Accelerated BS/MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The University of Louisville's accelerated Bachelor's-MPH program allows students to complete both a bachelor's degree and a Master of Public Health (MPH) within a five-year timeframe. A key feature is the integration of up to 15 credit hours of graduate-level public health courses during the student's undergraduate senior year. The MPH component aims to provide training in foundational public health competencies and specialized knowledge in a chosen concentration. Accreditation information for the MPH program is not specified in the provided context.

Delivery Modes

This is an accelerated program, implying a full-time commitment. The structure suggests an on-campus delivery mode, as students transition from undergraduate to graduate studies at the University of Louisville. Specific mentions of online or hybrid options for this accelerated track are not provided.

Curriculum Overview

During their senior undergraduate year, students can take up to 15 credit hours of MPH-level courses. The fifth year is dedicated to completing the remaining graduate coursework for the MPH degree. Core MPH courses that students must receive a grade of “B” or higher in include:

• PHST‐500 Introduction to Biostatistics I

• PHPB‐501 Introduction to Health Behavior

• PHEP‐501 Introduction to Epidemiology

• PHMS‐501 Introduction to Public Health Practice and Administration

• PHST-501 Introduction to Biostatistics II (if applicable to concentration)

Students choose a concentration from Epidemiology, Health Policy, or Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences. The Epidemiology concentration requires a strong quantitative background. Further curriculum details can be found in the university's academic catalog via links provided on the program page.

Admissions Requirements

Eligibility for pursuing the accelerated degree program option begins for undergraduates who will have earned a minimum of 75 credit hours and maintain an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25.

Pre-Enrollment (Permission to Enroll in MPH Courses)

Eligible students must complete the following by February 1st of their sixth undergraduate semester:

• Submit an online program-petition .

  • Must attach an updated resume.

• Submit a letter of recommendation, preferably from a UofL faculty member, to Academic Coordinator Rachel Quick at [email protected].

• For students not pursuing a BA or BS in Public Health: Submit a letter from their academic advisor supporting this option, including their academic plan, to [email protected].

• Students may be interviewed by the MPH program director and will be notified of petition acceptance by the end of their sixth semester.

Pre-Admission & Concentration Declaration

Students granted permission to enroll in graduate-level courses must declare an MPH concentration (Epidemiology, Health Policy, or Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences) by November 15th of their seventh undergraduate semester. An interview with a representative from the desired concentration will determine provisional admission and approval of concentration declaration.

Provisional Admission & Formal MPH Application

Once approved to declare a concentration, students are provisionally admitted to the MPH accelerated program and must complete the following by March 1st of their final undergraduate year to formally apply to the MPH program:

• Submit a complete UofL Graduate School Application (apply for Summer term, unless pursuing Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences, then apply for Fall term). Accelerated MPH students DO NOT submit a SOPHAS Application.

• Pay the Graduate School Application fee.

• Submit two letters of recommendation (at least one from a SPHIS faculty member).

• Include a one-page personal statement describing goals in public health.

• Submit Resume/CV.

• Maintain a minimum graduate program GPA of 3.0.

• Receive a grade of “B” or higher in specified MPH core courses.

There is NO GRE requirement. Full admission to the MPH program is granted upon successful completion of the undergraduate degree.