Master's in Global Child Health Frequently Asked Questions

  1. You are eligible if you have one of the following combinations of academic credentials and work experience:

    • an advanced degree in a health-related field and at least two years of relevant work experience
      OR
    • a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of relevant post-baccalaureate work experience in a relevant health-related field (eg. epidemiology, global health, health and social behavior, health management or health policy, hospital management and administration).

    Degrees must be awarded from an accredited institution from the U.S. or abroad.

    Please note: Currently, the program can only accept applications from Tennessee residents and international residents. 

  2. All applications and supporting documents should be submitted electronically through the online application on the website. Additional documents, as indicated on the website also need to be submitted in the online application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they have submitted a complete application with all supporting documents. Applications that are incomplete or missing supporting documents will not be considered. 

  3. No. There is no application fee. 

  4. For the application, unofficial transcripts/ copies of academic records and degrees/ diplomas from all post-secondary schools attended must be uploaded in the online application. Transcripts that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified word-by-word, English translation and uploaded online during the application process.

    Please Note: Upon acceptance into the program, the hard copy of the official transcripts must be sent directly from the institution’s registrar’s office by post to the address below, or electronic copies of the transcripts must be emailed directly from the institution’s registrar’s office to the registrar of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School at tiffany.young-polk@stjude.org. 

    Tiffany Young-Polk, Registrar
    St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
    262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 1500
    Memphis, TN 38105

    In some cases, we may need credential evaluation from WES https://www.wes.org/required-documents/. We will provide the required information to those who are admitted, after the review process. 

     

    Academic Transcripts –Required Procedures for Admitted Students
    Your Situation Action Required
    My official transcript is in English, and my university provides official transcripts directly to applicants and/or institutions 
    • Request that your institution send the official, signed and sealed transcript directly to the Registrar, Graduate School via postal mail.
      OR
    • Request that your institution provide you with your official transcript in a signed and sealed envelope. Place the sealed envelope in a larger envelope and send it to the Registrar yourself.
    My official transcript is not issued in English

    The Graduate School requires that students submit a certified English translation of ALL transcripts and academic records (coursework, graduation/diploma certificates) with the originals.

    • The translation may be completed by an embassy or professional translation service or notary
    • The original, certified documents must be sent via postal mail to the Registrar.
    • Submit the original, (non-translated) transcript or certified copy of the original with the certified translation to the Registrar. 
    • E-mailed, scanned, or faxed documents are not acceptable.
    My university only provides 1 official transcript to students
    • Take the original transcript to your institution or a notary/translation service, who can attest they have seen the original transcripts and provide a certified or true copy.
    • The certified copy must be submitted via postal mail to the Registrar in a sealed envelope.

  5. Applicants that are non-native speakers of English may be required to take an English proficiency examination (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo English Test). English language proficiency will be evaluated as part of the interview.  After the interview, should the Admissions Committee determine it necessary, an applicant may be required to take an English proficiency examination.  Applicants that have completed any post-secondary studies in English will be exempted from English-language testing.


    Results that are no more than three (3) years old from the TOEFL, IELTS or the Duolingo English Test will be valid. Those asked to take an English proficiency examination will be required to score a 70 or higher on the TOEFL, a 6 or higher on the IELTS, or a 90 or higher on the Duolingo English Test.  Applicants who are asked to take an English proficiency exam can choose any of the three exams.

  6. Each student will receive a full tuition scholarship of $20,000 annually to cover the full cost of the program.  Airfare, meals and lodging expenses will also be covered for the mandatory Intersessions.

  7. Applications and supporting documents will be accepted through December 1 for admission to the next academic year. The application and all required supporting documents must be received by 11:59 pm PST on December 1 for consideration.  The Admissions Committee will review all online applications and the shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview via Webex. The Dean and members of the Admissions Committee will conduct the interviews. These will be scheduled from January through February.

    Admission decisions are expected to be announced to the accepted applicants in early March. The decision of the Admissions Committee will be final. No individual feedback will be provided to the applicants.

  8. The projected number of students admitted to the program this year is 10.

  9. Yes, they are mandatory.  All students admitted to the program are expected to come together for approximately 5 weeks per year.

    Intersession 1:        Summer 2021.  ~3 weeks.
    Intersession 2:       Winter 2022.      ~2 weeks.
    Intersession 3:       Summer 2022.   ~2 weeks.
    Intersession 4:       Winter 2023.     ~2 weeks.
    Graduation:            Summer 2023.   ~1 week.

  10. Julie Laveglia, MA
    Assistant Dean, Global Child Health MSc Program
    julie.laveglia@stjude.org

    Shaloo Puri, MBBS, DTCD, MPH, MPA
    Associate Dean, Global Child Health MSc Program
    Director, Global Graduate Studies, Department of Global Pediatric Medicine
    shaloo.puri@stjude.org

  11. Resume/CV​

    • Clear, concise, in chronological order​

    Transcripts​

    • Copies are ok in the application​
    • If not in English, it must be accompanied by a certified word-for-word translation ​
    • Post-secondary degrees only (we do not need high school transcripts, nor transcripts of certificates)​

    Letters of Recommendation​

    • Choose people that know you well over people that are very senior​
    • Recommenders can upload the letters directly to the online application system​

    Statement of Purpose​

    • Approximately 3 pages, single spaced​
    • Tell us about you – more than what we can see on your resume​
    • Why is the program right for you at this point in your career?​
    • What might you want to do as your Capstone Project?​
    • There are more prompts in the application itself (try to address all prompts)​