New Student Onboarding

ACTION ITEM

Master of Public Health (MPH) Program

Fall Orientation for the MPH Program will take place in person on September 11, 2025. Please fill out this form by Monday, September 8th. Orientation is MANDATORY. 

 

ACTION ITEM

All students are issued a Wildcard (Northwestern University ID). Please submit a photo online for your Wildcard by September 8, 2025. 

The Wildcard Office is located at 345 E. Superior Street, 15th floor, Chicago, IL 60611 

You will need to either book an appointment to pick up your Wildcard or request for it to be mailed. Please visit the wildcard office for step by step instructions. 

ACTION ITEM

The University Pass (U-Pass) is a discounted fare card that replaces cash/other transit cards for all Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) fares and may be used 365 days/year on CTA trains and buses. The CTA has chosen to make the TGS U-Pass program optional on a quarterly basis. All full-time, part-time, and online TGS students are eligible to opt in to this program (please note the eligibility exceptions below).  

• If you choose to opt in, your U-Pass will be activated (or issued) for the Fall Quarter and a quarterly $125 U-Pass Transit Card Fee will be applied to your student account. 
• If you do not plan to use a U-Pass for the Fall Quarter, no further action is needed. Your U-Pass will be inactive, and you will not be charged a $125 U-Pass Transit Card fee this quarter. 

Please refer to this Fall Quarter 2025 TGS U-Pass Access and Transit Card Fee message for opt-in and eligibility details, and email tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu with any questions. 

ACTION ITEM

Once you've accepted the offer of admission, The Graduate School Admissions Office will send an email with your Northwestern NetID activation details. Activate your NetID as soon as you receive it, then set up your university email account. Your Northwestern email address will be used for all academic correspondence from faculty, student account notices and communications from The Graduate School and University. 

ACTION ITEM

Once you have been matriculated as a student in The Graduate School (typically 2 weeks before the start of a quarter), log into CAESAR to enter your Emergency Contact information in your student profile. All new students will have a hold on their account until these details are entered. Get instructions for updating emergency contact details. 

ACTION ITEM

All Northwestern University students will be required to read and acknowledge the Financial Responsibility Agreement (FRA) on an annual basis. This acknowledgment is a mandatory step in the registration process. 

The FRA replaces the previously published Financial Regulations pamphlet, consolidating essential information about student financial obligations into a more accessible and efficient format. 

Failure to complete the FRA within 30 days of assignment will result in a registration hold, and students will be unable to register for classes until the acknowledgment is submitted. 

How to Access: 

To review and sign the Financial Responsibility Agreement (FRA): 

• Log in to CAESAR; Student Homepage appears 
• Go to Student Agreements tile 
• Under To Do, click on Student Financial Responsibility Agreement 

For a step by step guide, please see the FRA Knowledgebase: Preventing or Removing the FRA hold 

To avoid a registration hold, please complete this action item before attending orientation.  

ACTION ITEM

Northwestern University requires all students to review and familiarize themselves with the University Student Handbook. Students must annually attest that they will abide by all policies contained in the handbook.

• Review the Northwestern University Student Handbook 
• Complete the Student Handbook Attestation in CAESAR.  
• For a step by step guide, please see the Knowledgebase: Student Handbook Attestation.  

To avoid a registration hold, please complete this action item before attending orientation. 

ACTION ITEM

Full-time (3 or more classes) and half-time (2 classes) students at Northwestern are required to meet immunization requirements. Part-time (1 class) students are not required to fulfill these requirements. This includes submitting proof of immunizations as required by the State of Illinois, as well as entering their own immunizations via Northwestern Personal Health Portal (PNC).  

Penalties for not fulfilling the immunization requirements include a hold on subsequent registration and a non-refundable $100 late fee. PENALTIES ARE NEVER ASSESSED PRIOR TO THE START OF CLASSES. 
 
See the Requirement Deadlines page for more information. 

ACTION ITEM

All degree-seeking students are required to carry health insurance that meets minimal criteria. The Northwestern University Student Health Insurance Plan (NU-SHIP) is the designated student insurance option that meets mandated requirements. Degree-seeking students will be automatically enrolled in and billed for this coverage plan unless they waive coverage during open enrollment periods.  To complete the online waiver in CAESAR, refer to the instructions on the NU-SHIP webpage and have details about your existing insurance coverage available.  

If you are waiving NU SHIP coverage you must do so during the open enrollment period: 7/1/2025-10/1/2025 

***MS in Biostatistics Students Only***

ACTION ITEM

Probability and Statistics Inference courses are required for two of the three possible MS in Biostatistics Concentrations: (1) The Concentration in Statistical Bioinformatics, and (2) The Concentration in  Statistical Methods and Practice. We highly recommend building (or rebuilding) calculus muscle memory, especially if it has been a while! 

The following resources may be helpful to you:

1. Four-Part Coursera University of Pennsylvania Calculus Course, taught by Robert Ghrist

    Calculus: Single Variable

    Part 1 - Functions

    Part 2 - Differentiation

    Part 3 - Integration

    Part 4 - Applications

2. Calculus (Barron's College Review Series) 1st Edition

3. Paul's Online Notes

Please review the technology requirements below. 

Feinberg School of Medicine Computer Requirements for Incoming Students 2025.

To familiarize you with our campus, please watch the following virtual campus tour:

Virtual Campus Tour

*Please note that you will need to sign in using your NU email and password in order to watch the campus tour video*

Campus Map

Please review the student handbooks:

MPH Student Handbook

MSB Student Handbook

MSE Student Handbook

MD/MPH and DPT/MPH students: if you will be applying for financial aid, please review the instructions provided by the Chicago Graduate Financial Aid Office. 

MS, MPH (both full and part time) and APHP: If you will be applying for financial aid, through The Graduate School, please review the instructions provided by the Evanston Graduate Financial Aid Office. 

For information regarding tuition rates and other fees please visit Student Financial Services. 

All incoming students will register for classes AFTER attending orientation.

Fall 2025 Schedule

Below you will find MPH plans of study separated by concentration:

Plan of Study PhD/MPH Fall 2025

Plan of Study MD/MPH Fall 2025

Plan of Study Part-Time Community Health Research and Evaluation Fall 2025-2026

Plan of Study Part-Time Data Science Fall 2025-2026

Plan of Study Part-Time General Fall 2025-2026

Plan of Study Part-Time Global Health Fall 2025-2026

Please review the Program in Public Health Competencies:

D1. Graduate-Level Professional Foundational Public Health Knowledge (MPH, MSB, MSE)

D1.1. Explain public health history, philosophy and values

D1.2. Identify the core functions of public health and the 10 Essential Services

D1.3. Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing and assessing a population’s health

D1.4. List major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality in the US or other communities relevant to the school or program, with attention to disparities among populations, e.g., socioeconomic, ethnic, gender, racial, etc.

D1.5. Discuss the science of primary, secondary & tertiary prevention in population health, including health promotion, screening, etc

D1.6. Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge

D1.7. Explain effects of environmental factors on a population’s health

D1.8. Explain biological and genetic factors that affect a population’s health

D1.9. Explain behavioral and psychological factors that affect a population’s health

D1.10. Explain the cultural, social, political and economic determinants of health and how the determinants relate to population health and health inequities

D1.11. Explain how globalization affects global burdens of disease

D1.12. Explain an ecological perspective on the connections among human health, animal health and ecosystem health (eg, One Health)

 

D2. MPH Foundational Competencies

D2.1. Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice

D2.2. Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context

D2.3. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate

D2.4. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice

D2.5. Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings

D2.6. Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and societal levels

D2.7. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health

D2.8. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design, implementation, or critique of public health policies or programs

D2.9. Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention

D2.10. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management

D2.11. Select methods to evaluate public health programs

D2.12. Discuss the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence

D2.13. Propose strategies to identify relevant communities and individuals and coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes

D2.14. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations

D2.15. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity

D2.16. Apply leadership and/or management principles to address a relevant issue

D2.17. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges

D2.18. Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors

D2.19. Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation to a non-academic, non-peer audience with attention to factors such as literacy and health literacy.

D2.20. Describe the importance of cultural humility in communicating public health content

D2.21. Integrate perspectives from other sectors and/or professions to promote and advance population health

D2.22. Apply a systems thinking tool to visually represent a public health issue in a format other than standard narrative

 

MPH Concentration Competencies

 

Community Health Research & Evaluation Concentration

CHRE1. Describe the factors that influence the health and wellbeing of communities.

CHRE2. Engage communities as partners in health research, intervention, and evaluation.

CHRE3. Apply relevant theories and methods to conduct community health research.

CHRE4. Design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based community health interventions.

CHRE5. Translate and disseminate research findings in collaboration with communities.

CHRE6. Optimize health equity across communities through centering minoritized voices.

 

Data Science Concentration

DS1.  Critically Evaluate quantitative data and methodology in public health communications.

DS2.  Achieve proficiency in the use of a software package that promotes sharing of data, analysis, and methods.

DS3.  Use data to create and test hypotheses relevant to public health.

DS4.  Formulate tests of health disparities in data related to public health.

DS5.  Explain ethical challenges in the interpretation of data related to public health.

 

Epidemiology Concentration

EPI1. Critique the feasibility of study design as it pertains to sampling, data collection, and resource requirements

EPI2. Assess biological mechanisms of disease by applying knowledge of behavioral sciences and human and environmental biology

EPI3.  Critique the validity of epidemiologic data, findings, and publications by applying knowledge of epidemiologic principles and methods.

EPI4.  Describe molecular techniques commonly used in epidemiologic studies

EPI5. Formulate and apply plans for data cleaning and management using statistical analysis software

 

Global Health Concentration

GLO1. Critique major global public health priorities and the reasons for their prioritization

GLO 2. Apply demographic, epidemiologic and anthropologic methods to assess health disparities at local and global levels.

GLO 3. Develop systems to monitor progress toward targets, objectives, and goals and evaluate programs and their operational components.

GLO 4. Operate in partnership with local, national and international organizations engaged in the health and social sectors.

GLO 5. Apply systems thinking to promote integrative global health across different disciplinary domains and organizational levels.

 

Generalist Concentration (Students in this concentration choose 5 competencies from this list)

CHRE1. Describe the factors that influence the health and wellbeing of communities.

CHRE2. Engage communities as partners in health research, intervention, and evaluation.

CHRE3. Apply relevant theories and methods to conduct community health research.

CHRE4. Design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based community health interventions.

CHRE5. Translate and disseminate research findings in collaboration with communities.

CHRE6. Optimize health equity across communities through centering minoritized voices.

DS1.  Critically Evaluate quantitative data and methodology in public health communications.

DS2.  Achieve proficiency in the use of a software package that promotes sharing of data, analysis, and methods.

DS3.  Use data to create and test hypotheses relevant to public health.

DS4.  Formulate tests of health disparities in data related to public health.

DS5.  Explain ethical challenges in the interpretation of data related to public health.

EPI1. Describe molecular techniques and laboratory resources commonly used in epidemiologic studies

EPI2. Evaluate current knowledge of causes of disease to guide epidemiologic practice

EPI3. Assess biological mechanisms of disease by applying knowledge of behavioral sciences and human and environmental biology.

EPI4. Critique the validity of epidemiologic data, findings, and publications by applying knowledge of epidemiologic principles and methods

EPI5. Formulate and apply plans for data cleaning and management using statistical analysis software

GLO1. Critique major global public health priorities and the reasons for their prioritization

GLO2. Apply demographic, epidemiologic and anthropologic methods to assess health disparities at local and global levels.

GLO 3. Develop systems to monitor progress toward targets, objectives, and goals and evaluate programs and their operational components.

GLO4. Operate in partnership with local, national and international organizations engaged in the health and social sectors.

GLO5. Apply systems thinking to promote integrative global health across different disciplinary domains and organizational levels.

MCH1. Determine how different strengths, needs, values and practices of diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups affect health status, health behaviors and program design.

MCH2. Evaluate theories and principles of individual and family growth and development from an intergenerational and lifespan perspective.

MCH3. Apply appropriate research methods to the evaluation of MCH program and practices.

MCH4. Evaluate evidence-based methods that contribute to the translation of research into MCH programming and practice.

MCH5. Recognize and apply principles of ethical conduct in program management, research and data collection and storage

MSB2. Use computer-based statistical analysis package(s) to manage data;

MSB3. Develop visualized data using computer-based statistical analysis package(s);

MSB4. Analyze data employing computer-based statistical analysis package(s);

MSB5. Implement sample size and power calculations for a range of experimental designs;

MSB8. Calculate epidemiological measures of association between risk factors and disease;

MSB11. Apply ethical and regulatory standards to human subjects research.

 

Maternal Child Health Concentration

MCH1. Determine how different strengths, needs, values and practices of diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups affect health status, health behaviors and program design.

MCH2. Evaluate theories and principles of individual and family growth and development from an intergenerational and lifespan perspective.

MCH3. Apply appropriate research methods to the evaluation of MCH program and practices.

MCH4. Evaluate evidence-based methods that contribute to the translation of research into MCH programming and practice.

MCH5. Recognize and apply principles of ethical conduct in program management, research and data collection and storage.

 

MPH Joint Degree Concentration Competencies

 

MD/MPH Joint Degree (Students in this concentration choose 5 competencies from this list)

CHRE1.2 Engage communities as partners in health research, intervention, and evaluation.

CHRE 1.4 Design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based community health interventions.

CHRE1.6 Optimize health equity across communities through centering minoritized voices.

DS 1.1 Critically evaluate quantitative data and methodology in public health communications.

DS 1.2 Achieve proficiency in the use of a software package that promotes sharing of data, analysis, and methods.

DS 1.3 Use data to create and test hypotheses relevant to public health.

EPI1.5 Formulate and apply plans for data cleaning and management using statistical analysis software.

GLO1.1 Critique major global public health priorities and the reasons for their prioritization.

MSB 1.1 Use computer-based statistical analysis package(s) to manage data.

MSB 1.3 Analyze data employing computer-based statistical analysis package(s).

MSB 1.5 Calculate epidemiological measures of association between risk factors and disease.

MSB 1.6 Apply ethical and regulatory standards to human subjects' research.

 

DPT/MPH Joint Degree (Students in this concentration choose 5 competencies from this list)

CHRE 1.1 Describe the factors that influence the health and wellbeing of communities.

CHRE1.2 Engage communities as partners in health research, intervention, and evaluation.

CHRE1.3 Apply relevant theories and methods to conduct community health research.

CHRE 1.4 Design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based community health interventions.

CHRE1.5 Translate and disseminate research findings in collaboration with communities.

CHRE1.6 Optimize health equity across communities through centering minoritized voices.

DS 1.1 Critically evaluate quantitative data and methodology in public health communications.

DS 1.2 Achieve proficiency in the use of a software package that promotes sharing of data, analysis, and methods.

DS 1.3 Use data to create and test hypotheses relevant to public health.

DS 1.5 Explain ethical challenges in the interpretation of data related to public health. 

EPI1.1 Describe molecular techniques and laboratory resources commonly used in epidemiologic studies.

EPI1.2 Evaluate current knowledge of causes of disease to guide epidemiologic practice.

EPI1.3 Assess biological mechanisms of disease by applying knowledge of behavioral sciences and human and environmental biology.

EPI1.4 Critique the validity of epidemiologic data, findings, and publications by applying knowledge of epidemiologic             principles and methods.

EPI1.5 Formulate and apply plans for data cleaning and management using statistical analysis software.

GLO1.1 Critique major global public health priorities and the reasons for their prioritization.

GLO1.2 Apply demographic, epidemiologic and anthropologic methods to assess health disparities at local and global        levels.

GLO1.3 Develop systems to monitor progress toward targets, objectives, and goals and evaluate programs and their operational components.

GLO1.5 Apply systems thinking to promote integrative global health across different disciplinary domains and

organizational levels.

MCH1. Determine how different strengths, needs, values and practices of diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups affect health status, health behaviors and program design.

MCH2. Evaluate theories and principles of individual and family growth and development from an intergenerational and lifespan perspective.

MCH3. Apply appropriate research methods to the evaluation of MCH program and practices.

MCH4. Evaluate evidence-based methods that contribute to the translation of research into MCH programming and practice.

MCH5. Recognize and apply principles of ethical conduct in program management, research and data collection and storage

MSB 1.1 Use computer-based statistical analysis package(s) to manage data.

MSB 1.2 Develop visualized data using computer-based statistical package(s).

MSB 1.3 Analyze data employing computer-based statistical analysis package(s).

MSB 1.4 Implement sample size and power calculations for a range of experimental designs.

MSB1.5 Calculate epidemiological measures of association between risk factors and disease.

MSB 1.6 Apply ethical and regulatory standards to human subjects' research.

 

Please review the MS in Biostatistics Competencies:

 

Please review the MS in Epidemiology Competencies:

EP1. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of study designs by selecting appropriate measures of association and identifying potential sources of error in epidemiologic research. 

EP2. Implement principles of epidemiology, particularly social epidemiology, to understand the underlying structural causes of health disparities.

EP3. Discuss the role and impact of bias, confounding, and effect modification in data interpretation.

EP4. Conduct epidemiologic analyses, including logistic, Poisson, and linear regression, multilevel modeling, and survival analysis.

EP5. Critically review the scientific literature, synthesize findings across studies, and make appropriate recommendations based on current knowledge.

EP6. Apply ethical and regulatory requirements for epidemiologic research.

EP7. Communicate epidemiologic findings clearly and effectively to community members and academic audiences, using culturally appropriate and scientifically rigorous methods.