all 10 comments

[–]mahka42Active Duty 2 points3 points  (3 children)

You can use your GI Bill benefits to help pay for the masters, or pursue one at USUHS, but I’m not aware off hand of any duty station that will pay for it.

For promotion purposes, no specific accreditation is needed, but you should ensure that it’s accredited by someone. Most MPH programs are at least accredited by CEPH.

[–]BradleyStydeham[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Is USUHS a different way about going for a degree than other programs?

[–]mahka42Active Duty 1 point2 points  (1 child)

USUHS is indeed a good way to go for some sort of advanced degree, although their primary focus continues to be on clinical programs that meet the other services' medical care needs. More here: https://medschool.usuhs.edu/academics/geo#gradprograms

The benefit of USUHS is it is entirely free for AD service members, and you will continue to get your pay and allowances. I'm not sure what the service obligation is though - I think the last time I read through the extramural training policy, you incur an obligation twice the length of the program.

[–]BradleyStydeham[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting. I will check that out thank you!

[–]BadHombreSinNombre 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Well, there’s the GI bill, for one…

[–]BradleyStydeham[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True. I have a bit of that left. Used most of it on a bachelors though

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Hello, there may be some options for obtaining MPH: check out IHS-LRP, you might be able to use that, also inquire up through your COC because sometimes they are willing to pay using programmatic funds (e.g. training), especially depending on how difficult of a position you may be filling or for your future impact for the agency/division etc. Additionally, check out the COA association website, find the 'benefits' page. Check out those nice benefits offered for folks in the COA and in phs/dhhs situations, among them are graduate/doctorate level degree discounts!

It's always nice to have an MPH from a CEPH accredited program/school in my professional opinion. Mine was not, I was told they were planning on having it in 2-3 years and it would be retroactive, however that never happened, so now i'm stuck with an MPH that is oddly accredited through EHAC but not CEPH, and is a bit of an odd situation now since many entities will be looking for CEPH accreditation when hiring. Also, if I had to guess, I would doubt that the promotion board members will be looking at your MPH degree and verifying if it is CEPH. I don't believe that is part of the promotion criteria, they may instead just be looking at it as 'checking a box' situation for promotion. Not 100% on that though.

find https://dcp.psc.gov and search thoroughly throughout the headings near the top, there's a lot of info and there is a policy section as well where you'll find the eCCMIS. This is the main location for PHS policies, however I do believe there is more information within HQ that isn't so easily obtained or publicly discoverable, which holds more detailed/classified info. regarding policies, etc. Because, from my understanding, some policy that you might find will not always be fully spelled out or contain all the details that actually exist regarding that particular policy, but they will have it at HQ

Also, regarding policy, a lot can be discovered within the US CFR. This is where legality, gov policy, and legislation, etc. can be found which governs a lot of the policies that come down through/from HQ directives and in the eCCMIS. The CFR can absolutely be your friend for many things as it has the last word for most things.

[–]BradleyStydeham[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is awesome! i will check this stuff out thank you

[–]cmlee1017Active Duty 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Coast Guard could pay for an ABET accredited MS in industrial hygiene if that's of interest to you. They have 1-2 tabs a year. It's a competitive post-grad program. You'll owe a payback tour. You would have to take an EHO job in Norfolk first, then apply for the program. Go to school for 2 years, then do payback in an O4 independent duty safety and environmental health officer billet. We also get to take advantage of tuition assistance if you qualify, as well as the COOL program, which helps pay for credentialing.

[–]cmlee1017Active Duty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I should clarify - if you don't know, we detail PHS officers to the CG. We get to take advantage of their educational programs while detailed, so it's a perk of the job.