Accelerated MPH Pathway (ABM)

Program Highlights & Accreditation

Middle Tennessee State University offers an Accelerated Bachelor-to-Master's (ABM) program allowing students to earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Health and a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in as little as five years. This pathway is designed for high-achieving undergraduate Public Health majors, enabling them to complete select requirements for both degrees simultaneously.

The Community and Public Health program at MTSU, which includes this ABM pathway, is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Delivery Modes

The ABM program in Public Health is available in both on-ground (on-campus) and online formats. As an accelerated pathway, it is structured for students to complete both degrees in a condensed timeframe, typically implying a full-time commitment.

Curriculum Overview

In the ABM pathway, 12 credit hours of specific undergraduate courses are replaced by their graduate equivalents, allowing these credits to count towards both the B.S. and M.P.H. degrees. Students should consult their undergraduate advisors to ensure they are meeting all requirements for their bachelor's degrees. The graduate courses that substitute undergraduate requirements include:

• HLTH 5270 - Bioethical Issues in Public Health (replaces HLTH 4270 - Bioethical Issues in Public Health)

• HLTH 5450/5451 - Technology Applications/Lab (replaces HLTH 4450/4451 - Technology Applications/Lab)

• HLTH 6200 - Principles of Environmental Health (replaces HLTH 3260 - Environmental Health)

• HLTH 6860 - Program Planning in Health Education (replaces HLTH 4430 - Program Planning in Health Education)

Admissions Requirements (for ABM Pathway)

To be eligible for the ABM Pathway in Public Health, students must meet the following criteria:

• Be an MTSU student majoring in Public Health (B.S.).

• Have completed at least 75 undergraduate credit hours.

• Have a minimum of two semesters remaining in their B.S. program.

• Maintain an inclusive GPA of 3.25 or higher.

Application materials for the ABM pathway include a cover letter and three letters of recommendation. These are submitted to the College of Graduate Studies. Upon successful completion of the B.S. portion of the ABM pathway, students must submit a graduate program application (including the application fee). Other M.P.H. application requirements will be waived, and the student will be admitted to the M.P.H. program automatically.

Cost & Financial Aid

For detailed information regarding tuition, fees, and financial aid opportunities for graduate studies at MTSU, prospective students are encouraged to visit the MTSU Graduate Funding page .

Career & Practical Experience

Graduates of the Public Health program are prepared for various roles in schools, healthcare settings, businesses, government agencies, and universities. Potential careers include health education specialist, health promotion specialist, policy advisor, program analyst, program evaluator, and wellness coordinator.

MTSU alumni have found employment with organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, BlueCross BlueShield, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and the Tennessee Department of Health.

The program provides links to an Internship Manual and Internship Opportunities . Additionally, MTSU’s Career Development Center offers comprehensive services, including job boards like Handshake , to support students in their career pursuits.