Health Promotion BSHP(Behavioral Medicine)/Public Health MPH(Environmental Health)(non-thesis)

The College of Public Health had an 81% employment placement rate for the MPH class of 2021. Graduates with an MPH go on to work in federal and state agencies as well as non-profit organizations and consulting firms. Roughly 17% 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, Emory University, and Wake Forest University, as well as academic programs at the University of Georgia.

Top employers include Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, University System of Georgia, Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, United States Department of Health and Human Service, and hospital systems (to name a few). Our expectation is that the Double Dawgs pathway will provide 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 in the spring of their second year but should already have discussed their plans with their undergraduate advisor in their first year. MPH coursework may begin prior to spring of year two 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 replace BIOS 2010 in the undergraduate curriculum.
2. EHSC 7010 will replace EHSC 3060 in the undergraduate curriculum.
3. EPID 7010 will replace EPID 4070 in the undergraduate curriculum.
4. EHSC 7080 or EHSC 7310 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 October 15 of year four for a spring year four start term. Applications should be made to the BS/MPH program (Area of Emphasis in Environmental Health Science) 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. 1500 words),
• Academic transcript verification,
• And three letters of recommendation (two academic and one 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 student's academic records align with the program requirements. Once accepted, students are subsequently enrolled in the MPH program in spring of year four. Students who are eligible to enter the MPH program in Spring of year four must ensure that timely completion of the undergraduate degree occurs in year four. 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 BS Health Promotion/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: Health Promotion B.S.H.P.
  • Department/College: College of Public Health

Advising Contact

  • Name: Heather McEachern
  • Email: cphadm@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-3187
  • Address: 302 Ramsey Student Center

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