Independence University Public Health Degree
Independence University appears in our ranking of the 10 Fastest MPH Degree Programs Online.
Independence University focuses its public health curriculum on a single master’s degree program. The Master of Public Health is administrated within the institution’s School of Healthcare and requires 16 months of study to complete. Designed to appeal to individuals who are passionate about promoting health, completion of the program helps graduates to become community health specialists, health promotion specialists, organizational wellness experts or public health educators.
Through the coursework, students gain skills such as the ability to develop health-promotion programs. Such programs are used in local communities and across cities and states to encourage families and individuals to make healthier lifestyle choices. It is the job of the public health expert to design, implement and monitor such programs to determine their efficacy.
Other skills that students acquire through the program include health communication. These are strategies that public health professionals use to inform decisions made by individuals and communities with regard to enriching and improving public health practices and behaviors. Additionally, through their coursework, students are introduced to public health management practices. This means that they are ready to assume leadership roles in health care teams.
Other areas of emphasis in the program include nutrition for public health and research and evaluation methods.
This program is particularly attractive to working adults as it is completed online. Accordingly, students are free to attend class whenever it fits their schedule. It also is worth noting that this Independence University program does not require any electives, which allows for entering the workforce far more quickly. All students in the online Master of Public Health degree program are required to complete the same 18 classes for a total of 58 credits. These courses include Management Practices for the Healthcare Professional, Health Program Evaluation, Concepts and Issues in Environmental Health and Nutrition for Public Health. Students complete a public health internship and a final project or thesis before graduation. With the completion of courses such as Research and Evaluation, Intro to Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Healthcare Professionals, the student is ready for a new career.
About Independence University
The institution was established in 1978 as the California College for Health Sciences. It offered distance-learning opportunities for working adults who were interested in entering the health care field. Independence University became the college’s name in 2005 as the board felt that this name was a more accurate reflection of the programs offered and the idea that higher learning should lead to improved independence. Merging with Stevens-Henager College in 2010, Independence University became a branch of the Ogden, Utah-based college.
Today, Independence University boasts four colleges. These are the School of Healthcare, the School of Business, the School of Technology and the School of Graphic Arts. Programs are available at the associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels.
Because the school is tailored toward working adults, it does not run on a typical college schedule. There are no quarters or semesters as new classes commence at the beginning of each month and run for approximately four weeks.
Independence University Accreditation Details
The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges provides accreditation for Independence University. The public health program does not have additional accreditation.
Independence University Application Requirements
Learning at Independence University is designed to put students on the fast track to an education, and the admissions process is similarly streamlined. Interested applicants are invited to speak with a support team member by calling 800-917-6391 or by filling out the online information request form. The only information required is a first name, last name, zip code, and area of interest.
Next, the prospective student is sent a career questionnaire that will help them sharpen their focus and decide which program is right for them. A financial planner also contacts the student to discuss financial requirements and to guide the student through the available tuition assistance options.
An admissions consultant reviews the student’s completed career questionnaire and may ask additional questions. The director of admissions, who ultimately decides eligibility for admission, also contacts the student.
Students who are interested in transferring credits to Independence University should work with an admissions consultant to determine whether or not these credits are eligible for transfer. It is possible for students to save as much as 25% of the time and expense of a master’s degree when they transfer eligible credits.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Currently, the cost of earning the Master of Public Health is just over $29,000. This cost includes all books and supplies that are required for the courses, any necessary tutoring, career services after graduation and refresher courses after graduation. Additionally, each student receives a new tablet and laptop computer to use for school. These are kept by the student after graduation.
Recognizing that higher education is a large expense, Independence University encourages students to explore all of their options for funding. Applicants are urged to disclose their financial information to the institution and to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Both of these measures help to determine what kinds of aid the student is eligible to receive.
Many students at Independence University partially pay for their education using grants and scholarships. The university offers some grants and scholarships, but there are many other sources of these funds. Independence University’s financial aid office can help students to look for grant and scholarship opportunities. Alternatively, students may want to proactively apply for the university’s master’s upgrade scholarship, which covers half of the tuition cost for graduates who earned a four-year degree from Independence. Anyone who graduated with a 2.5 GPA and submits a 500-word essay regarding their professional goals may be able to qualify.
Students also are encouraged to make use of education loans from the federal government or private banking institutions. Most Independence University attendees take out such loans to ensure a better future for themselves.
It also is worth noting that military veterans can use their GI Bill benefits or a variety of other military education benefits to pay for their courses at Independence University. The college also offers tuition discounts for members of the active-duty military.
Individuals who are interested in entering or furthering a career in public health may benefit from attending classes at Independence University.