Joint Degree M.A. Latin American Studies and M.P.H. Public Health

http://www.as.miami.edu/las/graduate/joint-master-of-arts-programs/medicine-and-public-health-/

Overview

Miami is the gateway to Latin America. As such we recognize an urgent need for public health professionals with the training and expertise needed to meet the growing public health challenges both in Latin America and the Caribbean. The MPH/LAS joint degree program is designed to train students for a career in public health with a focus on social policy, health management and health care in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as expatriate communities in the United States.

Average Program Duration: 2.5 years, (5 semesters)

Number of required credits: 60

M.P.H. Admission Requirements

·       Application - Applicants must submit their application online through SOPHAS, the centralized application service of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). All application materials, including transcripts, test scores, statement of purpose/personal statement, resume/CV, and letters of recommendations, must be submitted directly through SOPHAS.  Applicants to the MPH/MLAS joint degree must apply to both, the Department of Public Health Sciences MPH program and the College of Arts and Sciences Master of Arts in Latin America Studies program separately. Joint degree applicants should check with each program regarding admissions requirements.

·       Transcripts – Applicants must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. All foreign transcripts must be official and submitted in the original language. If the original language is not English, an official translation must be submitted along with the transcript. All non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES) using ICAP course-by-course evaluation service.

·       Standardized Test Scores - The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for the MPH program.

·       English Proficiency Exam - International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). If English is not a student’s native language, the TOEFL/IELTS requirement may be waived if the applicant holds an undergraduate or graduate degree from an English-teaching academic institution within the United States or from an English-speaking country.

·       Resume/Curriculum Vitae – Applicants must include a detailed resume including employment, public health experiences, community service, research, and academic or professional honors. Prior public health experience is not required in order to be considered for admission

·       Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement – Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose that details their academic interest in the program. The statement should discuss any experiences in public health including field experience, research, training, education or other related qualifications. Applicants should discuss how earning the degree will contribute to their future professional and career goals, as well as to the future of public health. Applicants should also address any academic deficiencies, if applicable.

·       Letters of Recommendation– Applicants must provide three letters of recommendation from individuals who are best able to assess their ability to be successful in a graduate degree program. Ideally, recommenders are recent professors, researchers or employers in a related field. Letters should be signed and on letterhead. Applicants will be asked to include the contact information of their recommenders on the SOPHAS application and recommenders will be sent an online form to complete via email.

For more information about our application process, please click here. To obtain detailed curricula on all our program offerings, please visit our website.

For further information, please contact:

Andria L. Williams, MBA
Director of Admissions
Department of Public Health Sciences
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
1120 N.W. 14 Street, Room 905 (R-669)
Miami, Florida 33136
Tel: 305-243-0291
Email: publichealthadmissions@miami.edu

Curriculum Requirements 

¹ Students must demonstrate advanced language competency in Spanish, French, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole. Students may establish proficiency by passing one course taught in the target language at the 600-level or above, or by passing a language competency exam. A major indigenous language of Latin America may be substituted for either Spanish or Portuguese. Students may petition for a waiver of examination if they have gained language competency in another manner (i.e. native speaker, upper division coursework in target language, Peace Corps service, IB credits, or Defense Language Proficiency Test).  Please note: The language waiver does not reduce the total number of credits required for the program, but it does allow the students to take 6 elective credits in lieu of 6 language credits.

² Six credits worth of Regional Fundamentals in Latin America must be taken. These electives may be chosen from appropriate offerings in LAS, INS, POL, HIS, APY, or GEG, among others. Regional Fundamentals are those courses that have a clear regional or sub-regional focus (e.g. Andean Region; the Caribbean; South America; Central America; Southern Cone; Brazil; South Florida), or a cross-cutting thematic focus (e.g. Caribbean religions, Latin American Social Movements) rather than a specific country focus. The LAS Academic Director may approve courses from other departments.

Sample Plan of Study

The MPH/LAS joint degree program is designed to train students for a career in public health with a focus on social policy, health management and health care in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as expatriate communities in the United States.

Average Program Duration: 2 years, 5 semesters