WHY I ENROLLED MASTER'S IN PUBLIC HEALTH

Yeah so I am a pharmacist, working as a faculty in the University of Saint Louis- Pharmacy Department. In the academe, a Master's degree is really required (it's in the law, it is CHED's mandate). With the issue on verticalization, an MS Pharmacy would be far better off than a Master's in Public Health (MPH). But what choice do I have?

 So here's the story. I am well aware that the trend now is obtaining a Master's before you can even teach college. But the problem is there are no university in the region offering MS Pharm. The nearest is in Baguio which is too far, 12-14 hours commute from Tuguegarao City. Besides, I have no educational budget to sustain MS Pharm. The next logical move to do is search what is available in the locality. After doing internet browsing, I came across Cagayan State University with its MPH program. This is the nearest choice I can have in terms of its relative closeness to Pharmacy (a health care course) and of course in terms of distance, educational budget and sustainability.

 Right now I have completed 24-units of the course, with ongoing 9-units this summer. Hopefully, I will be given the go-signal to enrol Thesis Writing next semester. The course is not so easy, it requires commitment and a lot of effort. You have to develop extensive research skill and be at least mentally prepared. 

 My favourite subjects include: Principles of Epidemeology, Parasitology (Man, Health, Environment 1), Microbiology (Man, Health, Environment 2) and Practice of Health Administration. Worst subjects I have are: Principles of Health Administration, Public Health Education and Advanced Statistics. Elective subjects as in Administrative Communication is also so much fun.

 So to answer some of your questions.
Is MPH fun? --  Not really
Is it difficult? -- Requires time management
Is it worth it in the end? -- Only you can answer this. In my case, yes since I work in the academe.
Would you recommend it? -- Yes, if you really are interested
Is it expensive? -- Somewhat. If you are rich, it will be cheap. Since I am poor, I have a hard time paying my tuition hahaha.
Are you happy? -- yeah, you get to meet other people and build some sort of connections.

 If you have other questions, you are most welcome to post it here. Bye for now!

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