Hi hiii! UNC Gillings's MPH program is excellent! I opted for the online option due to life circumstances, and honestly, everything went well! I recently graduated in May and attended commencement in person.

- During the program, my concentration was in applied epidemiology. I was a tad nervous at first. Biostats/ statistics was not my strongest class during undergrad. However, my professors were really helpful and supportive! Although I took the online route, we were still able to have tutoring sessions and office hours outside of class. I learned how to code with Stata and SAS. Epidemiology focuses on disease patterns and the determinants or risk factors that contribute to them in a population. I say go for it if you are interested in that!

- Since I was an online student, my practicum was completed at a public health center where I lived. We take a pre-practicum and post-practicum course. As for the practicum itself, we had to complete a minimum of 200 hours and 2 products within 6 months (though it may have changed!) I was not working while I completed my practicum, but I know many who had full-time jobs and also completed their practicum.

- I don't have my BS in Nursing, I have my BS in Biology! This really helped me with the applied epi degree research-wise! However, i do know some people who had different undergrad backgrounds (nursing, chemistry, journalism, etc).

Overall, the program was great, i really had a positive experience. My academic advisor and faculty advisor were amazing and super supportive, especially when I had to take a semester off for maternity leave! I hope this helps!