Degree Requirements

This page offers essential guidance on credit requirements for Tufts University’s graduate programs, including the Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics, Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. MPH and HIA students and those pursuing dual degrees can access detailed course structures through the Degree Audit Worksheets, while students in the DPT, MBS, and PA programs follow a predefined cohort structure and do not need to use these worksheets. Additionally, MPH students have the opportunity to enhance their education through cross-registration for elective courses at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

Degree Audit Worksheets

Degree audit worksheets are provided as an informational tool for prospective students. Current students should refer to their Academic Advisement Report in SIS. Degree audit worksheets from prior academic years are available by request from the TUSMGP Registrar’s Office.

Credit-Hour System

Beginning in Summer 2018, Tufts University adopted the credit-hour system—used by most universities in the United States. This change applied to the School of Medicine and its Public Health and Professional Degree Programs. Most courses are worth 3 credits, and half semester courses are worth 1.5 credits. Listing below are the required credits by program.

 

Programs Credits

 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

127 credits

 Master of Public Health (MPH)

 42 credits

 Master of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics

 36 credits

 Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences

 34 credits

 Master of Medical Science – Physician Assistant Program (Spring 2019 admits and onward)

 130 credits

*Students who matriculated prior to the implementation of the new credit system will see a change in the way in which course credits appear, but Tufts will make every effort to keep degree requirements consistent with information provided in the Student Handbook of the student’s year of matriculation. The new credit-hour system will make transfer of credit easier for students and will make the Tufts transcript more self-explanatory to most graduate and professional schools. Because the credit hour generally reflects the amount of time required for the course, students may find it easier to create a balanced course-load each semester. For example, a 3 credit course generally requires 3 hours of class or instructional contact per week. In 2011, the United States Department of Education instructed all accreditation agencies to review university credit policies and ensure that universities use a common standard for awarding credit hours. This has resulted in the need for Tufts to move to a system where credit hours and instructional contact hours are linked.