Many prospective students want to know about the EMPH program in the Department of Public Health of North South University. We will be trying to answer some of the frequently asked questions related to the EMPH 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. Applications are usually invited 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 applications 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 EMPH admission requirements?

Answer: 

• Minimum five-year professional experience in the related field
• MBBS, BDS or equivalent professional degree in medical sciences (dentistry, alternative medicine, homoeopathy, Unani), or
• Four-year undergraduate degree from a recognised university in humanities, life sciences, social/natural sciences, anthropology and psychology, or
• Master’s degree in a health-related subject or in any social science, management and other science subjects, or
• A two-year graduation in nursing from any recognised university after duly completing a four-year registered nursing course from a government-recognised institution.
• A minimum CGPA of 2.75 on a 4-point scale or at least Second Class in all exams

Question 5: Is there any admission test for acceptance into the EMPH program?

Answer: The written exam is waived, but if anyone wants the scholarship, then he or she has to take the exam, and the viva exam is mandatory for all. 

Question 6: 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 from the department.

Question 7: 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 8: What will happen after passing the admission test?

Answer: An offer letter will be issued by 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 9: If a student wants to defer 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 10: What are the tuition and other related fees for the EMPH program at NSU?

Answer: NSU authorities are very aware of the nature of students in their EMPH program. The tuition fees have been kept lower than the usual NSU tuition structure by BDT 1500/= per credit (BDT 5000/= per credit for EMPH compared to BDT 6,500/= per credit in other programs).

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 the number of credits registered by a student.

The approximate cost to complete the EMPH degree is 2,90,000, which may change if there are retakes or any other contingency fees.

Question 11: How many credits are required to complete an EMPH degree at NSU?

NSU EMPH is a 52-credit program with six core courses (18 credits), an internship/field practice of three credits (mandatory), a 10-credit thesis (mandatory), three major courses (9 credits) and 12 credits of electives.

Question 12: What are the major areas offered in the NSU EMPH program?

We offer majors in Epidemiology, Hospital Management, and Reproductive and Child Health.

Question 13: Does a student need to declare a Major at 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 14: Is there any scope for students to take a double major?

Answer: Yes, students can choose a second major as per their choice.

Question 15: 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 16: What is the duration of the EMPH course at NSU?

Answer: The duration is flexible and can be customised by the students as per their convenience. Usually, students complete the program in 16-20 months (4-5 semesters). However, it can be completed in less time, or students can take more time, as long as 36 months.

Question 17: 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 for specific reasons.

Question 18: What is the class timing for the EMPH program?

Answer: Classes are only held on Fridays (07:30 am to 09:00 pm).

Question 19: Are there any course waiver options for students?

Answer: Students can apply for a two or three-course waiver (do not need to be advised) with proper supporting documents.

Question 20: 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 21: Is a thesis mandatory for EMPH in NSU?

Answer: Yes, the thesis is mandatory for all students.

Question 22: 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 EMPH program. For the complete list of faculty members, please contact the department.

Question 23: What are the job prospects for NSU EMPH graduates?

Answer: Our alumni are employed in UN organisations, International and national organisations at home and abroad.

Question 24: What are the further higher education prospects for NSU EMPH 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 25: Is the NSU EMPH program recognised by BMDC?

Answer: No, the NSU EMPH degree is not recognised by BMDC. However, the degree is approved by the University Grant Commission (UGC) of the Government of Bangladesh.

Question 26: If the EMPH of NSU is not recognised by BMDC, then what are the problems with this?

Answer: BMDC recognition may only be required for a few government jobs in Bangladesh. However, other national and international organisations 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, they should search for proper options.

Question 27: 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 28: 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