American Univesity of Beirut

​Officers of the Faculty

Faculty Administrative Support

Faculty Academic Support

Faculty Academic Support

Historical Background

The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) was established in 1954 as an independent School of Public Health, the first of its kind in the region. The name of the school was changed to the Faculty of Health Sciences in 1978 to accommodate programs in allied health.

FHS serves to educate and train professionals and competent leaders to help meet the health needs of Lebanon and the region. Currently, FHS hosts four departments which are Epidemiology and Population Health (EPH), Environmental Health (EH), Health Promotion and Community Health (HPCH), Health Management and Policy (HMP), and a Division of Health Professions. It also hosts programs in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine, which include programs in Medical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Audiology Sciences1 and Medical Imaging Sciences. FHS offers a BS degree in Environmental Health, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Imaging Sciences and Medical Audiology Sciences2, a BA degree in Health Communication, as well as a Graduate Public Health Program including an MS degree in Public Health (MPH) (concentrations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Promotion and Community Health, and Health Management and Policy), an MS in Epidemiology. FHS also offers an MS in Environmental Sciences, major: Environmental Health (as part of an Interfaculty Graduate Environmental Sciences Program), an Executive Master in Health Care Leadership and a PhD in Epidemiology. In addition, FHS provides courses in public health to students in the Faculty of Medicine.

Accreditation

In October 2006, the Public Health Program (PHP) of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) became accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and was reaccredited in 2012 for seven years term extending to 2019. In December 2019, the CEPH Board voted to renew the accreditation of the program for another seven-year term ending in 2026. The PHP includes the Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Epidemiology, Master of Science in Environmental Health, and the PhD in Epidemiology, as well as the newly launched Bachelor of Arts in Health Communication. CEPH is an independent agency in the United States, which is recognized to accredit schools and programs of public health. The PHP at FHS was the first graduate public health program to be accredited by CEPH outside the Americas and remains the only program in the Arab region. Accreditation indicates that the PHP of the FHS meets standards for Public Health Education of leading schools of public health in the world.

Mission

To improve the health of populations and advance the public health discipline and field of health professions in the region and beyond, through excellence in education, research, and community engagement.

Vision

The leading academic voice and driver for equity, justice, and better health in the Arab region and beyond.

Graduate Public Health Program (GPHP)    

Mission Statement

To build the next generation of public health leaders to advance knowledge, and impact practice and policy.

GPHP Value Statement

Our teaching, research, and service are guided by core values. These values derive from our context as a leading graduate program of public health in a middle-income regional setting that has suffered from intermittent political conflict and unrest and from our adherence to basic principles of professional conduct, human rights, and service to underprivileged communities.

• Equality & Social Justice: We believe in equality among people; our work is oriented to enhance health equity and social justice by focusing on underserved communities.
• Civic Responsibility: We believe that each of us has a role to play in advancing knowledge and improving health, and we work to instill a sense of civic responsibility among students and partners organizations with whom we collaborate.
• Integrity & Professional Ethics: We bring a commitment to integrity and professional ethics in all our efforts.
• Diversity: We believe that diversity in our faculty, students, and in our practice sites enhances our ability to understand the perspectives and the circumstances that influence health.
• Excellence: We are committed to excel in all that we do, and believe that our faculty and alumni provide leadership and vision to improve the health of people and communities.
• Peace: We research and mitigate the public health effects of conflicts on population and systems as a contribution to achieving peace and justice.

Master of Public Health (MPH)    

Admission Requirements

A candidate is eligible to be considered for admission to the MPH program if s/he holds a bachelor’s degree from AUB or an equivalent degree from another recognized institution1 with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.7 (or 75) and GPA of at least 3.2 (or 80) or its equivalent in the major field of study, or holds a graduate degree from AUB or another recognized institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 (or 80) or its equivalent.

A candidate with a major and cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 (or 75), but less than 3.2 (or 80), may be considered for admission on probation if s/he holds a bachelor’s degree from AUB or an equivalent degree from another recognized institution. When only a GPA is available, the applicant will qualify for this category if her/his average is between 2.7 (or 75) and 3.2 (or 80).

On an exceptional basis, only and upon the recommendation of the department, an applicant with a GPA below 2.7 (or 75) can be considered for admission as a non-degree graduate student. The concerned department has to provide the GSC with a clear justification for its recommendation.

A student registered as a non-degree graduate student can register for a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 12 core and concentration credits in the relevant department, and must obtain an overall GPA of at least 3.7 (or 85) in the registered courses to be considered for admission into the MPH program. The average of all the completed courses should be evaluated for admission into the MPH program.

Spring/Mid-year admissions are accepted on a case-by-case basis if places are available. Students admitted at mid-year may only register as part-timers.

Students who have had significant prior experience in a health-related field may be granted a partial waiver of practicum hours. Applications for partial waiver of practicum hours are assessed on a case-by-case basis (see policy on Practicum hours partial waiver). In the case in which waiver is granted, the waived practicum credit should be replaced with a one credit elective.

Selection Criteria

Applicants to the MPH program must specify the area of concentration of their choice by priority on the application form. Admission into the concentration areas within the MPH program is based on the following criteria:

• Choice of Faculty: Priority for consideration for admission goes to applicants who indicate FHS as their first choice.
  
• Choice of Concentration: Priority for consideration for admission in a concentration area goes to applicants indicating that concentration as their first choice.
  
• Grade Point Average: Normally, priority for consideration for admission goes to applicants with a higher grade point average.

Other factors taken into consideration include background diversity (prior degree and previous academic institution), geographic diversity, years and type of work experience, personal statement, recommendation letters and interview when applicable.

Graduation Requirements

MPH is a competency-based program where students are assessed on each foundational and concentration knowledge component and competency at least once.

Students must demonstrate that they have satisfied the minimum level of requirements in order to graduate from the program.

All recommendations for graduation are made by vote of the faculty on the recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee. To be eligible for graduation in the MPH program, a student must accomplish the following:

• pass all required courses with a minimum grade of C+ (70),
• earn an overall GPA of at least 3.2 (or 80),
• and successfully complete a minimum of 42 credit hours.

Credit requirements for the MPH program are tabulated below:

Credit Load

A full-time student must carry a minimum load of 12 credits per term. Students can register for up to 18 credits per term. Students who wish to register for more than 18 credits must petition the Graduate Studies Committee for approval.

A part-time student must carry a minimum load of 5 credits per term. Students who wish to register for less than 5 credits must petition the Graduate Studies Committee for approval.

Policy on Practicum Policy Registration

Students enrolled in the MPH program are required to complete the 42 credits of core, concentration and public health experience courses in addition to the zero credit mandatory workshops.

Those joining the program on a part time basis must start their enrolment with the core course(s) required for the concentration area they are joining.

Students can register for the Practicum and Integrative Learning Experience II (PBHL 399B) courses with only one core and/ or one concentration course (not including PBHL 305), as long as the course(s) not yet taken does/ (do) not consist of material needed to effectively undertake activities of the Practicum or the courses.

Students can only register for the PBHL 399B upon completion of the PBHL 399A.

The student needs to seek approval to be allowed to register a concentration course along with the practicum.

Policy on Transferring to another Concentration

The MPH program has three options for concentration, which are Epidemiology and Biostatistics (EPBS), Health Promotion and Community Health (HPCH), and Health Management and Policy (HMP). Every year, a quota for admissions is set for each. Students are accepted into the program in a particular concentration area. Students may petition to transfer to another area of concentration. Petitions are reviewed in current and prospective departments in light of student academic performance, justification for transfer and implications on the quota. The final decision is made by the Graduate Studies Committee. Students cannot transfer to another concentration before the grades of the first term of enrolment in the current concentration are released.

Policy on Course Exemption

Exemption from a required FHS course may only be considered when the student has proof that s/he has satisfactorily completed a comparable course in a recognized university normally with a minimum grade of B+ (or 80) or the equivalent. The requirement of this particular course may be waived but not its credits (i.e., the candidate has to replace the exempted course credits with another course(s) having the same number of credits). The course instructor may require that the petitioning student take an exam in order to demonstrate proficiency in the subject prior to the official registration period for the required course. In cases where students want to take a course in another faculty and equate it for a required course in the MPH program, the course instructor (or relevant department chairperson) must approve the petition for equating courses prior to the student registering for the course. Request for course exemption for MPH students is only possible if the student completed the course in which exemption is sought within the previous 5 years of the exemption request date. MPH students are allowed to be exempted from a maximum of 6 graduate credits. In the case exemption is granted, the course, but not the credits, is exempted. Students are still expected to complete the minimum of credits required for graduation (MPH 42 credits; MS 30 credits).

Only graduate courses may be equated with foundational graduate courses. In few cases, an undergraduate course may be equated with a graduate course in the MPH program. For further information, please refer to the policy.

Policy on Practicum Hours Partial Waiver

A partial waiver of hours can be granted on a case-by-case basis. Students with the required level of experience prior to joining the MPH program may request a partial waiver to complete 150 hours of practicum work (instead of 300 hours), if they offer enough evidence of fulfilment of minimum four years of full time relevant and documented public health work experience prior to joining the MPH program. Decisions related to the practicum waiver are based on the submission of complete practicum waiver portfolio to the FHS practicum coordinator. The portfolio should include a) filled practicum waiver form; b) copy of CV with relevant public health workplace references; c) two-page report mapping previous work experience (prior to enrollment) to a minimum of two core and one concentration competencies; d) documentation of relevant tasks and respective outputs during employment prior to enrollment in the MPH program. The student should have his/her portfolio screened and approved by the Academic Advisor prior to its submission to the Practicum Coordinator by the end of the second month of enrollment. Decision regarding the practicum waiver needs to be in the student file prior to the advising period of the student’s third term of enrolment. Students granted partial waiver register for a 1-credit practicum course (HMPD/HPCH/EPBS 366). The waived practicum credit should be replaced with a one-credit elective.

Policy on Transfer of Credits

For courses taken outside FHS or outside AUB

A transfer of credits may be considered when the student has satisfactorily completed a course with a minimum grade of B+ (or 80) or equivalent at a recognized university, faculty or program. The transferred credits are accepted in lieu of credits earned in a comparable course in FHS. Request for transfer of credits for MPH students is only possible if the student completed the course in which transfer is sought within the previous 5 years of the transfer request date. Normally, credits counted toward another graduate degree at AUB or another institution cannot be transferred if they have already been used to satisfy requirements for another awarded graduate degree.

The number of credits that can be transferred cannot exceed 12 credits of comparable courses at FHS.

For courses taken within FHS, a transfer of credits may be considered for all courses the student has passed.

Procedure for Exemption and Transfer of Credits

To be exempt from or to transfer courses, the candidate should petition the Graduate Studies Committee and attach the following official documents to the online petition after consulting with the advisor:

• the official catalogue of the transferring institution
  
• a detailed description of course content and syllabus
  
• an official statement of records/grades earned for the course(s)

For both the exemption from and transfer of credits, the transferring university must be deemed to have comparable academic standards to those of AUB.

The chairperson of the department offering the course should seek the opinion of the course instructor(s) and the departmental members in writing and submit the recommendation of the department, along with the supporting documents, to the FHS Graduate Studies Committee for final approval.

Probation

Placement on Probation

A student is placed on probation if one of the following occurs:

• s/he fails in any graduate course taken for credit (passing grade is C+ (or 70))
  
• s/he fails to obtain a minimum overall GPA of 3.2 (or 80) in graduate courses

Part-timers can only be evaluated after completion of at least 10 credits. Their cumulative average is evaluated every term thereafter.

A student with an admission score (major and cumulative GPA) of at least 2.7 (or 75), but less than 3.2 (or 80), will be admitted on probation.

Removal of Probation

A full-time student will be removed from probation at the end of a term if s/he has passed all courses and attained a an overall GPA of 3.2 (or 80).

Part-timers are first evaluated after completion of at least 10 credits. Their overall GPA is evaluated every term thereafter.

Dismissal from the Program

A student on probation may be dismissed upon the recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee if one of the following occurs:

• s/he fails to be removed from probation after one term or its equivalent for part– timers (10 credit hours)
  
• placement on probation more than once (not counting the probation at admission time)
  
• The student attains a cumulative average of less than 70 (GPA: 2.2) after completion of 10 credits or fails two courses in one term.
  
• The student attains a cumulative average of 70 (GPA: 2.2) or above but less than 80 (GPA: 3.2) in any term, and fails one course in that term (This rule does not apply to the first term of study).
  
• In the judgment of the GSC, is not making satisfactory academic progress, or has behaved in contempt of the norms and values upheld by the Faculty. Additional information about personal circumstances and general academic performance will be sought. GSC will make their decisions based on the all the above points.

Responsible Code of Conduct (RCR) Requirements

All newly admitted graduate students are required to successfully complete an online course on Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) from the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program). The course “covers core norms, principles, regulations, and rules governing the practice of research.” It consists of the following modules: Research Misconduct, Data Management, Authorship, Peer Review, Mentoring, Using Animal Subjects in Research, Conflicts of Interest, Collaborative Research and Research Involving Human Subjects. FHS requires the completion of the following additional two modules, Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research Course, as well as Students - Class Projects.

Curriculum

The Master of Public Health (MPH) curriculum is composed of three principal elements which include core courses, concentration courses and public health experience courses. Core courses emphasize critical public health competencies. Concentration courses provide students with an opportunity to specialize in a chosen discipline of public health. The public health experience courses provide an opportunity to practice the knowledge and skills acquired from the coursework (core and concentration courses) into hands-on experience that is then synthesized and linked to core and concentration competencies.

Students enrolled in the MPH program may choose to specialize in one of three different disciplines of Public Health which are Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Promotion and Community Health, and Health Management and Policy.

I. Core Courses (Required of all MPH Students)

II. Concentration Courses

A. Epidemiology and Biostatistics (EPBS)

B. Health Promotion and Community Health (HPCH)

C. Health Management and Policy (HMP) Health Service Management Track

Master of Science in Epidemiology (MS-EPID)

Admission Requirements

For full details on admission requirements to the Master of Science in Epidemiology, see the Admissions section of this catalogue. Mid-year admissions are only accepted for part-time students.

Graduation Requirements

For information regarding graduation requirements, refer to the General University Requirements in this catalogue.

Credit requirements for the MS in Epidemiology are tabulated below:

Credit Load

A full-time student must carry a minimum load of 9 credits per term. Students can register for up to 12 credits per term. Students who wish to register for more than 12 credits must petition the Graduate Studies Committee for approval.

For full information on academic rules and regulations and general requirements for the Master of Science in Epidemiology and Master of Science in Environmental Sciences (Major: Environmental Health), refer to the General University Policy section in this catalogue.

Responsible Code of Conduct (RCR) Requirements

All newly admitted graduate students are required to successfully complete an online course on Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) from the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program). The course “covers core norms, principles, regulations, and rules governing the practice of research.” It consists of the following modules: Research Misconduct, Data Management, Authorship, Peer Review, Mentoring, Using Animal Subjects in Research, Conflicts of Interest, Collaborative Research and Research Involving Human Subjects. FHS requires the completion of the following additional two modules, Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research Course, as well as Students - Class Projects.

Curriculum

Master of Science in Environmental Sciences (Major: Environmental Health)

Admission Requirements

For full details on the admission requirements for this interfaculty program, see the Admissions section of this catalogue and the admission policies for the Interfaculty Graduate Environmental Sciences Program IGESP (page 39). Mid-year admissions are only accepted for part-time students.

Graduation Requirements

For information regarding graduation requirements, refer to the General University Requirements in this catalogue.

Credit requirements are tabulated below:

Credit Load

A full-time student must carry a minimum load of 9 credits per term. Students can register for up to 12 credits per term. Students who wish to register for more than 12 credits must petition the Graduate Studies Committee for approval.

For full information on academic rules and regulations and general requirements for the Master of Science in Epidemiology and Master of Science in Environmental Sciences (Major: Environmental Health), refer to the General University Policy section in this catalogue.

Responsible Code of Conduct (RCR) Requirements

All newly admitted graduate students are required to successfully complete an online course on Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) from the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program). The course “covers core norms, principles, regulations, and rules governing the practice of research.” It consists of the following modules: Research Misconduct, Data Management, Authorship, Peer Review, Mentoring, Using Animal Subjects in Research, Conflicts of Interest, Collaborative Research and Research Involving Human Subjects. FHS requires the completion of the following additional two modules, Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research Course, as well as Students - Class Projects.

Curriculum

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Epidemiology    

Mission

The mission of the PhD Program in Epidemiology is to provide advanced training in epidemiology, statistical skills and cutting-edge research methods. Graduates of the program acquire competencies to undertake high quality independent research, to assume professorial positions at universities, and to obtain leadership positions in research units in Ministries of Health and health care institutions in Lebanon, the region and beyond.

Program Goals

The primary goals of the program are to:

• Graduate epidemiologists with advanced training, who can teach advanced courses, lead independent epidemiological research, and promote rigorous epidemiological practice.
  
• Strengthen epidemiological research, and support research collaborations and partnerships at FHS and beyond to improve data systems and address existing and emerging public health problems in Lebanon and the region.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the PhD program, a candidate must:

• Hold a master’s degree in Epidemiology or a relevant discipline such as public health, nursing, statistics and health informatics, pharmacy, biological sciences and others, from AUB or other recognized institution of higher learning. A minimum cumulative course average of 85 (3.7) over 100, or its equivalent, is required for admission.
  
• Have achieved an acceptable score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general component taken in the last five years.
  
• Demonstrate English proficiency as stipulated in the university Graduate Catalogue for requirement for admission into PhD studies
  
• Submit a complete application to the Office of Admissions that includes the following items: (1) Official transcripts and certified copies of degrees and certificates from previous universities, (2) official GRE scores on the general component, (3) letters of recommendation (a minimum of three letters), (4) personal statement outlining interest in the program of study focusing on research interests and experience, and (5) an updated CV.
  
• Shortlisted Applicants will also be required to complete an interview in person

Financial Support

The department offers, on a selective basis, substantial support which fully covers tuition and includes a monthly stipend. There are also some funds available to support participation in international conferences; these funds are awarded on a competitive basis. In return, students help in teaching introductory courses. Their duties also include help in proctoring and correcting exams.

Program Requirements

The PhD in Epidemiology Program requires the completion of 27.5 credit hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree and 24 credit hours of thesis work. The coursework consists of 16 credits of core epidemiology and biostatistics courses, 1.5 credit of core research courses, 4-5 credits selected from a specified set of epidemiology and biostatistics courses and 5-6 credits of pre-approved elective courses. The last 10 credits provide the opportunity for students, through a variety of choices, to specialize, focusing on a specific area of epidemiology. For the dissertation, primary data collection is highly encouraged.

Thesis Qualifying Exam: Parts 1 and 2

After taking and passing all core and required courses, students should register in two zero credit courses, the thesis proposal preparation and the comprehensive exam. They should pass both parts of the PhD Qualifying Exam: Part 1 which is the written comprehensive exam, administered by the department; and Part 2 which is the oral exam involving defense of the thesis proposal, administered by the thesis committee (please refer to the AUB Graduate Studies catalogue for details about the PhD Qualifying Exam).

Thesis Defense

Students have to defend their thesis within at most three years following passing Part 2 of the PhD Qualifying Exam.

Teaching Requirements

One of the competencies of the PhD program is for doctoral students to develop experience in teaching. This is accomplished by: (a) serving as a Teaching Assistant in a course taught by departmental faculty for at least one semester, and (b) attending a minimum of one workshop on Teaching Effectiveness organized by the Center for Teaching and Learning at AUB (CTL) or attending a course at EDUC department. These requirements need to be completed between year 2 and year 4 of the program.

Residence Requirements

The program completion time frame for the regular track is 3 to 5 based on AUB residency requirements. Extension requires Graduate Council approval upon recommendation by the faculty Graduate Studies Committee. Authorized leaves of absence, approved by the PhD Program Committee/Department are the only means of waiving the residency and registration requirements. Policies concerning statute of limitations (for program completion) and leaves of absence are identified in the General Policies and Procedures section of the AUB Graduate Studies catalogue.

Core courses of the program should be taken at AUB, while further required or elective courses could be taken at a recognized institution of higher learning, preferably CEPH accredited, amounting to at most 12 credits that are transferable upon departmental approval. Courses are eligible for transfer only if they are taken beyond master’s degree requirements and fulfill the criteria for type of eligible courses as outlined in the General University Academic Information section of the catalogue for PhD transfer of credits. Students will be encouraged to spend a full term or a shorter duration in a School of Public Health in the US, Canada or Europe to take courses or engage in research.

To fulfill the minimum residence requirements for the PhD degree, a student must register for at least six terms beyond the completion of the master’s degree.

Interdisciplinary and Interdepartmental Courses

• Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) Graduate Courses
  

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