Graduate students at the School of Public Health are a vital part of our academic community. With a wide variety of professional experiences and personal backgrounds, students in our programs share a commitment to public health and meaningful research. Located just outside of Washington, DC, the School of Public Health holds strong ties to federal government agencies, as well as to local community partners. Our students benefit from these relationships, through world-class research and fellowship opportunities, conferences and career placement opportunities.
The Certified in Public Health Credential is the only credential of its kind for public health that demonstrates not only your knowledge of key public health sciences, but also your commitment to the field through continuing education focused on emerging and established public health issues. As the field of public health grows and its mission becomes more defined, it is crucial for public health professions to stay current in this rapidly evolving field.
Demonstrate to public health employers and leaders that you have mastered key contemporary public health sciences, by going beyond your education and choosing to sit for and successfully pass a voluntary examination.
By becoming certified in public health, you solidify your dedication to meeting and maintaining a national standard, agree to adhere to professional values, and follow a core standard body of knowledge, while distinguishing yourself from other professionals in the field. Raise the bar in public health. Distinguish yourself as a public health leader and sit for the CPH exam today!
Be the public health professional the public needs! Get CPH Certified!
Graduate and PhD students are encouraged to use all UCC@SPH resources and Career Center services and attend all career-related events including panels, career fairs and the SPH Expo. While all the career resources and tips are relevant and beneficial to you in your career search, we recognize there are unique challenges for graduate and doctoral students. Graduate advising is primarily done by your advisor or Graduate Director or other faculty.
For additional assistance, please see the UMD Graduate School professional development webpage and the UMD Graduate School events listing.
Doctoral students interested in non-academic careers may also want to reach out to Dr. Yie Hao, the Graduate School Career and Professional Development program director for doctoral students at yihao@umd.edu or (301) 405-8236.
Facilitating access to courses between the SPH and the University of Maryland Baltimore Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
In an effort to increase the educational opportunities and course offerings available to graduate students, the School of Public Health and the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (EPB) at the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) School of Medicine have worked together to create an online process for students to enroll in courses across our two campuses. Students can see the catalog of available graduate courses on the university's Testudo website. Use the instructions below to get started.
UMD SPH Students Enrolling in UMB EPH Courses
- Identify the UMB EPH course you wish to take and confirm that it will be offered in the semester you wish to take it (see the most up-to-date UMB EPH course offering schedule on the UMD School of Medicine website and search for PH or PREV courses).
- Consult with your advisor about taking the course, how it supports your program of study, and be sure that permission/approval is communicated to your department’s Graduate Director.
- If the course requires prerequisites or instructor’s permission, ensure that you meet the prerequisite or contact the instructor directly to inquire about permission to enroll before submitting your request (see the UMD Scool of medicine faculty directory). Upload a copy of the approval as part of your Inter-Institutional Enrollment request.
- Submit your request to enroll using the required, web-based Inter-Institutional Enrollment application.
- Be sure to select the semester in which you wish to register (e.g. Spring 2016) as the term and enter the exact course prefix and number used by UMB EPH (e.g. PREV 616).
- Allow at least 2 weeks for your request to be processed (it goes through both UMD and UMB processes).
- You will receive emails from the Inter-Institutional Enrollment system as your request is reviewed. Be sure to monitor for these so you know your enrollment status!
- Course instructors at UMB use Blackboard (an online learning management system such as CANVAS) as part of the course. If your request to enroll in the course is approved, instructions for how to access this online classroom space at UMB will be provided to you in your enrollment confirmation email. It will be critical that you follow those instructions as quickly as possible to ensure you are fully connected to the course.
UMB EPH Students Enrolling in UMD SPH Courses
- Identify the UMD SPH course you wish to take and confirm that it will be offered in the semester you wish to take it (see the most up-to-date UMD SPH course offering schedule on the UMD Schedule of Classes website and search for EPIB, FMSC, HLSA, HLTH, KNES, and MIEH course prefixes).
- Get the course approved by your advisor and provide an updated Individual Study Plan reflecting this course to the MPH Office of Student Affairs in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health.
- If the course requires prerequisites or the instructor’s permission, ensure that you meet the prerequisite or contact the instructor directly to inquire about permission to enroll before submitting your request. Find a list of faculty on our Faculty and Staff Directory. Upload a copy of the approval as part of your Inter-Institutional Enrollment request.
- Submit your request to enroll on the UMD Strategic partnership website using the required, web-based Inter-Institutional Enrollment application.
- Be sure to select the semester in which you wish to register (e.g. Spring 2016) as the term and enter the exact course prefix and number used by UMD SPH (e.g. HLSA 787).
- Allow at least 2 weeks for your request to be processed (it goes through both UMD and UMB processes).
- You will receive emails from the Inter-Institutional Enrollment system as your request is reviewed. Be sure to monitor for these so you know your enrollment status!
- Please note that the course instructors at College Park use Canvas (an online learning management system such as Blackboard) as part of the course. If your request to enroll in the course is approved, instructions for how to access this online classroom space at UMD will be provided to you in your enrollment confirmation email. It will be critical that you follow those instructions as quickly as possible to ensure you are fully connected to the course.
Masters & PhD
- SPH Request for Waiver of PH Core Requirement Form (MPH/MHA) (PDF)
- SPH Request for Waiver or Substitution of a Graduate Course Requirement Form
- SPH Request for Waiver of PH Core Requirement Form (MS/MA/PHD) (PDF)
- SPH Resiliency Scholarship Fund Application
All Graduate Students
Certificates
Find department-specific graduate student forms on the respective department pages.
The School of Public Health is committed to a core set of values and goals, among which include: engaging with integrity and respect, promoting social justice and responsibility, honoring diversity and inclusion, celebrating life-long learning, and developing and mentoring the next generation of public
health leaders. High-quality mentoring relationships between graduate faculty and graduate students are one reflection of these values and goals and the School is committed to supporting effective mentoring for all graduate students. Mentoring is especially important in programs that include thesis,
capstone, advanced clinical project, and dissertation requirements.
Please review our SPH Mentoring Expectations Statement.
The School of Public Health is committed to creating an educational and work environment that is inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, and staff. We aspire to develop and mentor the next generation of public health leaders and in doing so we strive for a learning environment that is fair, respectful, equitable, and free from all forms of harassment. Each member of the School of Public Health community is expected to contribute to this positive learning and work environment. The school is supported in this goal by several campus policies. When behavior or conduct occurs that is inconsistent with a respectful and safe learning environment, members of our community may report the incident and seek assistance through
the following policies and procedures.