Master of Public Health Program

Tuition

Tuition in the Brown MPH Program is charged on a per course basis. Required internships (the Public Health Internship and the Analytical Internship) have the same tuition as courses. The tuition for the 2004-2005 academic year is $3,834 per course. The tuition rate is adjusted annually. The usual full time course load for first year students includes the summer internship and 3 courses in both the fall and spring semesters. For the 2004-2005 academic year, the tuition charge for seven courses/internships would be $26,838.

Full-time students typically take six courses during the second year, resulting in a tuition charge of $23,004 for the 2004-2005 academic year. The course load for a part-time student during the first year would include a summer internship and two courses in the fall and spring semesters. For the 2004-2005 academic year, the tuition charge for five courses/internships would be $19,170. In subsequent years part-time students typically enroll in four courses, resulting in a tuition charge of $15,336 in the 2004-2005 academic year.

Health insurance is required for all students. The cost of health insurance through the university is $2,056 for the 2004-2005 academic year. Students who have comparable health insurance may submit a waiver form to the Insurance Office. Otherwise the University health insurance fee will be charged. In addition to the health insurance fee, there is a health services fee of $526 for the 2004-2005 academic year. This fee supports the on campus Health Services Program which provides medical care and other health services to students. Additional charges include a $50 student deposit and a student activity fee of $30 for the 2004-2005 academic year.

Additional information about billing procedures and account status can be obtained from the Bursar’s Office

Financial assistance

MPH assistantships are available for highly qualified students. Students awarded research assistantships take at least 3 courses per semester. The MPH assistantships provide a monthly stipend and a scholarship award. The scholarship award is posted to student accounts in two installments, August 1st and January 2nd. Students awarded a standard MPH Assistantship receive a monthly stipend of $1,000 as well as a scholarship award of $13,500, which can be applied toward tuition and health insurance fees. The student works 18 hours per week for the sponsor in public health related research or practice. Students awarded a partial MPH Assistantship receive a monthly stipend of $667 to work, as well as a scholarship award of $9,000, which can be used toward tuition and health insurance fees. Students awarded a partial MPH Assistantship work 12 hours per week for the sponsor in public health related research or practice.

Applicants are automatically considered for MPH Assistantships as part of the admissions process. The MPH Assistantships are awarded for one academic year with the potential for renewal for a second year. The number and type of MPH Assistantships available varies each year depending on the number of sponsors. Past sponsors of MPH Assistantship include research centers the Brown University Public Health Program, the Rhode Island Department of Health and other public health related organizations. When possible, the MPH Assistantship is coordinated with the required internships and students have been able to work out thesis projects with their Assistantship sites.

MPH Program partial scholarships are also available to a limited number of highly qualified students, including those who receive assistantships. Applicants are automatically considered for partial scholarship support as part of the admissions process.

Applicants should apply by January 2, 2005 for the best chance of being offered an MPH Assistantship or partial scholarship support.

Students may also qualify for the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. Information on educational loans may be obtained through the Financial Aid Office.

Students who do not receive an assistantship may find part time employment to help with expenses and ideally to provide relevant public health experience. There are a number of ways to search for part time employment. To explore campus based employment opportunities for students, consult the Brown Student Employment Office.
The main human resources department at Brown may also post positions that would be of interest to MPH students, though such positions are open to a wider applicant pool and may have responsibilities that would incompatible with the demands of being a student. Students may also search for part time employment opportunities off campus, though again, care should be taken to avoid taking on responsibilities that would interfere with academic obligations. A number of resources exist to assist in looking for part-time employment outside of the Brown University campus. Students may want to explore the employment offices at Brown affiliated hospitals, which include employment postings from hospital based public health research centers. Brown affiliated hospitals include Lifespan affiliated hospitals (Rhode Island Hospital, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Miriam Hospital, Bradley Hospital and Newport Hospital), Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Care New England (Women and Infants Hospital, Butler Hospital and Kent County Hospital) and the Veteran’s Medical Center, The print or online versions of the Providence Journal also lists employment opportunities.