FAQ

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What kind of background do students typically have prior to joining EHS?
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Incoming students represent a mix of individuals coming directly from an undergraduate program, typically with a science based major and/or with one to two years of work experience in the public health field. All applicants should have taken one year of Biology, General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry or Cellular Microbiology with a grade of B or higher. Exceptions to this rule include the Policy Track and the Medical/Health Physics Track. A school-wide requirement is that all applicants have one year of Math (Algebra, Calculus) with a grade of B or higher.

For more information please see Applying to the School.
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How do I apply for a dual degree?
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The Mailman School of Public Health currently has dual degree programs with the College of Physicians and Surgeons; School of Dental and Oral Surgery; School of Nursing; Program in Occupational Therapy; School of Business; School of International and Public Affairs; School of Social Work; Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation; and the School of Law. Mailman applicants seeking admission to dual degree studies must apply separately to the collaborating school prior to the end of the first semester in order to follow the proper course sequencing and reduced credit requirements.

See dual degree programs.
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What types of jobs do graduates of the Environmental Health Sciences Department typically obtain?
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Graduates pursue careers including but not limited to, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, federal or state or local environmental protection agencies, health departments, hospitals and public interest groups, among others. Some of our graduates also pursue higher degrees.
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What is the practicum?
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The practicum project is a required 150 - 300 hour practical experience, chosen by the student. Practica projects allow students to gain and strengthen skills in their specific areas of interest. EHS students typically complete the Practicum during the summer between their first and second year. The practicum may take a variety of forms depending upon the student’s area of interest. Past practicum include, but are not limited to participation in an ongoing research or evaluation project; working with a government agency, in a community-based organization, or designing and conducting an independent study.

Practicum for the EHS Global Health Track and the EHS Policy Track is combined with the Capstone requirement.

Access additional information on the practicum.
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What is the capstone?
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The capstone represents the culminating academic experience of the program and can be achieved through either a seminar level graduate course or a thesis essay. P9300 Topics in Environmental Health Sciences or one of the two Masters Essay options: P9361/P9362 Research I and II or P9360 Critical Literature Review. If you choose Masters Essay Research, you must take part 1 and 2 in two separate and sequential semesters with Masters Essay 2 taken in your final semester. If you choose to take Topics or Masters Essay Critical Literature Review, that should also be taken in your final semester.
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What is a tutorial?
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A tutorial is an optional tailored learning experience that enriches and contributes to an individual student’s program. It may take a variety of formats but is typically a literature review, a laboratory experiment, or an individual or collaborative research project with a faculty member. Tutorials may be taken anywhere from 1 – 6 points of credit depending upon the average number of hours a week of commitment.
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Are you still offering tracks? Do I need to pick the track when I apply to the department?
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Beginning in the Fall 2012, instead of the departmental tracks the Mailman School will be offering a new Certificate/Interdisciplinary Track program. Applicants will still apply to a specific department for admission to the School. They can also identify and apply to a specific certificate/interdisciplinary track when they apply or wait until their first semester after enrolling. Note that some certificates may have specific prerequisites. Please visit the Prospective Student site for more information.
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Can I take electives? How many?
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Yes, any courses outside of the required courses may be taken as electives either within the department, outside of the department or even at other graduate schools at Columbia. The total number of available credits that can be taken as electives vary from track to track, with an average of approximately 3 – 4 courses within the 45 total credit MPH degree taken as electives.
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How do I cross-register for a course?
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EHS students interested in cross-registration at another Columbia University school must obtain permission from the school that offers the course in order to secure a space in the class. It is important to note that the process of obtaining permission to enroll in a course as a cross-registrant is overseen by the other college not the Mailman School. Often there is a physical form at the other schools that tracks this permission. Permission might rest with the instructor or the student affairs office at that school, or both. It is thus important to contact that school about their individual process and how you will be able to demonstrate permission to enroll in this course.

Once you have obtained both permissions, bring this information, along with a registration form (PDF) to the CUMC Registrar during the change of program period.

You will be manually registered for this cross-registered course. Please note that students cannot add or drop non public health courses via the web.
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How long does it take to complete the degree program?
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The majority of our full time students take 3 to 4 semesters (a year and a half to two years) to complete the MPH program. This duration may vary and is longer in duration for our part-time students.
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May I be a part-time student?
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Part-time students are accepted into our department.
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Are there TA opportunities? If so, how do I become a TA?
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Any full time student may request to be a TA by contacting the Academic Program Manager a few months prior to the start of the fall or spring semester. Most, although not all students get nominated for TA positions through faculty recommendations, having taken a specific course and received an A or by responding to an e-mail advertisement from the department.

*For more information please contact the Academic Program Manager, Alysa Turkowitz and request a copy of the detailed EHS Teaching Assistant Responsibilities.
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Are there RA opportunities?
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Our department does not offer RA opportunities.
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