MPH UM v Emory v JHU

[1eilleri]

Any insight to the programs/schools/student life/areas themselves would be appreciated!

University of Michigan MPH in Epidemiology – They reconfigured the program curriculum two years ago, which was frustrating for the students to be guinea pigs for it but I’ve also heard it was better organized this year. Great research opportunities. I’ve talked to some current students and they seem to have really enjoyed their time in Ann Arbor, plus the fact that there are many research opportunities. However, employment post-grad for public health practice seems to be (correct me if I’m wrong) localized in the MI area.

Emory MPH in Epidemiology – I’ve never been to Emory or the Atlanta area but given its proximity to the CDC and the other public health opportunities, it seems like a really promising location to launch a career in public health, especially since I am interested in infectious disease research and the international scale/reach of those PH orgs in the Atlanta area looks very appealing. I’ve heard great things about their career services and also about research opportunities and campus life.

JHU MSPH Global Disease Epidemiology and Control – Top ranked, in proximity to NIH/FDA/DC. Unsure about the 4 8-week terms in one academic year since my undergrad was on the quarter system and that was already a pretty rough time. But at the same time, I’ll only have to do it once. That aside, the program is very specific to what I want to pursue in terms of a career but UM and Emory also have global health tracks/certificates that would probably align with the GDEC focus. Great program community and strong student resources would be a big factor to my decision, but I’ve heard murmurings that JHU-SPH doesn’t have a strong student community/support system. Can anyone attest to that? 

 

-JHU definitely has the prestige but how much farther will it truly get me vs UM and Emory in the public health field? All have really great reputations. Excluding cost of living, program costs are coming out in the same range and look manageable.

Also got into the MPH program at UMd which, while not nearly as well known as these three programs, has the same geographical benefits as JHU. Significantly less expensive, less well known – worth considering?