many to climb the career ladder is to acquire a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree.

There are now many online MPH degree programs available from a large number of respected colleges and universities. This makes earning the degree a viable option for many who otherwise would not have been able to quit their jobs and return to school full-time. A stumbling block for many, however, is the admissions requirement to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

The GRE is a standardized exam used by many admissions committees to help them determine whether a particular candidate is academically prepared for graduate studies. The exam is administered via computer by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

To GRE or Not to GRE. That is the Question.

The GRE is a stumbling block for many MPH applicants for a variety of reasons, and many postpone furthering their educations specifically because of the dreaded exam.

One problem that many have with the GRE is its heavy emphasis on quantitative subjects like algebra and statistics. These are subjects that many struggled with in their undergraduate programs, and compounding the problem is the fact that a number of years may have passed since these subjects were last studied. It may also seem like a waste of time to study these subjects again for MPH programs that do not have a strong quantitative component.

The time commitment is another reason why many don’t want to bother with the GRE. For many who work full-time, time is a valuable commodity. And to earn a solid score on the GRE, many will have to spend several months re-learning material that they forgot years ago. This time commitment alone makes many throw up their hands in frustration and say “why bother?”.

The GRE is also an expensive exam at $200 per attempt. And to properly prepare for it, many spend significant sums of money on GRE prep courses.

Finally, because the GRE exam is administered via computer at designated testing centers, many have no option but to use up a day of precious vacation time to take the exam. What a bummer.

What’s a person to do then?

Good news … There are now several great online MPH degree programs that do not require taking the GRE to be admitted.

How to Get an Online MPH Without a GRE

The GRE really serves only one purpose: to determine whether a person is able to handle graduate-level work. That’s it. There are many things the exam does not evaluate such as professional experience, level of maturity, personal determination to finish the program, study habits, and other things. Many enlightened admissions officials realize this and have done away with the GRE as an admissions requirement, or have made the exam optional. In its place schools are now using different admissions criteria such as undergraduate GPA, work experience, and other considerations. Some schools, like The George Washington University, for example, will waive the GRE requirement if you already have a graduate degree in another area. Such admissions criteria makes much more sense for working professionals.

Finding an online MPH degree program that does not require taking the GRE is very easy. An internet search for “online MPH no GRE,” for example, produces pages of results. View our list of schools here to learn more about programs that do not require the GRE.

When evaluating any online MPH, regardless of whether it requires the GRE or not, be sure to check its accreditation before making a decision. A graduate degree represents a major investment of both time and money, and you want to make sure you go with the best program for both your budget and your professional needs. The best online MPH degree programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Online MPH degree programs accredited by this agency are viewed very favorably by employers.