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!
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; many professions now require a master’s degree for entry-level positions. This program allows pre-health students to complete their remaining master’s degree requirements (33 credits) in their growth/gap year (three semesters).
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; Junior: 60-90 credits
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
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 the remaining application requirements.
Applicants may apply to only one of the five primary MPH concentrations:
- Biostatistics
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Population Health Management
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
STEP 1: Intent to Apply
Complete the Intent to Apply form linked below. This lets the program know you are planning to complete your application for the Combination Bachelor’s/MPH Degree program.
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.
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.
Current Resume
Upload a current, professional resume that outlines your education, employment/professional experience, relevant healthcare/public health-related experience, internship or volunteer experience, research experience, leadership experience, other relevant experience, and skills.
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.
Request (2) Recommendations
Please arrange to have at least two recommendations submitted electronically through our Letter Request Form Upload Portal. Complete the first section of the Letter Request Form (hyperlinked below). Sign, date, and save as a PDF. Email this to your recommenders so they can complete section two and upload on your behalf.
At least one recommendation must be from a faculty member or course instructor. The second recommendation can be from a research PI, internship/volunteer supervisor, employer, etc.
Application Submission
Submit your application HERE!
A complete application will include: (1) Signed Combination Bachelor's/MPH Planning Form, (2) Unofficial Transcripts, (3) Resume, and (4) Statement of Purpose. Please save your files as "Last Name_First Name_Resume"
Recommendation Form Submission
Applicants: please ask your recommenders to upload their UF Graduate School Recommendation Letter Request Form electronically via the Letter Request Form Upload Portal. Provide them with the upload portal link and deadline (June 1) to submit their recommendation. (link coming soon!)
Letter Writers: If you experience any difficulty uploading your Letter Request Form, please email your recommendation to mphdocuments@phhp.ufl.edu.
Application Deadlines
Starting Fall 2024, students can begin their combination bachelor’s/MPH program courses in either their junior or senior year. To start in junior year, apply by June 1 two years before your bachelor’s graduation year. To start in senior year, apply one year before your bachelor’s graduation year.
| Bachelor’s degree Graduation term/year | Start program junior year | start program senior year |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025, Summer 2025, or Fall 2025 | June 1, 2023 | June 1, 2024 |
| Spring 2026, Summer 2026, or Fall 2026 | June 1, 2024 | June 1, 2025 |
| Spring 2027, Summer 2027, or Fall 2027 | June 1, 2025 | June 1, 2026 |
| Spring 2028, Summer 2028, or Fall 2028 | June 1, 2026 | June 1, 2027 |
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.