Students in the M.P.H. degree program may take nearly half of their courses outside of the major department/curriculum and undergo extensive field training (if previous experience is not deemed sufficient using department-specific criteria). Typically, master of public health students already have acquired education in a health or health-related profession, or have some experience in a field related to public health. The master of public health is often a terminal degree, and qualified students may proceed in the Gillings School of Global Public Health to a Dr.P.H. or Ph.D. program for further study.