UMass Amherst Online MPHNEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

MODULE 1: GETTING STARTED

Module 1: Let’s get started

This module is designed to get you acquainted with the everyday systems at UMass. You will learn about the following: The required curriculum

Tracking your progress

Cost and financial aid

The UMail system and department mailing list

Spire-the student access system

Blackboard-accessing your classes

Technical Support information

Accessing the Library

MPH Curriculum

42 credits or 14-3 credit courses.

Statute of Limitation-4 years to complete the degree Average time to completion-3 years

Can arrange a 2 year pre-approved course of study

You can take one 3 credit course outside the major at UMass, with prior permission. For more information please contact your advisor.

MPH Curriculum

Required Core Courses You have 5 core courses to

complete. All 5 must be complete prior to

enrollment in the Practicum. You must get a B- or better in each

of these courses in order to pass. If you fail to reach this mark, you are required to retake the course at your own expense

It is recommended that you complete 540 and 630 in the first 2 semesters in the program, as these are foundation courses.

Core Course Listing Pubhlth 540-Introdution to

Biostatistics

Pubhlth 565-Environmental Health Practices

Pubhlth 601-Application of Social and Behavioral Theory

Pubhlth 620-Introduction to US Health Care System

Pubhlth 630-Principles of Epidemiology

MPH Curriculum

Other Required courses There are 3 other required courses. They

follow these rules:

You must complete the research requirement prior to enrolling in the Capstone.

The capstone is not offered during the summer.

The Practicum is a prerequisite for the capstone and must be completed before you can enroll in the capstone.

For a full description of the practicum click on the practicum link under module 1 additional resources.

Course Listing

Pubhlth 624-Research Methods

Pubhlth 698P-Practicum

Pubhlth 691S-Capstone

MPH Curriculum: Electives

There are 6 electives required to complete the program

We currently offer over 30 different choices of electives. You can choose electives in any of the 5 areas of public health, including Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Community Health Education, Policy and Environmental Health.

All 30 electives are not offered every semester. They rotate with 6 each spring and fall and 8 during the summer, based on faculty availability and popularity of the course.

If you would like to use your electives to concentrate in one area of public health please contact the advisor

For a complete list of all current electives please see Additional resources-“Curriculum” on the module 1 home page

Track your progress

Please click on the “track your progress” link on the module 1 home page to access this form.

You can also get this form from your advisor

The form includes the ability to track your time off and the Global Health Certificate if you are in this program.

Expected Tuition and Expenses

The current cost per credit is $590.00. As of Fall 2015 the cost per credit is $605.00

All entering graduate students must pay the Graduate School Entrance fee of $375.00 This charge will appear on you first bill.

The fee pays for lifetime transcripts and graduation expenses

There is also a $45 registration fee charged once per term you are enrolled.

Total estimated cost of attendance based on 3 years to completion is: $26,145.00

Financial Aid

You can pay using Federal Student Loans, private loans, tuition reimbursement from your employer, or arrange payment plans with the Bursars office.

Federal Student Loans-FAFSA- see module one additional resources for website

Bursar’s office: Lyn Rice-413-545-0337

Arrange payment plans.

Pay bill

Employer Tuition Reimbursement: Most employers require a statement of grades.

Sometimes this is required prior to grades being released into Spire. If you run into this issue, please contact me and I can send an official letter with grade report.

You are responsible for paying the full bill up front and then receiving the reimbursement. Failure to pay the bill in a timely fashion will result in late fees and bursar holds.

UMail and Department Mailing List

UMail UMail is the UMass internal email

system. You should have received your log-in credentials shortly after you accepted your admittance

UMail is an antiquated system and can be hard to use. I recommend you set up your UMail to forward directly to your personal email system

To set up forwarding please see the IT website under module 1 additional resources

UMail Follow these instructions to

forward your UMail: Log into UMail system Click

on “options” icon Click on “UMail Post Office” reenter your credentials Click on the “Forward all my incoming email to this address” button Enter you preferred email address and hit submit.

UMail and Department Mailing List

The Department uses MailChimp to communicate with students Upon admissions, your personal or UMass email will be added

to the list. If you have a preference, let me know You will receive regular communications and updates from the

Academic Director’s office. Some examples include: Registration announcements

Requesting summer enrollment appointments

Graduation and commencement announcements

Enrollment reminders

New Faculty introductions or new course announcements

Program Changes-such as fee increases or new policies

Spire

To access Spire, please click on the Spire link in the module 1 additional resources

UMass IT office provides tutorials on using Spire. Please visit the IT Spire website in Module 1 additional resources, to access these tutorials

The following is a list of tasks you can do in Spire:

Register for courses and request summer enrollment appointments

Access grades and course history

Find links to financial aid and the bursar's office, and view any messages from them.

View and pay your bill.

View holds on your account

View and change primary contact information.

If you click on the academics tab you can view your current status with the University. It also lists your matriculation date and your statute of limitations.

Blackboard Learn

To access Blackboard Learn, click on the Blackboard link in Module 1 additional resources

The log-in credentials are the same you use to access Spire Courses do not appear in Blackboard until one week prior to the

official start date of each term. Even if you enroll for fall 2015 classes in July, you will not see the courses in Blackboard until Sept 1st2015.

The 7 day period prior to official semester start date is referred to as the “Go Live” period. This is when courses can be accessed in Blackboard. You can log in, poke around, view syllabus and text book information, introduce yourself to the faculty member and fellow students. Usually the first 2-3 weeks of materials will also be posted.

Technical Support

If you cannot log into Spire, UMail, or Library: Information Technology (IT) office: 413-545-9400 you will need your 8

digit student ID Hours: M-F 8:30am-4:45pm During semester only.

If you have technical issues in Blackboard: (i.e. you cannot find an assignment, you cannot upload something, a video link appears to be broken, you were suddenly kicked out of the system, you cannot find a class you know you enrolled in, or any other issues)

To access technical support please click on the tech support link in Module 1 additional resources

You can chat live here by clicking on Live support

You can submit a tech issue ticket

You can access self help

You can check to ensure your browser is properly configured

1-855-757-7055 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year)

UMass Library

The library has a dedicated librarian and webpage to assist Public Health Majors. Please click on the library guides link in Module 1 Additional Resources. You can find and search public health databases

check out books in public health

search web resources

Access and use Refworks system

The Public Health Librarian is: Ellen Lutz. You can contact her here: lutz@library.umass.edu 413-545-6690

Thank you!