Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between the Program in Clinical Effectiveness (PCE) and the Summer Session in Public Health Studies?
The Program in Clinical Effectiveness is designed for physician-clinicians, fellows and faculty, who are seeking quantitative and analytic skills needed for clinical research or interested in health care administration. Students must take 15 credits in the first summer, which includes the core daily morning epidemiology and biostatistics courses and afternoon electives.
The Summer Session in Public Health Studies contains a series of courses that are open to all qualified students, physicians and non-physicians. Students can enroll in one or more of these courses up to a maximum of 10 credits.
2. Are there separate applications to the Program in Clinical Effectiveness and the Summer Session in Public Health Studies?
Yes. Both Summer Session and Program in Clinical Effectiveness applicants may apply online through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) at www.sophas.org. However, the application materials for the two programs differ. Applicants to the Program in Clinical Effectiveness must submit a curriculum vitae, a statement explaining the reasons for applying to this program and three letters of recommendation. One of these letters must be from a senior person (e.g., Department Head, Division Chief, Program Director) from the applicant's home site verifying the applicant's appointment at that site and guaranteeing tuition payment. (Applicants who will be responsible for their own tuition must indicate so in writing and agree to pay the full tuition amount by the Harvard University Billing Office deadline.) For comprehensive information on the summer session application materials and admissions process please go to http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/academics/public-health-studies/about-summer-session/.
3. What is the deadline for applications?
The degree application deadline is December 15, 2011. The non-degree application deadline is February 1, 2012. The Program in Clinical Effectiveness will run July 5- August 17, 2012.
4. Can I take less than 15 credits in the first year?
No. All students in the Program in Clinical Effectiveness must take the full course requirement of 15 credits, which includes the core Epidemiology and Biostatistics courses. If you do not wish to do this, you should explore other programs, such as the Summer Session in Public Health Studies at HSPH.
5. Can I take more than 15 credits in the first year?
No. Because of the workload, we do not recommend taking more than 7.5 credits at any one time (15 credits in total for the summer).
6. Do I have to submit separate applications if I want to apply to the Master's degree programs at HSPH at the same time as to the Program in Clinical Effectiveness?
No. If you have applied or are applying for a degree through SOPHAS for 2012-2013 you will not need to submit separate applications or duplicate supporting documentation. To insure that your degree application is also considered for the Program in Clinical Effectiveness, please take the following steps after submission of your degree application:
- Notify the Program in Clinical Effectiveness via e-mail at ProgClinEffect@partners.org that your degree application has been submitted through SOPHAS.
- Have your Department or Division Head send a brief statement indicating responsibility for tuition charges to ProgClinEffect@partners.org. If one of your letters of recommendation includes a tuition guarantee, this step is not necessary. If you are assuming financial responsibility this statement may come from you.
If you have questions regarding your application to a degree program please contact the Harvard School of Public Health Admissions Office at 617-432-1030.
7. If I am accepted into the Program in Clinical Effectiveness, will I be automatically accepted into the HSPH Master's degree programs to which I apply?
No. Acceptance to the summer Program in Clinical Effectiveness is no guarantee of acceptance into the HSPH degree programs. The application requirements are different for the two programs.
8. Can I be accepted into the MPH in Clinical Effectiveness concentration without acceptance by the PCE?
No. Applicants to the MPH in Clinical Effectiveness concentration must first be accepted by the PCE Admissions Committee before the MPH Admissions Committee can act on the application.
9. After attending the Program in Clinical Effectiveness (PCE), if I wish to apply to a degree program at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), can I use the same letters for both the summer program and the degree program?
Former PCE students, who have previously submitted an application and supporting materials through SOPHAS and are applying for a degree program in the subsequent year of their PCE application, may be able to log in to their SOPHAS account and “reapply”. Please note that degree application requirements differ from the PCE requirements and applicants must enter additional information, including all coursework, when reapplying through SOPHAS. Also, additional documentation required for degree applications, such as standardized test scores and official transcripts, must be submitted. For comprehensive information on the degree admissions process please go to www.hsph.harvard.edu/admissionsoffice or contact the admissions office at 617-432-1030 with questions.
10. How long can I wait to apply to HSPH after completing the Program in Clinical Effectiveness and have the credits (and tuition) from that program apply to a Degree?
Graduates who apply to a degree program at HSPH within four years after completing their summer program can transfer all tuition and credits taken that summer towards their degree.
