Harvard MPH: FAQ + Application Tips

Do you enjoy helping others in your community? Maybe you already get to do that as a doctor or nurse, but you want to have a greater impact, so you look into the Harvard MPH program.

Getting a master’s in public health can be a fantastic choice, especially from Harvard. Read on to learn more about the degree and if it’s the right option for you.

Is Harvard School of Public Health Good?

The Harvard University School of Public Health is tied for second place in the U.S. News Best Public Health Schools list. It offers multiple graduate degrees in public health at the master’s and doctoral levels.

These degrees can prepare students for careers in academia and research or professional practice. The Harvard MPH program specifically prepares students for careers outside of academia.

You can choose the degree program that makes the most sense for you based on your experience and future goals. The school brings in experts across disciplines to help you learn as much as you can about public health.

What Is Harvard School of Public Health Known For?

The Harvard School of Public Health is known for its public health activism. Faculty members have worked as both teachers and researchers in the field for as long as the school has existed.

Students get to work with educators and scientists to develop new, original ideas. The school helps students learn how to change public policies and practices in healthcare. It also has a focus on improving the behaviors of individuals.

This school is known for producing the next generation of health leaders. As a student, you’ll learn from current experts in the field.

How Do You Get Into the Harvard MPH Program?

The requirements to get into the Harvard MPH program vary based on the specific degree track. Harvard offers a 45-credit MPH, and it’s for more experienced professionals.

You’ll need to have a doctoral degree, such as an MD, DO, or PhD. Another option is to have a health-related master’s degree, such as an MSN or MSW. If that’s the case, you’ll also need to have two years of work experience in healthcare.

Students who’ve completed the primary clinical year in dental or medical school may also apply. The same is true of Harvard Law School 1L students.

Individuals with only a bachelor’s degree may also apply. However, these applicants will need at least five years of relevant health experience. If you have a bachelor’s degree and two years of experience working in the field, you can apply for the 65-credit Master of Public Health.

Depending on the specific field of study you select, you may need to meet other requirements. Also, except for recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you also need to submit test scores for the GRE, MCAT, GMAT, LSAT, or DAT.

How Do I Make My MPH Application Stand Out?

You can make your MPH application stand out by emphasizing your strengths and experience. It also helps to address any weaknesses, such as a low GPA. Using your application to explain those issues can help the school better understand your application.

If you’re applying based on work experience rather than degrees, include some examples of your work experience. Share what you’ve learned about public health through your job, volunteer opportunities, and similar experiences.

Is It Hard to Get Into Harvard MPH?

Getting into Harvard’s MPH program is easier than some applicants may think. The overall acceptance rate for Harvard University is about 3.24 percent. However, the acceptance rate for the MPH program is about 49 percent.

Now, what can make getting into the program hard is all of the requirements. You need to earn a high degree and/or obtain multiple years of work experience before you apply.

What Makes for a Good MPH Applicant?

A good MPH applicant will meet the eligibility requirements for the degree program. Whether you do so with a master’s or doctorate or through work experience doesn’t matter. If you don’t have a higher degree, you’ll at least need a bachelor’s degree.

You should also speak and write well in English. It’s important to have a strong quantitative and verbal aptitude.

Can I Get Into an MPH Program With a Low GPA?

The Harvard School of Public Health doesn’t list a specific GPA as an admission requirement. However, it will probably be more difficult to get into an MPH program with a low GPA.

For example, Harvard temporarily stopped requiring test scores for admission. The school probably placed more emphasis on good grades during that period.

What Is the Average undergraduate GPA for Harvard School of Public Health?

The average undergraduate GPA for Harvard Master of Public Health students is 3.65. Overall, the average GPA for Harvard students is around 3.8.

What Is a Good GPA for the MPH Program?

A good GPA for the MPH program is anything at or above the average. If you have between 3.65 and 4.0, your GPA might help you get into the program.

How Do You Write a Good MPH Personal Statement?

To write a good MPH personal statement, you should review Harvard’s requirements. According to the School of Public Health, you need to keep your statement to 600 words or less.

The statement should include the field of study you’re most interested in within MPH. Harvard offers degrees in epidemiology, global health, health policy, and more. You also want to cover how you’ve prepared professionally and academically for a public health career.

Finally, the statement needs to include your career plans upon graduation from Harvard.

After your Statement of Purpose and Objectives, you must add a separate section. The section can’t be longer than an additional 200 words. You should write about your work experience or courses you’ve taken and how those showcase your skills and quantitative preparation.

Does Harvard MPH Require the GRE?

In most normal academic application cycles, Harvard does require the GRE for admittance into the MPH program. Harvard paused this requirement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s expected to go back to normal starting with the 2024-2025 academic year program entry cycle.

The Harvard School of Public Health doesn’t explicitly state a minimum test score. However, the school does note that in the quantitative section, successful applicants usually score in at least the 60th percentile. That means you need to get at least a 157 on that section of the test.

What GRE score do I need for MPH?

How Much Does an MPH at Harvard Cost?

A Master of Public Health degree from Harvard costs $66,960 for the 45-credit program. You can also go through this degree only during the summer, but the total tuition will remain the same.

If you go through the 65-credit degree, the tuition costs $58,816 for a year as a full-time student. Part-time students will pay half of that, at $29,408 per year.

Harvard charges an $80 late registration fee. If you take longer to complete your studies than the stated time-to-degree, the school charges an extra $3,156 per semester or $6,312 per year regardless of full-time or part-time status.

Of course, you must also pay for any course materials, such as textbooks, as well as parking and library fees. You’ll need to view your Harvard account for the specific amount you’ll owe.

Is MPH Respected?

People with MPH degrees are respected. The field of public health is becoming more important than ever.

If you obtain an MPH, you’ll get to work with other doctors and scientists. Your job will be to help people and the public stay healthy.

Are MPH Programs Hard to Get Into?

Some MPH programs are quite competitive and are therefore difficult to get into. However, Harvard’s MPH program has a surprisingly high acceptance rate. It’s still lower than 50%, so not everyone will get in though.

As long as you meet the eligibility requirements, have a good GPA, and do well on any standardized testing, you should have a good chance of getting in. Even if you don’t get into the Harvard MPH program, you can apply to other schools.

Be sure to consider your qualifications and the requirements of various programs. Then, you can apply to at least one “safe” school that you’re confident will accept you.

Which Field of Public Health Is in Demand?

Multiple public health jobs are in demand. When it comes to what you can do with an MPH degree, epidemiology is probably in demand the most. In this field, you study how a disease spreads and how to stop it.

You can work on applied public health and work for the government. Another option is to focus on the research side and work for a university. This career is expected to grow by about 26% between 2021 and 2031, which is much faster than the average job growth.

Biostatisticians are also in demand. This is primarily a research-based career because you run studies and review the results. You’ll be responsible for presenting your findings to other healthcare professionals, and you can design clinical trials.

In this career, you can work for universities, the government, or other agencies. If you’re good with numbers, becoming a biostatistician could be a good choice.

What Is the Salary After MPH?

After earning your MPH, the salary you can expect to make depends on the specific career path you pursue. For example, epidemiologists make just under $79,000 per year. The average biostatistician can expect to make around $95,000 in a year.

Other public health careers pay more than that, such as the role of a medical and health services manager, which can earn you $118,000 annually. Public health nurses make about $80,000 per year, while community health workers make roughly $46,000.

The exact salary you can expect also depends on other factors. First, you have to consider your current work experience and other degrees you have. You should also think about where in the country you live and the average income for that city or state.

Final Thoughts

The Harvard MPH program is a well-respected degree program. It’s an excellent choice for current healthcare professionals looking to gain new experiences or grow their careers.

Be sure to consider the admission requirements and eligibility criteria. Then, consider the different MPH fields of study as well as the cost of the degree.

All of that information can help you decide if you should apply to the Harvard School of Public Health.