Master in Public Health (MPH) Programme

Calendar | Collaboration | Special features | Comparative advantage
Admission | Eligibility | Finances | Application Procedure
Examination procedure | Living

Designed to be innovative, embracing international standards, utilizing state-of-the-art methods and techniques of teaching, learning, and providing opportunities for hands-on field experience, the School offers a unique Master of Public Health (MPH) programme with students and faculty recruited from Bangladesh and abroad. Previous and current students are from 19 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Americas.

It is a one-year full-time residential programme with 51 credits.

Calendar:

The MPH programme runs full time for 12 consecutive months. Usually it starts early in the year and runs through the end of February of the following year.

Collaboration:

Faculty is drawn from other departments of BRAC University, BRAC, icddr,b, Schools of Public Health from USA (Columbia, Johns Hopkins, George Washington, Harvard and University of Maryland), the Netherlands (University of Amsterdam), Sweden (Karolinska Institute), the United Kingdom (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), Germany (University of Heidelberg), Japan (Nagasaki University) and India (Sree Chitra Tinural Institute for Medical Science and Technology, Kerala), Public Health Foundation of India in addition to JPGSPH's own faculty.

Special features:

• The MPH is a 51 credits residential programme which begins early in the year and runs full time for 12 consecutive months. There are vacation breaks (2-3 weeks) interspersed through the programme; 
• Multi-disciplinary in design, the programme emphasizes development of the core public health competencies: epidemiology, biostatistics, medical anthropology, qualitative and quantitative and mixed research methods, health systems management, health economics and health care financing, environment and health, health communication, monitoring & evaluation, public health nutrition, demography, sexual and reproductive health, aging and health and noncommunicable diseases; 
• Faculty members are from reputed international universities, institutions and research centers such as: BRAC University, icddr,b, BRAC, University of Heidelberg (Germany), Harvard University (USA), Johns Hopkins University (USA), George Washington University (USA), Karolinska Institute (Sweden), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (UK), and University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands); 
• Experiential learning is facilitated through residential programme with access to computer lab and classroom facilities; 
• Students receive access to the icddr,b library, one of the largest and most modern in South Asia, with over 50,000 journal titles and 15,000 books. 

Why should you study at JPGSPH (BRAC School of Public Health)?  

• A global classroom: Students from all over the world with significant public health experience represent diverse disciplinary and professional backgrounds; 
• Teaching students to problem solve: A comprehensive curriculum focused on core public health competencies with emphasis on teamwork and interactive learning; 
• Experienced and committed international and national faculty; 
• Learning by doing: Direct partnerships with BRAC, BRAC International and icddr,b enrich the lessons in the current state of public health research and practice; 
• Location in a developing country provides a social laboratory for public health teaching and learning; 
• Emphasis on community-based experiential learning conducted in rural and urban settings; 
• Partnerships with other internationally recognized schools of public health in both developed and developing countries enable access to the rich academic resources of the collaborating institutions as well as exposure to innovative and cutting edge global health agendas; 
• High quality international MPH programme at comparatively lower cost; 
• Extensive national and international partnerships allow for further learning and career development.

International Advisory Board

An International Advisory Board oversees the James P Grant School of Public Health the members are: 

• Dr. Jon Rohde, Chair (MSH, USA) 
• Dr. James M. Sherry, Co Chair (George Washington University, USA) 
• Sir F. H. Abed, Chairperson and Founder of BRAC 
• Dr. Richard Cash (School of Public Health, Harvard University, USA) 
• Prof. Patrick Vaughan (Professor Emeritus, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK) 

Admission

The MPH programme is designed for individuals who wish to build or further their career in public health or allied areas. 

The James P Grant School of Public Health was established to respond to the critical problems faced by the health sector in the developing world. Hence in addition to Bangladeshi students, the School accepts students from Asia, Africa and Latin America. Priority is given to candidates from countries where BRAC has ongoing (e.g. Afghanistan, East Africa) development programmes. However, in recognition of the realities of global inter-relatedness, the School is keen to have a diverse composition of its students representing different nationalities (including a few from the industrialized world), academic background and a favourable gender balance to expand the scope and range of experience.

Eligibility

The MPH programme is particularly suited to individuals who wish to build or further enhance their career in public health or allied areas. Candidates fulfilling the following criteria are eligible to apply:

• Bachelor and/or Masters degree(s) in medicine, nursing, midwifery, health sciences, social sciences or other sciences; 
• Excellent academic record with first and second division standing; GPA 3.0 or above (Out of 4.0); 
• Proficiency in oral and written English demonstrated by a TOEFL score of 250 on computer-based test/100 on internet-based test or IELTS of 6.5 and basic arithmetic skills is an added advantage; 
• Computer literacy including knowledge of Microsoft Office and data analysis skills is preferred; 
• Preference given to applicants who have a minimum of one year professional experience in health or other social sector. 

Finances

High quality international programme at lower cost: The MPH programme here is about one-third the cost of similar programmmes in North America and in Europe and is cheaper than even similar programmes in developing countries. The School has a generous scholarship programme for students from developing countries to promote global access to the MPH based on need, merit and other selection criteria. 

For International Students

The total cost of our international MPH programme is US $20,000 which covers tuition fee (international and national faculty), residential fees, logistics, food, local transportation, support for field work activities, course materials and supplies. Candidates from developed countries are required to pay the full amount. 

Candidates from developing countries are required to pay a subsidized fee of $8,000. Beyond the subsidy, scholarships are available based on need, merit and other selection criteria. However, candidates who are funded by organizations (e.g. Fulbright Fellowship, Fogarty Fellowships, Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, etc), UN and other agencies are not eligible for a fee waiver and are required to pay full fees. 

All international students are responsible for their airfare to and from Dhaka, as well as associated expenses, such as visa fees and health insurance.


For Bangladeshi Students

The total cost of our international MPH programme is US $20,000 which covers tuition fee (international and national faculty), residential fees, logistics, food, local transportation, support for field work activities, course materials and supplies. Bangladeshi students are required to pay a subsidized fee of US $8,000 (equivalent to BDT 600,000). Beyond the subsidy, scholarships are available based on merit, need and selection criteria. However, candidates who are funded by organizations (e.g. Fulbright Fellowship, Fogarty Fellowships, Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, etc), UN and other agencies are not eligible for a fee waiver and are required to pay full fees.


Application

Completed Application must be submitted to the Admission Desk on or before the deadline.

A complete application comprises: 

1. Completed application form (may be downloaded from the website, or collected from information desk or SPH Office) ;
2. Detailed CV describing work, research and educational background ;
3. Copies of certified academic transcripts and certificates of all degrees (scanned copies are accepted for electronic submission); 
4. Proficiency in oral and written English demonstrated by a TOEFL score of 250 on computer-based test/100 on internet-based test or IELTS of 6.5 and basic arithmetic skills is an added advantage; 
5. Two Passport size photographs (scanned copies are accepted for electronic submission); 
6. Admission Test Fee Receipt of Tk. 1000 (national applicants only).

* National students should submit the Completed Application with a test fee of Tk. 1000. Students may download form from the website and pay the fee during submission of the completed application.

No application can be considered until all these above mentioned items are received.

MPH Application form Download: Application form

National students are advised to post applications to both these addresses:

International students are advised to post applications electronically to the following address:

Examination procedure

For International Students

Short listed candidates will be called for an interview in their home country by the designated personnel and, if successful, contacted by the school to follow-up on the admission process by November, 2012.

For National students 

A written exam is taken; students qualifying the test are short listed. Short listed candidates will be contacted to be interviewed, first in a group interview and, if qualified, they will be called for individual Interviews.

Living Arrangement

To facilitate experiential learning, the programme is residential. Students are provided shared rooms with air cooler and shared bathroom including computer lab with internet facility. Meals will be provided in the MPH dining facility at a set time. Students are expected to visit and interact with the rural and urban inhabitants in order to put their classroom knowledge into practice.