Classes and Laboratories 

• Students are expected to attend all classes, laboratories, or required fieldwork. All missed laboratory or fieldwork must be made up. A student is responsible for the work that is done, and for any announcements that are made during her/his absence. 
• Students who miss more than one-fifth of the sessions of any course in the first ten weeks of a given semester (five weeks in the case of the summer term) are dropped from the course if the faculty member has stated in the syllabus that attendance will be taken. 
• Students who withdraw or are forced to drop a course receive a grade of W. 
• A student cannot withdraw or be withdrawn from a course after the announced deadline unless approved by the appropriate faculty committee. 

Examinations and Quizzes 

Students who miss an announced examination or quiz must present an excuse considered valid by the instructor of the course. The course instructor should then require the student to take a make-up examination. 

Medical reports and/or qualified professional opinions issued by an AUB employee, AUBMC doctor, or by the University Health Services are accepted. Should there be a question about the validity of any excuse presented by the student, the matter should be referred to the appropriate faculty committee. 

Master’s students on thesis and non-thesis track are required to register and pass a 0-credit comprehensive examination course. A student is not allowed to defend her/ his thesis unless s/he has passed the comprehensive examination. In general, a comprehensive examination is a test that covers a broad base of material. The purpose of the examination is to assess the student’s knowledge and capacities to earn a given graduate degree in the field of specialization. Depending on the degree program, it may test course knowledge, knowledge of the student’s proposed research area, and/or general knowledge in the field.

Comprehensive examinations are usually taken after completing most of the required course requirements for the degree and after meeting with the academic adviser to determine eligibility. The Pass (P) or Fail (F) is entered online or is reported to the Registrar immediately on the date the comprehensive examination is passed or any time during the term.

A student who does not pass the comprehensive examination may retake it in the following term. Students who are unable to pass a program’s comprehensive exam twice are dropped from the graduate program. Students who pass the comprehensive exam after one failure will have their initial failure reported as “PR” for progress in the first term the course was registered in, and the grade of “P” for passing the comprehensive exam will show on their transcript in the second term the course was registered in.

Comprehensive examinations are written or oral exams and sometimes both written and oral.

For MS students majoring in epidemiology, students undergo a written comprehensive exam. The duration of the exam is 4 hours, covers basic concepts and methods of epidemiology, biostatistics and research design and is administered by the department. The exam is given twice in the Fall and Spring term each year and the time of the exam is set by the EPHD.

MS students majoring in Environmental Sciences (Major: Environmental Health) undergo an oral comprehensive exam. The thesis/project adviser appoints a committee comprised of at least three members (for the thesis) and 2 members (for the project) of professorial rank chaired by the thesis/project adviser to examine the student.

MPH Program:

A full-time MPH 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 semester. Students who wish to register for less than 5 credits must petition the Graduate Studies Committee for approval. 

MS Programs:

Normally, the maximum number of credits that may be taken in a regular term is 12 credits. The maximum number of credits that may be taken in the summer session is 6 credits. A student who wishes to enroll in more than the maximum number of credits must petition the faculty Graduate Studies Committee to obtain permission.

A student on probation may be dismissed from the program upon the recommendation of The Faculty Graduate Studies Committee if he/she:   

• Fails to remove probation after one semester or its equivalent for part-timers (10 credit hours) or,  
• Is placed on probation more than once (not counting the probation at time of admission).   
• 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 Faculty Graduate Studies Committee, is not making satisfactory academic progress, or has behaved in contempt of the norms and values upheld by the Faculty. In addition to the above, dismissal for a student in the MS programs occurs if the student fails the comprehensive examination twice or the thesis defense twice.

MPH-List of Approved Electives

Policy:

• Exemption from a required FHS graduate course may only be considered when the student has proof that s/he has satisfactorily completed a comparable graduate level course in a recognized university normally with a minimum grade of B+ (or 80) or the equivalent.
• Course exemption is possible if the course was taken in a period not exceeding the last 5 years.
• Graduate students are allowed to be exempted from courses totally to a maximum of 6 graduate credits.
• The requirement of this particular exempted course is waived but not its credits (i.e., the candidate has to replace the exempted course credits with other course(s) having the same number of credits). Students are still expected to complete the minimum number of credits required for graduation (MPH 42 credits; MS 30 credits).
• The course instructor assesses the equivalence of courses through comparison of course description and learning objectives. 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 or before the deadline of the drop and add period.
• In cases where students want to equate a course offered in another faculty for a required graduate course in the MPH/MS program, the course instructor (or relevant department chairperson) must approve the petition for equating courses prior to the student registering for the course. This could only happen when the required course is not offered during the term in which the student needs to complete the degree requirements.
• HMPD 306 course exemption policy: Students enrolled in the MPH-HMP program and who took in their undergraduate studies a microeconomics course, such as ECON 211 or AGSC 212 or their equivalent from other recognized universities, can petition to be exempt from the workshop course HMPD 306. The instructor of the HMPD 306 course or Chairperson of the HMP department reviews the petition for possible approval.

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Procedure: 

• The student submits a petition for course exemption attaching the syllabus and official university transcript from the other university/program.
• The course instructor decides if the course can be exempted based on the course syllabus and/or a test.
• If an exam is required, the student is asked by the Graduate officer to sit for the exam either prior to the start of the term when the course is offered or before the deadline of the drop and add period.
• As per the course instructor’s decision, the petition is approved/rejected and forwarded to the Graduate Studies Committee then the Registrar’s Office at AUB.
• Related policies: Transfer of credits policy

Dr. Nadim Adib Haddad MPH Academic Achievement Award 

A monetary award granted to a student in the MPH program in recognition of excellence in academic performance.

Graduate Academic Achievement Award 

A non-cash honorary award granted to a student in the MPH program and a student in the MS programs in recognition of excellence in academic performance. 

The Dr. Musa Najib Nimah Endowed Award for Public Health Leadership 

A monetary award granted to a graduating student at the graduate level from the Faculty of Health Sciences who exhibits the “spirit” of public health and demonstrates excellent leadership skills and social involvement. 

Membership in the Delta Omega Chapter 

The Delta Omega is the honorary society of public health. Founded in 1924, it aims to encourage and recognize excellence in practice, research, education and academic achievement in the field of public health. 

The Faculty of Health Sciences chapter, named Gamma Delta, was established in October 2010. Each year, FHS inducts students into its honorary society chapter. Membership criteria include academic achievement and leadership, teamwork and public health spirit. 

• Graduate level courses are normally numbered 300 or above. 
• Results of tutorial courses, projects or theses are reported as Pass (P) or Fail (F). 
• The minimum passing grade for a graduate course is 70 (C+) for a master’s student and 75 (B) for a PhD student. 

Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisite courses are undergraduate courses taken to make up for deficiencies in the student’s background.

• Prerequisite courses do not carry graduate credit.

• The minimum passing grade for a prerequisite course is 70 (C+). However, a department or program may set a higher minimum passing grade.

To be eligible for graduation in the MPH program, a student must accomplish the following: 

All recommendations for graduation are made by vote of the faculty on the recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee. 

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

MS programs:

There are two types of master’s degree programs, namely, thesis and non-thesis master’s degrees. Some programs provide a choice of either a thesis or non-thesis option while others may only have one or the other.

• Students following the thesis option are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours, of which a minimum of 21 graduate credit hours should be in coursework and a minimum of 6 credit hours in thesis work. Normally, a maximum of 3 credit hours may be tutorial courses.
• Students following the non-thesis master’s program are required to take a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours, 3 credits of which may be a project and should follow a course of study approved by the department/program and by the faculty Graduate Studies Committee.

All graduate students are expected to make steady and satisfactory progress toward the completion of degrees. 

Students who are not enrolled for a period of more than one academic year (two consecutive regular terms and one summer) will be considered to have withdrawn from the program unless they apply for a leave of absence and secure approval of the department, faculty/ school Graduate Studies Committee, and Graduate Council. 

The leave of absence application can be up to one academic year at a time. The maximum period of approved leave of absence is for two academic years. An approved leave of absence does not count towards maximum residency. Non-enrollment by the student for one regular semester without securing leave of absence will count towards maximum residency. 

Students who seek to return without having secured leave of absence approval after a non-enrollment period of more than one academic year must reapply and will be considered for readmission following regular AUB application/admission procedures. If re-admitted into the same graduate program, then their earlier status as graduate student will count towards maximum residency. 

The approval of the leave of absence is determined by the nature of the excuse, the documentation/proof submitted, and the time of submission. Excuses submitted should consist of circumstances that prevent a student from carrying out his/her graduate studies. Students are strongly advised to consult with their advisors regarding the validity of their excuse. 

Normally, students are expected to submit a leave of absence before the start of the semester in which the leave begins. However, on some occasions and with adequate justification, students may submit a leave of absence before the end of the drop/ add period. Leave of absence requests submitted after the drop/add period will be considered on an exceptional basis if the student’s excuse consists of an unavoidable circumstance and the claim is supported with substantial evidence. Students must be willing and able to prove the claims of their excuse, which includes providing any documentation requested as proof.

MPH Program:

A student will be placed on probation if he/she fails to meet the GPA requirements mentioned under academic standing. 

 If admitted on probation, a student will be removed from probation at the end of a semester or its equivalent for part-timers (10 credit hours) if he/she has passed all courses and has attained a semester/cumulative GPA of 3.2 (or 80). 

 If placed on probation because of average, a student will be removed from probation by the end of the following regular semester by attaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 (or 80%).  

If placed on probation because of failing a course, student should retake and pass the course the next time it is offered. In case this condition cannot be met, the student, in consultation with the registration advisor, must petition the faculty/school Graduate Studies Committee before registering the course to secure its equivalence.

MS programs:

The academic performance of the student is first evaluated by the department upon completion of 9 credits of coursework after initial enrollment towards the degree and then is evaluated every term/term thereafter.

Students Admitted on Probation

• A student admitted on probation has to complete at least 9 credits of graduate level courses within the first two terms of graduate studies, has to pass all courses, and has to attain a minimum cumulative average of 80 (GPA: 3.2) to achieve regular status.
• If the student fails to meet any of these conditions, s/he will be dropped from the program.
• A student is placed on probation if s/he attains a cumulative average of 70 (GPA: 2.2) or more, but less than 80 (GPA: 3.2), or fails any course taken for graduate credit.

Students Placed on Probation during Regular Status

• A student placed on probation due to average must remove the probation by the end of the following regular term/term by attainment of a cumulative average of at least 80 (GPA: 3.2).
• A student placed on probation due to course failure should retake and pass the course the next time it is offered. In case this condition cannot be met, the student, in consultation with the advisor, must petition the faculty/school Graduate Studies Committee.

More detailed information on probation and dismissal from the program can be found in the graduate catalogue- general university academic info.

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.

The requirement must be fulfilled within one month of being notified of the requirement. Failure to fulfill the requirement in a timely manner results in a registration hold that is removed once the student has completed the RCR course.

MPH Program:

The duration of the MPH program varies between full and part-timers. Students who join the program as full-timers can complete requirements within a period of two years. A candidate who wishes to enroll as a part-time student may do so provided s/he completes the program requirements within a period of four years. 

MS Programs:

To meet the minimum residence requirements for the master’s degree, a student must register and be in residence as a graduate student for at least two terms, that is, either for one term and two summers or for four summers. All requirements for the master’s degree must be completed within a period of eight regular terms after admission to graduate study. Students attending only summer sessions must complete all requirements within a period of six summers after admission to graduate study. Extension beyond the maximum allowed period of study requires approval from the faculty Graduate Studies Committee.

1. Students have a maximum of four years to complete their MS degree.
2. Once a student registers for the thesis, s/ he pays a thesis fee that allows her/him to register up to three additional terms without paying, however the student must register for the thesis course on AUBsis each time. In addition, the student is expected to register consecutively without skipping any regular term. In case the student plans to skip a regular term, he/ she must apply for a leave of absence and secure the approval of the chair of the department, Faculty/School Graduate Studies Committee, and Graduate Council.
3. Non-thesis Master’s students are expected to register and finish the project work within two consecutive regular terms at most. Registering for a project course beyond a second term requires approval of the faculty/school Graduate Studies Committee; this approval must be sought on a per-term basis prior to registration.
4. Not registering for the thesis without an approved Leave of Absence (referred to as an “unexcused absence”) throughout subsequent terms will cause the student to forfeit the registration due her/him for each term of unexcused absence. For further information, please refer to the university catalogue.
5. Regulations and deadline are available in the graduate university catalogue. Please refer to the catalogue for important information.
6. As per the university catalogue “Students are responsible for reading the information in the university catalogue. Failure to read and comply with faculty and university regulations will not exempt students from whatever penalties that may incur”.

A transfer of credits may be considered when the student has satisfactorily completed a graduate course with a minimum grade of B+ (or 80) or equivalent at a recognized university*. 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. In this case, students might be considered for exemption from course not credits.

The transferred credits are accepted after seeking approval of the course instructor.

Transfer of course credits from graduate academic and professional diploma programs at AUB to a graduate degree program is allowed following the academic rules and regulations specified by the American university of Beirut. However, the number of course credits that can be transferred is up to 12 credits for graduate academic diplomas and up to 6 credits for graduate professional diplomas (in reference to AUB policy on transfer of credits).

Transfer of credits from graduate programs that are jointly offered with FHS at AUB is possible before the completion of the degree in the event that the student wants to change major. The number of credits that can be transferred from joint programs cannot exceed 12 credits of comparable courses at FHS. However, the maximum number of transferrable credits from non-CEPH accredited programs is 6 core or concentration credits.

Request for transfer of credits for MPH/MS students is only possible if the student has completed the course within the previous 5 years of the transfer request date.

Procedure for Exemption and Transfer of Credits:

To transfer credits, the candidate submits a course equivalence petition through the online petition system and attaches the following official documents after consulting with the academic and registration advisors:

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

For transfer of credits, the Graduate Officer verifies that the transferring university has comparable academic standards* to those of the American university of Beirut.

The instructor of the specific course reviews the syllabus and recommends on the equivalence of the course.

The online petition passes through a chain of approvals until the final decision is taken by the Graduate Studies Committee.

* based on the directives by AUB