What are the differences between the MSCR and MPH degree programs?
The Master of Public Health (MPH) in the Department of Epidemiology is a terminal degree program for physicians and other doctoral-level professionals. The MPH requires core courses in health policy, health behavior, environmental sciences, epidemiology and biostatistics. The MPH is intended to be a professional degree, preparing persons for a career in public health that may or may not include research. The MSCR is an interdisciplinary research degree. Students will focus on clinical and translational research methods that can be applied to their field of research. Thus, the strongest applicants are those who have substantive training in a specific content area (“a professional identity”), who identify a research mentor and who wish to embark on a career in research in that field. Applicants are encouraged to include a letter of recommendation from this mentor in their application.
