Insights appreciated!! MSPH at JHU vs. MPH at Columbia

[ideu]

Hi all,

I am an female international student who went to an undergrad in Boston area.

ADs:

• MSPH Track in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene at JHU with 75% tutition off for second year
• MPH at EHS department in Columbia
• Occupational - Epidemiology program at UMich
• MSPH in EHS - EPI joint program at Emory
• MPH at Boston University with $15k

But I am mainly deciding between JHU and Columbia. I love Boston and don't want to go too far away from it. Yes, I regret that I didn't apply Harvard. Not that I can definitely get in... but I didn't try. I want to have a career here in Boston after grad school. However, BU doesn't seem to have as good reputation/education as either JHU or Columbia.

I am not thinking about PhD right now. My goal is to find a job, preferably a consulting position such as health risk assessment in either private or non-profit organization after graduation with decent salary (at least $50k/yr?) to support my family in the future (very important to me).  So career service and network of a school is important to me.

The JHU program length is 16 months (seems that not many people know/apply to this program). I did work on occupational health during my undergrad. That's why I applied to this program. It provides training toward Certified Industrial Hygienist. It seems more specific in terms of career path. Anyone has any insights of this program?

I also want to know about the freedom to switch concentration. Say, from EHS to biostats... How are these programs at Columbia and JHU different in this?

Any help is welcomed and appreciated. Thank you so much!!

 

 

 

Edited March 30, 2016 by ideu

[_kita]

I've just been accepted to JHU MHS Mental Health Program. I don't know exactly about the MSPH, but during the info session two weeks ago, it appears as though there is a lot of freedom to switch, or add on other parts of the department. They also have a ton of certifications you may want to look into. These may give you the additional credentials you want without needing to go through the hassle of "changing" anything. I know they have some in biostats.

 

I'm specifically looking into both their Mental Health Policy, Law & Economics and Public Mental Health Research Certificates which won't add any time onto my program... I'd suggest emailing current students. They were so helpful when I spoke to them.