Non-Science major looking to get MPH

[SuccessSW]

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I am currently finishing up my MBA and I have known for a while that my true interest lies in the field of Public Health. However, I feel totally unprepared to go head first into a MPH program with absolutely no science. (My undergrad degree was in business administration as well so no science there) Any others who came into the field cold turkey?

Further, could someone give me some advice on what to do to boost my application? Volunteer at a hospital or non-profit perhaps? Let me know.

 

[SmartAlek]

I am currently finishing up my MBA and I have known for a while that my true interest lies in the field of Public Health. However, I feel totally unprepared to go head first into a MPH program with absolutely no science. (My undergrad degree was in business administration as well so no science there) Any others who came into the field cold turkey?

Further, could someone give me some advice on what to do to boost my application? Volunteer at a hospital or non-profit perhaps? Let me know.

Public health is comprised of many different areas. Many schools offer the MPH/MBA so there is definately room for a MBA major to apply.Take a look at the list of concentrations below:

Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
Biostatistics
Environmental and Occupational Health
Epidemiology
Global Health
Health Policy and Management

Some areas require good quantitative skills or biology background. I am not sure of any EC's that you could do, but the ones you mentioned sound great. I think that if you determine which program is best for you, you may be surprised to find that you already have a large arsenal of skills..particularly in policy and management. But if you are interested in the other areas I think you should be fine applying for those also.

Hope this helps

 

[bwilson]

You should be fine. I was an English major undergrad, 2 years removed, and got into Hopkins and Columbia. I did quite well on the GRE and my grades were pretty good, plus I have internship experience with a non-profit, but otherwise very little health/science background other than the basic bio course I took in college. The MBA will help a lot, as I think most qualms are about ability to study at a grad level and quantative abilities, which you obviously have covered. Good luck!

 

[glamrockgoose]

I just got into Brown, Tufts and BU.

My undergrad was in English Lit.

What I did:

-Got a certificate in epidemiology from Tufts (5 courses)
-Aced the GRE
-Got a job at a public health association for crap pay and worked there for 3 yrs prior to applying.