SGU MPH program?

[jani802]

Can anyone help me with this?

I was wondering if anyone knows about the MD track MPH program offered at SGU. Personally i feel it is a money making tactic. It is a program for where students must maintain a 3.5 gpa to enter the md program. But if you look at the coursework none of them are hard core science courses. They are all health admin. courses. Can anyone let me know what they think?

thanks
Jcs

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[jani802]

Thank you for your response

best regards
jcs

It is not a strong program -- you can get a much better program in the US for much less money.

Clearly it is a money making and program building scheme. Obviously, the program is not good enough to attract students on its own merits so they have to bundle it with admission to the MD program in order to fill seats. While the SGU med program is good, I don't think this MP deal is in students' best interest.

You can find lots of discussion on this topic here;

http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic28398.html&highlight=mph

http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic34247.html&highlight=mph

http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic28095.html&highlight=mph

http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic17379.html&highlight=mph

 

[Phil Anthropist]

It is not a strong program -- you can get a much better program in the US for much less money.

Clearly, the MPH-to-MD program is a money-making and program building scheme. Obviously, the program is not good enough to attract students on its own merits so they have to bundle it with admission to the MD program in order to fill seats. While the SGU med program is good, I don't think this MPH-to-MD deal is in students' best interest.

You can find lots of discussion on this topic here;

http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic28398.html&highlight=mph

http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic34247.html&highlight=mph

http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic28095.html&highlight=mph

http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic17379.html&highlight=mph

I have the strangest feeling that I've read quite a few of your posts on ValueMD.

I agree. I don't have a positive opinion of the program.

A foreign MPH isn't going to be accredited. It won't carry ASPH, CEPH, or state accreditation.

If you're gonna drop that amount of money on an MPH, you might as well do one of the 1-year MPH programs for professionals. There are many of these programs for professionals who have completed a professional degree--and these include some of the most prestigious MPH programs in the country.

If you want an MPH, SGU is the wrong school. If you're using the program solely as a postbac with a guaranteed linkage to SGU, it'll do the trick, but it seems senseless to take classes that you aren't even interested in. However, if you're set on trying to get into SGU, I believe there are two alternative options that probably make more sense:

(1) You can take medical school courses at SGU and have the courses audited. I think I remember reading somewhere on the ValueMD boards that if you take enough of these classes and you get a high enough GPA, you're pretty much guaranteed an acceptance at SGU SOM. I honestly can't remember the specifics, but it's been discussed on ValueMD (maybe even on one of flindophile's links, but I'm too lazy to check )

(2) The MS in Microbiology track for med school. I think it's a 1.5 year program and you're guaranteed an acceptance with a 3.0 gpa. http://www.sgu.edu/website/sguwebsite.nsf/Grad/masterofscienceprogram.htm You might not see the point in doing the 1.5 year MS in Micro to get into SGUSOM when you can do a 1 year MPH instead, but the MS Micro program includes some of the medical coursework of SGU (Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Virology).

 

[sportsbeth]

I just received the interview invitation from SGU that says "be advised, although an interview will be conducted for the School of Medicine, your file may be considered for the Masters of Public Health Program." I am just wondering if anyone has received this letter but been accepted into the medical school without having to do the MPH program. I don't want to do this program but am afraid I won't get in if I don't show an interest in it...

 

[Javad]

I just received the interview invitation from SGU that says "be advised, although an interview will be conducted for the School of Medicine, your file may be considered for the Masters of Public Health Program." I am just wondering if anyone has received this letter but been accepted into the medical school without having to do the MPH program. I don't want to do this program but am afraid I won't get in if I don't show an interest in it...

Hi, First congratulations on getting an interview. I think you should focus on your interview and try to get more information about why you are being considered for the MPH program from your interviewer. Your ultimate goal is getting into medical school and if that means doing an MPH program and having extra credentials and topics to discuss during residency interviews then you should definitely consider it. I know many friends that did the MPH program and it was always brought up during there residency interviews and residency programs really looked at it very positively.

Hope this helps

 

[Javad]

Can anyone help me with this?

I was wondering if anyone knows about the MD track MPH program offered at SGU. Personally i feel it is a money making tactic. It is a program for where students must maintain a 3.5 gpa to enter the md program. But if you look at the coursework none of them are hard core science courses. They are all health admin. courses. Can anyone let me know what they think?

thanks
Jcs

I know there are some positives to SGU’s MPH Program, from fellow students who were in the program. To my knowledge, you can only start the MPH program in the U.S once a year, and will take two years to complete. Once you graduate and start a residency and then a practice, it is very tough to step out of that life and pursue the MPH. SGU allows you to complete the MD/MPH in 4 1/2 years plus a summer term, and I heard they are looking at a curriculum change to further integrate both programs.
Having an MPH in addition to an MD does make your CV look better. It is brought up during residency interviews and is looked upon favorably by program directors. Though I did not do the program, a couple friends of mine did, and they matched and felt the MPH helped them.
Also, SGU is in the final stage of being accredited from the Council on Education for Public Heath (CEPH). If approved, SGU will be one of the first non US schools accredited by the CEPH. So I suggest you go to Grenada and get the facts when you arrive and keep an open mind.

 

[sportsbeth]

Thank you for your help, Javad