Combined BS/MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a joint Bachelor of Science + Master of Public Health (BS-MPH) degree program. This accelerated pathway is specifically designed for current University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign undergraduates majoring in Community Health, I-Health, or Kinesiology. Students in the BS-MPH program can choose to specialize in either an Epidemiology Major or a Public Health Major with a focus in Health Behavior & Promotion. A key feature of this joint degree is that it allows students to apply 12 credit hours of coursework towards both their Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees, facilitating a quicker completion time. The MPH program, which forms the graduate component of this joint degree, is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) .

Delivery Modes

The BS-MPH program is delivered as an accelerated, on-campus program. Students take courses that count towards both their BS and MPH degrees during their final year of undergraduate studies and then complete the remaining MPH coursework, often with a heavier course load to facilitate the accelerated timeline.

Curriculum Overview

Students in the BS-MPH program complete the standard MPH curriculum but do so at an accelerated pace, beginning during their senior undergraduate year. Twelve credit hours from their undergraduate study are permitted to apply towards the MPH degree. These typically include:

• HK 410 Public Health Practice (4 Credits)

• HK 408 Environmental Health (3-4 Credits, depending on when taken)

• A 400-level elective course OR one 400-level 4th MPH concentration course (3 or 4 Credits)

The MPH curriculum also includes an Applied Practice Experience (APE) and an Integrative Learning Experience (ILE). Detailed information on the Epidemiology core and specialization courses , as well as the Health Behavior & Promotion core and specialization courses can be found on the program website.

Admissions Requirements

Eligibility for the BS-MPH program is restricted to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign undergraduates who are majoring in Community Health, I-Health, or Kinesiology. Applicants should have completed their junior year but not yet their senior year. Students planning to graduate early may still be eligible if their completed credit hours are equivalent to junior standing at the time of application.

Prerequisite requirements:

• Community Health and I-Health major applicants must complete HK 207: Introduction to Epidemiology and achieve a B grade or higher.

• The HK 207 prerequisite does not apply to Kinesiology majors.

• HK 416 is recommended for all applicants but not required.

Application deadlines are July 15th and November 15th. For more details, see How to Apply: BS-MPH .

Cost & Financial Aid

For detailed information regarding tuition, fees, and potential financial aid opportunities for the MPH program, please consult the university's official Tuition & Cost page .

Career & Practical Experience

The BS-MPH program aims to equip students with the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary for impactful careers in public health. The MPH curriculum, integral to this joint degree, includes an Applied Practice Experience (APE) and an Integrative Learning Experience (ILE), designed to provide students with valuable real-world experience and prepare them for professional roles in assessing community needs, developing innovative solutions, and implementing effective programs and policies.