Virtual Open House Master of Public Health Transcript

George Mason Online Admissions: Good evening, everyone. My name is Susan. I’m an enrollment coordinator on behalf of George Mason, and we’re here for the Online Master of Public Health, with a concentration in Public Health Practice — the virtual open house for this evening. I’m fortunate to be joined by the program director, Dr. Mitcham.

George Mason Online Admissions: And also the associate director, Chris Williams, along with Joelle Patricio. Joelle, can you remind me exactly what your title is again?

Joelle Patricio: Yes, Graduate Admissions Coordinator.

George Mason Online Admissions: Perfect. All right. For those of you joining us, please use the chat feature to let us know where you’re from and to make sure that you can hear us okay. Thank you.

George Mason Online Admissions: We’re going to wait a few minutes to let everyone trickle in before we start the presentation. Again, thank you for joining us.

George Mason Online Admissions: Thank you, Stephanie. I appreciate it.

George Mason Online Admissions: Hi, Shiza, thank you for joining us this evening.

George Mason Online Admissions: Dr. Mitcham, let us know when you’d like to get started.

MB Mitcham: All right. Welcome, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us tonight. Hopefully, you’ll find this informational session very helpful. As always, if you have any questions during the presentation, please drop them in the chat. We’ll be taking questions throughout the program, and there will also be a Q&A session at the end. We’ll start by introducing ourselves so you can get to know the people behind the program.

MB Mitcham: We’ll then talk about why you might want to consider Mason’s Online MPH. I’m biased — but for good reason! I’ll go over the curriculum details, including course expectations and learning outcomes. We’ll also discuss admissions requirements and finish with a Q&A. Next slide, please.

MB Mitcham: A little Zoom etiquette reminder: if you have questions, feel free to drop them in the chat. Please keep yourself muted to reduce background noise — my cats and dogs love to say hi from my home office. During the Q&A session, you can use the raise hand feature to unmute and ask questions. Next slide, please.

MB Mitcham: I’d like Chris and Joelle to introduce themselves first. Chris?

Chris Williams: Hello everyone. Welcome — I’m excited to be with you all this evening. My name is Chris Williams, Associate Director for Graduate Recruitment and Admissions in the College of Public Health. I’m also a Mason alum — undergrad and graduate. I can help answer questions about the admissions and application process. I’m excited to be with you all tonight.

Joelle Patricio: Hello everyone! My name is Joelle Patricio Chong. I’m the Graduate Admissions Coordinator. I’ve been with the college for three years as of tomorrow! I love talking about our online MPH program and am happy to see you all.

MB Mitcham: Thank you, Chris and Joelle. I’m Dr. Mitcham, but I go by MB, or my student nickname — Mitch. I’m an Assistant Professor in the Department of Global and Community Health, which houses the online MPH and all our MPH programs at Mason. As Susan said, I’m the director of the online MPH.

MB Mitcham: I can speak about the program because I helped build it. I teach many of the courses and have been involved since before it officially launched. While our MPH has existed for a while, the online version is only a few years old, and I’ve helped develop the courses. Hopefully, I can show you what makes it special. Next slide, please.

MB Mitcham: Why is our program unique? George Mason recently earned accreditation from CEPH, the body that accredits public health programs. We’re not only accredited, but we’re also the first College of Public Health in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

MB Mitcham: What does that mean for you? Departments like Nursing, Health Administration and Policy, Nutrition, and Global and Community Health all bring expertise to the table — and all overlap in public health. Public health touches everything — from seatbelts to vaccines to nutrition and outbreak response. Being the first accredited College of Public Health in Virginia means we lead with multidisciplinary collaboration.

MB Mitcham: We also have a Public Health Mentor Program where alumni mentor current students. These mentors offer one-on-one insights about the field and how to navigate it successfully. And yes, we have the required practicum — but also offer other internship and fieldwork opportunities throughout the program if you’re interested. Next slide, please.

MB Mitcham: I won’t bore you with every course detail, though I could! But I will give an overview. Most online MPH programs are cohort-based — meaning you only take classes with your group. Our program is different.

MB Mitcham: Our courses are cross-listed. That means you’ll take classes with students from other MPH concentrations — some may be in person, some online. If you live near campus, you can take classes in person too. All required courses are offered asynchronously, meaning no live sessions. But you’re welcome to take some in-person if you prefer.

MB Mitcham: Our core courses are required for all MPH students. I’ll talk about GCH 500, which is special — and yes, I teach it. It’s required for all students in the College of Public Health. You’ll learn from faculty across departments, making it a truly interdisciplinary experience. It’s full of rich content and introduces you to students in other disciplines.

MB Mitcham: Then we have concentration courses specific to Public Health Practice — the focus of our online MPH.

MB Mitcham: You also have restricted electives — you must pick one. For example, GCH 551 (Rural Public Health), which I also teach, is designed for students from rural backgrounds or those interested in working in rural settings — which often have well-paying, high-need roles.

MB Mitcham: Our Environmental Health course was created by Dr. Sang Choi and focuses on occupational health and public health risks in industrial environments. It’s great for students heading into those fields.

MB Mitcham: For the practicum, every MPH requires 200 hours. Ours includes two practicum courses: GCH 780 (the zero-credit practicum seminar) and GCH 790 (the practicum experience itself). Dr. Patrice Winter leads the seminar, which helps you find a practicum site and complete the necessary prep. Some practicum sites are virtual or even international. You get everything ready in GCH 780, so when it’s time for the actual practicum, you’re fully prepared.

MB Mitcham: All core courses are offered in person and online. Concentration, practicum, and elective courses are online only. You can mix and match depending on your location and schedule. Next slide, please.

MB Mitcham: So, why public health?

MB Mitcham: I fell in love with public health before the pandemic. While COVID-19 made public health more visible — vaccines, lockdowns, masks — the field is so much more. It’s about preventing disease, promoting health, and eliminating disparities — through nutrition, mental health, safety, and more.

MB Mitcham: This is a practice-facing degree. It’s not a research degree. That means you’re learning things to help you land a job, succeed in it, and make a difference. Despite recent job market challenges, public health projections are still strong.

MB Mitcham: Mason MPH grads have found work at many impressive places — thanks in part to our proximity to Washington, D.C., which offers many practicum and job opportunities. Students often get hired directly from their practicum site. Next slide, please.

MB Mitcham: At this point, I’ll pass it off to Chris and Joelle.

Chris Williams: Thank you! Hopefully you’re excited about the MPH degree. Now let’s talk about applying. You’ll submit your application through SOPHAS — the centralized application system.

Chris Williams: You’ll need a bachelor’s degree and official transcripts from every higher-ed institution you’ve attended — including non-degree coursework.

Chris Williams: You’ll also need two professional letters of recommendation. These can come from professors (if you’re recently out of school) or from supervisors (especially if you’re currently working in public health).

Chris Williams: Important note: SOPHAS asks for three letters, but we only require two. For the third, you can enter any email address — just don’t use the one tied to your SOPHAS login.

Chris Williams: You’ll also need a personal statement and a resume or CV. The personal statement should explain why you’re interested in public health, how the MPH fits into your goals, and why you’re choosing Mason specifically.

Chris Williams: Our priority deadline is November 1, with a final deadline of December 1 for the spring term. We recommend applying early — ideally before November 1 — for the best chance at consideration.

Chris Williams: You don’t need GRE scores. We’ve waived that requirement, and we don’t even accept them if you submit them. It’s a holistic review process.

Chris Williams: Once you submit through SOPHAS, it can take a few weeks for everything to be verified. That’s why applying early is so important. Once it’s verified, we review your application and aim to provide a decision within a few weeks.

Joelle Patricio: Just to piggyback off what Chris said — please remember that your application isn’t officially sent to us until SOPHAS marks it as verified. Even if you hit submit, it won’t move forward until all transcripts and letters are received and confirmed.

Joelle Patricio: That’s why you should get your materials in early — especially if you’re requesting letters of recommendation. It can take longer than expected.

Chris Williams: Thanks, Joelle! That brings us to the end of our presentation. We’re happy to take any questions you have.

[Chat Q&A begins]

Attendee: Is this program 100% online?

MB Mitcham: Yes! All core, concentration, and practicum courses are available 100% online and asynchronous. You can complete the program fully remote.

Attendee: Are there part-time options?

MB Mitcham: Absolutely. Many of our students work full time and take one or two classes per semester. You can go at your own pace — just keep in mind there’s a 6-year time limit to complete the degree.

Attendee: What are practicum examples?

MB Mitcham: We’ve had students intern with local health departments, the CDC, nonprofit health organizations, and international public health initiatives. If you’re in a rural area or abroad, we can help you find virtual options. You’ll work with Dr. Winter to find the best fit.

Chris Williams: Some students even do their practicum at their current job, provided it meets program requirements and offers a new learning experience.

Attendee: What if I don’t have a public health background?

MB Mitcham: Totally fine. Many of our students come from unrelated backgrounds. We provide the foundational knowledge you need through our core courses.

Chris Williams: Just make sure your personal statement explains why you’re making the transition into public health and how this degree aligns with your goals.

Attendee: Can international students apply?

Joelle Patricio: Yes, but note that the program is online-only, which may not meet visa requirements for in-person study. You’ll want to clarify your plans with Mason’s Office of International Programs and Services.

Attendee: Is financial aid available?

Chris Williams: Yes — all students are eligible to apply for federal financial aid. Once admitted, you’ll complete the FAFSA to determine your aid package. Some students also receive tuition support through their employers.

Attendee: Are there scholarships?

Joelle Patricio: There are a few competitive scholarships offered through the College of Public Health. Once you’re admitted, you can apply for those. We also recommend checking with external public health organizations and foundations.

Attendee: What’s the typical class size?

MB Mitcham: Online classes are capped at about 25 students. Some may be smaller depending on the course. We keep it small to maintain quality interaction with instructors.

Chris Williams: And remember, all faculty who teach online also teach on-campus. You’re getting the same academic experience — just in a more flexible format.

MB Mitcham: You’ll also have access to all Mason student services: virtual writing center, advising, tech support, mental health counseling, and more.

Chris Williams: I think that’s all the questions for now! If you think of anything later, don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly. We’re happy to help.

MB Mitcham: Thank you so much for spending your evening with us. We hope to see your applications soon!