Department of Public Health
North South University
Frequently Asked Questions
Many prospective students want to know about the MPH program in the Department of Public Health of North South University. I will be trying to answer some of the frequently asked questions related to the MPH program at North South University.
Question-1: When is the admission application invited?
Answer: NSU provides three admission intakes in a year, namely Spring, Summer and Fall. The classes in the Spring semester start in January, Summer in May, and Fall in September of the respective year. The applications are invited usually two months before the beginning of the classes. Thus, applications for the spring semester are invited in the month of November of the preceding year, for the summer semester in March, and for the fall semester in July of the respective year.
Question-2: How do I get the information about the application announcement (beginning date of accepting application and last date of application)?
Answer: Application-related information is published on the Department websites, Facebook pages/groups and newspapers.
Website address: http://admissions.northsouth.edu/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nsupublichealth
https://www.facebook.com/graduate.studies.nsu
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1782206752045673
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ogs.nsu
Question-3: What is the procedure for applying for admission?
Answer: Applications are accepted online by the Office of Graduate Studies
(http://www.northsouth.edu/resources/ogs.html). The application portal is http://apply.northsouth.edu:8080/admissionWeb/login.view. You need to create an account and complete the application procedure as prompted. BDT 1500/= is needed to be deposited as application processing fees via bKash.
Question-4: What are the admission requirements?
Answer: A four-year bachelor’s degree in any discipline (Health Sciences, social sciences, biological sciences, and any other discipline) is required to apply for MPH in NSU. A CGPA of 2.75 or equivalent is required to apply.
Question-5: Is any job experience required for the application?
Answer: No job experience is required for MPH.
Question-6: Can anyone apply during an internship after passing MBBS or BDS?
Answer: Yes, interns can apply for MPH.
Question-7: If a candidate passed the bachelor’s degree but does not have the degree certificate, can she/he apply for MPH?
Answer: Yes, she or he can apply but needs to submit the certificate within 3 months after admission.
Question-8: Is there any admission test for acceptance in the MPH program?
Answer: Yes, if the campus is open, a written admission test is taken on campus, followed by a viva. In case the campus is not open during the ongoing pandemic situation, a virtual viva is taken.
Question-9: What are the topics covered in the admission tests?
Answer: Admission tests cover basic health knowledge, general knowledge, basic English knowledge, basic quantitative aptitude, comprehension, and analytical skills. Sample questions are available on request by the department.
Question-10: What is the passing score on the admission test?
Answer: It depends on a variety of factors. The minimum score for passing is 60%.
Question-11: What will happen after passing the admission test?
Answer: An offer letter will be issued from the department, and once the students accept the offer letter, the department will contact them for further admission procedures. These include payment of admission fees, orientation and course advising for the first semester, payment of tuition fees, etc.
Question-12: If a student wants to defer the admission, what is the procedure?
Answer: A student can defer his/her admission for one semester by written application and can get admission in the subsequent semester with a deferral fee of BDT 5,000/=.
Question-13: What are the tuition and other related fees for the MPH program at NSU?
Answer: NSU authority is very much aware of the nature of students in its MPH program. The tuition fees have been kept lower than the usual NSU tuition structure by BDT 2000/= per credit (BDT 4,500/= per credit for MPH compared to BDT 6,500/= per credit in other programs). Thus, for a 52-credit program, BDT 104,000/= is waived for all MPH students in NSU. Admission fees are BDT 31,000/= (BDT 10,000/= is refundable at the completion of the degree) and course tuition fees are payable by semester for number of credits registered by a student.
Question-14: How many credits are required to complete an MPH degree in NSU?
NSU MPH is 52 credits program with 6 core courses (18 credits), internship/field practice 3 credits (mandatory), 10 credits thesis (mandatory), 3 major courses (9 credits) and 12 credits elective.
Question-15: What are the major areas offered in the NSU MPH program?
We offer majors in Epidemiology, Hospital Management, Reproductive and Child Health, Public Health Nutrition, Health Service Management and Development, and Non-communicable diseases.
Question-16: Does a student need to declare Major at the admission?
Answer: No, we do not ask for or assign majors to students at admission. After completion of the first semester, the major is chosen by the students in consultation with the faculty advisor.
Question-17: Is there any scope for students to take a double major?
Answer: Yes, students can choose a second major as per their choice.
Question-18: How do I choose the elective courses?
Answer: Elective courses are chosen by the students from a list of courses offered by the department outside the core and major courses for a particular student. Faculty members are available to consult when choosing elective courses.
Question-19: What is the duration of the MPH course at NSU?
Answer: The duration is flexible and can be customized by the students as per their convenience. Usually, students complete the program in 20-24 months (5-6 semesters). However, it can be completed in less time, or students can take more time, as long as 36 months.
Question-20: Is there any minimum credit limit for advising in a semester?
Answer: Usually, students advise 3 to 4 courses (9-12 credits) in a semester. However, exceptions can be allowed for students with specific reasons.
Question-21: What is the class timing for the MPH program?
Answer: Classes are held on Fridays (07:30 am to 09:00 pm) and weekdays Sunday through Thursday (06:00 to 09:00 pm). No classes on Saturdays. Students can choose the time that is convenient for their classes.
Question 22: Are there any course waiver options for students?
Answer: Students can apply for a course waiver (do not need to advise) for one elective course with proper supporting documents.
Question-23: Is there any scholarship opportunity for students?
Answer: NSU offers generous merit-based scholarships for its students. For details, please visit the office of financial aid (http://www.northsouth.edu/resources/fao.html).
Question-24: Is a thesis mandatory for MPH in NSU?
Answer: Yes, the thesis is mandatory for all students.
Question-25: Who are the faculty members in the department?
The department has a team of highly competent full-time faculty members who are trained in top-ranking Universities in North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia (http://www.northsouth.edu/faculty-members/shls/pbh/). A number of equally competent adjunct faculty members also teach in the MPH program. For full list of faculty members, please contact the department.
Question-26: What are the job prospects for NSU MPH graduates?
Answer: Our alumni are employed in UN organizations and International and national organizations at home and abroad.
Question-27: what are the further higher education prospects for NSU MPH graduates?
Answer: Our graduates are accepted into all top universities for PhD and master’s degrees, leading to PhD programs all over the world.
Question-28: Is the NSU MPH program recognized by BMDC?
Answer: No, the NSU MPH degree is not recognized by BMDC. However, the degree is approved by the University Grant Commission (UGC) of the Government of Bangladesh.
Question-29: If the MPH of NSU is not recognized by BMDC, then what are the problems for this?
Answer: BMDC recognition may only be required for a few government jobs in Bangladesh. But for other national and international organizations do not ask for BMDC recognition. In addition, BMDC recognition is not required for further higher education anywhere in the world. However, if someone needs BMDC recognition should search for proper options.
Question-30: Is there any research opportunity at NSU while studying?
Answer: Students have opportunities to work as Graduate Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants with faculty members.
Question-31: Who should you contact for any information?
Dr. Mariam Zamila, Program Officer
Email: zamila.mariam@northsouth.edu
Phone: +88-02-55668200 Extn: 6420
Md. Tanvir Ahmed, Faculty Assistant
Email: ahmed.tanvir04@northsouth.edu
Phone: +88-02-55668200 Extn: 6422
Dr. Monjur Rahman, Research Associate
Email: monjur.rahman@northsouth.edu
Phone: +88-02-55668200 Extn: 6428