Public Health Degree Programs Offered at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science appears in our ranking of the 10 Cheapest MPH Degrees in California.
At the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science, students can choose from public health degree programs offered by the Department of Urban Public Health (DUPH). Undergrads can earn a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH), which includes a curriculum designed around social justice and small classes. Students can also join a club designed just for public health majors. This club holds regular meetings and brings in guest speakers but can also assist students in finding public health internships.
The BSPH program features both internship and community service requirements. Majors must do 100 hours of fieldwork to complete the community service step and 150 hours in an internship. They’ll take a total of 120 credits, including 39 credits of required public health classes and nine credits of public health electives. Introduction to Public Health, Community Health Education and Communication, Introduction to Global Health, Introduction to Epidemiology, Program Planning and Evaluation and Health Policy and Leadership are some of the required courses. Their electives can include Ethnic Studies in Public Health, Applied Community Health Education, GIS and Environmental Health Impacts and Foundation to Professional Writing in Public Health.
Also available is a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Urban Health Disparities. This program looks at the issues facing those who live and/or work in an underserved area. Students participate in programs that reach out to the surrounding community and those in need. They can volunteer at a farmer’s market to take fresh produce to urban areas or work in programs to raise awareness of HIV testing and other issues. The university also offers projects that teach those in the community about diseases and medical problems.
MPH students have the chance to attend professional and workforce development programs too. These programs include public health professionals and address a different topic each time. Students can earn up to three credits for working on and presenting a thesis, though the university does not require that students do one. It allows them to select from courses based on their career interests. They can take classes such as Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health, Principles of Epidemiology, Community Engagement in Public Health, Research Methods and Health Policy and Management. The Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science also offers practicum opportunities for MPH students.
About the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science
The Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science is a private university in California. Established in 1966, the university opened as a private medical school that catered to African American students. It now consists of three colleges for students who want to study science and health, medicine and nursing. Through a deal with the University of California, Los Angeles, undergrads can complete some studies at Charles Drew and then transfer to UCLA to finish their medical degrees and training. Named after Doctor Charles R. Drew, the university uses the nicknames CDR University and CDU. It offers residency training and other programs that give future professionals the chance to gain experience as part of their studies. More than 500 students attend this historically all-black college, most of whom are in graduate programs.
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science Accreditation Details
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) awarded regional accreditation to the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science through the Senior College and University Commission (SCUC). This is why students who use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to get a financial aid package. The urban public health program also holds accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science Application Requirements
Undergrads applying t the BSPH program can only start in the fall or spring. They need either a high school diploma or a GED, and high school graduates need a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Students will apply online to the College of Education and then submit their transcripts. CDR University accepts both GED transcripts and high school records. Those applying as a transfer student must submit college or university transcripts and will get up to 60 credits. The university also asks for a personal essay that explains why the applicant wants to study public health. CDR university accepts 57 percent of those who apply to the undergraduate program and 23 percent of those who apply to the graduate program.
CDR University only accepts graduate students who have either a bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree from a college or university with regional accreditation. They need to apply through the SOPHAS website, which processes applications for schools. This application asks for a personal statement of up to three pages that addresses the student’s goals, how he or she will contribute to the public health field and what the university can do to help them. They will also need to submit three letters of recommendation, a resume, and their official college transcripts. CDR University has a priority deadline of March first but will accept applications until the program runs out of available seats.
Tuition and Financial Aid
At CDR University, students pay $578 per credit hour in any bachelor’s program and the certificate programs designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree. Those in the MPH program pay $924 per credit. With the online calculator that the university offers, students can determine their costs when they enter some information. The calculator also shows students how much they’ll pay after taking into account their estimated financial aid packages.
CDR University offers financial aid packages for any student who needs help. Students who qualify for federal work-study can browse the available jobs that are part of that program. This includes grant assistants who write grants for professors and assistants who work in the on-campus labs. Though the university offers some scholarships, it asks that students contact the Financial Aid Office to learn about the requirements and types of funds that are available. Both federal work-study and loans are available for graduate students too. Students applying to the public health programs at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science can both learn about their financial aid options and apply for aid when they apply to the university.