UMass Amherst Online MPH
NEW 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:
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The required curriculum
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Tracking your progress

Cost and financial aid

The UMail system and department mailing list
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Spire-the student access system
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Blackboard-accessing your classes
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Technical Support information
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Accessing the Library
MPH Curriculum

42 credits or 14-3 credit courses.

Statute of Limitation-4 years to complete the degree

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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

Biostat 540-Introdution to
Biostatistics

EHS 565-Environmental Health
Practices

HPP 601-Application of Social and
Behavioral Theory

HPP 620-Introduction to US Health
Care System

EPI 630-Principles of Epidemiology
MPH Curriculum
Other Required courses

Course Listing
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.

HPP 624-Research Methods

HPP 698P-Practicum

HPP 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 $605.00.

All entering graduate students must pay the Graduate
School Entrance fee of $357.00

This charge will appear on you first bill.

The fee pays for graduation expenses and other administrative costs

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: $26,172.00
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


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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
Forward UMail instructions

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 a mailing listserv 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:




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
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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 and the tutorials please click
on the Spire links in the module 1 additional
resources

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

Enrolling in classes:
http://www.it.umass.edu/support/spire/ad
d-classes
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

Finding Textbooks:
http://www.it.umass.edu/support/spire/vie
w-textbook-summary-students


View and change primary contact
information.

Drop classes:
http://www.it.umass.edu/support/spire/dro
p-classes

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.

Swap classes:
http://www.it.umass.edu/support/spire/swa
p-classes

Class history and grades:
https://www.it.umass.edu/support/spire/co
urse-history-students
Spire tutorials:

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, UMail

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:
[email protected] 413-545-6690

Public health library webpage:
http://guides.library.umass.edu/pubhealth
Thank you!