Frequently Asked Questions: MS in Global Child Health 

Our goal is to provide clear information about the Master of Science (MS) degree in Global Child Health from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Please contact us if you have additional questions

Applying to the Global Child Health Program

  1. How do I apply?

    Applications must be completed online. Additional documents, as indicated on the admissions page also need to be submitted in the online application. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have submitted a complete application with all supporting documents. Applications that are incomplete or missing supporting documents will not be considered. 

  2. Is there an application fee for the program?

    There is no application fee. 

  3. Must I submit official transcripts?

    For the application, unofficial transcripts, copies of academic records and degrees or 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.

  4. Must I provide TOEFL (or similar) exam results?

    Maybe, if you are a non-native English speaker. You do not submit English proficiency exam results as part of your application; however, we may request your score later in the admission process.

    We interview candidates after we have reviewed completed applications. During the interview, we evaluate English language proficiency. Then, the Admissions Committee may require you to take an English proficiency examination.

    Results three years or more recent from one of these tests will be considered valid:

    • TOEFL (70 or higher)
    • IELTS or (6 or higher)
    • Duolingo English Test (90 or higher)

    Applicants who are asked to take an English proficiency exam may choose any of the three exams.

    If you have completed any post-secondary studies in English, you are exempt from English-language testing.

Admission to the Global Child Health Program

  1. What can I expect once I have submitted my application?

    Be sure you have submitted a complete application by the deadline. Applications and supporting documents will be accepted through December 1 by 11:59 pm PST for admission to the next academic year.

    The Admissions Committee will review all online applications and the shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online video interview. 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.

  2. How many students will be admitted this year?

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

After Admission to the Global Child Health Program

  1. What is the tuition fee for the program?

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

  2. Are the on-campus intersessions mandatory?

    Yes, they are mandatory. All students admitted to the program are expected to come together for about six weeks per year. The intersessions and their approximate timing and length are:

    Intersession 1: June, 2 weeks 
    Intersession 2: January, 2 weeks 
    Intersession 3: June, 2 weeks 
    Intersession 4: January, 2 weeks 
    Graduation: June, 1 week

Whom Can I Contact with Additional Questions?

Applications are open between August 30 and December 1 each year. The program begins the following July.

Julie Laveglia, EdD, MA
Assistant Dean, Global Child Health MS Program and Global Scholars Program
julie.laveglia@stjude.org

Shaloo Puri, MD, DTCD, MPH, MPA
Associate Dean, Global Child Health MS Program
Director, Global Scholars Program, Department of Global Pediatric Medicine
shaloo.puri@stjude.org

Whitney Horton, MPS
Program Specialist, Global Child Health Program
whitney.horton@stjude.org 

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