Should I even bother applying for PhD in Public Health without a master's?

[Phdhopeful2019]

Hi all!

My anxiety about applying to PhD programs next year is creeping in as my friends are now receiving decisions from this cycle. I want to research the the effects of racism and other forms of discrimination on health and evaluate policies to eliminate systemic discrimination as a means to better health.

My biggest worry for admissions is that I don't have a Master's. I don't want to pay for an MPH when I already have pretty substantial research experience and did a public health undergrad major. I'm wondering if you could take a look at my credentials and let me know your thoughts on whether not having the Master's degree will hurt me in admissions?

Undergrad: top 30 US News private university, GPA was 3.8-something, magna cum laude, did double major + minor all directly related to my intended PhD studies 

Research experience: 4+ years editing/drafting papers for a professor and doing some analyses, 2 years in a psychology lab, did an honors thesis (collected my own data, passed IRB etc.), 2 years working for top public health researcher post-undergrad. My LORs will all be from profs I have done research with and will be stellar.

GRE: On ETS practice exam I got 170V, 154Q (I'm working to break 160 on quant in the real test)

Additional: I'm expecting to have 2 empirical papers under review by the time I submit my applications, and I will have a couple of non-peer reviewed public health publications. I received a couple of rewards and research grants in undergrad, but nothing too impressive (no Fulbright or anything like that)

So... what do you think? It is a waste of time to apply to PhDs without the master's or do I have a shot?

THANK YOU!!!  

[boisdejasmin]

7 hours ago, Phdhopeful2019 said:

Hi all!

My anxiety about applying to PhD programs next year is creeping in as my friends are now receiving decisions from this cycle. I want to research the the effects of racism and other forms of discrimination on health and evaluate policies to eliminate systemic discrimination as a means to better health.

My biggest worry for admissions is that I don't have a Master's. I don't want to pay for an MPH when I already have pretty substantial research experience and did a public health undergrad major. I'm wondering if you could take a look at my credentials and let me know your thoughts on whether not having the Master's degree will hurt me in admissions?

Undergrad: top 30 US News private university, GPA was 3.8-something, magna cum laude, did double major + minor all directly related to my intended PhD studies 

Research experience: 4+ years editing/drafting papers for a professor and doing some analyses, 2 years in a psychology lab, did an honors thesis (collected my own data, passed IRB etc.), 2 years working for top public health researcher post-undergrad. My LORs will all be from profs I have done research with and will be stellar.

GRE: On ETS practice exam I got 170V, 154Q (I'm working to break 160 on quant in the real test)

Additional: I'm expecting to have 2 empirical papers under review by the time I submit my applications, and I will have a couple of non-peer reviewed public health publications. I received a couple of rewards and research grants in undergrad, but nothing too impressive (no Fulbright or anything like that)

So... what do you think? It is a waste of time to apply to PhDs without the master's or do I have a shot?

THANK YOU!!!  

It's possible to get admitted without a master's degree, but it likely will limit your options to a small group of schools. There is not set standard and even as someone who was applying to DrPH/PhD programs with a non-MPH, but still relevant master's degree I was getting mixed feedback on my chances. Your best bet is to try to identify your top program choices and then contact the program directly to discuss admissions criteria.

[storm_jonas]

It's true that it's much harder to get into a PhD program without a master's degree - but if you have a good story and research plan it's definitely possible. As @boisdejasmin pointed out - you'll have to apply to a specific set of schools. Smaller schools or schools that have a program that combines a masters and PhD (like UNC) are probably your best bet.

There are people that get into programs like Hopkins with no Masters - but they typically are coming in from years of work from a cross-cutting field (or have another doctorate). With your experience you might also consider a DrPH (but only if you want to go into practice).

[squirrelene]

I got into a PhD program without a master's degree! I was also concerned but during interviews, most of the professors stated that it wouldn't put me at a disadvantage. I also have a research background similar to yours.