URMC / Public Health Sciences / Education / Combined Degree and Accelerated Public Health Program
Combined Degree and Accelerated Public Health Program (4+1)
To begin a career in public health, you often need both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree, which typically takes at least six years of higher education. Admission to the master's program may also require a strong score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). The Department of Public Health Sciences in collaboration with the College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering is offering Combined Degree and Accelerated Programs (4+1) that are designed to:
- Expedite the time to obtain a Master's degree;
- Streamline the Master's application process or eliminate the need to apply entirely; and
- Lower the cost to obtain your Master's degree.
We achieve these goals by having undergraduate students take select graduate classes that can be transferred into the Master's program, close mentoring and advising of undergraduate students by graduate faculty and staff, waive the application fee (for existing students) or conditionally accept first-year and transfer students, and offering a 40% tuition scholarship for full-time graduate students. The programs are described below. Students interested in the accelerated program should apply by the end of their junior year.
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What is the Combined Degree Program?
This program is available for first-year undergraduate applicants or transfer students. The Public Health combined degree program allows you to skip the application process before entering your fifth year as a master’s candidate at the University of Rochester. When accepted to the combined degree program as an undergraduate, you’re also given conditional admission to the Master’s programs offered through the Department of Public Health Sciences in the School of Medicine and Dentistry. The Master’s programs options are: Public Health (MPH), Clinical Investigation (MS), Epidemiology (MS), and Health Services Research and Policy (MS). You will be assigned a graduate faculty advisor upon enrollment as a first-year undergraduate student. For more information, please visit undergraduate admissions.
What is the Accelerated Program?
This program is available for students who are already enrolled in one of our eligible undergraduate programs and who are not already participating in the combined degree program. The Public Health accelerated program allows you to declare your intent to obtain a Master’s degree at the end of your third year. You will then be assigned a graduate faculty advisor who will assist you with program planning and provide research mentorship. You will also receive an application fee waiver when you apply to your Master’s program of choice, and your application will receive expedited review. The Master’s programs options are: Public Health (MPH), Clinical Investigation (MS), Epidemiology (MS), and Health Services Research and Policy (MS).
What Do We Have to Offer?
The program provides you with early advising by renowned graduate faculty mentors, extensive research and professional development opportunities, and access to premier research facilities as both an undergraduate and graduate student. Additionally, you will receive a 40 percent tuition scholarship during your full-time graduate work.
Who is Eligible to Participate?
As an undergraduate in the combined or accelerated degree program, you can major in any of the following interdisciplinary health-related programs:
As an undergraduate in the Accelerated program, you can also minor in any of the following programs (note: this option is not available for the combined degree program):
- Bioethics
- Epidemiology
- Health Behavior and Society
- Health Policy
You are expected to have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.40 in your undergraduate public health-related major or minor, and at least a 3.40 grade point average and no less than a B- grade for the four graduate-level courses that will be transferred into the master's degree. Courses with a grade of less than B- are not eligible for transfer into the master's program.
Want to Know More?
For further information about these programs, including the timeline and application process, please see our Public Health Combined Degree/Accelerated Program slides. First-year and transfer applicants interested in our combined degree program, please visit the undergraduate admissions website!
For any questions, please contact us!
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Edwin van Wijngaarden, Ph.D., FACE
Program Director
Professor and Associate Chair of Public Health Sciences
Jennifer Sherwood
Associate Director, Multidisciplinary Studies Center
College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering
Annie Majoka, M.B.A.
Education Administrator
Department of Public Health Sciences