NTU MPH Program — Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between an MPH and an MS degree?

• Objective and Orientation: The mission of the MPH (Master of Public Health) program is to train frontline public health professionals, diverse leaders in environmental and healthcare sectors, and to broaden the public health perspective of healthcare practitioners. Therefore, both the curriculum design and the thesis writing are heavily focused on practical application.

• Degree Validity: Both MPH and MS degrees are master's degrees officially recognized by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan; the primary difference lies in the degree title and program focus.

Comparison Table: MPH vs. MS

Q2: Should I apply for the MPH or the MS program?

1. The MPH program targets professionals who are currently employed and possess professional work experience. It aims to help students integrate their workplace experience with the university curriculum so they can effectively respond to critical national public health issues in the future.

2. If you are a fresh college graduate or a newcomer to the workforce, it is recommended that you apply to a regular academic graduate institute (MS). Those with multiple years of professional work experience are encouraged to consider the MPH program.

Q3: How do MPH students select their thesis advisor and internship site?

1. Thesis Advisor

• MPH students must select their academic thesis advisor in accordance with the National Taiwan University Guidelines for Interaction between Thesis Advisors and Graduate Students. This advisor will concurrently serve as your institutional (on-campus) supervisor during your practical internship.

• If you wish to appoint an on-campus co-advisor, you must obtain their consent and have them sign the "Thesis/Dissertation Advising Agreement Form", then submit the original copy to the Degree Program Office. To qualify under Ministry of Education regulations, an on-campus co-advisor must hold a full-time position at NTU at the level of Assistant Professor or above.

2. Internship Site

• The internship site must be a government agency, a teaching hospital, or a public health-related non-governmental organization (NGO) or enterprise/industry.

• If you choose to complete the internship at your current workplace, the internship tasks must differ from your routine job responsibilities, or serve as an extension of your original professional field.

Q4: Can the 200-hour practical internship be waived or replaced by an academic thesis?

No, it cannot.

The NTU College of Public Health is an institution accredited by the U.S. Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). To comply with CEPH accreditation standards, the MPH curriculum must include a mandatory practicum course of no less than 200 hours. This requirement is strictly non-negotiable and cannot be substituted with an academic thesis.

Q5: Do MPH students enjoy the same university resources and benefits as other NTU graduate students?

Yes. MPH students enjoy identical rights and privileges as all other NTU graduate students, including access to online electronic databases and library borrowing services. Additional available resources are listed below:

• Student Discussion Areas: Room 107, 1st Floor, College of Public Health Building.

• Printing and Copying: Copy machines that require copy cards are available on the 5th, 6th, and 7th floors of the College of Public Health Building (located at the corner of the Sun Corridor near the elevators). Additionally, the NTU Medical Library subsidizes NT$100 per semester for graduate students' printing and copying expenses.