Options

Click here to hear popular Epidemiology and PCE faculty member, Heather Baer, ScD, discuss the benefits of the program.

Degree Option

Applicants interested in pursuing the PCE and a degree program may apply for the:

• Master of Public Health–Clinical Effectiveness or
• Master of Science–Epidemiology

Options:

• Apply to both programs simultaneously; or
• Apply to the degree program after completing the PCE.
  • Students must apply and be admitted to the degree program within five years of completing non-degree credits.  A maximum of 20 non-degree credits can be counted toward the degree.

Both programs offer options for summer-focused or academic-year study. Degree students may enroll in additional PCE courses during subsequent summers, listed on our Curriculum page. Students in the Master of Public Health – Clinical Effectiveness and in the Summer-only Master of Science in Epidemiology can take a limited number of online elective courses, if space is available. This gives PCE graduates multiple degree and scheduling options with courses targeted for those interested in clinical or health services research. Summer-focused degrees can be completed with two or three summers in residence at the School.

Credits earned, and tuition paid, from the Program in Effectiveness account for one-third of the degree requirements and tuition for the MPH degree (35% for the SM degree).

Admissions Process

Degree applicants will receive two admissions decisions: one from the PCE Admissions Committee, which is comprised of PCE faculty, and one from the Harvard Chan School Admissions Office. Acceptance to the PCE does not guarantee acceptance to a degree program at the School and vice versa.

Admissions decisions are typically announced in March.

Application Tips

• The evaluations/recommendations are critical to your application so give your evaluators plenty of time to submit prior to the deadline.
• Transcripts and scores on standardized tests (e.g., MCAT, GRE) are optional for non-degree PCE applicants.
• You may submit your application before your evaluations have been received but check back to confirm the status of the evaluations.

Late and Incomplete Applications

Applications are not reviewed by the PCE Admissions Committee until all components are received. Late applications or applications with late components will be reviewed if space is still available and may be subject to a late application fee. Please note, the PCE often fills to capacity by the application deadline and the Admissions Committee develops a waitlist.

Waitlist

If the number of eligible applicants exceeds our capacity, we will develop a waitlist. Each year, some accepted students withdraw or defer; if so, we can then offer waitlisted students a space in the Program. Waitlisted students will be contacted should space become available.

Questions

For questions regarding your degree application, please contact the Admissions Office at 617-432-1031.  MPH applicants may also contact the MPH Program at 617-432-0090 with questions.