Just to clarify, since you make it sound like MSU's program in public health is strictly limited to the internet, there is a requirement of a 240 hour practicum. No, it's not as many hours as some programs may require, but it's something. What I like about the program, is that it doesn't sacrifice quality of education and it allows for flexibility. The practicum can be either done during residency if you're doing a dual program, or anywhere in MI as well as international sites offered by MSU. The program is not, however, CEPH accredited.
So far, the majority of the courses I have taken through this program require constant interaction between students via discussion forums and it provides the opportunity to learn from each others' experiences in addition to what is otherwise learned in lecture and through readings. I've personally found much of the information acquired, opinions heard, and experiences shared, to be valuable and applicable to the work I do now (I work with a very diverse population of individuals with TBI/ABI's at a rehab facility in metro Detroit). No offense, but I don't think you should negatively comment on a legitimate program as being "unacceptable" without familiarizing yourself with its intricacies first. If you don't know about the program and the quality of its content or even its requirements, then tactfully ask questions--don't automatically condemn it.
Programs like this allow people who are very interested in population health to immerse themselves in it when they otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to for a wide range of variables in their lives (work or school schedule, kids, lacking transportation, finances, etc). I firmly believe that what I am getting out of this program will make me a better, well rounded DO.
