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The School of Public Health
is accredited through 2017 by:
Council on Education
for Public Health (CEPH)
Office of Distance Learning
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What will an MPH degree with a major in Public Health Practice do for my career?
2. Do I have to come to Loma Linda?
3. Why are there required residential sessions?
4. How do I access and use the online material?
5. Must I take the GRE? Will the MCAT or DAT be acceptable?
6. Is there a minimum score I must achieve for the GRE, MCAT, or DAT?
7. Does the study program include synchronous chat or lecture sessions?
8. For what length of time will I need to be connected to the internet each week?
9. How long does this online MPH degree program take to complete?
10. Can I take a break without having to withdraw from the program?
11. If I have already completed similar courses before coming to Loma Linda can these be applied to this degree?
12. Can I take courses of interest to me from other Universities while I am enrolled at Loma Linda University and have these credited to my academic record?
13. Does Loma Linda operate on a quarter or semester system?
14. What time commitment is required?
15. How flexible is this online learning program?
16. Are there examinations?
17. How does online learning work?
18. What are the benefits of learning online?
19. What are the disadvantages/problems associated with online learning?
20. Where is Loma Linda University?
21. What is the closest airport?
22. How do I get to Loma Linda?
23. What accommodation is available?
24. From where are meals and food available?
25. Do I need to rent a car while on campus?
26. What is the cost of completing the Loma Linda University MPH degree?
27. Is financial aid available?
28. Does Loma Linda University have a sporting facility for student use?
29. What recreational activities are available in Southern California?
1. What will an MPH degree with a major in Public Health Practice do for my career?
The MPH degree is designed to help you build strengths in leadership, policy development, and management and give a solid foundation in public health research. It will increase your credibility in the field of public health and enable you to interface across disciplines and be proactive as well as more responsive to changing needs. It will give you hands-on experience at the grassroots level and enable you to develop effective community programs.
2. Do I have to come to Loma Linda?
Yes, there are two required residential sessions, each of two weeks duration. One is at the beginning of the program, which starts on the second Sunday each August. The second residential session is at the beginning of the second year of the program, again starting on the second Sunday in August.
3. Why are there required residential sessions?
The residential requirement allows students to become familiar with the software used to manage the online courses. You will get to know your fellow students and leave with a determination to support each other during the coming year and to succeed together. Students leave with a real sense of camaraderie. During this time you will also have the opportunity to talk with your advisor and plan your study program.
4. How do I access and use the online material?
We use the course management system, Blackboard, is accessible like any web site. You will be given a username and password that will allow you to access your courses and communities on Blackboard. During the first residential session you will learn how to use Blackboard.
5. Must I take the GRE? Will the MCAT or DAT be acceptable?
6. Is there a minimum score I must achieve for the GRE, MCAT or DAT?
There is no required score. The GRE is useful in determining whether or not you have sufficient language and quantitative skills for graduate study. In some cases, remedial coursework may be required or recommended. If your GPA is less than 3.0 your GRE, MCAT or DAT score will provide additional information that will be taken into consideration by the Admissions Committee members.
7. Does the study program include synchronous chat or lecture sessions?
Our program does not include any synchronous sessions. Students dialogue asynchronously making postings at their convenience before the assignment deadlines which are set in US Pacific time.
8. For what length of time will I need to be connected to the internet each week?
Each week you can download the directions for the work to be completed and either print these out or copy them to your hard drive. This will include a short introduction to the topic, learning objectives, readings and/or research to be completed and the assignments with date and time for completion. Your assignments can be prepared off-line and then posted before the deadlines. You will be required to comment on classmate posts. These can also be downloaded to your hard drive and printed out. Most students will probably spend between one and three hours each week actually online in Blackboard.
9. How long does this Online MPH degree program take to complete?
We expect most students will take three years to complete the program. However, students who attend both residential sessions and complete two courses per quarter can complete the program in two years and three summers. This would require considerable discipline and commitment and is generally not recommended. See the next question for the maximum time.
10. Can I take a break without having to withdraw from the program?
University policy states that students have five years to complete the degree program. You can request a leave of absence when you are unable to register for two or more quarters. Absence for more than four continuous quarters without a leave of absence will require you apply to the program again.
11. If I have already completed similar courses before coming to Loma Linda can these be applied to this degree?
Students may transfer nine quarter (or six semester) units of credit taken before acceptance into the Loma Linda University Online MPH degree program as long as they were taken at the graduate level from an accredited university. Students may also request advanced standing for selected courses. While there is no limit to the number of units, no MPH program may be less than 48 quarter units in length. Students in the 56 unit MPH program in Public Health Practice may request advanced standing for no more than nine quarter units. The student will be asked to supply the course outline, listing a description, textbooks, learning objectives and assignments. Courses must be approved before they can be transferred into the MPH program.
12. Can I take courses of interest to me from other Universities while I am enrolled at Loma Linda University and have these credited to my academic record?
Students can apply for transfer credit of up to nine quarter (or six semester) units of coursework completed while enrolled at Loma Linda University. The student will be asked to supply the course outline, listing a description, textbooks, learning objectives and assignments. It is recommended that students receive approval before starting the desired courses.
13. Does Loma Linda operate on a Quarter or Semester system?
Loma Linda University operates on a quarter hour system. There are 10 weeks of class, one week set aside for examinations and a one to two week break between quarters. Courses are available summer, fall, winter, and spring quarters.
14. What time commitment is required?
One quarter hour unit is equivalent to one hour of course contact per week for 10 weeks. It is expected that the student will spend 5 hours in study/research, assignment preparation and web-posting per week for each one hour of course contact. Thus a 3 unit course will require a commitment of about 15 hours per week. Naturally, student interest and aptitude in a given subject will impact these times.
15. How flexible is this Online Learning program?
The flexibility comes from being able to engage in the learning process from any part of the world that has internet access at an hour of the day that suits your needs. Our online degree program is very structured. There is a start and finish date to the quarter and work to be completed by set deadlines (US Pacific time) each week.
Some courses may have closed-book examinations for which you will be required to find a proctor who will supervise your examination. The Office of Distance Learning will provide you with a Proctor Contract which states the criteria to be used in choosing a suitable person. The contract will be completed by the student and the proctor and returned to the Office of Distance Learning. The examination will then be sent to the proctor who will arrange with you a suitable time to take the exam allowing time to meet the deadline for returning the completed examination.
Other courses have open-book exams and for some courses your learning experience is evaluated through the weekly assignments and/or term papers.
17. How does Online learning work?
The week starts Monday and ends Sunday. Each week there are assigned readings and information/resource searches. There is often a mid week assignment deadline and there could be case study reports to be posted on the web, news articles found and commented on or segments of major papers to be completed. Generally over the weekend students will be asked to comment on classmate postings and/or reflect on learning from the week's topic as well as wrap up assignments due directly to the instructor. Individual courses will vary to some degree so it is important to always check the specific course's requirements.
18. What are the benefits of learning Online?
Loma Linda University Online MPH degree is designed for practicing professionals who come with experience and a background in Public Health. This provides a rich learning environment and exchange of knowledge and experience. We find that our students are learning as much from each other as they do from the instructor and our instructors are learning from their students.
In the Online environment, each person in the class is required to contribute to the discussion and has time to provide thoughtful responses. In the face-to-face environment there is seldom time for everyone to contribute and many choose not to participate.
The online learning environment provides our students with the skills and network opportunities to continue life-long learning.
19. What are the disadvantages/problems associated with Online Learning?
Online learning is the new exciting way to continue learning. Developed skills in time management, self-motivation, and personal responsibility and accountability for learning are vital aspects of being successful in online learning environments. A student must be comfortable using computerized communication tools to convey thoughts and ideas. If you do not enjoy or have difficulty working on the computer and the internet, or have trouble thinking at the same time as you type online learning may not be for you. Other challenges exist: Internet provider problems and hardware problems can arise; home networking problems; competition for computer time in a family with school-age children; and cost and reliability of internet access in remote and not so remote areas.
There are things to do that can help minimize some of these problems: coursework for the week can be downloaded and printed out. Assignments can be prepared off-line and then posted on your home computer or at an internet-café using a thumb drive; and you may want to brush up on your typing skills by using one of the Learn to Type software packages available from any computer store; make sure you have a friend or relative who will be able to help troubleshoot questions and problems with your equipment.
20. Where is Loma Linda University?
Loma Linda University is situated in the city of Loma Linda in San Bernardino county near Redlands, Riverside and the city of San Bernardino approximately 75 miles east of Los Angeles at the intersection of the I-10 and I-215 freeways. Click here for Mapquest.
21. What is the closest airport?
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the closest airport to Loma Linda University. It takes about 30 minutes to drive to Loma Linda University from ONT. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) if the traffic is flowing freely. Click here for directions in Mapquest.
22. How do I get to Loma Linda?
Loma Linda University is situated next to the I10 freeway. Exit on Tippecanoe/Anderson Street. Loma Linda University is approximately one mile south of the freeway. Click here for directions in Mapquest.
23. What accommodation is available?
For more information on Hotel accommodations in the Inland Empire click resources.
24. From where are meals and food available?
For more information on Restaurants in the Inland Empire click resources.
25. Do I need to rent a car while on-campus?
Suitable accommodation and meals are available within walking distance of the University. You may wish to rent a car for the weekend and take advantage of the Southern California recreational opportunities.
26. What is the cost of completing the Loma Linda University MPH degree?
The current tuition fee is $610 per unit (School year 2008-2009), this is subject to change.
For the Public Health Practice 57-unit degree program the total tuition currently comes to $34,160.
For the Health Education 63-unit degree program the total tuition currently comes to $38,640.
Other expenses include:
SOPHAS Application fee: $95
LLU Application fee: $25
Graduation fee: $100
Textbooks approximately $100 per course 20 courses = $2,000
GRE examination
TOEFL, transcript evaluation and student visa expenses (international students)
Travel to Loma Linda
Accommodation and mealsSee the Finances section for more details.
27. Is financial aid available?
Financial aid is available to US residents taking 4 or more units per quarter.
28. Does Loma Linda University have a sporting facility for student use?
The Drayson Center is open to Loma Linda University students free of charge. Please check their web site and note that you can collect your membership card from the Members Office between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
29. What recreational activities are available in Southern California?
For more information on activities in Southern California, click resources.