Psychology BS/Public Health MPH (Health Policy and Management)(non-thesis)

The College of Public Health had an 67% employment placement rate for the MPH class of 2022. Graduates with an MPH go on to work in federal and state agencies as well as non-profit organizations and consulting firms. Roughly 14% of students pursue fellowship, postdoc, or residency programs, and roughly 9% of graduating students pursue further advanced degree programs such as medical or doctoral programs. The top graduate schools for MPH alumni include medical programs at Augusta University and Emory University, as well as academic programs at the University of Georgia.

Top employers include Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia Health Policy Center, Kaiser Permanente, University of Georgia, Emory University, and hospital systems (to name a few). The Double Dawgs pathway provides a clear step towards careers in agencies focused on preventive efforts in target populations (i.e. women and minorities, disenfranchised populations, families, school age or aging populations, incarcerated populations, urban and rural populations, high risk groups for disease or disability). A few fields that will be new opportunities for our pathway graduates include data management specialists, data analysts, research specialists, consultants, and coordinators of public health research or programs.

Admission to Program

Students typically apply to the pathway no later than the beginning of their third year, but should already have discussed their plans in their first or second year. MPH coursework may begin prior to year-3 but students MUST first complete all pathway application and advising prior to enrolling in any MPH coursework. Applicants to the Double Dawgs program are expected to have an excellent academic record and an undergraduate overall GPA of 3.5. Applications are evaluated each semester, and once accepted, new Double Dawgs students may enroll in MPH courses the following semester. More information on the pathway application can be found on the College of Public Health Double Dawgs website: https://publichealth.uga.edu/apply-now/double-dawgs/

Curriculum

Graduate-level courses that may be used to satisfy undergraduate and graduate program requirements.

1. BIOS 7010 will count as a general elective in the undergraduate curriculum.
2. HPAM 7010 will count as a general elective in the undergraduate curriculum.
3. HPAM 7600 will count as a general elective in the undergraduate curriculum.
4. HPAM 7750 will count as a general elective in the undergraduate curriculum.

Additional requirements that are unique to this Double Dawgs program:

The MPH is a 44-credit hour, non-thesis degree program. The typical pathway student must express interest in the pathway their freshman year and be willing to take summer courses in order to successfully complete the undergraduate credit hour requirements as well as the MPH credit hour requirements within the allowable 4+1 pathway model. Students are encouraged to first speak with their undergraduate coordinators and advisors and establish a preliminary program of study prior to reaching out to the MPH program to formalize the program of study and successfully complete the application process.

Admission to Graduate Program

After completion of up to 12 graduate hours of coursework, students must then apply for official acceptance into the MPH program. This process occurs no later than April 1 of year-4, for a summer year-4 official start term. Most students will enroll in 6 credits of MPH coursework the summer after graduating from the bachelor’s program. The MPH admissions process should ideally be completed PRIOR to the commencement of May Session courses. Applications should be made to the B.S./MPH program (Area of Emphasis in Health Policy and Management) through SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service). The application process is detailed at https://publichealth.uga.edu/apply-now/master-of-public-health-program/, and requires:
- A current CV or Resume
- A statement of interest (max. 1,500 words)
- Academic transcript verification
- Three letters of recommendation (2 academic and 1 professional recommended)

Double Dawgs pathway students are NOT guaranteed admission to the MPH program and are required to apply to the MPH during the semester of their enrollment in the 12th graduate credit hour. Admission to the graduate program requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a completed application packet that is reviewed by the department’s faculty to determine whether the students’ academic records align with the program requirements. Once accepted, students are subsequently enrolled in the MPH program in Summer year-4. Students who are eligible to enter the MPH program in summer year-4 must ensure that timely graduation of the Bachelor’s degree occurs in year-4. Students who fail to follow the established pathway in any way, may be subject to loss of credit hours towards either degree program completion, extended time in the MPH program, or expulsion from the B.S. Psychology/MPH pathway.

Program Advisor

  • Name: Kathryn Pollett
  • Email: kathryn.pollett@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-1104
  • Address: Health Sciences Campus, 105M Rhodes Hall

Undergraduate Major Information

  • Major: Psychology B.S.
  • Department/College: Psychology

Advising Contact

  • Name: Trina Cyterski
  • Email: cyterski@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-7852
  • Address: 0236 Psychology Building Athens, GA 30602

Graduate Major Information

  • Major: Public Health M.P.H.
  • Department/College: College of Public Health

Advising Contact

  • Name: Kathryn Pollett
  • Email: kathryn.pollett@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-1104
  • Address: Health Sciences Campus, 105M Rhodes Hall