Combination Bachelor’s/MPH Degree Program

Program Overview

The combination bachelor’s/MPH degree program is available to exceptional University of Florida (UF) undergraduate students from any major/college who have a genuine interest in public health. This program allows students to get a head start on their graduate education by taking approved graduate MPH courses throughout their junior and senior undergraduate years. A minimum of 9 graduate-level credits, and maximum of 15 credits, count toward both degrees, reducing the time and money it takes to get two separate degrees!

Applicants apply to one of the five primary MPH concentrations: Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Population Health Management, or Social and Behavioral Sciences. Attending an MPH Concentrations Panel is recommended to explore which concentration is the best fit for you. Also, please review the Application Deadlines before applying.

Prior to graduating with their bachelor’s degree, combination degree students complete the UF Graduate School application to transition from undergraduate to graduate student status. To earn both degrees, all requirements for the bachelor’s degree and the MPH degree must be satisfied. A student’s marketability, especially those preparing to apply to professional schools, is greatly enhanced. Added value: combination degree pre-health students can complete their remaining master’s degree requirements (33 credits) in their growth/gap year (three semesters) and apply to professional school with two degrees instead of one!

Justine Torres (Pre-med student)

"Public health lies at the intersection of every discipline! What I love most about PHHP’s combination degree program is that it allows me to engage in the public health sphere and take advantage of the resources and opportunities offered to graduate students sooner than I would as a traditional student. I hope to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how to help shape my future patients' lives on a systemic level while practicing medicine on an individual scale."

Eligibility Requirements

Students applying for the program are required to meet the following requirements at the time of application.

Classification

Current UF undergraduate student, sophomore or junior by credit, from any major.

Sophomore: 30-60 credits completed; Junior: 60-90 credits completed

Hanging Out

Prerequisite Coursework

Minimum: Completed STA 2023, BSC 2005 or BSC 2010, and PSY 2012 with a grade of C or better.

Competitive applicants tend to have a B average or better in these courses. Most concentrations also consider the applicant’s demonstrated ability to learn statistics, as indicated by grades in statistics and mathematics courses.

Overall UF GPA

Minimum: 3.2

Competitive applicants tend to have a 3.6 or higher

Photo of the College of Public Health and Health Professions exterior including a blue sky and clouds.

Interest Form

Complete the interest form to receive notifications about upcoming program information sessions, MPH concentration panels, college research days, and other events.

Application Requirements

Admission to the MPH combination degree program is highly competitive and depends on space availability each cycle. First, complete the Intent to Apply Form, then proceed with completing the remaining application requirements.

STEP 1: Submit your Intent to Apply Form

Intent to Apply Form

If you plan to apply for the Combination Bachelor's/MPH program this cycle (e.g. bachelor's graduation in 2026 or 2027), please complete the Intent to Apply online form linked below. This lets the MPH program know you are planning to submit your application materials on or before June 1, 2025.

STEP 2: Request (2) Recommendations

Please ask at least two individuals to submit a Recommendation Form electronically via our Recommendation Portal. One must be from a faculty member or course instructor, and the other can be from a research PI, internship/volunteer supervisor, employer, or similar.

Complete Section One. Sign, date, and save as a PDF. Email the signed document to your recommenders. They will upload the form on your behalf.

STEP 3: Prepare Application Documents

Combination Bachelor’s Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree Planning Form

Complete the required sections of the form, consult your undergraduate advisor about unmet requirements and eligible MPH courses, obtain the necessary signatures, and upload the finalized form.

The Planning Form will be updated (and hyperlinked below) by early February 2025.

Unofficial Transcripts

Upload unofficial transcripts for each postsecondary institution you have attended, including UF. The admissions committee does not have access to your degree audit to review your grades.

Statement of Purpose

Address the two prompts below in a double-spaced 12-point sans serif font, in 500 words or less. There is no “correct” answer to these questions. We encourage honesty, creativity, and thoughtful reflection in your responses.

I. Please describe your motivation to study in the field of public health, specifically within your selected concentration. Explain how obtaining a degree in public health aligns with your professional goals.

II. Recognizing that we each have unique perspectives, share how your personal, professional, and academic experiences will enhance your ability to impact the broader public health community.

Current Resume

Upload a current, professional resume.

+ Education history
+ Employment/professional experience
+ Relevant healthcare/public health-related experience
+ Internship and/or volunteer/service experience
+ Research experience
+ Leadership experience
+ Other relevant experience
+ Honors/awards
+ Relevant skills.

STEP 4: Submit Application

Please save your files as “Last Name_First Name_Name of Document”

Individual working on laptop

Submit your application HERE!

Current sophomores and juniors: Please upload your complete application on or before June 1, 2025.

Recommendation Form Submission

Submit your Recommendation Form HERE!

Recommenders: use this portal to submit your Letter Request Form (and letter if applicable).

Letter Writers: If you experience any difficulty uploading your Recommendation Form, please email your recommendation to mphdocuments@phhp.ufl.edu.

Next Steps

Within one month of the application deadline, students will receive a decision letter from the MPH program. Students who accept their offer of admission must pick up a combination degree form from the MPH program, and return the signed form to their undergraduate advising office for proper filing with the Registrar’s Office. The MPH program manage registration for graduate public health courses each semester.

Contact Information

For more information about the program, register for an upcoming MPH program information session or contact program Advisor, Andre McFadden II, at andre2011@phhp.ufl.edu or (352) 273-7036. Application questions can be sent to MPH Admissions and Recruitment Coordinator, Brittany Gibson, at brittanygibson@phhp.ufl.edu.

This page was last revised on September 6, 2024.