Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Department of Community and Behavioral Health (CBH) accept applications for all semesters- fall, spring or summer?

The department accepts MPH and MS applications for fall, spring, or summer semesters.  The department prefers that PhD students enter the program in the fall semester.

What are the deadlines for applications?

For MS applicants, the deadlines are April 1 for summer and fall semester entry and October 1 for spring semester entry.  For PhD applicants, the deadline for fall semester entry is April 1.  MPH applicants should refer to http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/mph/admissions/requirements.html for information about deadlines.  For maximum consideration for financial aid, applicants should apply by February 1 for fall semester program entry.

Is a personal interview required?

MS and MPH applicants are not asked to participate in an interview as part of the application process.  The department recommends that PhD applicants establish contact with a CBH professor with similar research interests before or during the application process.

What undergraduate courses are recommended as preparation for the MPH or MS programs of study within the Department of Community and Behavioral Health?

College level biology, math, social sciences and statistics courses are all important preparation for the CBH MPH or MS program of study.

Are certain undergraduate degrees the best preparation for an MPH or MS in CBH?

Entering students have a variety of academic backgrounds.  See our web “profiles” page http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/cbh/prospectivestudents/profiles.html .  No certain undergraduate degrees are recommended. 

How many students apply each year and how many get accepted?

The CBH department received 52 applications for Summer and Fall 2007.  The department accepted 29 individuals as follows:  3-PhD, 2-MS, and 24-MPH.   The department received 12 applications for Spring 2008.  The department accepted 3 individuals- all MPH students.

When does the CBH department make acceptance decisions?

The department accepts and decides on applications on a rolling basis, so application files will usually be considered soon after they are received.  The review process usually takes 2-4 weeks.

What is the difference between the MS degree program in CBH and the MPH with a CBH subtrack?

The MS program is designed for students with strong interests in research who plan to continue with doctoral studies.  The MS program ends with a thesis which prepares MS students for later dissertation work.  The MS program is usually a little longer than two years because of the time spent on the thesis.  When considering applicants for the MS program, admission committee members look for research experience and interests along with the other requirements for admission.

The MPH program ends with a practicum experience.  This is fitting because the MPH program is designed for persons who primarily want to become professional practitioners of public health, and don't necessarily desire a PhD.  When considering applicants for the MPH program, admission committee members look for experience in public health (paid or volunteer) along with the other requirements for admission.

It is possible for MPH graduates to later go into PhD work.  It is also possible that MS graduates will work a while before continuing into PhD work. The department accepts more people into the CBH MPH program than the MS program.   

If you chose to apply for the MPH (in Community and Behavioral Health; Health Communication; Nutrition and Exercise; or Maternal Child and Family Health), you apply to the MPH program directly.   If applying on line, in the “B. Admission Information” section of the online application form, make the choice “MPH”.  Do not choose “Community and Behavioral Health” which is above “MPH” in the list.  Choose “MPH”, and then fill in “Community and Behavioral Health” as your chosen “subarea of interest of specialization.” Your application materials are sent to staff in the MPH office, and those staff will keep you informed of your application status.  Lily French at 319-384-5991 is the MPH staff person to contact if you have questions about the MPH application process.

Explain the CBH sub tracks and focus areas within the MPH program. 
Within the MPH program there are many combined degrees, subtracks, and focus areas.  Refer to http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/mph/about/
A subtrack offers students the opportunity to attain specialized training in a major field within public health. The subtrack is designated on the transcript to provide an additional credential. The Community and Behavioral Health department is the responsible department for two subtracks: 1) community and behavioral health and 2) health communication.  If students apply for those subtracks, their applications will be reviewed by the CBH department, and if accepted, they will belong to the CBH department.
Focus areas offer students the opportunity to gain knowledge in important areas of public health that do not fit directly into the core areas of public health. Course work may be drawn exclusively from departments in the College of Public Health or from other academic programs that provide public health training. Due to the collaborative nature of these focus areas no study area is designated on the transcript; the degree is a general MPH.  If applicants are interested in the 1) Nutrition and Exercise focus area, or 2) Maternal, Child and Family Health focus area they may choose to be assigned to the Community and Behavioral Health Department.  However, they may select another department if their interests align more closely with another department.

May I complete the MS, MPH, or PhD program from a distance?

CBH does not operate a distance education program.  There are a few courses that are web-based, but most courses require on-campus attendance.

How are Teaching Assistants (TAs) and Research Assistants (RAs) chosen?

Many CBH students are appointed as a TA or RA as a mechanism for financial support.  The department usually takes a preliminary look at course enrollment numbers before deciding how many TAs to appoint and for which courses. International students must take an English proficiency test (called the SPEAK test) before finalizing their appointments as TAs.  Many CBH students are able to secure Research Assistant positions through one of our three research centers.  Read about the centers by connecting to the web page for each center from our home web page http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/cbh/.  New students should express interest in RA or TA assignments to both their advisor and the Graduate Program Coordinator.  The department will accommodate as many requests as possible.  The availability of positions is determined by the grant funds received each year.

What is the pay for TAs and RAs?

The Grad RA and TA rates for the upcoming year, 2007-2008, will be:
Appointment                  Annual Salary    Monthly Salary
50% (20 hours/week)      $19,894             $1,657.83
25% (10 hours/week)       $9,947               $828.92                     

Do TAs and RAs have to pay tax on the income they receive?

The issue of taxes depends on a number of factors. The Payroll Department at the University will be able to advise you for your specific situation. Their phone number is 319-335-2381.

How long does it typically take to complete each program?

Most MPH students are able to complete their programs of study in two years.  Most MS students take a little longer than two years to complete their programs.  The average length of time, to date, for PhD program completion in CBH is four years.

How are your graduates employed?

See the careers web page for stories about some of our CBH graduates- http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/cbh/prospectivestudents/careers.html
Other positions secured recently by CBH graduates include the following:

• Grant Analyst, University of California at San Francisco, CA
• Health Educator, Wellness Center for Older Adults, Omaha, NE
• Health Information Web Specialist, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR; Rehabilitation Research & Training Center (RRTC) on Health and Wellness for Adults with Long-term Disabilities.

• Prevention Specialist, Roanoke City Health Department, VA
• Project Manager, Franciscan Medical Group, Tacoma, WA
• Senior Research Assistant, Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA

Direct other questions to Arlys Thompson, Graduate Program Coordinator, Community and Behavioral Health, 319-384-5382, or arlys-thompson@uiowa.edu.